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Post by huskermom98 on Jan 19, 2021 21:22:31 GMT
I don't hate the Bunnies & Blooms--it's not so pastel that it hurts to look at! I do wish it was either spring or Easter, not a combo because I don't need spring, just usable Easter. It's cute without being so cutesy or cartoony. I can see picking up some pieces for Easter.
I like the Safe Travels. The colors are great (even though there is a touch too much pink for my taste). I LOVE the B sides of the papers, but not loving the A sides. Parts are a little too cartoony for me, but other parts I like. I have so much for travel, but might get some of this.
I really like the School Life. Great colors, current icons, and it doesn't scream elementary school. Again, I like more of the B sides, but love that book paper! I can definitely see myself getting some of this.
The other releases are just "meh". The Vintage one looks like it's from a different company. The Simple Pages templates are odd, but the Page Pieces could be handy for when you need something themed, but for only one or two pages.
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Post by huskermom98 on Jan 10, 2021 19:12:27 GMT
I have a simple old-school one that we've had for decades. I only use it for eggs and only use it when making the rare egg, tuna, or potato salad. I've never tried mushrooms in it because I don't see the need to get something else dirty when I'm mostly likely already using a knife that I can use for slicing mushrooms.
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Post by huskermom98 on Jan 8, 2021 4:26:51 GMT
No, but I don't have to wear one more than 1-2 hours at a time & that's not more than a couple times a week. My problem is that the covered part of my face feels numb for a short time after finally taking it off.
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Post by huskermom98 on Jan 8, 2021 4:18:57 GMT
Yes I will--I miss my mom & she doesn't want to risk anything until everyone is vaccinated. My family is on their way with several of my siblings (full, step, & in-law) having already gotten the first shot because they are doctors/nurses/pharmacists. DH & I are the last group though because we don't have any medical conditions.
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Post by huskermom98 on Jan 6, 2021 22:13:08 GMT
Ugh...I was excited to see Pool Party, but I don't like the color scheme...and who uses surfboards in a pool??? It's too tropical & beachy with a pool or two for me to want to search it out.
I still don't like the cartoonish vintage style that EP loves, but I do like parts of Outdoor Adventures. I might look for some of it because it would work with our planned trip to Colorado this coming summer, but I have a lot of outdoorsy products that I have leftover from a Minnesota trip three years ago and a cancelled Minnesota trip last summer.
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Post by huskermom98 on Jan 6, 2021 5:10:31 GMT
My oldest son will be home doing online learning for at least 3/4 of the year--which means he's home to bring in packages that get delivered before i get home from work! Once in awhile I can even get him to empty the dishwasher too...
I'm loving how so many restaurants have started doing online ordering--not necessarily so we can order online, but so we can see what they offer & what their prices are (especially the prices).
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 27, 2020 18:00:00 GMT
I found a few things I would have gotten yesterday but I couldn't get the free shipping code to work so I didn't bother. The email made it appear as though there was no minimum but the website was saying the code required a $75 minimum. I saw on FB that it does require $75 & I said screw that...the everyday minimum is $79! Admittedly the shipping isn't bad for what I have in my cart, but I really don't need more product...
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 26, 2020 14:02:14 GMT
Zero.
I just reactivated DS's Sirius XM radio in his car as one of his gifts & part of the XM deal includes a free Echo Dot, but I have order it after getting the code for it in a couple weeks...not sure if i will or not as we've never had a desire for one.
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 26, 2020 13:57:04 GMT
I usually include small things--regardless of price. I do candy, their ornament, fun gadgets, fancy hot cocoa,, gift cards or whatever I don't feel like wrapping by that point.
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 26, 2020 3:35:26 GMT
I got a "You are the best mom ever!" from my 12yo over a $25 Roblox gift card (he even gave me a kiss on the cheek!) He was not as excited about the electric blanket as I would have thought, but that might change after he gets it set up tonight.
