What is the borax for? Does it help with algae? I have some at home I could use. I know we get more algae when no one uses the pool.

This only applies to primary residences. Depending on how long they have been out may make a difference.

We do this. DH gets a little bit more than me, but he always pays when we are together. The cash is just for the little incidentals. I don't want to write out a check for $5 at the thrift store, so it's nice to get the cash on hand. I usually squirrel mine away, and then break it out for yard sales or back to school sales. Sometimes I put money in my paypal account to feed my used curriculum addiction.:) I have a friend who totally doesn't get this. She thinks it's cash for groceries and gas, and other basic necessities. She can't seem to understand it's just for those little extra things that we don't need. Nobody needs an ice cream cone, but it's nice to get one when it's really hot.

OK, I must admit, this is my idea of being spontaneous. My DH could just hop in the car and drive, but I must have everything planned out.

It's happened to me twice in the last 15 years. Is there any way you can make sure they check back in your books before you leave the library?

I think it would be about a mile between the two. If you park at the planetarium (there is a walking bridge that goes across the interstate, one side is the science museum, one side is the planetarium - both buildings are connected), the parking used to be free. I'm not sure if it still is, though.

Up until last year, it was free, but with state budget cuts, the dues are now $20/year. Luckily, 4-H is popular where I live, and we were able to raise enough money to cover everyone's dues.

I freeze cheese all the time. Sometimes I pre-grate, sometimes I don't. Like the PP does, all you need to do is bang the bag and it will loosen and you can use the amount you need. The whole blocks do crumble, but that's never been an issue for me. It's a great way to buy cheese when it's on sale, and keep it fresh. I probably have 20 blocks of cheese in my freezer.

I'm not sure if their backpacks go on sale, but I would think now would be the time. They also have free shipping on everything with no minimum order. I'm waiting for bathing suits to go on sale so I can stock up for next year.

The new plans include a DVD only option, and I just changed our plan. I will save a few $$'s a month.

Our computer is too slow to stream anyway, so for us it will actually save us a little each month. Please don't hate me!

My current GP will do paps, but they won't touch a pregnant woman. I say current because I get a new GP yearly. The local practice cannot keep Dr.'s. The nearest hospital that will even deliver a baby is an hour away. So if I have to drive an hour to deliver the baby, I might as well have an established Dr. at said hospital. I started taking my girls to a GP, but he left the practice, and referred me to a ped. I love our pediatrician, and will gladly travel the hour to see her. Also, the local MD's love to prescribe medication. Here's the thing though. Our local Dr.'s office does nothing in the way of tests. They don't even do vax's. So, last time I had a bladder infection, I had to pee in the cup at the Dr's office, then walk to the hospital, be admitted (got a bracelet and everything), go downstairs and hand over cup to lab personnel. This was five days after I had a C-Section. Same scenario with x-rays. If you want a vax, you have to make as separate appointment with health department. At the pediatrician's office, everything is in house. They even have a pharmacy. I'm not someone who feels we need a pediatrician, but it is just easier all around, even though I have to drive farther.

My DD9 plays with no problem.

I'm sorry, I answered before reading the first post. I just realized you only meant MD. I honestly grew up thinking it was normal to wait 2 or more more to see the Dr. It was all I knew. The only time I go to the Dr. here it town is if I am sick and don't want to drive an hour. But, now they have a couple of PA's, and the wait time on them is usually under an hour.

Other. It depends on which Dr. I see. The girls ped - 15 minutes at most. Sometimes we even get in before their appointment time. My OB/Gyn - 15 minutes, unless he is delivering a baby. The local doctor in town - 2 to 3 hours. An hour if it is a good day.

I decided not to make the cake. It's been a long week, and I am no longer in the mood to bake. Thanks anyway. If I decide to make the cake later, I'll keep this thread in mind.:)

Thanks. I thought I could. I was in town today and should have bought yogurt, just because it has so much less fat. I rarely bake in the summer, so it will be a special treat.

I came across a cake recipe that calls for 1 cup plain yogurt. I don't have any plain yogurt in the house, but I do have sour cream. Could I use the sour cream instead? Is it a 1:1 ratio? Thanks

I was trying to point out in my post that maybe JimBob doesn't have internet on his phone because he doesn't want it. His decision may have nothing to do with Michelle. It's hard to tell from just that one quote. But, if he really wants it, and Michelle has said no, you can't have it, it still isn't strange to me, but it would make me think differently on the matter.

I have only seen the show once, so I don't know much about the Duggars. Is it possible Jim Bob doesn't want internet on his phone? Or did Michelle say he can't have it? To me, the quote just said Jim Bob doesn't have internet on his phone. It doesn't go into detail on why he doesn't. My DH does not want internet on his phone, and he rarely uses it at home. Also, I am the password keeper, not because I won't allow DH the passwords, but because it's just easier that I do it. Every time my DH logs onto our internet banking, which is once a year, I have to remind him of the password. So I guess the fact that Jim Bob doesn't have internet on his phone doesn't seem weird to me. But if he isn't allowed it, well then, I might feel differently.

I buy whipped yogurt, though it pains me. It is the only type my DD9 will eat, and she absolutely loves it. I do wish they charged less, but alas, they don't. I know the process of whipping does cost something, but you also get 33% less product than regular yogurt. Also, whipped yogurt contains NO actual fruit. That would more than make up for any whipping costs. At least in my opinion, anyway.:)

:iagree: If I want $15 for a particular item, I add $3 for shipping, and another $1 for paypal fees, making my total price $19. If the buyer wants to upgrade shipping, then it's up the buyer to pay the difference.

DH's work clothes get washed together Towels get washed together The BooKshelves get handwashed Everything else (except odd stuff such as rugs and shower curtains) get thrown in together. I do wash some things separately, such as this T-shirt with glitter, because the glitter gets everywhere! I do try to wash new, brightly colored stuff separately the first time, just in the case the dye runs.

At our local hardware store, you can buy it by weight. Just scoop what you want into a brown paper bag. It's a basic mom and pop, small town hardware store.

DH works out in the heat, and always brings his own water, but is always thankful when someone offers. The only thing he doesn't want it soda. It doesn't sit well on a hot day. The last time we had guys here, it was winter, and they re-sided our house. They both went to our church, so I knew them, but I made cookies, cinnamon rolls, coffee, and chili for them. (This was over the course of several days). I probably would only have offered coffee and cookies if I didn't know them.