[What are some things you like & your dh doesn't? or vice versa....(thinking food)]

Not sure if either of these qualify as food ;p

I loooooooove Marmite, dh won't even come near me if I've been eating it.

He loves grits but they're just wallpaper past disguised as a pantry staple as far as I'm concerned. ;)

[Is there anything that you refuse to eat now because of how your mother fixed it?]

I can only think of one thing to say to that. WHY?! Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

 

I am *LOL* at some of the 'foods' mentioned in this thread. They're quite creative in a sickening sorta way. :ack2:

[Is there anything that you refuse to eat now because of how your mother fixed it?]

Awww, the poor and lowly tuna casserole. I only learned about this american delight in the past 10 years. It's one of my dd's favourite meal's. In fact I'm making some tonight... don't suppose you want to join us? :D

[Is there anything that you refuse to eat now because of how your mother fixed it?]

EWWWW and :D That is just gross and hilarious at the same time!

[Is there anything that you refuse to eat now because of how your mother fixed it?]

No, my mum made delicious meals, oftentimes from very limited ingredients. There were a few recipes I never liked but nothing to put me off a particular food. My mum still enjoys a meal made from cabbage, ham and yogurt. Bleugh. It was edible, just not my taste at all. I still like cabbage, ham, and yogurt though not necessarily cooked together ;)

[How much do you spend on clothes for your dc?]

My budget is $250 per person per year. My older two dc (ds16 & dd18) sometimes buy clothes out of their own money, usually items on sale. When it's their own money they hunt for bargains. ;)

I must add that my dd is just starting a job at a new American EAgle sister store so who knows how much money she'll spend on clothes in the coming months. :D

[Do we have any self-educators on this board?]

I know many here work ahead of their dc's planned studies for better understanding and teaching later on. I was wondering if anyone here is studying something purely for their own pleasure.

I am not homeschooling this year so I have time to myself each day. I was thinking of putting that time towards educating ME.

[Fringe show--what did you think?]

:iagree:

 

Yeah, I finally got to use the agree smiley! :)

I couldn't get the word 'overwrought' out of my mind as I was trying to watch.

I really want a decent show to look forward to each week. I'll try watching the next episode but I just don't think Fringe is gonna be it for me.

[Will you be doing your normal Holiday routine with the gas prices?]

I don't forsee any changes... but then our yearly tradition is a family potluck meal at the in-laws who live next door to us :D

[What are you reading?]

These threads are always dangerous for me. I just know by tomorrow I'll have another long list of must reads :D

 

I'm currently reading Innocence of Father Brown by GK CHesterton. I tried listening to it on audio d/l but it was literally sending me to sleep. Zzzzzz. After having listened to one of the tales 3 times over and still not remembering even one part of it, I've decided to set aside the headphones and read it the old fashioned way. *lol*

I'm finishing up My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. It's been a fun read and I've enjoyed it.

And for the RIP III reading challenge I'm reading The Ghost Writer by John Harwood. I'm having a difficult time staying interested in it but I plan to keep trying for a few more days, or pages... or yawns?

[Do you get 6-8 hours of straight sleep at night?]

My dc are older than yours and I've been moving out of the "alert mummy mode" at night. In fact I often sleep through noises that should wake me! :)

For years I always sulked at my Dh sleeping through the children waking in the night, bangs and bumps that made me tense up waiting for something to crash or someone to call. I could hear if my dc had music on softly in their rooms at night and I wouldn't be able to rest. It was not fun but it did change as my dc grew older. I'm past that stage now, thankfully, and I sleep fairly soundly once more :D

[I would love some book suggestions.]

You and I share similar tastes in reading. Some books I've thoroughly enjoyed Jane Eyre, Madam Bovary, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Mayor of Casterbridge. I enjoy Oscar Wilde, Wilkie Collins, HG Wells, the Bronte's, Tolstoy.. perhaps you could try some of Tolstoy's shorter stories. I often find when I've stopped reading I need something simple or short to bring me back into the deeper reads once more.

HTH

[Do *you* think Kim Jong II is really dead?]

I only skimmed a few lines of a news article about this subject yesterday so I'm sure there are many facts, ideas and rumours I know nothing about. But no, I don't think so. One reason is the length of time. Plausible in a country like N. Korea for a short duration, but 5 years? I don't see the reasoning, someone would surely have stepped in and taken power over the course of 5 years.

Besides, the rumour started with a guy promoting his book. :shrug:

[Pithy bible quote about gossip needed]

Here's a site with some good choices. I especially like some of the Proverbs.

HTH.

http://encouragingbiblequotes.com/versesgossipa.html

[How many days a week do you cook dinner?]

I cook 5 nights a week (Mon-Fri). We go out to eat on Saturdays, dh's treat. Sunday is when Dh and our 3 dc take turns to prepare food for the family.. AND clean the kitchen afterwards :)

[Does anyone use Vonage phone services and if so are you happy with the service?]

