Comic books. We always give comic books. My dh selects a variety of books, from Donald Duck type things for littles to super hero comics for older kids. He loves handing them out!

Limestone, Maine -- Born there, don't remember Grand Forks, North Dakota -- Too young to remember Papillion, Nebraska -- Ditto, though I remember tornados Albuquerque, New Mexico -- Loved hot air ballooning with my dad as a child. Oslo, Norway -- The BEST place I've every lived! I'd so live in Norway again--friendly, safe, beautiful scenery. Loved having the opportunity to travel easily. Steinalben, Germany -- Our little village was wonderful. Fun living in a tiny community, hiking, observing traditions. And travelling. Aurora, Colorado -- Fine. Suburban. Boring. Graduated from High School there. Baltimore, Maryland -- College. I loved Baltimore! Great city, lots to do, easy to get around without a car, great cultural opportunities. I'd live there again eagerly. Claremont, California -- Seminary. Love Claremont, but the Inland Empire is a bit dull. We did live for a year in a 150 year old historical adobe that was a museum, we lived in caretaker's apartment. That was pretty cool. Tustin, California -- The OC. Behind the Orange Curtain. Nice area, but a bit flavorless for my taste. My dh loved it, though! Los Angeles, Calfornia -- Actually in the Valley. I like that it is multi-cultural, easy to get to anything I want (stores, shows, culture), and vibrant. I can eat awesome deli food for breakfast, persian for lunch and fantastic authentic mexican for dinner without driving more than a few blocks. The food is great. Dh and I are both happy as transplanted Californiains (we've been here 16 years now) but I dislike the high prices and HEAT in the summer. That's it!

Yeah... we've been running the air-conditioning all week, and it's hotter up where you are.

Here in California I think people are more casual at funerals... I see lots of non-dark clothing and I've done a lot of funerals. Off the top of my head, though, I don't remember seeing anyone all in white. If they were South our Southeast Asian descent, I would assume the white was mourning. Family and cultural traditions are always tricky and can be challenging to expectations. I once co-officiated at the funeral for a Samoan child, and that was very different than anything I had experienced. For one thing, the family presented the clergy and other church leaders with hand-made quilts that had been sewn by mourning family during the previous week. I guess back in Samoa they make tapa cloths, but I have a huge white a blue satin king-sized bedspread that was given to me in front of casket during the funeral. I also did a funeral a year or so ago where the man's family, African-Americans from the deep south, asked for people to process by the open casket at the end of the service. I guess that is common there... but many of my So-Cal parishoners were VERY upset, and one member who is African (from Cameroon) refused to come back because the church was made unclean by the presence of a body. I did recently officiate at a funeral (for the father of a parishoner) where the family requested that people wear "bright, lively colors". I ditched my usual black robe and stole, and led the service wearing an orange/red/pink skirt, orange top and purple crocs. It was the brightest outfit I could put together. I kind of enjoyed it, actually... maybe for my own funeral someday I'll ask for "funny, wacky clothing" or something. Ask for in advance, that is. I guess my point is--different families and people have different expectations and assumptions about death and funerals. Feelings are tender, and any dysfunctional anger is going to emerge. I wouldn't worry one bit about anything unusual that someone did/wore/said at a funeral. That simply goes with the territory.

It seems like times are tough for a lot of people, and even those who are doing well are in a "frugal" frame of mind. I was wondering because my mil called to say that they would be spending around $50 per person this year, and not to be surprised. Usually they have spent more like $400-$500 dollars per each grandchild, my dh and his sister, and myself and my brother in law. That's simply their family tradition, though I sometimes have found it overwhelming. I've always done smallish homemade gifts for grownups, but this year we'll be limiting our dss to one large-ish gift apiece, and only a few smaller things like books as our budget is really limited this year. I think I'm feeling pretty good about the whole shift overall, but... How about you? Are you cutting back this year? (Note: please ignore that I mistyped "popular" as "oopular". I can't edit the poll!)

1) What's for breakfast at your house? Cereal and yogurt (Oooo... caught! Usually we have eggs and toast) 2) What kind of car do you drive? White Toyota minivan (with kids) or blue PT cruiser (without kids). I LOVE my minivan! 3) What's your weather today? Sunny and warm. 4) Are your toenails painted? If so, what color? No. 5) Read any good books lately? What was it? Rereading the whole Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde. He's done a great job with amazing continuity connections--just finishing number 1 again (The Eyre Affair) and there are so many little seeming throw aways that become critical in the 5th book. Great stuff, and funny! 6) Is your bed made? Yes. Turned over a new leaf since we moved, never used to make beds, now they are made every day. 7) What's for dinner? Baked chicken, asparagus, rice. Chicken and rice of some sort seems to be a popular board choice today. 8) Name something your dc have done today that made you smile. Loved listening to Beowulf. 9) What color is your bathroom rug? Burgundy. 10) Who's your favorite artist? Probably Lord Frederick Leighton, at least lately. Waterhouse too. 11) What's your favorite morning beverage? Warm months--Diet Coke, cold months--mocha (coffee with Ghiradelli ground chocolate...yum!) 12) Do you have any toys from when you were a child? Nope. Have some books, though. 13) Do you collect anything? Boxes and other objects of enclosure, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland memorabilia, books 14) Are you looking forward to the holidays? (whichever days you celebrate) YES!!!! I love Thanksgiving and Christmas, even though this time of year is super busy church work-wise. 15) What are you wearing today? Jeans and a pink T-shirt that says "Si Hoc Legere Scis Forsit Eras Erudatus Domo" (hope I spelled that right, I'm reading it upside down, you know...)

