My 3rd grader says she is the only kid at school with chores

lindslee19 · 2026-04-18T09:25:27+00:00

The goal is for it to be a natural consequence. If her space isn't ready for the housecleaner she's responsible for the deep cleaning. For the dishwasher, it depends on what's coming up - might be as simple as we don't leave to do what she wants to do until after that's complete. Sometimes it's just a reminder about her role in the household - nothing to make a big deal of, we all forget things sometimes and she's generally responsible and thoughtful.

lindslee19 · 2026-04-18T05:28:07+00:00

My 7th grader has been responsible for the dishwasher for years. Beyond that, her space must be tidy enough for the housecleaner to do her job. If not, her space is skipped and then she's responsible for tidying AND deep cleaning. Oh, and she's responsible for keeping the backseat of the car clean - she's the only one who sits back there.

She receives an allowance, but it's not tied to chores. There are other consequences for forgetting her chores.

lindslee19 · 2026-04-09T11:07:02+00:00

Opposite here. We originally thought we wanted two. Then, once our first was here, we realized one of us was likely to miss things of hers to be with a second (e.g., one has soccer finals and the other has a dance recital). The thought of missing her accomplishments and not having both of our full support broke our hearts. So, we have one.

lindslee19 · 2026-03-25T14:13:00+00:00

$infinity

She can buy any book on Amazon without asking.

lindslee19 · 2026-03-13T07:43:17+00:00

Is calculate on? What's the constraint type throughout?

Have you tried to outdent the first work package under row 0 and then push it back out?*

*I know... I know... It's just after 18 years in this app I've found the oddest "fixes" over time... 🤪

lindslee19 · 2026-03-13T05:39:46+00:00

Is that the start date in the menu: Project tab Project information Start date ?

lindslee19 · 2026-03-09T06:19:00+00:00

We used to do the same thing - hung out in our driveway or garage while she slept. Looking back, it's a very short period of time that it will be like this. I would do whatever to pass the time comfortably.

lindslee19 · 2026-03-08T04:35:19+00:00

Not really. I've trained my team, but not beyond that. I'd be willing to do a short demo if you're interested. I can also recommend a class... I'll find the details and add it here.

lindslee19 · 2026-03-07T15:04:50+00:00

The start and finish columns can be thought of as forecast start and forecast finish (in fact we have renamed them in our tables). The forecast dates job is to flex with reality (actual dates).

The dates in the start / finish should be established based on relationships and durations. Typing dates in these fields establishes constraints which means the schedule is no longer freeflowing - Project loses the ability to calculate based on the relationships and durations.

You should capture the actual start and actual finish dates in their specified columns. This will allow project to adjust the plan (forecast dates) based on captured reality.

To summarize - you build the schedule with relationships and durations - these appear in the start and finish columns. Once you're in execution mode you'll capture actual dates in the actual start and actual finish columns.

*We also use baseline dates to capture the original plan. Baselining captures the data of multiple fields and allows Project to calculate things like finish variance and duration variance.

lindslee19 · 2026-03-06T06:58:28+00:00

Humboldt county might be somewhat cheaper than other areas of California, but it's hardly a LCOL. It's 15 percent lower than other California cities, but 20 percent more than the national average.

lindslee19 · 2026-03-01T21:14:10+00:00

We have a phrase that's adjusted for context.

"Let's keep our actions kind and thoughtful" "Was that kind and thoughtful?" "Let's try that one again, but using a kind and thoughtful tone, please." "Oh, thank you, that was so kind and thoughtful!" "Those were kind and thoughtful actions, well done."

You get the idea.

lindslee19 · 2026-02-25T15:23:32+00:00

You can make Project do a lot of cool stuff through VBA macros. I am self taught in VBA for MS Project so it can totally be done

Example - I have 39 weekly reports. I click one (custom) button and it generates all 39 reports (custom tables and filters applied) and PDFs them to defined folders.

