In the last 6 months, almost all front door deliveries from amazon via UPS have been photographed (click on tracking info on amazon site and scroll down) Nothing from USPS/Surepost though. They just deliver to door or mailbox. Kind of cool!!

Did.you.get.cheesecake?!?!?!?

We are going to Cancun for Christmas and I’m planning on a clean eating diet of tacos and margaritas. For days.

I have (and dislike) and electric pressure cooker so no IP for me. I found that while the cooking time is shortened it takes time to come up to and release pressure in addition to the cook time. To cook cauliflower took 20-25 minutes including getting to pressure...I can make it faster on the stove. Or a traditional stovetop pressure cooker. It does take longer than recipes say... The set it and ignore aspect IS really cool- like an air fryer which I use constantly- it doesn’t overcook or risk being unattended. But I use my crockpot.

Thanks!!!

Thats rude and unkind.

I agree that you and DH need to get and stay on the same page, and I appreciate that it may not be easy. No matter the precise diagnosis, the amount of conflict and tension and dram is very very hard on a family and couple. My best friend has a 13yo who has bipolar and wowser- ages 11 and 12 were just epic and horrid- I presume due to hormonal changes. The dad just wanted quiet and peace and would do whatever to accomplish that, and he would usually calm their DD down. The problem was, as you’ve said, mom was primary parent and disciplinary one and took the brunt of the viciousness from her DD- very physical, screaming rages etc. it created a lot of stress on their marriage. What calmed everything down was a blend of meds for DD, therapy for mom, therapy for DD and more of a team approach. But it pushed them to their limits. I guess that’s what I wanted to share- it was extremely hard for them and from what I understand RAD is incredible complex and challenging. You aren’t necessarily doing anything wrong, it’s just super hard. I would recommend therapy for you and your DH- protect and prioritize that relationship and try try try to get on the same page. You have my sympathy and compassion and respect for how hard you are working!

Yes, yes they do. And then they get angry if your schedule isn’t clear and you aren’t available for them for the random dates they plucked out of mid air. BTDT and even being polite and kind isn’t going to work for someone who acts that way. Sigh. OP pace yourself. One day, one activity and one interaction at a time. Try as hard as you can to do YOU and honor and respect your kiddos and your wishes, traditions and such. You can’t just find and keep a good head space all at once...it will be a struggle but won’t last forever. If your kids want to just to sleep in and watch movies, let them. Don’t apologize for your choices wishes and preferences. You don’t have to be rude or turn everything into a confrontation, but if MIL won’t naturally respect that it isn’t her household, you need to be kind but firm. Find ways to cope- go grocery shopping on your own or schedule coffee with a friend. It sounds selfish in one regard, but I’ve found that room to breathe away from difficult family member really helps me refresh and regroup. And I make sure to exercise a lot too. Kills time but helps release stress. I sympathize with you. It’s tough. But this is DHs mom. He needs to try and shoulder a large chunk of this or address it with her so this sitstuiom doesn’t happen again.

I’m on the side of teachers and administrators with this one… We task them with an unbelievable amount of things in education of our children and hold them accountable for everrrrrrrrry conceivable thing imaginable in creating the “perfect environment” for our kids. And it’s unrealistic. I don’t think this policy is harsh insofar as classroom management and dynamics. Spend a few days volunteering and you might see it differently. Maybe not. As a former homeschool mom and wife to a man who was homeschooled third through 12th grade (as were his 4 siblings) this hits one of my critiques of homeschooling - students and parents get accustomed to creating and existing in the perfect tailor-made environment of homeschool that has to address the needs of 2-5 students and project that onto the rest of life. Ive seen more than a few homeschool kids and moms really struggle to embrace the realities of group management when it’s not a cooperative environment.

The “food is simply fuel” doesn’t actually work that way for most people I know. We use food as part of celebration, offering comfort, boredom and also addiction. Otherwise we’d just have an IV rolleing around with us. We are complex, dimensional and dynamic. Similarly to how sex isn’t just a function of a reproductive system. A sugar rush isn’t an inanimate thing. The serotonin produced from carbohydrates provides a chemical reaction in the brain. Food does something to the body beyond just serving as calories or macronutrients. And those who are addicted to food cannot simply go without it- unlike smoking, alcohol or drugs. We need it to survive and yet it also has addictive properties (sugar anyone?) and cultural significance. Complex

Yes, OP, that's a short break! My kids have a 1/2 day Dec 20 and don't return until Tuesday Jan 8.

