I agree with unsinkable. Why force a kid to eat something he/she doesn't want or like? I don't eat food that I don't like and I wouldn't expect my kids to.

Right now it's No one Knows by Queens of the Stone Age, BUT, it literally changes daily (sometimes even a couple of times a day). I love music and my kids and I are always finding new fun stuff to listen to.

I'm almost finished with Under the Tuscan Sun: at home in Italy by Frances Mayes. Lovely, immersive non-fiction about a couple who buy and renovate a wonderful old property in rural Italy. You can feel Mayes love for the Italian countryside and all it has to offer. Gardeners, cooks, home renovators, and those who long to leave the familiar and visit/live a life in a new setting will enjoy this book. I can't tell you how much I want to visit (or move to) Tuscany now...

I purchased and read The Well-Educated Mind several years ago. With much enthusiasm, I began my plan to work my way through it. I got as far as Don Quixote. Pitiful. I know. As an aside, I have read several of the books on her booklist, just not as part of TWEM study. However, I have not given up! I am on hiatus ;). In all seriousness, I am planning (again :D) to dust off my copy of TWEM this summer and give it another go. I do believe it's a worthwhile undertaking.

Ooh, yes! I also love my Fitflops. And, they come in so many more new colors/designs since they first came out. I have these now---but paid less locally.

A couple of years ago, while on a trip to Universal Studios, I was developing horrible blisters and could barely stand to walk. I ducked into a little store that sold shoes and bought a pair of Sanuk flip-flops. The price was crazy for flip-flops (or so I thought at the time...), but the clerk assured me these were some of the most comfortable shoes ever. The footbeds are made of the material used for yoga mats--very cushy, not at all like typical flip-flops. So, I paid my almost $30, threw my old shoes in the bag, put the Sanuk's on, and, it was heavenly! Extremely comfortable and easy to walk in. I was able to keep up with my kids for the rest of our trip. I've since bought another pair and I wear them often.

So glad to hear that! I know that I appreciate and learn from each and every one of you here on this board. And, I think we've all learned a valuable lesson here: Never underestimate the powers of zany humor, recipe-sharing, and (of course!) kilts to diffuse an uncomfortable, awkward, or unpleasant thread! :001_smile:

Yes. This is me. As much as this topic fascinates me, I don't know that I would be confident enough to even begin to tackle it on the level suggested by Ester Maria because of what justamouse touched on above. My retention (water aside ;)) is not what it used to be. Foucault and Lyotard and the whole concept of postmodernism (beyond the superficial) sounds overwhelming to me now that I'm older. Will I grasp it? And, more importantly, will I remember it even if I do grasp it? :001_smile:

I absolutely adore this board! Susan is beyond awesome. It's my one-stop-for-everything board. My only problem with it is the magnet that keeps me sitting in front of it for longer than I should...

I refused sealants for my kids. My 15 yo has never had a cavity, 12 yo has had his share ;), and 7 yo has had none.

Yep. Disney Destinations, the College Board, Chase.

Me too! Love Dickens, love A Tale of Two Cities. Stay with it fairytalemama----you'll be happy you did. Plus, the ending is awesome!

It's been 20 years since I read a John Irving novel and I had forgotten just how memorable and outlandish his characters are. I read and enjoyed A Prayer for Owen Meany this week (well, actually it took me a couple weeks ;)) Irving is a great storyteller who has a wonderful gift of quirky humor that's evident in all the themes he touches on throughout the book---faith, doubt, politics, friendship, death. I love the way Irving uses foreshadowing in this book. You think you know where he's going, but then he throws a curve ball. Good book with unforgettable characters.

Un*flipping*believable. How completely tasteless, insulting, and disgusting.

Very! :lol: But, I am sorry about your Cocoa Pebbles...

She is not affiliated with Disney.

I've had a Nikon D90 for over two years and have been exceedingly happy with it. I love that I can shoot in a completely manual mode or fully automatic. Image quality is amazing. Controls are very intuitive. And it's a fun camera to use :001_smile: While the video capability isn't stellar, it's been plenty adequate for me and I use it often. I've never used a D7000, so I can't comment on it.

Lisa, I think you answered your own question in your post below.

I don't think anyone has a problem with him giving voice to his own beliefs; I think the issue arose when he attempted to give voice to others' beliefs, and interpret them through his filter.

Here's what I don't get about this: If someone is utterly and wholly confident in his beliefs/teachings, why should there ever be a need (unless you were in a debate setting) to attempt to "prove" someone else's beliefs wrong? And, especially in this manner? Shouldn't the beliefs/teachings be able to stand on their own merit and speak for themselves? To launch what appears to be an endless bombardment against those whose beliefs aren't in complete alignment with his seems counterproductive and unprofessional, not to mention mean-spirited.

Well, at the moment, I have a couple, and both of them are songs my daughters are working on in music-- My teen's band is covering by The Strokes. And, my 7 yo had her guitar instructor teach her the chords to a song by the daughter (and her band, The Gutter Press) of board member Beth in OH called The Trees are Turning Beautiful. My kids and I LOVE this song!

Oh, you brought tears to my eyes with that wonderful memory! I lost my sister 10 years ago and every so often a memory of a long ago conversation with her will randomly come to mind and make me smile (and miss her). May your memories of your brother help comfort you (you too, Yellowperch) :grouphug:

Last summer, my teen and I drank loads of cold-brewed iced coffee that she made several times a week. Here is a recipe. We didn't find it necessary to buy a specific iced-coffee blend.

Well, I love iced espresso. My usual Starbucks (or any other coffee shop) drink is a triple shot of espresso on ice. No sugar, no milk. I also love hot coffee and have a cup every morning at home.

I am an Aquarius (although I don't pay attention to astrological signs...) I (similar to another poster) used to neatly align fries side by side on a McDonald's cheeseburger before eating it. I stopped eating McDonald's burgers (and most hamburger meat) after watching Food Inc. about 1 year ago. I (again, like another poster) love Magic Shell, but only on vanilla ice cream. I found a new white wine I just LOVE. Opala from Portugal. Light, refreshing, CHEAP ($9 at my local Whole Foods), slightly effervescent, and perfect for warm weather. And, it has one of the loveliest labels ever! It is rare I find a wine under $20-30 that I really enjoy. I am thankful for Susan Wise Bauer (and all she has done for homeschoolers!) I have an inordinate fondness for parentheses (:::sigh::: I've had this problem since I was a kid ;))