Best book on the subject ever: https://www.amazon.com/Landlording-Handymanual-Scrupulous-Landladies-Themselves/dp/0932956254

This story quotes a neighbor who said his son attends school with the 18 year old. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/broken-arrow-oklahoma-family-stabbings-stun-quiet-neighborhood-n397656

I had a boss who was absolutely convinced that "atypical" meant the same thing as "typical"; it was just a fancier way of saying "typical". After arguing, he would use it often in client meetings to demonstrate it to me. It caused no end of confusion. He would also pull out a dictionary to prove his point when I corrected verb tenses. He was a *typical* engineer. (I like to think of myself as an *atypical* engineer when it comes to writing/grammar.)

I usually lurk around here, but was about to get on and say the same thing Amy already hit on - It doesn't take a genius to get into engineering. Sure, the classes are more rigorous than some other majors - you might have to give up some weekends to studying! - but someone with a solid math understanding (algebra, some trig) can make it through. In high school I didn't take calculus (not offered) or physics (it was during jazz band!), but when I transferred out of the music school into electrical engineering (at a state school, too) I did just fine. Better, in fact, than some who came out at the top of their high school class with all the bells and whistles honors classes. I picked up a while ago that guidance counselors are actually dissuading kids from even attempting engineering majors - I hope homeschoolers aren't following suit! That, and it's hard to staff all the open engineering positions we have in our firm across the country with decent people willing to do the work. I get job offers and leads almost daily from other firms in the same boat. There is definitely a need out there for people trained for technical work. So it's not an unattainable career for a good student! Women, especially, shy away from the field unless they were some sort of math genius in high school.

Sounds like Bermuda to me.

I'm an INTJ - very I, moderately N and T, and like you, fluctuate between J and P - for me, depending on the day and my mood. : ) I'm also an engineer. The existence of God is a fundamental given for me at this point in my journey. The most useful and convincing source has been the Bible. It's taken me struggling out of my N and T modes to sense and feel a bit, but the truth in the Bible is confirmed by my observations of the world. Some other writers who have been influential have been mentioned alreay - notably Lewis, Shaeffer, Aquinas. Some others I may not have seen: Sheldon Vanauken - A Severe Mercy was hugely meaningful in my search; listening to Ravi Zacharias is also helpful. Best wishes!

A good friend hiked the entire trail with her sister several years ago. They would carry a week or two of supplies and had designated places to come off-trail to restock, either being met by their husbands or by mail drop. They'd also take that opportunity to get a hotel room - a real bed and a shower!

What Audrey said - and even easier than boiling: Prepare as for boiling (unpeeled, with about 1/2" of stems left on) and pierce with knife, put in microwave safe dish w/about 1/4"-1/2" of water. Cover tightly w/plastic wrap. Cook high about 7 minutes or until done. (I check after 5, often have to go to 9.) I slice and eat as-is.

I'm an electrical engineer, and used to be heavily involved in lighting design and lamp selection, but not so much in the last 10 years or so. I haven't hear of these in my applications, but that might not be surprising. However, I went to a credible source for info (Osram Sylvania, a major lamp manufacturer) and found this white paper: http://assets.sylvania.com/assets/documents/faq0012-0297.bef4a96f-83c6-46d3-a81c-33e67e466443.pdf I think what they're saying without saying it is that the claims are mostly bogus. Or at least not scientifically documented.

Section 5, Q2: wrote of guinea pigs and moles? is reminding me of Redwall - Brian Jacques? Section 13, Q10: Which Magyar product is literally eosinophilic? Hungarian Red? http://www.tritechforensics.com/store/product/hungarian-red-latent-print-fluorescent-stain-with-fixative/ Section 6, Q3: Who was successfully sued by Howe for patent infringement? Wasn't Singer sued by Howe? I haven't read all other posts carefully, so maybe these were answered already. Off to check.. Neat quiz, thanks for posting it!

I've always assumed it's because the distillation process is more potentially dangerous without proper knowledge and oversight than brewing or making wine. This is an interesting discussion about some of the necessary precautions to avoid explosions: http://homedistiller...hp?f=33&t=26264 Flammability can also be a problem if vapors accumulate in the area of the still. The danger of poisoning has already been mentioned. Much contamination is due to the materials used to make the still, but methane is a byproduct of fermentation (though usually not in quantities large enough to be toxic.) As for the tax argument, it's illegal for dh to sell his homebrew without proper licensing, so I don't think that's the primary reason. You can still brew for private consumption, but can't distill alcohol at all. ETA: Yes, my homebrewing dh has been trying (unsuccessfully) to convince me he needs a still in the garage for years. I'm not sold yet that it's worth the risk, legal or otherwise!

That package would be a great starter, I have nothing to add except that dh is a relatively busy brewer (he makes 4-6 brews every year at Christmas to give away, and around 6 more brews over the course of the year just for fun) and he uses Midwest often for supplies - reliable quality, good prices, and fast. You will want to add this to the gift: http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Homebrewing-Third-Edition/dp/0060531053 It it THE homebrew reference book. Dh has many, but this is the one he turns to every.single.time. Hope you all have fun with the gift! "Relax, and have a homebrew!"

Ha - haven't been on here much in ages, but was on researching dyslexia resources for a friend and couldn't pass this up! :D My daughter and I both thought they were seeing each other in the dream. So whoever speculated that might be able to open a portal could be right!