My 15yo was very excited about Xbox, Chick-fil-A, and Sirius XM gift cards, but was "meh" about the Air Pods (mostly because I think he knew he was getting them, especially when I asked 20 questions about new headphones...and because he caught me wearing the pair of Air Pods I bought myself...) but he's still happy to have them. I also got him a mix of German food/drinks/treats from World Market to help tide him over until his trip to Germany next year--he liked some of the candy and pops, but had that "ummm, ok" look with the packets for making Weinerschnitzel and other meals.
DH was excited over the "unicorn" mixing bowls I found for him/us---dishwasher safe, microwave safe, nesting bowls with lids! He was also happily surprised with the marble pastry board I got for him.
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 24, 2020 17:19:56 GMT
Definitely just different--years ago DH asked where the stamps were because he needed to mail a birthday card. I said we're out. He went to the post office to get one...only one stamp...not a sheet, nor a roll...just one...why I asked?...because he only needed one...
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 24, 2020 3:15:32 GMT
Two days ago we might have some snow today. Today, we have a full blown blizzard going. No visibility on I-80 (which is totally shut down in western Nebraska). Supposed to be in the 40's on Christmas Day. Forecast for next week is 15-16" of snow Tue-Wed. We don't usually get snow like that in Eastern Nebraska. 2020 might really go out with a bang here in the Midwest. Ugh...had not heard about this storm before reading this...I haven't seen totals for central Iowa yet, but daily amounts from weather.com weren't looking so good. We weren't expecting to have a white Christmas here after several warm days melted the 6" we got a couple of weeks ago. Then we got a little bit today that won't melt before Friday...might blow away, but it won't melt. Thankfully we're not going anywhere this year--if 2020 was a normal year we might have been planning to travel tonight.
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 24, 2020 3:04:23 GMT
I've always sent out cards, but this year we cut back our list a little (mostly people on DH's side). That worked out nice because I had to mail the cards I wanted to give to people at our church (we had been doing a big church-wide exchange, but had to cancel it because of Covid).
Each year I feel I get one or two fewer cards than the year before. They are also coming later and later in the month, but I can't complain because mine keep going out a little bit later each year too! I didn't even get out my cute card holder because they weren't coming as early so I figured I wouldn't be getting many at all.
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 23, 2020 21:07:34 GMT
I'm sure I'll need this reminder next year...or even next month when I wrap DS's birthday presents. I wasn't sure I was going to make it through my wrapping without either searching for more tape or having to go buy more, but I made it!
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 23, 2020 20:58:59 GMT
Not going to see family (3 gatherings over 3 days usually) changes pretty much everything for us. The cheery upside is that we didn't have to deal with trying to schedule the family gathering with DH's parents around the one brother who makes it difficult each year--and not having to travel and be gone for at least 3 day! This is will be only the 2nd (maybe 3rd) time we'll be home on Christmas Day as a family, so we really don't know what to do. I like to complain about the traveling each year, but I do love seeing my family, but it will be nice to be home.
I did decide to put DH in charge of holiday meals so I get a few days off from planning/cooking. It will be nice to not have anything to do (not that there's anywhere to go) until I have to go into work next week.
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 20, 2020 19:29:13 GMT
I base mine on a recipe from America’s Test Kitchen. I make a butter/flour roux, slowly add the milk, heat and stir over medium heat until thickened. Remove from heat then add shredded cheeses (usually half cheddar, half Monterey Jack), some salt, pepper, and dry mustard, stirring until cheeses are melted. Combine with cooked elbows and pour into a baking dish. I top with a sleeve of crushed ritz crackers and pop into the oven for about 10 min or so to crisp up the top. This is the recipe that I used to make mac'n cheese with for years (I did a breadcrumb/butter in a food processor for the topping though). It's really good, but then I got lazy and started making a simply recipe in my Instant Pot. www.activehipmomma.com/instant-pot-mac-n-cheese/ I've made this one with a multitude of cheeses and cheese combinations, but Sharp Cheddar and Monterey Jack are my favorites. I might have to go back to the America's Test Kitchen version soon because I bought small cast iron skillets so we can try to replicate mac'n cheese dishes like the ones we get at Mac's in Wisconsin whenever we go to Wisconsin Dells.
