I could see kids running through the house with sm

pieces of chicken I guess - and little greasy hands touching everything.  At least with spaghetti they might sit at a table - my opinion only -

• We will have 31 people at his party tomorrow night and that sm - Hubby's BD party tomorrow
  • Bowls of popcorn, or lots of cut-up sourdough baguette - sm - San Francisco
    • Popcorn idea is great. - nm
  • I would hit Costco or Sam's Club and grab (sm) - elaine
    • Thank you! Actually, the fried chicken is chicken strips sm - Hubby's BD party tomorrow
    • But you don't think spaghetti would be messy?? - nm
      • I could see kids running through the house with sm - elaine
      • Make it with elbow macaroni instead of spaghetti. NM - deb
  • Tortilla chips and chili cheese dip. I make - Just me
  • How about some hot dip? sm - millie
  • stuffed shells - mt
    • To mt - GF
      • here's a ricotta stuffed shells recipe for you to try...enjoy - cat
        • MT way sounds much easier and quicker. - nm
          • She'd like to learn something new to cook. There was a negative response to her inquiry - cat
      • Did you read the post?? She buys frozen stuffed - shells and pours some sauce on them. What the???
  • A great veggie dip... - -Jade
  • Veggies and dip, slaw. - nm
    • Or fruit tray and dip. - nm
  • Check out deli at grocery store. They will know - quantity needed for # of people and premade. nm
  • Chips and dip, relish tray, - nm
  • Potato salad, baked beans. - nm
    • most favorite finger food sm - Seasoned Survivor
      • Do similar with Lil Smokies and add jar of - chili sause to grape jelly. Jelly alone too sweet?
        • Also good with frozen meatballs, jelly and chili sauce - tnmt
      • That sounds AWESOME!!!! (salivating...) - nm - San Francisco

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Usmoms need some quiet time too...don't feel bad for feeling that way...I am sure we have all imagined what it would be like not having kids or a husband...but then that thought goes away and someone yells "Mommy" or "Honey"...LOL...

in fair condition about 10 years ago, got into some medical problems, and have just now paid off the mortgage.  Hubby and I agreed we would do nothing to the house for remodeling because we wanted to pay it off first, then the medical bills.  I need to know of some websites/magazines/books to start researching for how to go about this.  These will be major repairs - roof, septic, basement, windows, pretty much everything except wiring.  Where do we start?  Maybe hire a general contractor just to do an evaluation and give us recommendations?  Hubby is a handyman but cant seem to get a handle on where to begin.  We would like to do as much of the work ourselves as possible - labor of love and all that...   

Thanks for any and all kind suggestions!

our newspaper, also with the "must order within 48 hours." When I saw that, it rang a bell for another heater I did buy and was I ever sorry.

I would have checked out the company claims a little more before jumping on something like that.

Another point: You will not get the amount of heat you do with wood. Can you possibly convert your wood heater to coal and wood or even pellets?  

We used wood for 20 years (Fisher stove) and I, too, was tired of getting up in the middle of the night 2-3 times. I begged for central heat in our new place and boy, was I sorry. I was always cold (for 10 years). So, last year we bought a used coal/wood burner. What a difference! I'll never go back to central heat again. That stove heats our 1500 sq. foot home and I'm never running around with sweaters on anymore. I don't have to get up in the night to fix it, either.

My son bought a pellet stove last year for his 3 story home. They love it and don't use their central heat either.  It does cost a few bucks more for the pellets.I think he bought $1000 worth, while we only spent $500 on coal and the wood is free.

`

My youngest (3-1/2 now) did the same thing, and my 5-year-old never did either.  I was mortified with his behavior and the worst part was my dh thought I was overreacting.  Then he took the kids to the store alone one day.  He came home and said "Wow Tommy is naughty in the store", well duh!!!! that is why I look like I have been through a battle when I get home from the store everytime.  At about 2 1/2 he started listening and got psyced about holding on to the cart with mommy, or even better riding in one of the "car carts" that they have at the supermarket.  But anywhere that he needed to sit still for I just ended up finding a babysitter until he was more calm (around 32 months). 

My 5-year-old starts school this year too and she is having the same issue.  She is not a shy girl by any means,but she is soooo worried about K.  I think it is normal and I am hoping that she will be okay once she gets there and is involved in the activities. 

Sorry I guess this was not really much help, except to know you are not alone. 

My running with Walter is more for him than me... we do a 4-mile route during the week and sometimes 8-10 trail run on the weekends.  I'm kind of extreme.  I also do my own sprint work at the college track - they have an awesome rubber track and most of the high schools around here also have those.  And the football fields are turf... not grass - the fake turf?  Those are excellent for running.  I don't like treadmills either!  It feels even worse than pounding on the street!.  I use them for incline walking sometimes.  But the elliptical machines are great for the knees and feet.  Running is very therapeutic for me, obviously for my dog too! 

But health wise, running is pretty hard on the joints, so I'd keep it to a 3-4 times a week at most, cross training with weight training and some other cardio activity, walking, etc. 

I think those programs like you did, running programs, triathlon programs, especially the ones that are specific for women are fantastic.. and Running Magazine and Runner's World mag & their online forum are great places to get some advice- kinda like here. 

My fitness helps me in all parts of my life. It keeps my energy up for MT work, for my family, is kind of my version of therapy. 

I would think that some of the $12,000 A YEAR he paid in support for over 9 years should have been enough to save some for college. He paid his dues so to speak, always paid the support on time, had insurance for them, etc. He told them straight up to pay for their own college. Is there something wrong with that?

I definitely agree that she should take the dog inside, but if she absolutely refuses maybe you could buy her a well-insulated doghouse so at least the animal will have some protection from the cold.  Animals have survived cold temperatures for years, but they need a place that shelters them from the cold, and she needs to provide that for them!!

I feel for you - vegetarian here :)  One of the big reasons I lost respect for my ex-best friend was the way she treated her animals.  She was always buying dogs and cats and then leaving them at the pound or pawning them off on people.  It really made me think less of her, because what kind of person does that! She also won't admit she did anything wrong!  arrrrgh! It drives me crazy when people don't take proper care of their animals.  They are a big responsibility - not just a cute puppy to show off when it's convenient.  I hope your daughter straightens up, but again, if she doesn't I highly recommend purchasing a good doghouse for the poor dog!

Girls, has your hubby ever gotten you a "practical" gift that you did not appreciate?  This video will put a smile on your face!  Enjoy the lighthearted fun. 

http://bewareofthedoghouse.com/video.aspx

I chuckled reading your post. I have 9 - yes 9 - cats, three of whom are kittens in the range of 7 months old.  I got them all about a week apart and they're each about a month apart in age.  They are refugees from the neighbors really bad decisions.

Nothing in the house is safe any more.  All of my bigger plants are now in hooks on the ceiling - the smaller plants were already there.  It looks silly, but it works.  There is nothing left on any flat surface.  It cracks me up when they get going and chasing each other.   My house is very cat friendly at this point.  I made the choice to put the good furniture in storage for now and I have washable furniture.   There are cat beds everywhere.  My office shelving unit is more cat bed than it is storage and I have 2 beds on the desk beside my computer.

Yes, I am the crazy cat lady. 

Rotel tomatos

Velveeta cheese

taco-seasoned ground beef

Brown ground beef and add taco seasoning (as in making tacos). Melt Velveeta and Rotel in microwave; add meat mixture. I transfer to a crockpot to keep it hot.  Serve with corn chips. This recipe is made with 1 lb ground beef, 1 packet taco seasoning, 1 small can Rotel, and half of a big block of Velveeta. Of course, you can vary it to the amount you need to serve.