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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 12, 2020 19:53:56 GMT
DH ended up going on a weekend fishing trip with a friend so I took the boys to a resort at the Wisconsin Dells the same weekend. We had a great time with half of the population of MN & IL (and others, but those are the license plates we saw the most!) It was great getting away and only have to decide which pool to go to next.
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 11, 2020 21:41:12 GMT
I've only had one stone (knock on wood...) but I was already feeling better before I passed the stone. If I hadn't been using the strainer I might not have known that I had passed it.
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 11, 2020 18:11:21 GMT
Carter and Jackson-wealthy backgrounds Abby/Jo- mental illness story line Weaver/Arizona-leg issue and lesbian Abby/Kovoc/Carter Mere/Deluca/? Love triangle Yang/Burke Chen/Pratt super couple Black/Asian Corday/Green Mere/Derek super couple male dies off Romano/Webber hidden health issues I'm a few episodes away from finishing up ER on Hulu (watched all episodes as they aired on NBC, but haven't seen most since). There are definitely storylines that are very similar. I hadn't thought through the role similarities, but they are definitely there. Side note...just watched the one in the last season where Dr. Greene "returns" in a flashback and now I want to start the series all over again when I'm done!
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 11, 2020 14:18:13 GMT
As a lifelong Husker fan, I am upset, but not surprised. My son is going to start at the University. He moves in Saturday. He made the marching band. I am sad that he will not get to perform this year. Hoping this time next year, we can be somewhat back to normal. Congrats to your son for making the marching band (even if they don't get to march this year ![:'(](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/cry.png) ). I was on the flag line '94-'96 and married a guy from the drumline. We loved the experience, especially me since I got to attend the 94 Orange Bowl and 95 Fiesta Bowl!
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 11, 2020 13:02:51 GMT
In high schools..I think parents push for having football because of 1) tradition, 2) pride, and 3) that for some, especially seniors they run the risk of losing out on college scholarships and being recruited. There are no do overs for the school year. I was also very flabbergasted as to why people were pushing SO HARD for high school football. I was talking with a retired HS coach and he said that for some of the kids, this is their only way out. If they don't have a sport, they have no shot at all at college, etc. It doesn't make it right, but it made more sense for some people to want sports back. The school board in our district was trying to make the argument to have schools play football this fall so kids who play spring and fall sports would have the chance. One of the members also made the argument that the schools are being very safe about it, but if we don't let the kids play with the schools, they'll go find a club. Those clubs aren't going to be as safe and won't have the limitations for who they play against, whereas the schools are limiting where/who they play. His words, not mine. Forget college, part of my pushing for fall sports is to keep some of the kids in high school. Even if it's a hybrid plan, some kids need the incentive & support that sports teams provide to have a successful school year and stay on track to simply graduate from high school.
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 11, 2020 0:46:19 GMT
My LSS in Iowa is part of this, but they only had 29 kits to sell according to their Facebook video this morning. I'm watching part of the video now to see what this is all about & according to one of the comments the kit sold out before the live video ended--they only started talking about the kit & the concept with less than 10 minutes before the end of the video!
It's a neat idea, but not for $50, especially since it's a Christmas kit (for me personally).
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 11, 2020 0:34:52 GMT
More trees for me! I like the trees, but I'm not so sure on the triangles though.
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 10, 2020 20:24:18 GMT
According to my grocery store's app a small dinky store nearby had some regular lids so I stopped by on my way to work. They were out, but had plenty of the lid & ring sets so I picked some up. We have plenty of rings, but at the same time some are starting to show their age as some are from MIL who has been canning for 50 some years. We have tons of jars so I'm trying to avoid buying more just so we have enough lids.
They are definitely a seasonal item and there are years they are harder to find, but every place I looked at online was out of lids, lids/rings, and had few jar choices left. We can always freeze some of our tomatoes in need be (thankfully after today's storm we still have tomatoes to worry about!)
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 10, 2020 19:18:26 GMT
Nothing is official for the Big 10 yet. Believe me, Nebraska is fighting for a chance to play.
Why are some schools proceeding with football...because not everyone thinks we all need to be living in a bubble for the next 2 years. At some point we need to start learning to live with Covid. With the proper precautions and safety measures life can happen...believe me, it's happening...
