<p>Lots of puppies! That would be the tipping point into insanity for me. It is busy at work and I’m adjusting to a new computer. I thought I was a flexible type, but have decided that was in another life. Every little change makes me nuts right now. I want every icon, every command, and every color to be EXACTLY what it was before and that’s obviously not happening. </p>
<p>We finally got the immunization shots and S2 has his AP Environmental Science test today. </p>
<p>S1 moves out of his apartment on Saturday and leaves for a week at the beach on Sunday. I have a Girl Scout camping trip this week-end so won’t see him until he gets back. He still hasn’t applied for his visa; leaving on June 27th (has his airline tickets at least). He assures me that is fine. I’m practicing the law of natural consequences.</p>
<p>All my cc time is getting condensed to five minutes in the morning it seems.</p>
<p>D has a terminal case of senioritis - terminal because it might just kill ME! She is so done - no more APs, and an A on the research paper that I worried about so on the 09 thread. Last night was language awards night - recognition of language honor societies and results of the national language exams. Got a little teary - it was a precursor for senior honors night next week.</p>
<p>I’m envious of all the puppies. We’ve never had a dog or cat, much to DDs’ dismay, due to DH’s allergies. Two years ago he and D2 came home from the pet store with a ferret of all things - I was horrified! But apparently ferret fur doesn’t trigger his allergies. She became part of the family - lived in her “ferret condo” and entertained us daily. Sadly, she developed cancer earlier this year (very unusual in a ferret so young) and we had her put to sleep last week I think my copious tears were really in anticipation of D1’s impending departure. In 3 months and…oh, now it is 3 months and 11 days. She is keeping track! (But at the same time that she gives me the daily countdown, she is often cuddling with me on the couch.)</p>
<p>D2 slept without coughing through the night! The Claritan D worked pretty well! Hopefully it will help during the test. I have to admit her coughing was driving me crazy last night before the medicine kicked in! I can only imagine how a class full of anxious scholars taking the AP exam would have been irritated hearing her continuous hack!</p>
<p>The after prom party at our house is Friday night. I’ve got the food pretty much figured out, except Son says we need one hot item that’s easy to eat…like meatballs…only his GF doesn’t eat beef. All of the easy to eat hot appetizers I can think of somehow involve beef. Maybe mini quiches? Ideas would be very welcome!</p>
<p>Wow - puppies! If there were puppies in the house, no one would be studying for anything.</p>
<p>I’ve got to make myself stop nagging about Thursday’s AP Econ exam. I think that between the weekend and last night, the total study time might possibly add up to one hour. Son is really a pretty bad influence on his younger sisters, who seem to be catching his senioritis.</p>
<p>I make an artichoke crostini that kids like. It’s basically artichoke dip on toasted baquette slices. Mini quiches are good, are boneless chicken wings too messy??? Buffalo chicken dip in mini crockpot? Homemade pizzas on Boboli bread? Pampered Chef has some great chicken and crescent roll appetizers. I like the Enchilada Chicken ring! Potato skins with topping? If you have a favorite recipe that calls for ground meat can you substitute ground turkey?</p>
<p>D started a new job 2 weeks ago. We were ALL thrilled. In the interview, she told them she was leaving the end of June to start college</p>
<p>So, news today is that they must’ve realized they would rather “train” someone who will stay throughout the summer. They told D last night she can work until the end of this week and that’s it. I guess they’ve been seeing a steady stream of people walking in asking for jobs that they decided to do this.</p>
<p>She’s devastated, she was banking on the money to help pay for her prom expenses, trip with the girls after prom at a beach hotel, and some new sandals and sundresses for college, so she doesn’t wilt in the hot Florida sun.</p>
<h1>TM, that is so cool–and I can’t ell if its good timing or not–on one hand, nurturing something right now sounds really awesome. OTOH, it’s such a busy time! We jus put ourselves on a golden retriever rescue list (again) so I think I’m in the former camp. I used to foster pg cats until the kittens could be adopted out and loved it. I hope you start sleeping soon–and I bet they’re so ugly they’re adorable!</h1>
<p>JSM, that’s a shame–I’m sorry for your girl. Is she the babysitting type? Maybe she could get some gigs there? hey–or isn’t she an athlete? Could she run a little mini-camp through a local grade school?</p>
