I would have to say an Xbox 360 hands down if you are buying it for the whole family. We have a Wii too, but really only the kids play it. Everyone plays on the 360. With an Xbox Live account you can play online, download tv shows and movies (cost extra, but about the same as itunes pricewise), play music, network it with other computers and devices, play downloaded movies and tv off a usb thumstick or stream from said networked computers, download trial games and other multimedia content. When the Fall update comes out, probably in November, it will also stream content from Netflix if you have a Netflix account. Not all I listed needs a Live account, I got carried away listing stuff, and some like the Netflix and playing online require a Gold account which is $50/year. The 360 also plays dvds and is surround sound. If you want to play games like Rock band and Guitar Hero the sound quality is much higher than the Wii, which I believe is just stereo. It really is more of a home entertainment system than only a game console. I sound like a Microsoft ad which is funny since all of our computers are Linux and the only Microsoft product in the house is the xbox and associated games.

**I am only answering the OP here, not responding to any other posters. I just want to be clear :) * I do not believe that there is any need to find anything or to look for guidance. Humans have evolved into beings that are born with the ability to think and reason. There is no need to look outside of yourself to tell right from wrong. If humanity had not evolved this ability it would not have survived and thrived. The universe is a an amazing and interesting, even awe inspiring, place without bringing mysticism into it. I was not "led" to atheism because being led indicates a belief in a power that does the leading. I have always had enough self-confidence to never feel the need to look for support or guidance in the form of religion. If I need help or an emotional pillar I turn to friends and family. I help people and donate time and money to needy causes because it is the good thing to do as a person. I take full credit for my good deeds and accomplishments as well as full blame for my failures. The only being that can bring meaning to my life is me. I may find that meaning in my interaction with other people, but it is my meaning and my purpose. I teach atheism and reasoned thought to my children with the same vehemence that many here teach Christianity to their children. My children also learn about the many religions of the world (mythologies, current and historical political significance, etc.) and the importance of being respectful, even to someone that you do not agree with.

I agree with you 100%. We do not have limits. Even more each child has his own computer. Ds11 has his computer, a tv, and a Wii in his room. Ds6 likes to keep his computer on his drawing table/school desk but he could have it moved into his room at anytime. Both have their own Nintendo DSs, actually DH and I also each have our own (mine is pink). Ds11 and DH both have their own PSPs. We have an Xbox 360 in the living room. Saying we have a lot of games would be a serious understatement. We have taught the boys the importance of being responsible and doing your important work (school and chores for them) before playing both through words and example. Neither plays excessively, at least not in that mind numbed way that I do observe in children with parents that restrict video games. People used to saying reading novels was a waste of time and addictive and rotted people's brains...all the same stuff that is said about video games and tv or any other "screen time" (I despise that term) activities. We play together as a family on the 360 for several hours every week. Sometimes for a whole day on the weekend. We played Rock Band for two hours together this afternoon. The only rule we have before someone (and it applies to the adults too) plays alone on the 360 is that they make sure no else had plans for the tv at the same time and the volume is kept reasonable. Most evenings DH will play something on xbox live while I watch and knit, crochet or read next to him.

I having been taking a board break, but I cannot resist helping you out here :) I am a long time crocheter (and pretty much every other needle and fiber art), but just recently picked knitting up. Joining Ravelry.com has been a major help and inspiration (and time sucker...lol). You have to sign up on the waiting list for an invite, but mine only took about a week and then I could jump in. There is a WTM group and other homeschool groups their too. I am going back to my board break, but feel free to PM me for more info. I am artcofeewords at Ravelry if you want to look for me there.

I use a fountain pen exclusively when I write. I have a nice high-end Waterman that is "my" pen. Then we have a ton of disposable Pilot Varsities around the house. I carry a Pilot Varsity in my purse too. There really is no reason to write differently with a fountain pen than how you normally write. You do not need to force some fancy script just because it is a fountain pen. I write in my normal cursive. Fountain pens are easier on the hands because of the need to press lighter than with ballpoint. I have wrist and hand problems and find I can write for a longer time period with a fountain pen. My kids are allowed to write with whatever they want (ballpoint, pencil, colored pencil, gel pen, computer) as long as it is neat and legible. My 11yo usually types because it is faster for him, but he will grab one of the fountain pens for a short assignment sometimes. Fountain pens are seeing a resurgence in the US fueled by the getting-things-done(GTD)/organization/hPDA/moleskine loving crowd. For an inexpensive pen with a nice tip and good pre-filled ink, I do have to recommend the Pilot Varsities. They are $3 from Staples. Hard to go wrong at that price.