We've had vonage for a few years and I love it. Given the length of time my mum likes to chat each time I call and knowing it doesn't matter because it's free. Just can't beat that for calls to the UK! :D

One thing you'll want to check is the strength (?) of the cable running to your house. It should be a certain size to carry the vonage without interference.

[Broken foot or just wait it out?]

I'd get it x-rayed. My dd(18) broke her foot earlier this year and she could move her toes at first, there wasn't even much swelling. She had it in a cast for 3 weeks.

Hope it's all better soon. :hug:

[Let's Talk about Cats]

I loooooooooooove cats!

My beautiful maine-coon mix, Nanshe, died this past February. We were all heartbroken, even dh who'd never wanted me to get a cat in the first place all those years ago. She was 2years old when we adopted her from the local county animal shelter and was always such a sweet and lovely girl. She'd hug like a small child when she was being held. Paws one over each of our shoulders and body turned slightly and one paw would grip, just like a little child's hand does. absolutely adorable, and what a way to brighten our day receiving a cuddle from her. The house felt so empty after she died and we all still miss her.

 

We adopted two very young kittens from a local rescue group in May. They had been dumped at the county animal shelter without being properly weaned. The shelter staff had simply placed a tray of dry food in front of them and left them to fend for themselves. At 5 weeks old they were too young to be adopted (to the general public) but were kept there for the usual 7 days in case someone came to claim them. At the end of the week they were about to be euthanized when a local rescue group saved them. I adopted themfrom the rescue group when they were 8 weeks old.

Their names are Aine and Aoife and they are quite different in personality. Aine is larger, floppy, cuddly, quiet and gentle. Her nickname is Luna Lovegood. Aoife is smaller and more wirey and tense. She loves to be petted but not held, and she meows all the time which has earned the nickname Moaning Myrtle. My avatar picture is of Aoife in her favourite pose, mouth wide open and moaning at me :)

[Who's sending their dc to school this year?]

My youngest ds(13) started back to ps 8th grade yesterday. He's so excited to be back in ps. He was previously in ps until the beginning of 3rd grade. I hope this works out to be a positive experience for him.

My older ds(16) is in ps 11th grade. He's been in ps for all three high school years to date.

My dd(18) graduated as a dual enrolled homeschooled/public high school student this past June. Her college classes began last week.

 

I'm a bit of a loss today, my second day home alone while they're all off elsewhere. :(

[Wii, where in the world do you get one of these? anyone? m]

Dh picked one up at Costco a few weeks ago. They're kept at wall behind the the checkout end of the store. He had to purchase it immediately, he was not allowed to place it in his cart and continue shopping or have them hold it until he was ready to check out.

ToysRUs did have some on their website but it's been a few weeks since I noticed that.

HTH

[what is girls gym class like in high school]

My dd took dance for her p.e. credit in high school and enjoyed it so much she joined two afterschool dance groups. Dance class was a much better choice for her than the traditional sports oriented p.e. lesson.

Does your dd's school offer that choice?

[What major sporting event do you most enjoy?]

I voted "Something else..." though it was a difficult choice :)

I loooooooove watching Rugby but hardly ever get to thanks to limited cable channels. It's my choice as favourite. I can get rather heated while watching a good Rugby match!

Watching Wimbledon is like a mini-holiday for me each year. Love that.

The Olympics, both Winter and Summer, are so packed with a variety of sports they were each a top contender as most enjoyed.

Ice hockey is exciting and can still take me back to being a teen attending local games. Again, limited tv coverage here in NC so it's harder to follow teams each year.

My dh is not a stereotypical American, he doesn't usually watch any sports, but I'm slowly getting him hooked on some of my favourites :hurray:

[Another 'get to know you' thread of sorts....]

I am British and have always used some form of 'Brit' as a username since first getting online over a decade ago.

It seemed like a good choice waaaay back then, but now it's just habit :)

[It's football season baby!!!]

Yeah! I'm slowly winning Dh and the kids over to loving it too! :)

 

Go PANTHERS!

[Poll: How much do you spend per person for Christmas?]

I spend between $100-$150 for each of my dc and for Dh. That includes the usual gifts, plus some special edible treats for us to enjoy over the Christmas season, and stocking stuffers.

We spend up to $100 for Dh's parents, sometimes the same for my parents.

I try to find cheap but nice gifts for the american nieces and nephews. They're much younger than my own dc and I'll often purchase them a gift based on a theme such as an $8 book for each of them, or a $10 animal gift from the Zoo store.

For Dh's aunts and uncles we have no set pattern of gift giving. Some years we have something to give, some years we do not. It's never a big deal and nothing is expected. Usually the gift will be something family oriented if we do give, not much monetary value. One year I made candles, another year it was a large cookie selection. Last year Dh spent a few dollars converting a recorded interview of his Grandfather to dvd's for each of the family members. We don't usually receive any gifts in return from aunts/uncles/dh's brothers and our dc do not usually receive anything either.

I don't buy Christmas or birthday gifts for my english nieces/nephews or my siblings.