That would depend on your budget. We rarely eat out, maybe once a year. Just cannot afford it.

No, you should lose weight, if anything. My doc said I might lose some when I got on it, but mine did not change. You should not gain, though.

I get something like that when a migraine is coming. That is my warning sign.

I have read that after 3 weeks of something, you should change your routine in order to keep burning calories at a good rate. Apparently, your muscles get into a rut. It is good to use different ones now and then. That said, I would switch them up every few weeks, starting with easier ones and working toward harder ones. I'd love to have T-Tapp! I hear it is good. :o)

I neglected to add that when we got close to the time that dd had almost all of her adult teeth, the ortho gave her the palate expander. Her mouth was too small to accommodate all of the adult teeth that would be coming in.

My sons were fine and benefitted from it, but one started having headaches from it. That was all. The other did just fine.

Our ortho would not do anything until certain molars were in. I think they wait until a particular amount of facial growth has been completed, too.

...I think they could quite possibly ruin the American economy. I mean, think of what it will be like if the Salvation Army and Goodwill thrift stores close. They help poor people with job training and other financial help, and poor people but things there because they cannot afford new. That would be my family. Then there are used bookstores, online and otherwise. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is asking for our opinions on how to interpret this, so this could be a golden opportunity for many of us. Here is the address for that. This was from a Yahoo group called 1001books. 1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at 888-531-9070. http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30, 2009. Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov 2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact informa- tion, just enter your zip code. http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/ 3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3 in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama. http://change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia 4) Sign the petition. http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html 5) Spread the word! Forward this article. Send an email. Write about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and encourage them to do the same.

Tell your son how you feel. He is only 7, but he understands that people make mistakes. Explain why you thought he was being careless. Ask him to forgive you, then move on. Do not rehash the times you corrected him in your mind. That will only torture you. Mary

I like to give experiences, so how about a bag of arcade tokens? Or tickets to drive go-carts at a track that has them? There are lessons you could buy of various kinds, depending on the kids' interests. Mary

He can say something like, " I am really enjoying the interests the Lord has blessed me with." Or something to that effect. Mary

I'll be praying! Mary

Are you using the right kind of caulk for your tub? I had the same problem. I was trying to use silicone caulk on a steel tub, but it does not stick. I ended up finding out from a guy at our hardware store that I needed to use the kind of caulk for steel tubs. Seriously, I think most caulking problems come from using the wrong caulk. I wish I could think of the name of what I used, but you'd find it at hardware stores. Mary

They like to make up words, too, like, "physicalness." LOL

I cook enough for supper each night to furnish us with leftovers for dh's lunch and for lunch for the kids and me, too. If we don't have enough, we fill in with pb&j, egg salad sandwiches, etc. Sometimes I make things special for lunch, like homemade pizza, if I have the time. But I always have things because I don't care for the "scrounging" event. :o) Because of budget concerns, I plan out every bite of food, so this works well and means I do not have to cook twice a day.

We have one account that we share. I can understand why your dh would be offended. If it bothers him, is it worth it to have it? Is it worth the upset it is causing? I think it implies some sort of secrecy or independence that offends your dh. Maybe you should reconsider having it.

I know, I was just wondering if the suffering is saving me any money. LOL Thanks, Mary

Is it cheaper to use a window a/c unit or 2/3 fans? We are wondering if we are saving anything by using 3 fans downstairs instead of using the a/c? It is about 90 degrees and humid. Thanks for any help you can offer.

I struggle with this, too, because the Scriptures say to lend without expecting to receive back, but we are also be good stewards, and we are to lend freely. I had a person not return a book and pretty much disappear from my life, so I had to buy another copy of the book. It was an expensive one, too, so I know it is hard. Let's start by praying that the Holy Spirit will nudge her to return it to you. Maybe He will do that so you don't have to ask her again. I will be prying for an outcome pleasing to the Lord for the whole situation.

We just have one upstairs where the sleeping rooms are.

LOL I'll remember that.:lol:

I must be dim. LOL I did not see any posts that seem to just be stirring up trouble...maybe I need to go see which threads look that way. LOL I am not one to see the obvious, though, either. :D Mary

Blueberries will give you a sad gray color. Onion skins are the best! Turmeric gives you a lovely yellow. If you go to my dh's Flikr account, you can see the ones we did with an explanation of what foods were used. Scroll down to see the eggs. http://flickr.com/photos/jonswerens/page3/

What is the best way to preserve chives? I just got our first harvest and I want to preserve them. I don't want them to get brown. I do have a dehydrator. Does that work and still keep them green? Thanks for any help you can offer.

I am already pretty frugal--have been cutting my family's hair for years, making things we need, altering clothes that are given to us to make them fit my kids, but things are getting desperate at our house, so I am doing some new things: * I will now be eating popcorn for lunch so my kids can have the real food. Think of it...a couple dozen meals a month! (I will not do this on Sundays.) * I am composting everything that is not an animal product. *I recycle every item possible so that stuff goes into the city's bins and does not use my trash bags. *I am selling some of my clothing--2 church outfits will have to be enough for dressier things *I am using every available space for growing food and am studying books on it more than I did before. *We are working hard at not using electricity when not needed. Why have curtains drawn and then turn on the light, ykwim?? *I am getting better at being creative with every scrap of food. No waste!