A few years ago we found a great solid oak dining table and 4 chairs with extender leaf for $35 for the whole set, in great shape, and the perfect size for our dining room. Only problem was we had a tiny car and no way to get it home. We were about to leave when our next door neighbor who was out yard sale shopping too, pulled up in her big pickup truck. She happily hauled it home for us :) Oh, and another time we stopped at a yard sale on a whim after a frustrating and unsuccessful day of bed shopping at the local furniture stores only to find a king size water bed for $5 with mattress and everything. The people selling it even offered to deliver it for us. We still use that bed, although we have upgraded to a waveless mattress with lumbar support recently.

Lucas just recently released the Young Indiana Jones series in a new box set with all of the educational documentaries included. I am the crazy one here, although we are all excited about the new movie. I have been known to start loudly singing the theme music every time the commercial comes on tv.

We recently did a similar futon rehab to what you are describing, but it was to add more seating to our living room. The futon had been ds6's bed, but he recently got a new regular twin size bed. We could not find a couch we liked that would look good with the two recliners already in our living room. We needed somewhere other than the floor for the kids to sit when we watch a movie or play family video games. The rehab did not cost me much though. The only thing I bought was a tan microfiber cover (recliners are blue microfiber). I used cushions I already had. I thought I was going to hate it, but it is actually working out pretty well. If I were you I would wait until after the baby comes and you have settled into a new routine, then decide what will work best for you.

I love the TJ's insulated freezer bags! They keep everything frozen solid all the way home which is a 2 1/2 hour drive.

I have about 10 of them that I bought months ago. Now I just wish the checkers would stop sighing and complaining when I use them.

Same here, with dinner usually much closer to 6 than 7.

I choose fiction, but it is really more like 75% fiction, 25% non-fiction. I enjoy both. I mostly read sc-fi. I am drawn to sc-fi that focuses on socio-political matters. In non-fiction I read a lot of science, craft, and history topics. Japanese craft books provide a fun double challenge (the crafts and the language).

No. Absolutely, positively NO! I also will not donate to charities that require any sort of sof or religious promise in order for someone to receive services.

The backpack style is a good option for when ds is carrying it, although he may prefer a more stylish messenger bag type. I have one that came with my hp laptop that is very sturdy. However, when I did carry it around I used a padded bag I mad from a mod print heavy cotton fabric. It is basically a fitted sleeve with a shoulder strap and a big flap closure with pockets in it for accessories. The laptop is old now and relegated to the ds6, but I still use the bag as a messenger style book bag.

Diamond Age by Neil Stephenson currently. I just finished The Dispossessed by Ursula K. LeGuin which now goes on my top 10 list of best books ever.

This will sound kind of extreme, but we have been here 6 years next month and I can just now finally say I feel settled in. It in no way can be compared to where we previously lived. We hated our house in Los Angeles. It was a duplex and an all-around terrible experience living there. Combine that with the fact that we lived very close to my family (mom, grandma, stepdad, sister) and could not quite extract ourselves from their self-inflicted unhappiness. So when we moved here it was about so much change...new state, a practically newborn baby, getting away far enough away from toxic family that we could stay in touch but not be poisoned, dealing with my mom's cancer diagnosis (given a month before we left and she was given 6 months max to live, she tried to use it to manipulate us into not moving which was no longer an option at that point. She survived and is healthy now six years later, btw), and I broke my foot two weeks before the move. We tried to settled in early, but there was too much turmoil. I dumbly, given our history, agreed to let my grandmother stay here for a month during our first summer so my mom could focus on her cancer treatment. That was a huge mistake which opened up a lot of emotions from years of childhood trauma (my grandmother was my main caregiver as a child). Then the company dh worked for was sold to a giant fortune 500 company that fall, which eventually turned out very well for us, but was stressful at first. So that first year was a whirlwind. It has taken me until recently to come to terms with living so far from a real city and, also, to let go of all the emotional and mental baggage piled on by my family in CA (ok, so it is not all gone, but I feel the weight being lifted). It was not until it really sunk in that I am not limited by them anymore that I could settle in here. Honestly, I think the is the first time EVER in my life that I feel settled in to my own home.