<p>Senior boy is being SUCH a pill. We’re going to come to blows if he doesn’t lighten up. I realize now that when S1 was at this point, his gf kept him on a very happy even keel. As usual, S2 is rocking the boat! Well, we did have our nice little couple of months…maybe I’ll see THAT kid again some day?</p>
<p>missypie–d is vegetarian, always a challenge—all of my kids, and friends like spanikopita,(greek spinach pie) Target makes a big box of frozen sp.</p>
<p>TA–so nice to hear your S1 is going to have a beach vacation. how’s he doing?</p>
<p>STJH–we adopted Layla thru golden retriever rescue–our first golden and what a joy. (okay my leather couch and 8 pairs of my kids’ shoes might disagree but such is life.)</p>
<p>The GF isnt’ a vegetarian - just doesn’t eat cows. But I like the idea of spanikopita, and I have to go to Target to get Son’s favorite Archer Farms black pepper and sea salt chips anyway.</p>
<p>Missy… my kids and their friends literally SCARF down my mini meatballs. You can buy the huge bags of meatballs at costco or Sams club or make the meatball recipe on liptons dry soup and bake. But if I need to make a lot I buy those huge bags. And then too, I always have the stuff. Seriously, this is so simple it’s almost embarrassing… one jar heinz chili sauce mixed with 1 jar grape jelly. It usually takes a couple jars of each when making for a large crowd. I usually mix it together over low heat and pour over frozen meatballs in the crock pot for a slow cook. The longer they cook, the better they become. (oops missed the part about not eating cows). Oh well, it’s still too easy to not know about.</p>
<p>The other thing the kids seems to love is those mini egg rolls (also costco). You have to bake them in the oven (no microwave) so they arent soggy. If you also get a mustard sauce to serve with, it works great (the sauce that comes with is like a sweet and sour).</p>
<p>I also have a recipe for like a taco layered dip that you make in a pie dish, but for how good it is, it is usually gone too quickly. :)</p>
<p>Oh… and didn’t see you mention it, but girls LOVE grapes and strawberries (basically any finger fruit vs a salad) so they can pick at it without making any kind of statement by using an actual plate!!</p>
<p>But I’m looking for recipes with no beef because Son’s GF doesn’t eat beef. I guess I could make meatballs with ground turkey, but frankly, the smell of ground turkey grosses me out.</p>
<p>I don’t eat beef either missypie…not for over 30 years! I eat LOTS of chicken and seafood, not as much turkey but have been using it more in mixed dishes like tacos, neatloaf and meatballs.</p>
<p>Has anyone used AutoTrain to move a car from the mid-Atlantic states to Florida?</p>
<p>I was <em>thinking</em> MAYBE if D needed a car to get a decent job in Florida during school, having a car would be a big help.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t trust the car (fairly used car) to drive all the way to Florida and think this is an inexpensive alternative, rather than paying freight to transport. Anyone ever use the AutoTrain from Amtrak?</p>
<p>Right… I saw the whole beef thing AFTER I had typed the whole meatball thing… details details. But I think the spinach thing is a great idea. Of course, at our house we’d be ordering pizza. Then again, maybe I’d consider Target’s Archer Farms Pizza. Its a GREAT pizza… seriously. My kids like it better than California Pizza Kitchen or Wolfgang Pucks and they have the toppings that make them “upscale.” We also add fresh mushrooms and green peppers to just about any frozen cheese pizza.</p>
<p>Good Morning!<br>
Puppie! puppies puppies! I have been lobbying DH for a Boxer puppy for about a year. But the man is so silly and says “No” since we already have 3 dogs. I am going to need the dog who comes wiggling up to greet me and sits its 50 pound self in my lap. Our current pups just don’t love me like that.</p>
<p>FFS both namesakes for “Ranger” are totally hot but I also prefer the one in my head that come from the Evanovich books. But seriously…if Viggo Mortenson wasn’t young enough to be someone I had babysat I would have a big crush.</p>
<p>lindz and SJTH Yayyy for rescue. Our last three Boxers were also rescue dogs and our two current mutts are too. My DD’s main EC outside of their sport has been volunteering with a local dog rescue.</p>
<p>lindz congrats on the honor for your D…cute that she will so eagerly “share” the info w/ her big brother.</p>
<p>Just to help you get over that crush, I’ve read that Viggo doesn’t bathe on a regular basis. (Other male stars who allegedly skip the personal grooming are Matthew McConaughey and the guy from Twilight.)</p>
I think my copious tears were really in anticipation of D1’s impending departure. In 3 months and…oh, now it is 3 months and 11 days. She is keeping track! (But at the same time that she gives me the daily countdown, she is often cuddling with me on the couch.)</p>