|
Post by huskermom98 on Aug 10, 2023 17:11:53 GMT
I took a chance in not cancelling after getting the Explore kit last month and I'm so glad I did. "Let Go" is perfect for me right now because we just dropped off our oldest at college (9 hours away). The blues are even perfect because the main school color is Navy blue. The theme is also perfect because we have to "let go" of the idea of being able to go to every football game (or even the idea that because there's a game, he will play, because he likely won't play this year and no guarantees next year).
However...has anyone ever tried altering the blue glitter words (I think they were also in the Awesome kit?) I'm not a glitter fan...
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Aug 4, 2023 16:18:47 GMT
Iowa used to have the after Labor Day law, but everyone got a waiver and started earlier. Some districts were starting in the middle of the State Fair (districts near the fair) so the law was changed to Monday after the State Fair is the earliest. Our district always starts the Wednesday after the Fair, the 23rd this year.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Jul 18, 2023 23:50:32 GMT
My oldest son was a dream. He would read through the driving manual after finishing his work in a class during 7th grade. He got his learners permit at 14, took drivers ed and got his school permit right after turning 15. He then got his license at 16 and finally his full license at 18. He has never had an accident nor a speeding ticket/moving violation. He can even drive on interstates by himself without issue (which is great since he's going to school 9 hours away).
My youngest...ugh. He didn't show much interest in a permit until he was almost 15. I've gone out with him a few times, but his ADHD makes for some interesting situations...along with his "what's the worst that can happen" attitude! I push him to drive with DH because it makes me too anxious. I can't get him into the drivers ed class we want until mid-February, after he turns 16. It's a program run by current and former police officers and is much better than the outside program that most school districts use (which is why I can't sign him up until February). Technically he can get his license at 16 without drivers ed if he drives with us enough, but I'm not sure if we'll let him get it before finishing drivers ed (needs it for the insurance anyway).
For both boys we were able to use our Little League field parking lots for early practicing. They were much better than something like a mall parking lot because there are actual roads, not just wide-open space, but not accessible to anyone without permission (and knowledge of the gate's lock combination).
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Jul 17, 2023 18:08:16 GMT
Photo play because I can't stand the shiny paper (which is too bad because they seem to use themes other companies don't, but then again some of their color palettes are not my favorite...)
Any company that doesn't leave usable space on their paper for even a small photo without feeling like I'm covering up the entire reason I bought the paper on the first place.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Jul 11, 2023 15:26:44 GMT
I really luke the SK & Stamp but I dont know that I need it after getting a lot of the Travel release. I especially love that it's all about exploring without using the phrase "let's get lost"). I also don't want to deal with canceling after one month (although I'm intrigued by next month's theme "let go").
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Jul 11, 2023 15:15:55 GMT
Dorm gear--mattress topper, mattress pad, shower shoes, backpack, surge protector, etc.
Told DS to look thru the mini fridges we have on a list to see if there's any that look good that are on sale.
I also got a pasta attachment for our kitchenaid mixer and a chair pad for when I go to crops (and maybe for in DH's car that we'll mostly be taking when visiting DS at college...can't do 9 hours in his car...)
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Jun 28, 2023 14:28:56 GMT
I'm rarely late, but when I am it's usually one of two reasons that are somewhat out of my control...traffic & my boys.
Somehow our boys (18 & 15) did not inherit our need to be on time, if not early. No matter what I do, say, yell, or threaten, they move at their own pace. The worst is when my youngest doesn't want to be late for school and isn't late when I drop him off, but doesn't understand that his "on time" means I'm now going to be late.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Jun 21, 2023 16:38:14 GMT
Sports--mostly baseball & football for my oldest son...sooooo many baseball & football pictures!
After that, these days it's usually something to do with food.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Jun 16, 2023 16:13:11 GMT
I got more than I probably would have but I had a Visa gift card I wanted to get used (after not using it for vacation fun last year, graduation party stuff this year, or WITL supplies). I contemplated the buy it all option, but didn't need/want some of the extras (especially the alphabet with one letter each...). I did get more plastic attachers because I like those, but I wish I had remembered to go thru my page protectors because I'm pretty sure I am low on one style...but can't remember which one...and I can't remember if I maybe found a pack so I'm not low...
