That’s the same sort of scenario I was envisioning.

Yes, I was careful to say “my feelings” about spring in Maine, not “reminds me of spring in Maine” because although we were within a very short drive of Canada, it was only the southern part of Canada! So it could only be worse further north😁

This reminds me of my feelings about spring in Maine wheni was in college there, too. The piles of snow should be GONE by April, but no.👎

I don’t have any good advice about cleaning after an illness, as that is not my situation. But how old are your kids? If they’re over 5, I feel like no one should be not throwing paper towels away, and they are capable of taking a bag through the room and picking up all the paper towels. You shouldn’t have to do that. Save your energy for things not easily done by others. Also teach them to throw away as they use them, going forward, and get your husband on board with requiring that too. I also have times when I just say “okay, everyone go grab your own stuff out of the living room” or off the kitchen counter, or wherever. They know what belongs to them. That would take care of undies on the foosball table.

I have a small backpack I’d like to use as a personal item to fly on American Airlines. It fits within the size parameters. What worries me is that it is a wide mouth design that has a metal frame of some sort inside that keeps it open while you are getting stuff in and out. Will that metal inside be a problem? I’ve looked at TSA rules and can’t find anything. I was hoping someone here had flown with such a bag and can tell me about it. Thank you!

I think Colombo is not too bad. My kids have asked to watch Murder She Wrote because their great-grandpa watches it. People often have affairs, I think, but there’s nothing explicit.

Public speaking used to be the bane of my existence. I froze in front of a group at school and just left the room once in high school. But just over time, making myself do it, I’ve gotten over it. I’ve voluntarily spoken in front of large groups several times. It just doesn’t even make my list of “things I’m afraid of” because I know I can do it.

I’ve never had a KitchenAid. My MIL had an older one that worked fine for bread, though it did eventually give out. When I was shopping for a stand mixer for bread, everyone on a bread form I was on recommended Bosch, so that’s what I got and I have not regretted it. Seven-ish years of bread dough of all kinds, and it’s still going strong. I also have the mixer attachment, which is a really good mixer, way better than the one it replaced, which was probably a cheaper model from wall-mart.

Amazon Prime springs easily to mind. Frozen convenience foods would be next. I could cut back there without it being too bad. I could buy cheaper coffee. I could cut back on my eating out, both in frequency and in total spent even I do eat out. None of that would put me out badly. If I really had to, I could cancel my gym membership and work out at home. That I would really miss, but it would be an obvious expense to eliminate. Eta-someone mentioned hydration packets. I could definitely quit those - I like having them at the gym, but they’re sn indulgence.

Well, I only like my bagels savory, for some reason, so I wouldn’t care for it, but I know that I’m pretty weird in that. My family members eat jam on bagels and sweeter bagel flavors like blueberry and cinnamon swirl all the time, so to them I’m sure it would sound great.

After reading this thread I kind of wanted some 7 Layer Salad, which I had never made. I tried this recipe (because I don’t know what had been used as dressing for the ones I’ve eaten but I personally can’t put straight Mayo and sugar on as salad) and it was so good! Everyone in the family ate it without complaining.

Wrong person! 😅 @Ema

I really like those birds bookmarks!

My mom is the same age, not quite as bad, but more of a clutterer verging to hoarder. When I went home over Christmas I cleaned the grunge that had accumulated around cabinet door handles. I think it’s just partly that things build up slowly and she doesn’t notice. I think having a robot vacuum has helped a little with pet hair and the floors. My dad is not in delicate health, so I just ignore it and do a little when I am there. If you think it could seriously be bad for your Dad, that might change what Id be willing to do. A serious talk about it seems like a good idea. Some of it may be just having different standards, and you just need to let that part go as much as possible, I think.