We're expats and a family of serious readers (with Kindles). Amazon e-book purchases can get pricey, and I have been using Gutenburg as well as BookBub. I have a subcription to the--terrific(!)--Free Library of Philadelphia but book selections can be limited. Are there any other online libraries?

Are different types of mangos available in your area? Here we have a small, sweet, mushy mango and a larger one with less sweet/slightly sour, less juicy, firmer flesh. I prefer the former for eating (raw) and the latter for cooking.

What do you mean by "baby books"? If you mean picture books, I honestly do not see a problem with a first grader wanting to read something that was created for his age group. Why force a first grader to read something that won't hold his interest? If you choose wisely, picture books would be a terrific way for him to experience good literature and see a variety of art.

SoS?

I live on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, and agree with everything livetoread wrote. If you want to holiday here Puerto Morelos is said to be a good place for snorkeling, and it is also a good “jumping†point to other places in the area. You could also do a day trip to Akumal for snorkeling with the turtles, and you should snorkel in at least one cenote. Ruin-wise, Chichen Itza is impressive; Ek Balam is my favorite. Coba is good. You can do a day-trip, pairing EB or Coba with the smallish-colonial city, Valladolid (nice to have lunch there and a walk-around). The Tulum ruins aren’t so impressive, but the view is stunning. (IMHO, the beaches in Tulum are some of the most beautiful in the area (not really known for snorkeling, though).) A couple caveats: one, this year there has been a lot of sargassum/seaweed (It really has varied from week-to-week and it has made holidays unpleasant for many visitors.); two, do not visit during Semana Santa, a two-week Easter/Spring Break holiday. Years ago, I visited Honduras (Guanaja), and thought the diving was very good (told the snorkeling was too). Guanaja is a very small island, and the inn at which I stayed didn’t have any other divers/snorkelers, so I told the boat guys what I wanted to see, and they did a fab job delivering. I’ve no idea of what the political situation is right now, but it is worth a check. To round out the vacay, I did a few days on the mainland and hiked through the rainforest, etc. The husband also loved Bonaire for diving. He visited before we were married but said the island is set-up for it.

I saw a corn-dog-muffin idea recently (weiner centered in batter and baked, served with the usual condiments). I thought that was a great party or easy-lunch idea. My grandmothers and my mom always made making "cracklin" cornbread (cracklins (sp?) are fried bits of pork skin w/ fat from the meat/butcher section -- NOT the bagged pork rind stuff found in the potato chip isle). They made it in a greasy cast iron skillet, obviously. :drool5: Also Google "Mexican Corn Bread;" a green and/or red bell pepper concoction with corn and cheddar is mighty good.

Thanks!

I made way too much "cowboy" dip yesterday (black beans, cilantro, corn, canned tomatoes, onions, jalapeno, and spices). If I want to use it for something other than dip later (say, in soup), will it freeze/taste okay?

I'm from the Deep South. Maybe it is getting too late for the guests? I was taught never to phone after 8:00 p.m. and to leave (general) gatherings at homes before 10:00 p.m. Are these one-off situations? Are people returning? Are the guests reciprocating invitations? It takes time to form solid friendships. If other invitations are declined or if no one issues a reciprocal invitation, then that would give me pause. I might ask if there is something which is making people uncomfortable (alcohol in the home, strong political statements, etc.). Otherwise I wouldn't sweat it .... Give it time. Being a transplant is never easy. :grouphug: to your friend.

Picadillo: forget the usual olives; picadillo is better with tomatillos. (Eat on corn tortillas with Mx cream.) Roast per myfunnybunch instructions, then use in quesadillas.

Article from the WashingtonPost: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/10/16/teen-beaten-to-death-at-reclusive-n-y-church-wanted-out-police-say/ Disgusting.

My daughter that can keep up with hers :rolleyes: washes the bottle, sets it to dry, then pretty much uses it again. She is an athletic kid and uses a WB daily. The ones I use (activities, picnics, etc.) I wash, leave to dry, then store without lids in a plastic box with thermoses, etc. I am in a humid area and worry about mold and bacteria. I am also too lazy to take bits of a WB apart, so I purchase bottles that are easy-to-clean (i.e., ones with largish. round holes; not those with flip thingies).

I would think that the colleague was trying to be flattering but doesn't understand how most people use the term. To me, trophy wife connotes a (embarassingly) young ("He's old enough to be her father", sort of thing, a match where you NOTICE the age difference (AND -- most likely -- maturity or education difference)). To me, it sounds like she should keep doing she is doing (and forget her husband's ignorant colleague)!

