We don't have a dog now, but if we get one, it will either be named Dax or Porthos. They might both be Star Trek references. :blushing: I know Porthos isn't only a Star Trek reference, but for us, it would be!

Sinatra most of the time.

I love this recipe, because it has tons of basil. And in the years when my garden was actually successful, (all both of them!), it was so fun to just go out and pick tons of basil and throw it in! Tomato-Basil Soup All of my children love it, too, although they insist on grilled cheese alongside it. ;)

This thread has been eye-opening. I've wanted to get my nose pierced for years. I just want a small, jeweled stud...I think they look beautiful. I had almost convinced myself that after the baby is born, I would find the courage to actually go through with it. But... After reading all of the responses here, I'm now really worried about what people would think. I thought piercings like that had become commonplace enough that people wouldn't think twice about it. I didn't realize so many found it revolting. I'm a fairly conservative person, in beliefs and appearance, and so are most of the people I know. So, I'm guessing they would probably judge pretty harshly if I went through with it. I guess I just lost my courage!

This is my favorite recipe. I like it because it doesn't have a lot of extra "stuff" in it, and the frosting isn't too sweet. Best-Ever Carrot Cake

I understand your concern, but in my experience, downtown STL after a game is very different than just being downtown late at night. Just make sure she knows a safe place to park, (parking garage nearby--the cost is worth it!)--there's safety in numbers, and all of the fans will be headed the same way after the game. If it's any consolation, DH and I almost always get lost downtown after a Cards game, (it's really hard figuring out where to get on 40 east, especially when they're doing construction!), and nothing bad has happened. I even got lost alone with all four dc late one night, and it was still OK. And when we first moved here, when I wasn't much older than your dd, I had to do some driving downtown by myself in the middle of the night. That wasn't ideal, but it turned out OK.

My two older children loved it, (especially ds), and I'm embarrassed to admit that I learned a lot from it! Apparently, my knowledge of Archimedes wasn't so great. ;)

No animals here, but my children aren't big fans of the fireworks! The houses in our neighborhood are really too close together for people to even try, but every year, they do it anyway. The Fourth of July doesn't bother me as much, because at least those are done at a reasonable hour, plus, I'm pretty sure that tonight, people have been drinking. A lot. Hopefully they'll quit soon, though!

Jonah. Weird choice, I know, but he's so real. I can totally relate to his (bad) attitude, and yet God used him anyway. Same reason I really like Simon Peter! Ruth, for all of the reasons already listed! :)

I'm going to be the voice of dissent and say go with the Hermes. I love the color, and when I get a designer bag (someday) I want it to be a really great color like that, so it really stands out...I'm not really into patterns, though. I like the toggle on the Hermes bag, too...it's interesting. Plus, there's the whole Hermes name. That appeals to me for some reason!

We always watch Apollo 13. Something about people traveling in space makes me realize how very small I am, and I think that's a good way to start the new year!

For the first time in at least 20 years, I didn't get any books for Christmas. :blink: It's like there's a disturbance in the universe. I think I might just buy myself something!

With this one (my fifth) I felt movement about nine weeks. I mentioned it to my doctor at the next appointment, and he just said, "well, you've had plenty of experience, so you would know!" :lol: So, I totally believe that you can feel something really early! And who can prove you wrong? ;)

I haven't had mine removed, and it's been over five years since my first attack. Even though I'll be having my fifth c-section in a few months, I can't stand the thought of another surgery. I've learned what foods to stay away from, and I've also learned that it's really more about portion size than what I'm eating. I've had a few flare-ups in these five years, but only one that was as bad as that first one. Until it becomes a routine problem, I'm leaving it alone!

As a mom of a son with autism, I found this poem I discovered online a few years ago to be inspirational, if only because it reminded me that I'm not the only who sometimes struggles at Christmastime. I hope it helps some of you as well! Autism Night Before Christmas

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We like it. Some of the shorts are better than others, but there's a cool one with Donald Duck playing Noah, trying to load up the ark. And another with flamingos with yo-yos. And I think there's something with flying whales that's pretty cool. It's definitely different than the original, but not in a bad way.

None of them have rum, but I specialize in what I lovingly refer to as "booze soaked cakes." I just made a chocolate one with peppermint schnapps today...yum!

Did you see in the article where school officials told the mother they had done this before? :glare: I can't imagine what would have happened if I had found out that the school had treated my autistic son that way, but I'm guessing jail time may have been involved. I'm so thankful that so far, he's only had good teachers!

I did one, but it's only about Christmas craft projects. ;) Christmas Crafts

We have tons of traditions, but it's mostly just because I've worked really hard to create them. I think some people just really like traditions, (like me!), and for some people, it doesn't matter as much. DH for example. Growing up, he had nice Christmases, but not many specific traditions. So, when we got married, I don't think he really understood my need for traditions. And while he does love our traditions now, I'm pretty sure that if I didn't do something one year, he probably wouldn't notice. ;) My children are big into traditions, too, and not just at Christmas. If I don't get Lucky Charms for St. Patrick's Day, they wonder what's wrong. If I don't make beef brisket for the Fourth of July--problem. They are very tradition and routine oriented, just like me! So I really think that some people are just wired to "need" traditions, and others just don't really care one way or the other. But if you keep doing something year after year that's important to you, it may catch on!

I love the Charlie Brown Christmas special! I'm embarrassed to admit, I also have a soft spot for Yogi's First Christmas. I watched it last Christmas, for the first time in many years, and I couldn't believe how much of it I remembered, and how much I still enjoyed it. :tongue_smilie: And I really love old Christmas movies, too!

Awesome! :lol:

Ticket to Ride (any version) Mystery of the Abbey Pillars of the Earth & World Without End Thurn and Taxis

My recipe is a little different, but similar. We like this one because it has no nuts. 2 sticks butter 3/4 c. light brown sugar saltines (about a sleeve and a half) 2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips Preheat oven to 400. Line a 10x15 cookie sheet (with sides) with foil. Place a single layer of saltines over the foil. Melt butter and brown sugar in saucepan. Bring to a boil, and boil, stirring constantly, for three minutes. Pour butter mixture evenly over saltines. Bake for 5 minutes. Let stand for a minute or two, then sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over pan, spreading as they melt. Cool completely, then crack into pieces. Refrigerate until serving.