I'm from Rohan, live in Minas Tirith... but I would really love to live in Hobbiton! My dh won't move there, however. I answered Rohan, BTW. :001_smile:

Yes... not touching it is key. I would use hairspray at all while it dries, but maybe use some curly-type gel or mousse for hold. I wring my hair gently, pat it with a towel to absorb excess water, and then let dry. It takes about 1 hour or so to be mostly dry, but I'm not picky about damp (and it isn't cold here!). The main thing for me is that I only brush or comb it in the shower while the conditioner is still on. My hair is way too curly to be dry-brushing!

Wow, I'm surprised... guess it depends on how curly and dry your hair is to begin with.

It really is awesome, not to mention a lot cheaper. My hair is by no means easy, and it looks so much better than it used to... I've been a "curly girl" for about 2 years now since I was convinced on the boards.

Lol! I just realized I do that too! It's "happy" I assume? I've always said "hyp" (hip) to myself!

Oh no! You are blowing my mind! There are more ways to knit????

Really? We always tip the maid--I leave $5 every morning for a "regular" day in an average hotel (they cleaned, made beds, towels, etc), and I'll leave more if, say, my kids tramped in from the beach covered in sand the proceeded to dump the sand from their pockets on the floor as they changed. Not that that ever happens IRL....:glare:

I actually mixed up myself and Chris in CA when we had similar avatars... I was reading down the list of posts, and thought for a moment... did I say that? I mix up lots.... I think I'd be better with board names if I had faces to go with them!

Chicken & rice casserole. Not original, but filling...

OK, now I have to try to figure out what state you live in. I've always lived near a Costco (in CO, CA, VA, MD, NJ and FL), so I was curious... what states are without them? They have Costco in 40 states according to their list... http://www.costco.com/Warehouse/Location.aspx?country=United%20States&whse=BC&lang=en-US In an effort to delay getting back to housework, I have discovered there are no Costcos in: Arkansas Louisiana Maine Mississippi North Dakota Rhode Island South Dakota Oklahoma West Virginia Wyoming

I really like Aaron Shust. Yeah, he is super popular (not usually something I like, lol), but I can sing "My Savior, My God" really loud while I clean and have a great time! That album is definately worth a download.

I agree... one of the benefits of homeschooling is that a child can truly move at his/her own pace. My son is in 2nd grade this year--he's a young 2nd grader, but here in CA the cutoff is December. The work he is doing is all over the map, much of it very accelerated. But we still call him a 2nd grader, regardless of what books we are using. It would be way too confusing to call him a 2nd/4th/5th/7th grader depending on the subject!

http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZ15f&PMDbSiteId=2781&PMDbSolutionId=6724&PMDbSubSolutionId=6732&PMDbCategoryId=814&PMDbProgramId=52181&level=4 This is the link to the publisher--you can browse what they have available. It is easy to pick the books up used through Amazon and Ebay, among others. Try searching "Science Explorer" here on the board and you'll find some good threads about the series.

but I don't know how to knit. My crafting skills: I can crochet, barely, but haven't for some time. I've done cross-stitch and embroidery all my life, but I can't sew. Can I learn to knit? Can I start with socks, or do I have to work my way up through various other doo-dads? What is the cheapest, easiest, most friendly way to get into this? Does my local craft/fabric store have what I would need, or should I be looking online? My preferences would be: natural fibers, funky colors, easy patterns I know there are some great knitters here, and would appreciate any wisdom!

I miss Journeyman as well... it was really good. New: We're also watching Life on Mars (though I did prefer the British original version slightly) and Fringe. Fringe is getting a bit repetitive IMHO, I hope the overall story arc picks up. We're also really enjoying True Blood on HBO. It is pretty dark and has graphic sex (HBO graphic), which isn't usually my cup of tea, but the plot is just so engaging. I can't wait to find out each week what happens! Old: Mad Men. We netflixed the first season this past summer, and I got hooked. Yes, it's really just a very fancy soap opera, but the acting and writing are great and I love period pieces. Plus Heroes. And I'm waiting anxiously for LOST to come back, as well as the next seasons of Battlestar Galactica (the final episodes), Dr. Who and Torchwood.

I'm just curious! You can answer the poll multiple times, so pick thier top two... I had too many subjects and not enough room for the ever-popular "other", so please post if you have an "other".

But why? We don't have early voting here, and still no lines? Is is just that there aren't enough polling places? Hmmmm.... off to google.... This is interesting... an interactive map where you can report problems. http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/10/had-problems-vo.html I found several articles about huge waits expected in Maryland, largely because there are not enough voting machines. Not certain why they haven't bought a lot more machines since the last election had hours-long waits there (and my parents were living there last Presidential election, it was terrible).

Yeah, it can be tough being a Christian liberal, particularly on this board. In real life I know plenty of progressive Christians... as well as liberal athiests. Though I can't off the top of my head think of a friend who is a conservative athiest, I'm sure there are plenty out there. Api--I like you for who you are. You were one of my favorites on the old board (though under a different name) and you still are! I'd much rather hang out with those who are confident enough in their own faith (or lack of faith) to not be threatened by the faith (or lack thereof) of others. I agree with most (but not all) of your pet peeves. Especially NU-KU-LAR. Yuck! But I"m horrible at thank you notes. So a blanket thank you for now and in the future...

I've been seeing all the stories about long lines in places where early voting is allowed... and I remember last presidential election seeing stories about very long lines in some states. Why is this? Not why are so many people voting in this election, but why aren't there enough polling places? I've never had to wait more than a couple of minutes here in California (and I've lived in 5 cities), even on Presidential election days. We live in Los Angeles, for goshsakes, the second largest metropolis in the US, and our polling place never has a line. So, for those of you who have experienced this or know something about local voting procedures--what is with the lines? Why do some states/regions have them and others don't? Are there simply not enough polling places, or machines, or personel, or what?