Yes I think the order deadlines for my stores has already passed. At this point, if you are wanting a traditional meal I would get already made mashed potatos, pumpkin pie, oven Mac and cheese and a turkey breast (already cooked) at Costco, add some stovetop or Pepperidge farm stuffing, frozencorn, jarred gravy and steam some green beans and cranberry sauce from the grocery store. Its still some work but most things are already prepared or super simple.

Agreed! Many people might avoid the event altogether and I’m hoping you reap unexpected rewards during the event. I’ve had a friend breakup and it was very hard. I hope you have a wonderful time!!

OP here... Just got got back from spacers being put in and DD is already hurting (she has very small crowded mouth so I’m not surprised). I had her take Aleve 1 hour before appointment. Mashed potatos, applesauce and yogurt are well stocked thanks to Costco. Also she’s a huge Ramen fan so will try that for lunch at school.

Expander is going to on upper...and yes we will have key turns for 3 months. Thanks for the suggestions!!! It’s sooooo helpful to have perspective and tips from people who have recently done this.... I was thinking soft foods but probably not soft enough. Shes a pretty tough kid pain wise but probably isn’t prepared for how the expander will affect her speech. we will try Aleve as it is more of a one dose dealio.

DD is finally getting braces- she’s 15 and we’ve been waiting on her slow molars to erupt and also to be financially able for the $5200 cost. We've been warned that “it will hurt more” because she’s older - which frankly I felt was a mild rebuke by the ortho staff- by to want to be prepared. She gets spacers today and an expander and lower teeth braces next week. I’m planning soft foods for dinner and Ibuprofen. And trying to come up with soft packed lunch options too. Any and all tips and tricks would be appreciated. ?

Yes, and I’m hoping that is something they change. It’s incredibly disheartening.

Thats my understanding as well. Normal preventative care is not covered but testing as part of a treatment or diagnostic process is covered. You pay up front and are reimbursesd. We have had Medishare for a few years and thankfully never needed to for major issues. I have been hugely encouraged to observe 3 families close to me who have needed to and used it for expenses related to childbirth with complications, toddler hospitalization, broken femur requiring surgery, kidney failure and subsequent surgery, spinal surgery and more. Every single one has been major expenses and have all been covered. It’s my understanding that it can take a while simply based on getting an itemized bill but the MediShare reimbursement has been very fast. We are self employed and pay $336 a month with an $8k deductible for a family of 4. That’s an out of pocket savings savings of $700 a month for a traditional insurance plan that would have a $12k deductible. Annually, that’s an $8400 savings, plus another $4k deductible savings. A lot of healthcare can be covered for that amount of money.

I would sell my house (clearing $200k), pay off debts from sale of home, and buy a small home (or park an RV) on a lake or creek here in Colorado and just hang out there for ONE year. Kids would stay in their school and life would be simple. As simple as possible. Not buy or spend anything special or extraordinary. Just live. No decisions or investments. Just live. Dream and scheme and strategize...but not spend $.01 of winnings until one year had passed. And after 3 months of testing, I’d take the hospital chaplaincy job. Dive in and just do it. I didn’t even think about this reply- just typed it out. LOL. Guess that’s what’s in my heart.

Congrats!!! Bank, Library and Church Ive always used post office mail forwarding from post office (6 months) and that helped me weed out the ones I forgot ?

Nah, its usually just a subjective opinion - ie judgement- as 24 people will see it differently. Unless coming from a clinician, in peer to peer relating it’s usually expressed as a demeaning or dismissive mild insult. YOU don’t see it appropriately, but I do.

That is bold and beautiful- love it! What a happy color and beautiful kitchen!!!

Walgreens ?

Sending you love and light- and praying for tenacity and hope to live in your heart! I’m sorry to hear of this battle you have to face, but please know you’re not alone. Even on the dark moments that come, you’ve got a gaggle of friends here who are rooting for you and ready to overwhelm you with cheering at a moments notice.

I don’t like refurbished for a house. Renovated sounds better to me ?