Just stopped by to kill this thread.

It's been awhile since I looked for digital pianos but I think you should look into 88 key digital piano, weighted hammer action key, and 64 note polyphony. You can get console styles that look similiar to regular piano, or just the body (looks like your basic keyboard). Yes, my children prefer a real piano, but we don't have room for a real one, dh won't move a real one, and we have other financial needs at this time, so piano tuning isn't in our budget.

I love to print. We've been using Epson inkjet printers for 10 - 12 years. I buy generic ink from online sources. I generally print in black and white only. I do (if I remember) try to print in color once in awhile so the printheads don't dry up. Right now I can buy a 14 pk (3 of each color and 5 black) of generic cartridges for $23 shipped. I used to kill a printer a year but I have one that has lasted 3 years now. I have a 2 year old all-in-one that isn't printing well enough to print coupons but is still fine for everyday printing.

Santa Claus Vs. The Martians Lots of Chick Flicks but not all. Only funny ones that are really fun. The Proposal makes the list. Music and Lyrics makes the list. I like my cheese a certain flavor. Napoleon - AWESOME. Glee - lame (except the cheer coach). It's not a movie, just an example, but I thought I'd love Glee because I'm all about cheesy musicals but nope, didn't suck me.

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How late do you stay up and how late does your dh stay up? My idea (following) could work if DH does to bed early and you go to bed late. If you wilt after dinner and you NEED exercise, DH takes over after dinner. Mom sneaks off to nap or at least rest for an hour or, drink coffee (?), or do SOMETHING dewilting. Mom gets up, helps with kiddos' bed time routine and sends them to bed. Dad and mom grab a few minutes of adult time. Dad heads off to bed. Mom attaches laptop to elliptical with surf shelf: http://www.amazon.com/SurfShelf-Treadmill-Desk-Laptop-Holder/dp/B001M04RBK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287221227&sr=8-1 and reads WTM board while exercising! Then after exercising, when you're still pumped, you clean something or other as a cool down ('cause nothing brings you back down to earth like a good toilet scrubbing). Then it's off to bed with you.

I was at a fund raiser type yard sale (bunch of junk) late in the day and clothes were $1 a bag. I saw the cutest Little Black dress and shoved it in my bag. Only later, when I had my 13 yr old trying it on did I noticed it was Dolce & Gabbana. There's a similiar one at Saks online for $595. A couple weeks ago, I got a laptop for $20. It was older but runs well and was from a business so is very tricked out. I love yard sales!

Just a tip I've picked up -- it's easier for kids to learn to ride on a bike that is slightly too small. They seem to have more control and more confidence than if they are at all tippy.

My experience may be different from yours but I have 4 boys. Mine didn't do random house squatting, but at least two of them pooped in the yard before they would in the toilet. I think it shows that they do "get it" but on their own terms - trying it out until they are comfortable.

I agree with the glitter glue and tape. Also post-it notes, and band-aids. I like to give consumables.

When I freeze cheese, I lay it on cookie sheets and freeze it before putting it in bags. Then it is not so apt to clump together.

Food stamps cost tax payers a lot less money than public education.

When, during your daily walk, you see a dead ferret on the road and then run home to load the kids up in the van so they can see it before anyone runs over it again. When your children know you so well that they finish your sentences. When at least once a day said children make you laugh so hard you can't breathe.

I agree, a clip-on model would be the best for a child. I like my light wedge because it on the dimmer mode I can sneak a book to bed and not annoy my dh. He couldn't deal with a regular night light.

Not a Hollywood movie exactly, but we checked out Temple Grandin from the redbox and really enjoyed it.

Broken record here, but Dave and Erma. I seriously laugh out loud when reading Dave's books.