I was surprised to get a shipping notice last night with an expected arrive on Sunday, but we'll see when it actually gets picked up.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Jun 13, 2023 3:14:29 GMT
I really don't need more travel things and wasn't impressed with the tiny photos on my phone, but after watching the video on my laptop I really like a lot of it. The travel kit looks very usable (only one "let's get lost" phrase!!!) and even most of the Beach Kit looks usable for trips to my dad's lake (just couldn't use the shells or anything referring to tides--we do call the sand area the beach so that works). The album could be fun to use (if I can control myself...) for trips we plan to take to visit DS at college to watch him play football. I'm going to have to do some thinking before Wednesday. I was excited when I saw the beach stamp sneak because I was hoping it would be a SUP paddleboard--the boards would work as SUPs, but there's no paddles...
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Jun 12, 2023 16:31:55 GMT
We've maybe had a wetter than normal spring, but not bad enough to cause any flooding (then again we've been in a minor drought the last few years...)
Naturally it has rained at very inconvenient times... it rained during the substate track meet and then we had a 30 minute downpour right as DS's graduation party was starting. Only one baseball game has been affected so far, but that was mostly because the field is not great and one downpour makes it unplayable for at least a day.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Jun 9, 2023 16:36:01 GMT
I love the colors of the wedding kit, but don't need any of it...thankfully since while I love the colors I think it would be hard to work with the collection if those weren't the colors of the wedding.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Jun 9, 2023 16:32:43 GMT
I like the Halloween lines more than any in recent years. I might look for a few pieces for the few Halloween events I have left.
I am normally not a Steve Duncan fan, but I really like parts of his fall line.
Christmas all looks the same as I quickly scroll thru it. I don't buy much at all since I do DD.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Jun 9, 2023 16:23:37 GMT
Intentionally--almost never unless the story happens to include something about flowers. However, if an embellishment happens to include flowers with something I want to include (which happens a lot with various die cuts) I will use the die cut while grumbling about (possibly unnecessary) flowers.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Jun 9, 2023 14:26:26 GMT
I've always liked the idea of them, but when I go to use them I often seem to run out of the letters I need, the colors aren't right, or they don't want to stick to the paper. I bought a lot of them when Big Lots had a decent selection of cheap sets and then I got several sets from the Not Just for Boys kits early on, but what I have left are stored where I don't see them easily so I also forget about trying to just use them up.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Jun 9, 2023 1:37:02 GMT
I had it in my wallet for a long time, but only because it fit and I didn't have a good place otherwise. I really didn't need to carry it because I don't travel very far and my state didn't allow places to require it. I've since changed wallets & when I came across the old one I was surprised to find it in there because i had totally forgotten about it.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Jun 2, 2023 14:51:00 GMT
Coke with Lime--not lime juice added to Coke, but back when they had Coke with Lime (that still sounds good to me to this day and I haven't been pregnant for 15+ years!) I had stopped drinking pop awhile before having kids so it was weird to start drinking it while pregnant.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on May 28, 2023 21:34:09 GMT
Other than a few remaining parties...we are done with graduation! Ceremony was this morning and it was fun to watch DS's friends, teammates and others walk across the stage while friends, family, and strangers cheered them on. I am definitely happy that we had his open house party two weeks ago. Even though DS will be going to school 9 hours away, I'm too excited for him and his future to be sad and crying right now...maybe during baseball senior night it will be a different story... Is your ds the first little chick to leave the nest? When we were an empty next it was like a honeymoon of sorts. Every night was couples time. You get into a routine and you'll find it's quite enjoyable. Then they come home to visit and it's wonderful. If you have more kids at home then each one gets easier as they fly the nest.
I am in my happy place when everyone is home, but it's also nice to be a couple, once again. Your ds is thriving and this summer will be exciting and a bit sad, too, but ultimately he's right where he needs to be. Great job, Mama.
Thanks--he is the first to leave. I still have a soon to be sophomore, but I'm not sure what he'll want to do after graduation. I do know that he won't want a huge party or be as involved in things, so I've been enjoying all of the senior year events with ODS.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on May 28, 2023 18:08:29 GMT
Other than a few remaining parties...we are done with graduation! Ceremony was this morning and it was fun to watch DS's friends, teammates and others walk across the stage while friends, family, and strangers cheered them on. I am definitely happy that we had his open house party two weeks ago. Even though DS will be going to school 9 hours away, I'm too excited for him and his future to be sad and crying right now...maybe during baseball senior night it will be a different story...
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on May 27, 2023 18:24:08 GMT
Summer is not too early, especially depending how busy your fall looks. I know our yearbook wanted senior photos by March, but that was the only "deadline" regarding any photos. I thought about scheduling DS's photos during summer, but he was always busy with baseball and then football. I ended up squeezing it in on a day off in late September that thankfully was a nice day because the gal only does outdoor photos (no studio, but I love her work and we love her because she used to babysit the boys so I wanted to use her).
