The only thing I would add is to not let the fact that you're not good at math or you don't like math keep you away from the field of nursing or some of the other medical professions that require you to take math, chemistry and "regular" biology as requirements. I spent years trying to avoid having to take those courses but I finally bit the bullet and worked hard and got through them. Just beacause you don't like math and find it difficult doesn't mean you can't get through those introductory courses. Some of it is just developing the good study skills that will help you get through ALL of your college courses, and some of it is developing a certain type of discipline that is required in the medical field--you're going to be dealing with people's lives so you have to be able to deal with a certain amount of stress and stay cool and focused. I teach those intro bio courses and I find a lot of students drop out because they think they have to get all A's or nothing, but B's are fine as long as you don't get a lot of C's and no D's, (there's really no excuse for a "D" since my students who get D's always do so because they don't do a significant portion of the work.) They also drop out because they get frustrated and discouraged during the first year or year and a half, but anyone who has made it through will tell you once you get over that hurdle the rest is fun. Also don't get distracted by all the med. school neurosis that some students carry around with them. One step at a time gets you to where you want to be, which is the lesson I learned on my field ecology course halfway up Mt. Kootenai. Believe me Bobby, I have some type of math dyslexia, I can barely write my own phone number correctly, but I made it through advanced algebra and trig. and chemistry and all of that. I got a LOT of HELP, which is the other reason a lot of students crash and burn, they think they have to do it all themselves and they don't take advantage of tutoring and study groups and the like. The students that do well in my class are the ones hanging around the learning center working with tutors or in study groups with similarly disciplined colleagues, or are in with the professors every week getting help. Honestly, knowing what a math-o-phobe I was in high school my friends were very surprised when I went into science. So if I can do it ANYBODY can. I did it by staying focused on my long term goals and working my buns off, but it was well worth it! A lot of students who are not naturally good at math can do well if they PRACTICE enough. They just need to spend more time at it than some people. That was my secret. And once you get into a groove with those first tough classes, everything else will seem like CAKE CITY! Props to my math genius brother for coming down to stay with me for whole weekends at a time while I was in college and making me work problem after problem, and giving me advice on the phone practically every night. He was in HIGH SCHOOL and was doing the same problems as I was doing in college. I lived in a dorm across from the Chem. building and I was in the help room a couple nights a week and during the weekdays sometimes for hours at a time preparing for tests. But it wasn't too bad, I made a lot of good friends with my fellow students. I think you will enjoy school now, after a few years away. Most of my older students really seem to like school. They know why they are there and don't sweat the small stuff. Anyway, the point is, with any difficult subject you have to take, where there is a WILL, there is a WAY! The staff at a good community college are totally dedicated to that concept, which is why you will really like going back!

A little more background would help us give you more ideas, Lynne. What are your favorite methods of making cards... using die-cuts, paperfolding, pop-ups, embellishments, ribbons, painting, stamping, embossing, beads, ??? Will the card be hand-delivered or will it go through the US mail? Some of the suggestions below would have to be hand-delivered (or mailed in a box) because of the thickness (and fragility) of the embellishments. Minnie has given you a good idea to avoid going to the craft store and investing in a whole different bunch of supplies (LOL!! - not that you don't want to do that, but sometimes it is far less expensive to just [heaven forbid!!] buy a card than to get all the supplies to make one!). Are you giving her just a card, or a card with money or a check in it? A cute way to give $$ is to make a pop-up card with a hand that holds the $$ and "pops" up and out when the card is opened. Another way to give money is to make a diploma using a cardboard tube (from aluminum foil, saran wrap, etc.) covering it with parchment or other paper that has been aged with tea. Tie a red (or HS color) ribbon around the tube, seal with a gold sticker or sealing wax. Put the check or $$ inside the tube. Write a message of congratulations on the paper before sealing it! A third way to give money is to make a purse from cardstock. (If this idea appeals to you, email me and I can send you instructions.) A three-deep graduated petals card can be used as a holder for money, too, or just as a card with lots of messages of congratulations. Playing on Minnie suggestion of graduate stickers, use your niece's HS colors as the backgrounds, and for dimension add a bit of gold thread made into a tassel to the mortarboard. And maybe a black "button eyelet" to hold the tassel in place. Is she going on to college and do you know which one? You could incorporate that school's logo or mascot into your card, or maybe a roadmap from her home to the college. Does she like nature or the outdoors? Make the card with the cover message "Never stop chasing your dreams..." and decorate it with a subtle background of butterflies, perhaps overlaid with sheer vellum. Punch a hole about 2" in diameter in the cover and mount a little butterfly net inside so it is just visible through the hole. Put a couple butterfly stickers inside on or near the net, with inside verse, "Congratulations _ _ _ _ _ (niece's name)!" Here's a very simple one... Print and cut out (or use a sticker) of the world (Earth) that is just the size of a clear, flat-backed glass piece. Mount a plain white square on a textured card. Glue the Earth to the center of the square, then glue on the glass piece. Inside verse could be something like, "The world is waiting for you. Go for it!" Make an accordian pleat card with lots of die-cut hands mounted inside. Mount a single hand on the front on a couple layered rectangles (in HS colors).Tie a little tag to one finger on front hand that says "Clap Clap Clap." Put another set on layered rectangles inside with your message or just "Congratulations!" If you need further explanation for any of the above ideas, Lynne, just email me. Hope these ideas will inspire you.

I hope Caitlin will have a job that can afford to send the amount of money she expects to everyone who sends her a graduation invite/announcement. Many would have to forego a mortgage payment if they sent a minimum of $100+ to all the graduates of friends and family, It's a gift not an obligation or entitlement. When I graduated, I never expected any gift. My parents threw a party to celebrate, it was just a reason to get together and have party. I was happy with cards, flowers, words of wisdom, I didn't expect anything and any monetary amount was greatly appreciated and thanked for personally with thank you notes. I don't care if it's a phone call. Email, text, in person, or card. Just acknowledge the giver - they are under no obligation to get you anything.

3onthetree Thanks so much for your feedback! as I explained above to isabellagracepan, the renovation will happen prior to moving in because we’re already in a temporary apartment and don’t want to live in the house with the dust etc created during a renovation. I agree with you entirely about seeing how we use the outside space. i love what you did about bumping a mudroom next to the garage! We’re seriously considering that. It’s tough bc we’re trying to balance living space vs more utilitarian spaces that are practical. For example, we have no need for an informal tv family room plus an entire room used for a formal living room. I wanted to clarify something on the floorplan that I realized wasnt on it from the listing green is the location of the laundry, side by side washer and dryer Purple is a full bathroom for the downstairs level. Vanity, toilet and shower. I was thinking since there’s currently a living room and family room, i could make 1 our tv watching space and the other a combo of dining room and small seating area (a couple of armchairs) that could be easily moved when entertaining a larger crowd. Thanks again for your help!