How to decorate a dorm room. How to showcase the bazillion pieces of artwork that come home, and how to keep them rotating, and how to choose which ones to save and which ones to toss. (To use the trendy terminology, curating your child's art work.) How to create a homework space in a small bedroom. Attractive computer desks, and where to put them--in the family room so parents can keep an eye on things, in the kid's bedroom so they can have peace and quiet doing their homework?

I thought for sure I posted to this yesterday. Obviously not. Now I feel like I've lost some memory of time yesterday. My kids go back Tuesday, this coming Tuesday, Aug. 1. I met the 4th grader's teacher yesterday. Gave her fair warning. I already know the 1st grader's teacher, the program she's in keeps the same kids together for K-3, it's called Intact Family. The kids move up together to the next teacher in the family. So I also know that when DS goes to K in a year, he'll be in that family and will have the same teachers DD has. I explain this because it actually helps with organization of back to school! The 1st grade teacher sent her packet of info, including the supply list, home last spring. DD is already familiar w/her teacher and knows where the classroom is for not only 1st, but 2nd and 3rd, too. If we're crunched for time, we could actually skip the meet-the-teacher night tomorrow. But she wants to go, so we'll go. My middle schooler will also meet his teacher tomorrow night. Then, with supply lists on my desk, I will change into my pajamas, make a cup of coffee, and buy school supplies on line! I love staples.com. It really is an easy button. Last year I ordered almost everything at staples.com, got free delivery b/c is was over $50 and it was all delivered to my front door by a Staples truck in 24 hours! I was ready to hug the delivery guy! He has no idea the headache he helped me avoid. We also keep overstock supplies, stock up when they're on sale this time of year. They always need something as the year goes, it's a great feeling to have it handy and not need to go after it. DH wants to rearrange the kids' rooms. He wants to move the oldest 2 in together in the biggest room, put the youngest in the smaller room alone. Then he wants a nice big table for computer and homework for the older boys. While I think that is a great idea, and the boys actually do, it's a lot of work! But considering the shared needs and activities of the older boys, it would be a better use of the spaces. I need to organize myself for back to school, that's the biggest thing. I need to make that main notebook like flylady talks about and commit to using it. I've got volunteer and PTA duties that need managed, the kids activities, household stuff, plus I've taken on caring for my neighbor's 7 m/o 3 days a week now (she's a teacher). So I've filled my plate, that's for sure. This time of year feels like a time for new year's resolutions to me, organizational ones in my case. I'm going to add magnet hooks for keeping papers on the frig to my Staples order, thank to Talley Sue. And a calendar, agenda for my notebook.

You're in a very difficult situation, because once you move out of the country, you won't have any way of really keeping track of your baby or helping out if something goes wrong with the adoption. It sounds to me like there's a high likelihood that the American woman will declaw the kitten, which, like you, is something I wouldn't allow to be done to a feline I loved (or any feline, if I could help it). There's also the possibility that as the kitten matures, she may not get along with the woman's "wild" cat, and what happens to your girl then? If you have time to keep looking for a new family for your kitten, perhaps you can find one that can provide her with the love and attention you want for her, AND who feels the same way about declawing as you do. If there are animal shelters or rescues in China, perhaps you can ask them to help you find a suitable new home for your baby. Also, contact veterinarians. They sometimes know of responsible, loving clients who are looking for a new feline family member. I don't envy the position you are in. I hope you can find the perfect solution for both you and the kitten. Laurie

I think the trials of a reno, especially the kitchen, life force hub, makes it just drain..on every part of you. There are parts of me that want to jump into it now, there are parts that say wait til there's a few less people in the house to work around. I do remember the dirt, dust, disorder from the last remodel we went through about 10 years ago. 3 boys, the yongest 4 at the time. The 6 weeks of plywood counter tops. Finding sheet rock dust months later. I don't know how those of you that do this every few years, can? Lol