Hi! I haven't chimed in on a discussion in ages (or "ages" if you prefer :D) But I do still lurk here occasionally (once a homeschooler, you know...). And specificiations is part of my stock in trade, so I thought I'd jump in to defend the designers you're working for! Engineering and architectural specifications have their own style guidelines and writing conventions. I don't doubt whoever you're typing for is probably over reaching even these conventions (we're not typically known for our grammar or spelling skills!) but they are probably following accepted practice; it's not completely random or dependent on How We Feel any given day. As an example, here's an excerpt from a Florida state department's spec style guide listing words that should be capitalized: "Article when referring to the numbered prime subdivision of a Section of the specifications. Contract when referring to the entire and integrated agreement setting forth the obligations between the Department and other parties thereunder and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, either written or oral. Contractor when referring to the individual, firm, joint venture or company selected by the department, to perform the work. Department when referring to the State of Florida Department of Transportation. Developmental Specification when referring to a specification developed around a new process, procedure or material. District when referring to the Districts of FDOT. Division when referring to any of the three main parts of the FDOT Specifications Book. Engineer when referring to the Director of the Office of Construction acting directly or through duly authorized representatives. Engineer of Record when referring to the Professional Engineer or Engineering Firm registered in the State of Florida that develops the criteria and concept for the project, performs the analysis, and is responsible for the preparation of the Contract Documents." That's just a taste, you can find plenty of others on-line (these are usually state offices) and each individual office has it's own "style book" (written or unwritten.) Enjoy!

I worked with a very accomplished whistler - it was enjoyable working with and listening to him! I really enjoyed it, and am a half-a$$ed whistler myself. No more rude than humming! (I guess that could start another discussion, though, couldn't it?)

Heh heh heh...I love this solution!

(just dropping by after a year off of homeschooling to sell some odds and ends - but this post is too much to pass up!!!) I would find it extremely difficult not to put my car in reverse and let nature take its course! That is some aggressive parking there. Unfortunately, I can feel/act pretty aggressive, too.

:D Both dd's are in ps this year :crying:, and I'm working far more than I ever intended, so I have only been popping in here occasionally to "catch up". But I had to share this! Younger dd- in 7th grade - just told me: "You know that homeschool website you used to read all the time? My sub in (social studies I think?) last week was reading it, too!" When I asked if she said something to her about it, dd said, "Are you kidding, she would have killed me!" So I'm dying to know which of you guys was dd's sub last week. (Small, rural school district southeast of central Ohio, if that helps...):lol::lol: Incidently, if I have to hear one more time about how well dd is "assimilating" and that she's doing "surprisingly well, for a homeschooler" I think I'll go all Remudamom on them! Hearing that she's becoming "like the masses" is not making me feel any warmer or fuzzier about putting them in school!:glare:

I am assuming you're talking about written communications. I don't know of any etiquette that says I should be referred to as Mrs. (dh's name)?

:iagree: Same here.

Super easy one bowl Blueberry-Pecan Cake from Cooking Light magazine, August 2001. I make this all the time - it's one of the few cakes my non-dessert-eating dh will eat! The only recipe that MIL has asked for! You must try this cake!

Yeah - I think my main objection is I've had to listen to her gripes in the past and am reading an undertone into her comments. And it just occurred to me that we spent Saturday afternoon with dh's brother (her husband), who had not complaints whatsoever about the plans at that time. She's just one who likes to have her own way. I'm going to let dh send the e-mail (it is his family, after all) that says, yeah, $250 is pretty steep for us, too, but we were looking forward to the NE trip and hope they don't change those plans. Someone else has already chimed in and recommended Tripadvisor as a source for more reasonable rooms.

You know, I need to keep this in mind for so many situations. Thanks for the tip!

I'm biting my tongue (or fingers, as it were) to keep from responding to SIL in front of dh's extended family! (Though, I think I would be cheered if I did.) So allow me to unload on you, understanding hive.:D The situation: Dh's family (his mother's 3 siblings, spouses, their combined 17 children and all of their offspring) have reunions every 2-3 years. A different group of family members takes responsibility for organizing each year. The locations are varied since the family is spread between coasts, with a group around OH/MI, another sizeable group in New England (CT, MA, and VT), and a smaller group around DC/VA. Two families are west coast; one actually has to come from Hawaii! Most locations so far have been close to the midwest - one in OH (the hometown of the siblings), Gettysburg, western PA, NY finger lakes are ones I've attended. So this year, part of the New England family is doing the planning, and they'd like to have it in their neck of the woods, as several other groups wouldn't mind a trip up that way. (Our family is planning to extend it into a Boston trip!) This decision was based on conversations at the last reunion, and the fact that no one else wanted to step up and take responsibility. So the planners sent a "here's what we're thinking" e-mail - the reunion is next summer - just to keep everyone posted and get some opinions of the sites they're looking at. After receiving back several, "Yeah, great!" "We'll be there!" messages, SIL sends this: All, We are in favor of increasing the duration of the reunion to 3 nights, but feel that $250.00 per night is too steep. Those of us from Ohio and Michigan who are driving will likely need to stay one extra night each way due to the distance to the Vermont places mentioned. Although we will attend no matter the location chosen, we suggest a more centrally located venue; Stowe is about 760 miles from Columbus and Woodstock is about 710 miles away. We were looking at the map and thought that the Shenandoah National Park area and the Adirondack Mountains would be possible sites closer to Michigan and Ohio. There would be many activities in these areas. I agree with her on the hotel rate, but I think she went too far in hijacking the location. I want to put in my $.02 that we were looking forward to a NE trip, and hope they don't change it! Would that be construed as argumentative at this point? Here's the funny - this SIL has stated that she would never want to be in charge because, "Everybody else always picks apart the decisions...":lol:

So it's the neighbor who wants to put a garden there? Not an HOA? The property may or may not belong to you (with or without an easement), but I'm pretty darn sure that she would have no right to it in any case! I'd do what others have suggested and ignore the lunatic!