Iowa just finished their high school baseball and softball seasons (have always played in the summer)--95% of the teams finished the season with no interruptions, the teams that did have Covid positives didn't have any seriously ill participants. We had to sign waivers for our son to play baseball, and to start football and marching band--we know the risks and were willing to take them. We don't have health issues and are not around others that do, but when we are out & about we take precautions.
No one is being forced to play and people want to play. There are kids from Colorado and Illinois that are moving with their families to Iowa so they can (hopefully) play fall football.
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 10, 2020 12:29:06 GMT
Uh oh, we just canned some veggies yesterday & are almost out of lids. I didn't even think about them being a popular item because of all of the new gardens this summer.
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 6, 2020 21:32:02 GMT
Honestly, not much has changed since before March. DH & I still go to work, we still go to church (although there's no Sunday School classes), the boys & I still go to the local amusement/waterpark, DS15 is still playing baseball games (that DH & I go to), DS15 is now going to school daily for band camp and football, we go to stores as necessary but we do wear masks, DH & the boys go golfing. The biggest change right now is that we don't eat in restaurants for the most part, just take out, but we have eaten in on a few occasions. Everything that we do is done in accordance to local and state rules/regulations/suggestions, etc.
However, none of us have health issues and we're not around others with health issues. We wear masks when necessary and we use sanitizer when necessary, even though we hate both. We'll take precautions, but we won't sit home doing nothing either.
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 5, 2020 2:46:06 GMT
We usually hit 3 places in 3-4 days for both holidays. I'm sure my Dad & stepmom will have a normal get-together, but not so sure about my Mom. Hard to say with the in-laws because FIL has a lot of health issues, but it would be a much smaller group. We got "snowed out" of Nebraska several years ago at Christmas--it was fun to be able to stay home and have a "normal" Christmas with just the 4 of us, but I generally don't mind the crazy travel schedule because I enjoy seeing my family (and deal with having to see the in-laws...)
I really hope we can get together because since Christmas we've only seen the in-laws--no one from my family.
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 4, 2020 21:23:18 GMT
I have the old one, but have only tried out the new at a SU party. I didn't realize that the old one cut poorly--I use mine with a lot of photo paper so I assumed the blade wore down quickly because of that.
I haven't committed to buying the new one because: --I am not happy that they got rid of the storage on the backside...love that for my extra blades. --I don't like the new arm. I don't like how it doesn't make a flush surface when folded up. --I don't like how the cutting bar isn't lockable. I travel with mine a lot and don't want it swinging open...but then again... --I didn't like how the cutting bar opens up. It has to pop up, it isn't smooth.
I'm sure if I were to buy it that most of those concerns would be forgotten about, but the biggest one is the lack of storage. Thankfully my old one is still storing 10 blades so I won't have to decide for a little while longer.
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 2, 2020 19:52:09 GMT
The Iowa High School state baseball and softball tournaments just ended--95% of the teams in the state were able to play their season without any Covid interruptions! Our 15yo was on a JV team and only got to play against the other teams in our district, but we were happy that the kids were able to play.
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 2, 2020 17:35:50 GMT
It really wasn't a question as to whether or not we'd keep our 12yo is private school this year, even if they spend most of it online (now granted we pay a fraction of what some schools cost). They did a great job of transitioning to online learning and only missed one day of classes after spending Spring Break getting ready. Sure, it wasn't quite the same as being in person, but they met with the kids on Zoom twice a week for each core class and new material was taught. Our other son's public school was a joke because they couldn't teach anything new, they could only offer ways to improve your existing grade. We know it will be different this year, but we are happy to keep DS12 in private school regardless.
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 1, 2020 15:46:20 GMT
I will preface this by saying I've never ordered Ramen in a restaurant. DH ordered a pork ramen once and I had a couple of tastes and really enjoyed it (but have never ordered it there myself because it was at my favorite sushi place and I can't not order my usual sushi order!) But I have made this chicken ramen several times at home in my Instant Pot. I'm sure it can be made without an IP, but I don't know how long you'd have to simmer the chicken. www.number-2-pencil.com/instant-pot-pressure-cooker-ramen-soup-8/
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Post by huskermom98 on Aug 1, 2020 3:42:25 GMT
Yup...knew yet another change was going to happen before school had a chance to start...and it even happened before the end of the registration period today!