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 20, 2020 1:41:18 GMT
I love sending DH to the store for me because he buys exactly what's on my list--I generally have a few things on my list, plus my weekly mental list, and then get a lot more because I see something on sale or remember something we might need--he usually spends only half of what I do because he sticks to the list.
I hate sending DH to the store because I have to have a fairly detailed list, written in order of how the aisles are ordered otherwise he won't find something, and include how many of each item. I have to mentally go through the store so I am sure that I write down things from my weekly mental list plus what we need and what's on sale...
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 18, 2020 2:23:38 GMT
I mailed a box to my mom (3 hours away in a different state, but from big city to big city) on the afternoon of the 9th. USPS guy at the counter told me it would arrive Monday the 14th...receipt said the 12th...it was delivered by 8:30am on the 11th...
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 17, 2020 14:57:51 GMT
The 8qt compared to the 6qt is taller more than it is wider (but not the same width). The inserts don't feel tiny in the 8qt and in fact the circles of the trivets are the same size--the 8qt trivet handles are bent about an inch from the bottom so that the handles are flush to the sides instead of angling to the sides.
For 6 people I would probably just go with the 8qt. I'm glad I got the 8qt last year because I've started making broth after cooking chickens/turkeys/ducks. Plus for some soups the extra space is good. My only regret is that I now see an IP/Air Fryer combo--that would have been nice because I want an air fryer but am out of room for appliances.
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 17, 2020 12:28:07 GMT
I use the free part (haven't seen anything that makes me think "I have to pay for this? Sure, no problem!"
I've been watching Downton Abbey a lot because I've seen it so much that it's something I like to listen to (and not have to watch constantly) while I'm preparing/cooking dinner.
From what I've seen, it's entirely different from Netflix. It feels very similar to Hulu at times, but only because some of the shows used to be on Hulu. Some are still there. But there's a lot I haven't seen on either service too. I think it's totally worth signing up since you don't have to use a credit card at all, just email.
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 15, 2020 16:20:16 GMT
I did it with my boys for several years, but it wasn't a thing when I was young. I decided to stop last year or the year before because my boys mostly wear pajama bottoms (one wears whatever shirt he had on that day, the other doesn't wear a shirt) and because it got to be too hard to find matching/coordinating pajamas once my oldest grew out of kids sizes. I only ever got pajamas for my boys, not DH & I.
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 13, 2020 23:37:00 GMT
I've trimmed a little bit a couple of times in the last year. It's been a year since my last appointment--I felt I really needed a haircut right in the middle of when salons were shut down here so I evened up some of the ends. Just today I did that again because it was looking bad (my ends are splitting and break easily when brushing). Salons have been open for months and I have no issue going, I just never remember to contact my hairdresser except for early in the morning...
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 10, 2020 19:11:33 GMT
Last spring, my then 6th grade son's private school did actual classes online within a week of things shutting down. He had 2-3 Zoom classes a day that were 45 minutes at the most. He usually spent from 9am to 4pm(ish) on his computer for the Zoom classes and homework. He's a slow worker otherwise he wouldn't have had to spend that much time on classwork. Thankfully he's in-person this year, even though they use their Chromebooks in school, it's still better for him to be there than at home.
