Our Sears (so I will assume every other Sears) is having its Friends and Family event tonight. Kenmore appliances are 20% off this week, but tonight from 6pm-9pm there is an additional 10% off. I think the other appliances are 10% off with an additional 10% off from 6-9. I just thought I would share this info...An extra 10% really adds up with big ticket items. I think we are going to buy the Kenmore or Samsung French Door refrigerator. Happy shopping!

Ah, MILs! I actually don't have a complaint about my MIL. She lives in another country (probably part of the success of our relationship) and is a very sweet person. You don't hear many husbands complaining on message boards about their MILs, but I imagine my DH would have a lot to say. He told me this year (now 6 years into our marriage) that he almost didn't ask me to marry him because of my mother, who is controlling and narcissistic. I can't say I blame him, in retrospect. My mom would hug everyone in the room goodbye and shake his hand. She wanted to take me out to dinner for my birthday (on my birthday) and asked if DH (then my fiance) could pay for himself if he wanted to join us (he said, thanks, but no thanks, as did I). When DH and I (thankfully) moved to a different state nearby so he could pursue a business opportunity, my mom told me she thought he wanted to move away specifically to take ME away from HER. She has made all manner of rude comments and controlling efforts in his direction over the years. When I gave birth, she made a rude comment to my OB about DH (he was out of the room at that time, but I was there, laboring away). My DH remains polite and dislikes her so much he cannot bring himself to speak much to her when she visits. It's very clear where things stand. And yet, she still WANTS to come visit and tries to make me feel guilty she's not here more regularly. Her extraordinary capacity to deny reality (and believe that she's a "damn good" mother-in-law) amazes me! MILs out there, remember that if we could hear the other side of the story, it might appear far different than you think. You may have an uncommunicative son/daughter, but for all you know, your child's spouse nags them to call you. My husband has a fine set of parents (certainly they have their faults), but I regularly tell him to call them. How to bridge the gap between son and parents once he is married, I don't know, as my son is only 3. My brother is not yet married (although he already barely speaks to my mother and not at all to my father). My plan is to build a life of my own and not rely on my children to emotionally support me when I am old. It's a gift. I have no wish to be the emotional lifeline for my parents (yet admittedly, I already am for my father, who has no friends and no family, so I know what I'm talking about). I hope i am never one of those mothers inducing guilt because their son doesn't call or visit enough. I figure, it will be his choice. You can't force people to do things. I have been "guilt-tripped" into doing things for my own mother, and it only makes me want to run away. Plus, importantly, young people in their 20's/early 30's may still be discovering who they are apart from their parents. It may be important to them at this time to maintain more of a distance (certainly not always true, but in my case, this was true). If they go on to have children, I find that is typically when families may start to "reconnect" and the value of extended family is better understood by the new parent. Again, not always the case, but certainly true in mine. My mother now focuses all her controlling and needy love on my son, which is fine by me. He adores her. They are very close at this stage in his life (we'll see once he gains more independence), and I'm now expecting a girl which is exciting for all, particularly my mother.

I (we) bought a fridge! It was actually 27% off, and then I got the 10% discount on top of that! It was craaaazy busy there; I had to wait awhile for someone to help me. Then as I was leaving, the lingerie dept. was right by the exit door, I thought "why not pick up some 'unmentionables'?" (as grandma would say)" and I got those for an additional 20% off the clearance price. Hard to pass that up. All in all, a successful shopping trip. So, thanks again for the tip!

Can't disagree with any of them and equally can't pick a favorite, they are all good advice and observations.