I mostly use my husband’s surname, though I keep my maiden on my bank account and some other personal accounts/documents. I would have kept my maiden, but my husband asked me to change it, thinking it would make things easier (We are of different nationalities, living in a country in which neither of us are nationals.). Now we both wish I had not honored his request. In the country in which we are living, two surnames are used. Because my name was changed to that of my spouse (listed on my passport and visa), when my daughters were born something like “Jane Smith Smith†was put on their birth certificates. My children have embarrassing, inbred-sounding names. I would never have thought something like a name-change would be problematic … but you never know where life will take you!

Thanks, everyone! I'm trying to organize a trip for the hubs, and this is a big help!

I am ignorant of taxi practices in NY.... Can one catch a flat-rate taxi at JFK to Times Square? If so, what would be the charge? (I'm also assuming a tip should be included....if so, what is the correct amount/percentage?) Thanks!

You are someone with two black eyes, commenting about not understanding. You are an introvert? ;)

Any chance you are an introvert? For some reason, some extroverts can't imagine introverts might not want to have conversations with complete strangers. I always have a book (or Kindle) in my purse. Begin reading, be polite, but don't engage or encourage. I have found this a good technique for warding off unwanted conversationalists at restaurants, on planes, or in waiting rooms. There will be those who persist, but in the end, you can make a conversation so insipid or frightening, they will go away. (Me with a book in my face....) "What are you doing?" "Reading." "Oh, what are you reading?" "A book." (Some leave after this.) (Some don't.) "Oh, what is it about?" "The development of refrigerators" or "Cannibalism." (I am nice to elderly extroverts....)

I live in Mexico, south of Cancun. There are a number of HSers in our area, and the numbers are growing. Mine is also an international community, so there are opportunities to learn other languages besides Spanish. (I can count over 10 different nationalities along our little street.) One of my daughters is taking an online German course and gets to practice with our neighbors! Most everyone speaks at least a little English, but that is not always great for HSers….believe it or not, it can be a challenge for some to receive enough Spanish practice. Parts of our area are stunningly beautiful, but the summertime is quite hot and humid. There are a number of ruin sites, but otherwise, there aren’t a lot of cultural opportunities (though this is changing). In a place like Merida there is an arts scene, but summers would be unbearably hot (here we get the breeze from the beach). Unless a foreigner can do a job a local cannot, then it can be difficult to find employment. Pay would probably be much lower than you would expect. Many foreigners start companies; though some succeed, a larger number fail. There is a slower pace to living here, which is great when you are sitting on the beach drinking a margarita and eating shrimp tacos. But this slower place can also be incredibly frustrating sometimes.

I'm linking to a topic I started on red curry: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/561076-red-curry/?hl=%2Bred+%2Bcurry&do=findComment&comment=6527114 The replies by whitestavern and abba12 (replies 7 and 8, respectively) would work. I have tried them, and they are both quite good! (Perhaps take a light hand with the curry, if it isn't something he normally enjoys.) Baked potatoes with veggie toppings are a treat around our house.

I am sorry. :grouphug: Cats with FIV will only get worse, and they can also infect other cats (scratching/biting). Our vet strongly recommends cats with FIV be euthanized. You are doing the right thing by getting the others tested as well.

The girls loved it when I read the unabridged off my Kindle (pretty sure Butter linked to the one we used). The writing is solid, and I can't think of anything which would be unsuitable. On a personal note, I usually love our read-aloud time, but I absolutely detested reading Heidi. It went on forever, and I didn't find the grandmother character sympathetic. :leaving:I was so happy when we finished it.

Does she have any hobbies or interests? My 9 yo developed a love of history (due to SOTW -- thank you SWB!). She has now read all the history and mythology books on our shelves. I also find that if I do a read-aloud that really appeals, she will sneak off with it and read ahead (She doesn't mind hearing it again.). I assign certain readings, but I don't put a time limit on it (i.e., she must to read a certain story or X number of chapters in a book). She also loves the Goosebumps series, but I don't sweat it....

Obviously, one can homeschool for free….People do. But the quality of free HS educations varies. I’ve met HSers who give the impression that their child will learn everything he/she needs to know without any effort—on the part of anyone—at all. I think they are kidding themselves. I’ve met HSers who teach in a relaxed way, but it is obvious they (the parents and the child/children) are highly intelligent and are involved in “learning as life,†obtaining skills and cultivating interests as they make their way through the world. I wish I could be a child in their household. I haven’t met HSers who completely avail themselves of the local library (We don’t really have a library in our area….), but I can see how it might be a great fit for some families.

You are asking for "out of the box" arrangements....Does your husband happen to do IT or other work which can be done from a remote location?