My sophomore son has been 100% virtual this year so far (1st term was against his wishes, 2nd term is because of his classes). First term he barely had to get on his computer for his band class and then was on 30-60 each for his History and Intro to Wood construction classes. This term he's on his computer at least 45 minutes, up to 90 minutes for each of his three classes (German, English and Math). The most is for his math class because it's a radically accelerated class where they do Algebra 2, Geometry and Pre-Calc in two years. Last year was Geometry and a tiny bit of Algebra 2 (would have been more but his district couldn't do any new material after mid-March) so this year they are trying to do Algebra 2 in a 9 week session and Pre-Calc in a second 9 week session...so yah, they are using the entire 90 minute block they are allowed. He's a smarty and a fast worker so he doesn't have to do a lot outside of class time. Hopefully the district will be hybrid for most of the 3rd term starting in January--he has the same schedule, but a hybrid scenario would get him into school for band and wood construction and only online for History. Unless things improve dramatically he'll be online during 4th term with the same German, English, Math schedule again (his History, English, German, and Math are all at a central school the district has that brings in kids from 18+ schools a day so they agreed to be online regardless of what the rest of the district is doing this year as long as necessary).
But for both boys it's all been teacher-led classes, not "here's a link, watch this video" so I can't really complain about screen time.
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 10, 2020 2:18:39 GMT
hte...almost every time...hte...
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 9, 2020 3:57:49 GMT
I'm sick of it too--and I'm not stuck at home. I warned my 15yo today that it looks like we'll be home for Christmas and he was not happy about it. He's been home all school year (first because his district defied state law and started online, and now because his 2nd term classes are all online regardless of whether or not the district is online only or hybrid). His district was the only one in the state that didn't get to do fall activities because they were (illegally) online, so no football or marching band for him. Thankfully he does not do a winter sport because those are on hold for most of the area, but it also means they can't start meeting for weights for football or baseball yet either. I feel so bad for him that he's home all day, especially since he has a car, but can't go anywhere because he only has a school permit--I think even being able to drive to Chick-fil-A to pick up lunch would be good for him. I felt so bad for him that I started looking into room costs at our favorite resort in Wisconsin Dells, even though I know it's not a good idea.
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 7, 2020 20:25:15 GMT
I tolerate it...I actually like wrapping, but I don't like dragging everything up from the basement and as I get older it gets harder to wrap on the living room floor. I should switch to the kitchen table, but there's not always a lot of space and there's no TV.
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 4, 2020 20:25:01 GMT
Can a line be so pastel that it hurts your eyes? That's how I felt looking at the Easter collection...yuck. The baby girl and spring aren't much better.
I love the baby boy line--darker colors and better designs than what I've seen lately (not that I'm looking for baby lines, but I sometimes like the B sides).
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 3, 2020 2:24:24 GMT
I wrap gifts whenever possible, but I just wrap--no bows or ribbons. Usually I have to use a gift bag for the gift I do for my sisters because it's generally more than one thing.
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Post by huskermom98 on Nov 30, 2020 20:41:15 GMT
At work I have two 19" monitors--some days I would like a bigger size, but I don't know if I would have the desk space (if it were even an option). We bought a 24" monitor to hook up our boys' school laptops to for online learning/homework. It's plenty big for the table it's on. I've only used it a couple of times myself and it was almost too big, but it's great for when I'm sitting with my son, helping him with is homework.
Part of me wanted to buy a second monitor this weekend just in case both boys end up doing online learning at some point this year, but I couldn't justify "just in case" because we have no need for a 2nd one otherwise (my youngest son's school is still 5 days and will stay that way as long as possible while my oldest's classes this term are all online). I would love to have one at my scrapbooking desk but I really don't have the space for it.
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Post by huskermom98 on Nov 29, 2020 22:58:02 GMT
I asked them to cancel the order and of course they replied that they won't. I'm going to dispute the charge with my credit card company because maybe that will get them to ship it. I will never order from them again. I'm so mad I let myself get duped again. There are a lot of rumblings on various FB group about slow shipping from SC and AE. AE commented that it was due to things like credit card failure and not a problem of their making and then promptly turned off commenting. I'm mad at myself too for getting duped again....but I think I've finally learnt this time. There are so many other companies who I can support and not be disappointed every single time. I saw that too. I'm sure there are some issues with CCs for some people, but not the vast majority. I ordered a stamp on the 19th and it still is showing "active". If I didn't know any better I'd say the entire Inked shipping department took the entire week off for Thanksgiving...
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