We didn't ever peek, but one year my sister and I agreed to tell each other what Mom and Dad bought for us (siblings always knew what the others were getting). Knowing what was in those packages on Christmas morning was so disappointing. We never shared that information again.

:lol: For the past two years I have unwrapped nearly identical packets of brochures for a variety of window shades. The papers came with the promise of shades or blinds on all the windows before spring. I still have bare windows. :D

:hurray: My son recently received the same acceptance and scholarship. His list currently looks like this: Whitworth, Trustee Scholarship George Fox, Presidential Scholarship Willamette, Leadership Scholarship Carroll, Presidential Award Hofstra, Presidential Scholarship TCU, (scholarship TBD)

I am sorry that you are missing your grandmother. :grouphug:

:chillpill: It's just a silly song.

There is (as far as I can tell) always an option to log in without either of those accounts. I do not care to connect any of my other online activity to my fb account, so I don't use the fb or Twitter connection options. I just use my email address and a unique password on Pinterest.

That's unfortunate, I think. I have a good friend who only posts about the positive, blessed moments in her life. Recently when I was having breakfast with her I commented that some folks on FB would never know how difficult a time she has actually had these past few years. She explained that she doesn't care to focus on the tragedies, the difficulties and the sad moments so she will not complain about her life in public. I admire her for that, and I imagine many people have a similar philosophy even if their problems aren't quite as bad as hers.

My sister writes a lot, and she won't use anything but a classic Bic Cristal.

One of our utilities is in my name, and I hold two credit accounts in my name only.

What an amazing gift for your husband and for the pup! :)

Abstract art. My mom was very vocal about her belief that art should 'be something'. Also, Frank Sinatra. Mom thought he was terrible, but I have discovered that I LOVE him. It took me years to realize that I can enjoy things even if Mom hated them.

I agree with this. I only have two boys and I usually just had the first one write his answers on a sheet of notebook paper so I could re-use the same book for the second.

What kind of snake? My brother always wanted a snake, but they terrified my dad.

That is exciting! What a special gift!

Oh, how fun! I remember my mom making clothes for our dolls when we were little. We always loved them so much more than whatever came with the doll.

When I decided to get him the mixer I thought of the cool flames on Alton Brown's KitchenAid. I looked up how to paint a mixer and found the link to decals. I am so glad it was that easy. I don't know that I could actually do a decent job painting one. :)

Yes, I would love to know what you all are excited to give! That tee is fabulous!

Great deal and a happy son. What could be better? :)

That's exactly where I got it! Thank you.

...a stand mixer for my dad. He has been doing a lot of cooking and baking in this year since my mom passed away, and he recently mentioned that someday he'd like a nice stand mixer. I thought the Flying Tiger decal would make this so perfect for him. I hope he's going to love it.

Voted. Good luck!

:lol:

I was always attracted to men who were slightly older than me. Then I met and married a man 16 years older. So, I guess that changes my answer to Much Older.

I don't know that this has much to do with aging. I am 41 and I have lived through the my brother's violent murder, the loss of close cousins (nearly siblings) to a car accident, a workplace accident and domestic violence, illnesses that took the lives of friends, and a years-long sickness that took my mother this year. I worry about how to care for my dad every day. I have chronic health issues and struggle with daily pain. Life is really hard sometimes. I understand that with the addition of years in my life there will be more loss. There will be more pain - both physical and emotional, more doctors, more therapies and medications. Life can be sad, but we don't have to let it overwhelm us. We don't have to let the difficulties in our lives cause us to hate this existence. I am proud of my age and my aging. My face is starting to show lines when I smile. My hair is graying. My waist is getting thicker. My eyes fail me most days when I try to read. I choose to believe that these are gifts that I've earned for making it this far.

My mom always used the recipe on the back of the Marshmallow Fluff jar. I love that stuff. I've never made fudge, but I've been thinking about it this year.