When dh set one up on his phone I bugged him until he finally took it off. It drove me nuts.

We decided the crowds would not be worth it but we still wanted ice cream so we went at lunch:) BR is close enough to walk to, but we still hardly ever go. We are not big ice cream eaters normally. Anyway, the owner said she expected 1600 people this evening :blink: and she had to close for an hour in the afternoon to get prepared. Considering how small the local population is I am shocked turn out would be that high. I am happy to pay full price to avoid the crowds and be able to sit at a table and enjoy the treat time.

Oregon law prohibits using an unaccredited degree to obtain employment except in the case of very specific programs that have been granted an exception (this could just be government jobs, btw, I do not remember the specifics). There is a list and more information somewhere on the ODE website if you do a search. I thought you might want to know before making any final decisions.

It is not so much the phones being designed to die at a certain age as consumers demanding more and more from the cellular technology. There are several types of cellular networks out there and each requires different telephone technology. It is not cost effective or reasonable to expect the companies to maintain the old networks at a loss when consumers and governments are demanding that faster, higher bandwidth technologies come into place as soon as possible. Those new networks and new technologies require more from the phones thereby draining the battery faster, even if all you do is call. The batteries in newer phones are actually better suited to today's networks because they can handle being recharged often without developing any memory like the older batteries do. Remember when the internet first started to speed up? We could buy faster and faster dial-up modems every few months and then BAM there was cable. The cell phone networks in the US having been going through that same type of fast ramp up as the modems did and are just about to make that big jump to real broadband. Unlike pc modems where you can still use dial-up if you want to (or live in the boonies), cellular networks have to phase out the old to be able to bring in the new. More information than you really want I am sure :tongue_smilie: Can you tell what industry puts food on my family's table?

Oh, I did not know. Even better it is dh's day to work from home. I see an ice cream break for the whole family in our future.

Go ahead and dare me to start one:) I have embroider three tea-towels for my kitchen in the last two weeks. I avoid political discussion with anyone other than dh or my boys. Ds11 has been asking some great questions this year! Having to answer him has really made me think about my own political views.

I am not going to admit how many mp3 playing devices there are in my house. My husband's boss likes to give them as little bonuses, but he never remembers who he has already given what too so we have ended up with quite a few. Decide what you will be using it for. If you will listen to audio books, having a screen that shows what you are playing and being able to load playlists will be necessary to avoid frustration. We have an ipod shuffle, which does not have a screen of any sort. It is great for a few songs, especially in an active situation since it clips on, but it is useless for audio books. We have first and second generation Ipod Nanos which are both great for books and music. The newer third gen Nanos are more than your budget (and play video), but I am sure you could find older ones used or refurb in that range. I have a fairly new Ipod Classic, which is nice, but I admit I really do not watch much video on it. My only complaint with the ipods is that they are not very linux compatible, but you may not care about that. Dh has a Zune and we all hate it. It is a terribly designed gadget with horrible software and even worse support. Another important feature, imho, is that it be rechargeable. I have an old Rio Mp3 player that eats AAA batteries.

I agree. Free, easy, the banner thing at the top is non-obtrusive, and it is easy to post lots of pictures using either google's provided storage or flickr.com.

I have wavered back and forth between linux and windows for years. Linux being my favorite OS and Windows being needed to run some of my hardware or toys over the years. I have been running Vista on my pc since I bought this machine last year. I have been frustrated by how slow it is, but I knew (from a live cd) that linux would be a hassle to get working.......until last Friday that is. The new version of Ubuntu linux runs like a dream and was so smooth to install (dual booted with Vista). I feel like a got a whole new computer...a fast computer! I am just so happy to be back to linux and have my computer working better that I had to come gush about it...lol. Now I need to get off of it and go do some housework :tongue_smilie: