I read Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie upon someone's (Stacia?) recommendation. I really enjoyed this book. Touching story about two Chinese boys sent into exile for "re-education" during the Chinese cultural revolution. It provides an interesting glimpse into a completely different culture and illustrates the power of books as the boys discover treasure in the form of banned Western classics.

Yes! I really like the idea of the fixed bead ring rather than the usual stud and butterfly back. Thanks for posting that!

Training aside, and I do agree you should find out someone's track record before you let them pierce your children's ears, the fact remains that there are integral differences between piercing guns and needles that are explained in the article: With a gun, the earlobe is actually being pierced with the jewelry itself, so there is obviously more trauma to the ear than there would be with a sharp, hollow needle. And, there is more control using a needle than a gun. Bad article or not, those are the main reasons I decided we will not go with a piercing gun for my youngest when she's ready to have her ears pierced.

I know the Lipton family size are equal to 4 regular size bags.

Echoing those that suggested a piercing/tattoo shop rather than Claire's or other places that use a gun rather than a needle. This link explains some of the reasons to avoid piercing guns. As an aside, I had my ears pierced when I was 9 or 10 by a friend of my mom's who used a sewing needle, ice cube, and a potato----strange but true:D Even stranger, a few years later, I pierced two of my friends' ears using the same method :blushing: :001_huh: Maybe I missed my calling...

Unfortunately, you can't sync a Blackberry with your Apple and it's not compatible with iTunes.

My teen has a MacBook and said she would not want to go back to using a pc. Between her music and school, it gets a lot of use.

Oh, I know the feeling...:D

Very, very eclectic. I love music and am always finding something new to listen to---thanks, mainly, to my two older kids, who are music aficionados. I listen to everything from baroque to metal, with classical, 40's, Broadway, alternative, big band, classic rock, techno, indie rock, grunge, and more in between. I don't listen to a lot of country, rap, or hip-hop. I ADORE Christmas music, but, only from November to January :)

No. But, only because I don't like clothing (for me) with any kind of text or words on them.

So glad your 10 yo is fine. I read this out loud to the kids (it was too good not to ;)) and my 12 yo son had two things to say: "aww, man, why does he have to live so far away?" and, "I need to find out how he did it" Yep, sounds right up his alley :lol:

I like The Economist.

And, see, my eldest wouldn't go near a chocolate cream-filled doughnut and it was practically a staple during my pregnancy with her :D

With my first, it was vegetables and Dunkin' Donuts' chocolate cream-filled doughnuts. My second: I can't recall for some reason...I'll have to ask dh... Third: Chalupas from Taco Bell With all----a HUGE aversion to poultry.

Prayers and well-wishes for RoughCollie and family :grouphug:

I think it was a wise, well-thought-out decision.

I finished Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott. Worthwhile (if a bit crass at times) reading with both writing tips and thoughts to ponder.

My kids are very much into music, and the two older ones play in a band, so we have been attending concerts here and there over the last couple of years. Prices for big name bands have certainly risen since I went to concerts WAY back when :001_smile:, however, some of the shows my kids have wanted to see featured several groups playing in smaller venues (House of Blues for one) for fairly reasonable prices.

Very sweet. Thanks for posting the link!

Exactly. It's all about the humor in this venue. And, with that in mind, I found it quite funny. :001_smile:

This looks really, really good. Adding it to my (ever-growing) list. I read Harry, A History by Melissa Anelli, who runs one of the biggest HP fansites----The Leaky Cauldron. Interesting look at the crazy phenomenal success of Harry Potter, as well as a look at the fans themselves. Who would've guessed Harry Potter would even inspire a new genre of music? Wizard Rock.

While I wouldn't go quite so far :D, I did wonder why the photographer wasn't a bit more careful with the composition of the chandelier/portrait photo. I did love most of the photos though and thought the joy of everyone involved (well, except for the cute flowergirl ;)) was captured nicely.

Lovely! And, such a great color for a dress!

I've got three different types of tomato plants, zucchini, cucumbers, German chamomile, basil, cilantro, parsley, cortland onions, broccoli (which, for some reason is not doing well at all), and one lonely arugula plant. I had also planted green pepper seeds, but not one of them germinated. I will planting some dill weed today. Oops! Forgot, I also have green beans growing.

Etsy also has a nice selection of hats and fascinators.