It was announced a month ago that K-8 would be 2 days in person & 3 virtual, while 9-12 would be 1 day in person & 4 virtual (if you didn't chose to go 100% virtual in the existing virtual school). Two weeks later the governor announced that they would be holding schools to the rule that 50% of instruction had to be in person. Thursday the governor updated that with terms for when schools go switch to 100% virtual (based on positive tests and student absences.)
But today, the superintendent basically said FU and announced we'd be going 100% virtual to start the school year. Positive cases are going up, but nothing like some of the other states so I'm a little surprised by the announcement. We have such a high number of families that qualify for free/reduced lunches that 75% of the schools (most likely more) just give every free lunches and breakfasts. I think I saw some report that said about 30% of families that had registered in July picked the 100% virtual option (the number of high schoolers choosing virtual equaled the enrollment of one of the bigger high schools!)
Still doesn't affect us much as DS was only going to have one or two classes in person. However, one of the classes is band so I'm not sure if that will still happen. Band camp starts Tuesday and Football camp starts Friday, but now I'm not so sure on either (ironic since the Athletic Director for our school just sent out an email about fall sports just hours before the announcement from the superintendent came out).
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Post by huskermom98 on Jul 30, 2020 17:55:22 GMT
My 12yo had a weight check at his Ped's office at the end of May, but that can't exactly be done over Zoom. His first appointment with a child psychiatric (for his ADHD) was a teleconference...that was frustrating, not just because we waited almost 4 months for the appointment, but because you need to be able to see all of him to understand some of our concerns about him.
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Post by huskermom98 on Jul 28, 2020 12:45:16 GMT
DS15 is in public school. The district is offering 100% virtual in their existing online program or a hybrid, but the hybrid is only 1 day in school for high schoolers (2 days for K-8). DS attends a central school for 5 of his 7 classes & those will all be virtual. So even though we picked hybrid he'll be pretty much virtual. HS will do 3-4 classes per quarter & I assume the district will reevaluate things before 2nd semester in January. District-wide, you are locked into your decision for the entire semester (although hybrid would transition to it's own 100% virtual is deemed necessary). The governor is pushing a state law that districts go at least 50% in person (announced after the district announced their plan and started registration...so we'll see if that changes things...)
Ds12 is in a small private school & they are going back like normal, but they have the ability to close up & switch to virtual at the drop of a hat if needed like they did last spring.
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Post by huskermom98 on Jul 24, 2020 16:43:11 GMT
Other parents are torn, but in our situation we are not because we are not opposed to kids going back. DS12 is going back like any normal year because his small private decided to at least start the year like that--and we are happy with that decision because he does much better in person. But they also have the ability to quickly & easily transfer to online learning if necessary.
We are not torn regarding DS15, just pissed that things keep changing. The district announced 2 days in school, 3 days virtual for K-8 & 1 day in person, 4 virtual for 9-12 (or everyone has the option to go 100% virtual thru the district's existing virtual school). Now the governor is saying schools have to do at least 50% in-person...we don't care either way, we are just pissed it was announced weeks after the district announced the plan & one week into registration (when parents had to pick an option.) So now we are waiting to see what is next--will the district get a waiver or do they have to change their plans.
Right now DS is signed up for the hybrid plan, but realistically it's a virtual plan because 5 of his 7 classes are thru a central school that chose to go 100% virtual rather than bring kids from as many as 17 schools together in one day to one place. Depending on how they spread out the classes (doing 3-4 classes per quarter instead of 7 classes per semester) he might not leave the house some days...which makes me "mad" because we went thru the hassle & expense of getting him a school permit & car!
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Post by huskermom98 on Jul 20, 2020 18:12:04 GMT
I've seen a lot of registration sign up for various city sports.
My son just finished his summer high school baseball season & is already going to football workouts. Fall sports are being permitted by the state, but hopefully they learned a few lessons from the baseball/softball seasons. We didn't want to buy pricey cleats until we know for sure there's a good chance at a season (we bought used ones at Play it Again Sports) because I'm still not 100% convinced the season will happen.
We're still waiting to hear how music classes will work in the school district, but the marching band competitions have all been cancelled.
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Post by huskermom98 on Jul 20, 2020 17:57:04 GMT
I'm sick of having to wait for other people to make decisions about what can or cannot happen (school, sports, vacations, family gatherings...)
I hate wearing masks, but I do it. I hate that my son hates them even more & so the first thing out of his mouth when I tell him we're going somewhere is "do I have to wear a mask?" And then getting mad when I say yes.
