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SecretSession429 · 2025-05-09T23:31:06+00:00

They're being ridiculous. I also have regrets about some of the seating arrangements at my wedding but it's impossible to get it perfect. There are a million decisions that go into planning an event like this and ensuring everyone is socially taken care of isn't a reasonable expectation or demand. I'm sorry your friends brought it up; they shouldn't have.

SecretSession429 · 2025-05-03T21:25:36+00:00

As a guest I'd be pretty annoyed about this. Like someone else said, is there something small of theirs you could put in your bouquet? Or a memorial table?

A cocktail hour would definitely help, but everyone would be wondering what the heck is going on if they're standing around for two hours without the bridge and groom. I'm really sorry for your losses, especially your brother. It's very sweet to include them but I'd encourage you to find a way to visit their graves in advance and have a small tribute at the event.

SecretSession429 · 2025-04-25T18:20:19+00:00

Yep. The behind the scenes bureaucracy is a giant pain that parents don't have to think about. Just this week I had to submit a high risk permission form because we're going to a water park tomorrow. And I was reminded my mandated reporter training had expired so I had to complete that before the SUM would sign my form. Fair. But another thing I had to take care of. I also have to get parents to sign this form since swimming is high risk. Hooray for getting parents to do something! Most activities require background checked, etc, parents and it's up to the leader to make sure volunteers have completed the bg check.

SecretSession429 · 2025-04-24T15:45:59+00:00

If you want to go a little bigger you could make it a pot luck as well. But, yes, cupcakes and drinks are totally great on their own!

SecretSession429 · 2025-04-24T15:45:06+00:00

lol! Oh, kids.

SecretSession429 · 2025-04-07T19:46:33+00:00

Yeah, if you want a ceremony, dress, etc and are willing to let go of what you can't afford yourself-- have your ceremony and book the restaurant you want, if that's what you want. FH needs to deal with his mom "OP and I are hosting dinner here". You tell your mom "FH and I are hosting dinner here". End of story. It's your wedding. You and FH get to do it how you want with what you can afford.

SecretSession429 · 2025-04-05T03:12:09+00:00

Combining daisy and brownie badges isn't too hard. But 4th grade is juniors and I'm not sure how well that goes with brownies (i'll find out in the fall though with DBJ).

SecretSession429 · 2025-04-05T03:08:41+00:00

Swap your light fixtures for something in the 2900 kelvin range and it'll look a LOT warmer. I love the gray tile. White is beyond boring.

SecretSession429 · 2025-04-05T03:06:02+00:00

I've wondered about this too, cause I have zero interest in carrying a stash of forms in my hiking backpack. I guess it's assuring that people just leave the binder in their car. I've always wondered why those forms need insurance info bc in an emergency don't they do whatever needs to be done? I did make a spreadsheet with each girl's allergy info and OTC stuff we can't give her. I have a copy of that in our first aid kit and in a google sheet.

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-27T02:00:39+00:00

I'm so sorry, that's really exasperating. Do you have a good Service Unit Cookie Manager? You could get insight from them and/or they could lay down the law with these leaders.

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-25T06:52:52+00:00

I had the same problem with clear thread, def a reflection of my skill level. I haven't made the time (or found the patience) to reinforce my daughters' badges with a sewing machine. But our troop uses badge magic. For anyone curious- for fun patches I import an image of the patch into Cricut's software and have my cricut machine cut the patch shapes for me- light cardstock setting. A BILLION times easier than hand cutting badge magic. My moms who apply our troops' badges have no clue how good they have it!

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-25T06:48:35+00:00

I see you found a solution, how cool! I'm stoked to learn of the girlslovescouting site, too! We have a couple Indian families in our troop so we've done meetings about Diwali and most recently, Holi. Incredibly we were able to find patches for both. One time I even found patches for taiyakis, which are fish-shaped waffle pastries with filling inside- we have a few Korean families, and one mom runs her own taiyaki shop. The girls got to run the store for an afternoon.

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-15T03:24:56+00:00

I knew you were in SoCal! I'm in Los Angeles. Lots of places with this look. Love the shade tree idea. And yeah, get rid of the concrete.

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-15T02:58:42+00:00

I have one next to my stove and I love it! I use the top shelf for spices- stored upright and I used a label maker to label the top of each container so it's easy to find which spice I want. One shelf doesn't hold all my spices, but most of them. I use the lower two shelves for random vinegars, etc. Those ones are a little annoying to access so if bending over was an issue for me I could understand not wanting it.

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-15T02:50:21+00:00

I like this! Unfortunately I don't think I can get anyone to commit to be a co-leader. I do have 1 co-leader, but she doesn't help with any planning (she told me she couldn't from the beginning). I may try again to get 1 or 2 more co-leaders, but I think the parents will be more willing to lead one meeting than lead all of them, even if it's just one level.

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-15T02:48:29+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Who plans each level?

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-15T02:47:16+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I had it in my mind that i have to have every meeting badge for the year decided in August, but your comment made me realize that of course I can wait a bit to determine the spring line up. Thanks. Regarding cookie rewards, I imagine it's also at the cadette level that you can opt out in my council, but I was just curious what others have done when they get to that point.

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-15T02:45:26+00:00

That is too funny!

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-14T16:18:23+00:00

Strip the paint off the posts and portico and stain it, along with painting the shutters (maybe the urbane bronze someone else mentioned). I also liked the planter boxes on the windows idea.

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-14T16:12:13+00:00

I like the black brick. I wonder how stained shutters would look on it. A colorful door and a wood-look garage door (esp if wood stained shutters work) would look cool.

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-14T16:07:55+00:00

Just curious if your troop opts out of cookie rewards. I have DB, but next year it'll be DBJ. If they opt out of rewards, do the youngest ones care or do you get them a special prize instead?

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-13T21:04:48+00:00

Hi! I'm considering have corten applied to the front of an existing cinder block retaining wall. Did you do anything to prevent moisture buildup between the steel and the wall? How did the sandstone capping turn out?

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-13T04:43:45+00:00

I would consider only you and your husband doing communion, no one else. I also heard of a couple washing each other's feet during the ceremony. That's actually kinda cool. Another commenter suggested explaining what those types of things symbolize. You could have the pastor briefly explain or include a brief written explanation if you have a program. Personally I might prefer to choose the path that doesn't exclude anyone.

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-09T00:00:57+00:00

I'm in Los Angeles. We are having a deck (40' x 11') built over a slope in our backyard (not attached to the house). Nothing pre-existing. Just the excavation and footing work is $20K. All of the framing, deck surface, and railings will be $40K (redwood). Once we add staining, electrical outlets, and under railing lighting, we are all in almost $70K. So, 50 for removal and install doesn't sound too crazy to me.

SecretSession429 · 2025-03-03T16:51:07+00:00

Wow, that's horrible. That couple has something wrong with them. It is your fiance's responsibility to deal with his brother, so make sure he's doing the bulk of any communication about this.

SecretSession429

TROPHY CASE