But I definitely encourage you to spread things out as much as possible...the year will go fast...signed, a mom who's oldest graduates tomorrow morning!
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on May 24, 2023 23:50:53 GMT
I'm not opposed to people pulling their kids for a vacation during the school year, but the last week of school--nope. Our district doesn't build in any snow days despite having at least one or two snow/ice days (or in the case of this year, attempted hostile computer server takeover...) The calendar always has a couple of extra days at the end of the year, past the official last day, they reserve for makeup days, so if you know you are traveling I would hope you'd take those into consideration. It would have to be some HUGE event for me to consider letting my kids miss the last week of school.
That being said...it would not be an issue this year because the kids don't get out until June 2 (original date was May 31) yet the computers have all been turned in as of today. What's the point of going for the next 4.5 days?
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on May 23, 2023 20:04:07 GMT
It merged with Discovery--now I can enjoy the old TLC goodies like Cake Boss & Say Yes to the Dress. There's other channels too like Magnolia & Food Network.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on May 22, 2023 1:02:55 GMT
I've tossed some clothe ones and will continue to toss them as I come across them. We still have a box of disposable ones because ODS was going to need them for most of his German trip last summer until most mandates were lifted a week or two before they left.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on May 19, 2023 0:41:54 GMT
Wasn't planning to even look, but then I decided to see what's new...then remembered that I don't have any physical South Dakota stamps. So I ended up with SD, WY, CO, NE, and MO because we'll be traveling to most of those states several times in the next few years since DS is going to play football at a SD school (and we'll try to go to as many games as physically and financially possible).
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on May 15, 2023 2:28:12 GMT
I loved the trackpad on my first laptop because there was a button that turned it on and off...so the fat pad areas between my thumbs and wrist didn't activate the pad and cause the arrow to go somewhere else when I was typing (I know I can turn it off in the settings, but the button was so much more convenient). I definitely prefer a mouse but will use the trackpad when it seems more convenient. My biggest issue is scrolling up and down the page doesn't always work as well or as fast as I'd like, or usually what happens is the arrow ends up where I can't scroll. I love the Logitech M525 mouse because it's not to big and not too small and it has the scrolling wheel that also works as a back and forward button.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on May 11, 2023 19:36:30 GMT
About 5 years ago our district switched things up. It had been HS & MS starting around 7:30 and then half of the elementary schools around 8 and the other half around 8:30. They switched it to all of the elementary schools starting around 7:30 and HS/MS starting around 8:30. The elementary parents complained for the first few years, but it worked out great for us. The year before the switch I had to drive ODS to school at 7:30, come home and take YDS to his private school around 8. When the public school switched start times I could take both at the same time. I was so glad I didn't have to deal with YDS going from 8:30 to 7:30 since he was in private school by the time the public school switched. Now I can't image trying to get my high school boys up and going for a 7:30 start!
I can't imagine school not starting until 9:30--seems so late!
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on May 7, 2023 14:26:12 GMT
Back when I liked what places like Archivers or sb.com offered for iNSD I was usually busy with baseball games for part of the day. Now that I don't have Saturday baseball games I don't care for the activities that various places offer.
It's right up there with all of the scrappy places offering great sales around Black Friday & Christmas--I need to be buying gifts for others, not goodies for me!
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on May 2, 2023 22:02:20 GMT
In almost 25 years I've rarely taken it off. A big reason in the last 10-15 years would be that it's not easy to get off. About 2 years ago I was better about exercising and eating better so I lost a fair amount of weight--my plan was to have my ring resized a little bigger when I could easily get it off my finger. However, once I could get it off easily I forgot about my plan and now I'm back to not being able to get it off. I don't even notice it most of the time, but when I have taken it off I definitely notice that it's gone.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on May 1, 2023 12:27:56 GMT
My boys' dermatologists office hasn't required them for a long time. My youngest son sees an NP at a psychiatric office that is inside of a hospital and we didn't have to wear a mask at his last appointment in January, nor did we have to wear one while walking through the hospital to get to the office.
|
|
|
Post by huskermom98 on Apr 21, 2023 16:51:17 GMT
Might have already been touched on via the 2 peas board, but I just got the remember, wander and history story kits and the cards feel super thin and the printing looks very different, is this a “new norm” like no adhesive on chipboard and crappy quality kit stamps? The no adhesive chipboard has been a thing for awhile now...and I hate it. I stopped my sub after "Teach" but have picked up a few kits since that are no-adhesive and I'm so glad I don't sub anymore. The WITL was so bad but thankfully I could put all of the pieces in my album & not have to worry about it. I can't comment on the cards because I didn't notice any big difference on the few I've used.
|
|