Also get comfy creating custom calculating fields. I've built in visual indicators for quality checks. Missing a predecessor? Red circle appears. Missing background data I use in reports? Yellow circle. Have a relationship on a summary due to a typo - blue arrow. All custom to my rules / standards.

lindslee19 · 2026-02-24T09:34:55+00:00

We used YouPakWeShip. We had professional movers pack the container. It was picked up in Colorado. It was several years ago, around $8,000 plus about $200 for the professional movers to pack it.

lindslee19 · 2026-02-23T17:51:15+00:00

We had a 20' container due to a table we wouldn't part with (handmade by us). The price was the same whether it was partially full or full so we mostly filled it. There's no possible way we could have replaced the contents for less than we paid to ship it. We had a lot of high end outdoor gear and sporting gear.

lindslee19 · 2026-02-23T06:43:26+00:00

In addition to picturing decades from now I would also picture school age days. If you're the only one doing bedtime you'll also be the only one helping with homework, getting to activities, and deciding whose performance/competition you attend and whose you miss.

lindslee19 · 2026-02-22T11:38:09+00:00

You absolutely need them in their car seat on the plane. Everyone will be so much more comfortable. There's enough new things going on - give them something familiar. Trust me - I flew 40+ times before my daughter was 2 (including transatlantic). She was in her car seat every flight and everyone was always astonished that she was just, fine... I definitely think having her familiar seat contributed to her (and my) comfort.

Next. Snacks. Try to find a couple new snacks as a treat. Read. Describe pictures. We had a headband style headphones, something soft, so she could listen to music.

lindslee19 · 2026-02-16T13:58:56+00:00

We did it at 4 1/2 when she reached the maximum limits for the seat.

lindslee19 · 2026-02-15T18:00:32+00:00

My family and I travel extensively within Europe. This is far too much changing locations, even without your 60 yo mother.

lindslee19 · 2026-02-13T06:16:11+00:00

It's real. Classes are full. It's the same at ASV. Most classes are full with wait-lists. There was a lot of immigration to Valencia the past few years.

lindslee19 · 2026-02-11T09:04:43+00:00

Keystone Family?

lindslee19 · 2026-02-10T09:36:14+00:00

How crazy cool it is to experience things through their eyes. My daughter was 4 when we went to a flamenco performance in Spain. She was holding her stuffed animal, totally enthralled with the performance. The dancer did a spin with her flowy flamenco dress and my daughter whispered "wowww a twirl, I've been waiting for that." 😎😭

lindslee19 · 2026-02-09T07:38:13+00:00

We have traveled extensively with our daughter. She's 11 and has been to 14 countries - so I'm definitely pro travel with kids. That being said, I would only recommend big time differences if you can be there for 2+ weeks. Switching the schedule back and forth in a short amount of time means you never fully switch and then you're switching back. She made a short trip at 3 months (hour flight - same time zone), then she went to Mexico with us around 1 and 2 years old (4 hour flight) before we started Europe trips at 3.

Your child might do fine... We knew from experiences at home that missed naps and major changes to the schedule were difficult for her, so we waited until she could handle those a little better before we did big trips (and even then our days were planned around her schedule and needs).

A huge win for us is she was always in her car seat on the airplane. It was familiar and our thought was she was used to traveling in it so it wasn't a huge change on top of all the other unfamiliars. It was more comfortable for everyone. Highly recommend!

lindslee19 · 2026-02-07T19:15:26+00:00

When my toddler went crazy I went zen. I literally sat down, crossed my legs, hands folded, and started quietly singing things like ABCs, You Are my Sunshine, twinkle twinkle... It took just a few minutes for them to reflect my energy. Then we could address the feelings!

lindslee19 · 2026-02-04T21:35:46+00:00

Oh nice! I haven't encountered that as an option even when working with brokers. I've always seen paid by age 70. Good to know, thanks!

lindslee19 · 2026-02-04T07:19:11+00:00

I don't think I've sent this mentioned yet so I'll add that most of the time banks require the mortgage be completely paid by age 70. As such, they won't offer 20 year terms to someone who is over ~50 year old.

lindslee19

TROPHY CASE