[Alternative to Melatonin for sleep]

1 hour ago, Indigo Blue said:

How does a sleep lamp help? Do you mean the ones that mimic the sun rising in the morning?

https://verilux.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1dGJBhD4ARIsANb6OdlOApHJtKiaFwB9tPZHBcbv8JYwBMOX3rQLdoiiFyv0DSdwS6CP3ssaAkqJEALw_wcB

https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/sleep/advanced-sleep-phase-syndrome/treatments/bright-light-therapy.html

 

This is the brand that I have. I don't have the one that mimics the sun rising. Mine is a stand alone it is the size of an ipad and I stand it on the table in front-side of me in the morning when I am at the table or my desk. I am including a couple links that can explain the whole theory of it-They explain it better than I can in this post.  

I think I paid around $40 for mine.  

Hope this helps you.

 

[Alternative to Melatonin for sleep]

I began using a verilux sun lamp every morning "Happy Light". I wasn't sure about it at first but I notice a difference in sleep patterns when I don't use it. 

[Ideas needed for elderly Aunt in nursing home]

When you talk to the person in charge of scheduling the visit maybe ask for advice. If they have an onsite salon maybe a giftcard for a few items like a hair set or manicure. If they can have food items in their room and if no diet restrictions-flavored water, snacks. If she is in a wheelchair I remember special cushions that the pt recommended.

A friend of mine takes her 100 yo grandma home made jams, and pickles of all varieties. She is aware of any diet restrictions but her grandma really enjoys the homemade taste.

  

[Catholic question: mass intention, how much is customary, donation]

I second talking to the church secretary. I think it varies by church as well. When I have contacted churches to do masses for relatives I had noticed the difference. The suggested amount around here was 10-20 dollars. 

[I need help because I'm terrible at communicating but this can't continue and please, this is a JAWM type post]

Sorry you are having to go through all this. I watched my parents go through this almost exactly, with one of their kids (an ex-sibling) and grandkids.   Anyway, once you figure out your limits and what you can do I would suggest not looking at her Facebook page so that you don't feel guilty for doing "self care" for yourself.    You can't control how they will react.  Take care of yourself. 

[laminating large item UPDATE in first post]

I've gotten all different sizes of posters laminated at office max/depot staples.

 

[growth spurts, very tall kids]

Sometimes stretch marks happen with rapid growth.

 

[Streaming options]

We use Disney+ a lot. We have huge Marvel fans in the house. Plus there is so much variety that it’s been fun.

[growth spurts, very tall kids]

I have one ds who is 6’7” and one that is 6’4”. I think they are done growing. I don’t think they have measured their height this year yet. But I am 6’ and dh is 6’1”.   Having access to healthy food choices is really all I did.  

[Face-to-face school - anyone else's kids start yet?]

The universities and colleges are requiring staff and students to get vaccines and masks are required indoors and outdoors if in large gathering.

I looked on the primary and secondary school websites and no masks are needed at any time except if your student rides the bus because that’s a CDC rule.  No options for online were listed on the websites. School starts - 9-7.

There were vax protestors outside local hospital this week.

our numbers for covid have been rising

[What vegetable(s) do you wish you liked better?]

I have noticed a different flavor in several vegetables when I get them fresh from the farmer or my garden vs the store. A new vegetable last year in my csa was salad turnips which became a new favorite along with “breakfast radishes “.

[What vegetable(s) do you wish you liked better?]

Cilantro - tastes like soap I agree with Ina Garten

green beans- to squeaky and fuzzy

parsnips just no

I'm ready to 86 carrots unless they are fresh from farmers market they have no flavor

 

[Selling a Nintendo Switch account]

I understand it that when you download a game you have a license to use it but you don’t own it. Similar to when you download music you have a license to use it but don’t own it and can’t pass it on.

[Colleges requiring covid vaccine to live on campus]

The colleges and universities private and public in my state have been announcing all staff and students required to be vaccinated before returning to campus.

[graphic art for highschool]

I will second the resources that Lanny has already listed. My son is an animator and used many of these programs. He uses Maya instead of Blender because that's what most studios use unless they have their own programs. When he was in high school he took online classes with Chad Stewart  bhttps://www.theanimcourse.com/about     We can't say enough positive things about these courses!!  

[Art program that actually teaches you to draw?]

There are so many different styles of drawing, has he decided which style he likes or wants to learn? That might be your first step - researching the different styles. Cartoon , anime, 2d animation , realistic plus many more.  Watching different YouTube videos in each interested field would help figure out which program to go with.

[A commonplace thread for quotes…]

“Your vibe attracts your tribe”.    Thank you Dove chocolates 

[Ideas/recipes needed for fresh blueberries]

I usually have a jar of blueberry compote in the refrigerator. I add lemon zest and a cinnamon stick when cooking it. It goes on so many different foods. 

[Talk to me about coloring my own hair]

I have watched the ads from Madison-reed at home and thought of them- I’ve never used them but they did catch my attention.

[Are the colleges in your area going to be in person in the fall?]

All schools cc, private university, state university will be “back to normal” no vaccine required.

[Sigh. ... am I not normal?]

Your plans sound great- introverts here too. All the parades etc are cancelled here. The church is having their annual quilt raffle and the next town is going fireworks. We usually find a parking lot on a hill where we are by ourselves to watch the fireworks anyway. Our last house was on a lake and we would sit out front and watch the neighbors do their big firework show.

[Do you have grocery store bars?]

My mind went in a different direction. I was thinking oh brownies, chocolate chip, Rice Krispie, blondies………  no our stores don’t have a signature bar flavor/type. Wish they did- would like a Rice Krispie peanut butter chocolate topped one right now.

[Chocolate cake with sauerkraut and beer]

If you see ingredients on your food that had cochineal or carmine you might want to google those ingredients, as well as what product begins the process of food dye.

when my oldest began reading food labels and researching the ingredients he didn’t know what they were- we changed some things😀

[Chocolate cake with sauerkraut and beer]

There’s also an old recipe for beet and pineapple cake.

when I asked about the sauerkraut I was told that sauerkraut was always around a staple, coconut was scarce, the sauerkraut adds a lot of moisture so if other ingredients were scarce it would help the cake.  I inherited all my grandma and great grandma’s recipe cards and there are a few recipes I question but they always come out great.

[Chocolate cake with sauerkraut and beer]

I’ve never used a box mix-the recipe is very easy.