I dress like a bum, have 6 kids, and live in pajama-esque clothing but I like fashion. So: I agree, nylons are out. Opaque tights are in. I actually wore black tights to church this morning. With brown, teal tights would be fun. Cream would be acceptable, especially if you had a leopard print scarf or shoes to go with your outfit. Mustard/gold (not shiny gold) tights woud be fun. Black with brown bugs me but is acceptable these days. If one chooses brown from head to toe, herringbone or other patterned tights would add interest to an otherwise plain outfit. Or if you choose monochrome (which is thinning), a large statement necklace or scarf would make all the different between boring and WOW. If you just want a bit of warmth without drawing too much attention, nude fishnet pantyhose can add interest. They don't look trashy like the black fishnet can but the texture removes the granny connotation.

I've watched all the movies and am in the middle P and P and Zombies. I've already listened to S and S and Sea Monsters (fave). A good portion S and S and Sea Monsters is the original text and I do love the phrasing and Austen's lovely vocabulary. I'm going to download the straight versions asap. I don't have much time for actually sitting and reading so it's audio book or nothing these days. Too bad I don't have an infant to nurse! I got so much reading done in those days. And, happily, none of my children have permanent book dents in their skulls. (Please tell me I'm not the only one that ever dropped a book on a poor nursing infant.)

Can you make something nice for your husband with it? (ha ha ha)

We've had a couple electric pencil sharpeners from Walmart that weren't anything the write home about. I just bought another at a yard sale, also meh. I am looking for excellence in sharpening, longevity, and (am I dreaming?) noise level. Does anyone have a favorite?

Of the 5 bread machines I've bought used, I've only had one dud and it cost $2. Practically every yard sale has a bread machine and I live in the sticks but when I went to Value Villiage in the big city, I know I saw two or three. If you do buy a used one, just plug it in and make sure it heats up and the paddle spins. It could still have a flaw but those would be the two major issues to look for. I agree with the above poster. Their real wonder is making the dough. If you really want it just for baking bread, depending on your kiddage, you would want two. At my house we need one loaf to scarf down warm and one to eat in a reasonable manner. I have two bread machines on my counter waiting to make pizza dough, but now I want to make yummy bread!

Do not ever feel silly about protecting your child.

One option for non-food items is taking advantage of Drug Store rebate/loyalty programs. Our local store is rite aid. Every month there are items that end up free after using coupons and their rebate program. If you buy certain items, a +UP coupon will print out for $1 or $2 off your next purchase. You can get and use multiple +Up coupons in one transaction. There are many websites (google) which list the good deals each week at each drug store. The same for grocery stores. If you don't mind using grocery stores loyalty cards, you can load coupons directly onto your card at cellfire.com, shortcuts.com, and pgesaver.com. You may not end up buying a lot of the items that you have loaded coupons for but it only takes a few minutes. Sometimes I buy something and am nicely suprised when that extra 50 cents comes off. ("oh yah, e-coupon") I generally buy what's on sale at Safeway and use coupons and buy whatever I absolute need and my % Savings is usually between 47% and 52%. We don't have double coupons in my area. For meat, I cruise a locally owned grocery store for marked down meat. If you don't have time to make your own bread, buy a bread machine (at a yard sale for $1 - $5) and let it make your dough. I mostly use our bread machine for pizza dough but have made bagels, dinner rolls, raisin bread, and the occasional loaf of regular bread. I have 3 bread machines. For pizza, I have frozen the both the dough and pre-baked crusts. Either way works. Last time I worked out the cost for a crust it was 30 cents, it might be 50 cents by now. I'm not sure how much we spend on groceries. I used to scrimp as much as possible, but there is a point where you have to spend more to eat a little healthier.

For me, learning there was such a book was an amazing revelation. The following lyrics now make sense: When their inside me where its dark I walk around like Noahs Arc I stuff my tummy like a goop With animal crackers in my soup

Pleats are in, for 22 yr old girls anyway. I'm not super cool, nor edgy but I like fashion, particularly vintage. For the general population, it'll be awhile for complete trickle down and assimulation. Fashion is cyclic as in "I'd never wear bellbottoms" ends up "I'd never wear anything BUT flares (bellbottoms)."