I'm sick of required virtual medical appointments...you can't get a full sense of my child's ADHD (and/or more) in an initial appointment on a screen, you need to be in the room so you can watch him. Virtual followup appointments, sure. But the initial one we had to wait almost 4 months for really needed to be in person at the new pediatric Psychiatry clinic.
I am forever grateful that my other son got to play high school baseball this summer, but I am sad that it was only 6 doubleheaders. They only got to play the other 4 schools in the district and none of the other schools in the metro area. But he did have a good season while it lasted.
I'm annoyed that the 2 bank branches closest to me are still closed down.
I'm tired of limited menus at my favorite restaurants.
I'm sick of the fighting & bickering over every little thing (and the big things) in my home, on FB, on here, etc. regardless of what side I'm on, I'm just sick of it.
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Post by huskermom98 on Jul 20, 2020 0:51:04 GMT
At this rate I don't know, but I don't think so. Schools had to have their Return to Learn plans submitted by July 1, but then the governor announced two days ago that schools couldn't do more than 50% online without a waiver (I think it's a normal rule, but is going to be enforced). Of course our district had already announced K-8 would be 2 days in school & 3 days virtual, while 9-12 would be 1 day in class & 4 virtual (Less for students who attend a central school for accelerated/AP/advanced classes as those are 100% virtual). Pretty much every district that I know of plans to start at the same time they normally would have, but I'm sure a few are starting a few days earlier since they don't have to wait for the State Fair to end.
So things keep changing and we just have to go with the flow while waiting for the next announcement that changes something...
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Post by huskermom98 on Jul 17, 2020 22:41:46 GMT
The extra couple of bucks a month for Hulu without ads is sooooo worth it (but I watch a lot of Hulu).
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Post by huskermom98 on Jul 17, 2020 22:40:39 GMT
If you come to Iowa make sure it's in July so we can have some sweet corn...boiled and slathered with butter and salt...nothing fancy!
For an entree I might try to make Steak DeBurgo (Steak with a garlic butter sauce) or if I didn't like you I'd try to make Maid Rites (loose meat sandwiches--think sloppy joes without sauce). But we might try to pull in our Nebraska roots by making Runzas (meat and cabbage in a bread).
Dessert would be my world famous (at least in the scrapbooking circles I crop in) Scotcharoos. Everyone else makes them with corn syrup, but I prefer marshmallows!
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Post by huskermom98 on Jul 16, 2020 21:54:33 GMT
I shop weekly for 4 people and usually spend $100-150 depending on how much meat I buy. I know my bill was close to $250 a couple of weeks ago, but that included a box of ribeye steaks (about $85?). Late March, early April was pretty bad because I was spending more each week than usual, but a couple of big trips to Sams. But $250 is still probably the most at once.
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Post by huskermom98 on Jul 14, 2020 0:18:13 GMT
Yes, but it's been of my own choosing. I volunteered to cut my hours from 20 to 12.5 at church to help the church save money, but also because I needed to be home another day to help DS with his online schooling. I also quit my flower delivery side job after Mother's Day because I was tired of the owner's attitude (but I had really been wanting to quit for awhile). DH kept working just as much (or more because there was no baseball which meant he could stay as long as he needed) and his salary never changed.
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Post by huskermom98 on Jul 13, 2020 22:24:38 GMT
We have twice--the first was after a day at the local amusement/water park so it didn't seem odd to be eating in a restaurant because we've done the two on the same day so many times. We also ate out for DH's birthday on Friday night.
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Post by huskermom98 on Jul 13, 2020 22:19:11 GMT
We never got our northern Minnesota vacation booked--tried a few times to look into it again, but something always popped up.
DH is going fishing with a friend in a couple of weeks and I might see about taking the boys to Wisconsin Dells that weekend, just to do something. A staycation at the hotel next door to our local amusement & water park would make more sense, but seems so boring.
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Post by huskermom98 on Jul 12, 2020 19:24:06 GMT
I really wanted to go to northern Minnesota this summer, but so many things popped up (Covid, new car for DS, cancer surgery for my boss the 2 weeks we could possibly go, etc.) that it didn't happen. However, if the high school football season gets cancelled before it starts we'd have a week (or more if marching band doesn't happen either) where we could go if we could find lodging...but almost everything is booked like it always is.
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