I have a dual fuel from Sears. We have had it about 3 yrs and I love it! We bought our current house really quickly, moving from another state and house sold so we needed something quick. The first time I opened both the oven and the dishwasher was after the moving truck was gone....Yuck. Really, really gross. I started crying and dh husband promised we would head straight to Sears for new appliances. The range is a standard size but has 5 gas burners. The oven is electric and can be used as a regular or convection (fabulous) and below is a warming drawer. I do not remember the cost, but for the features it was very reasonable. So, check out Sears.

I have always ordered from them and been very satisfied. They typically have the best selection and prices. I will typically order enough for free shipping.:001_smile: I figure since I get free shipping I understand that they will hold your shipment for a backorder. They have always been flexible if I needed to change my order. I just sent in my final RR order last night. The negative when you order online is having to wait but the positive is not having to lug all this stuff around at the curriculum fair. I hope your package arrives soon.

OK. So since I hit 40, my eye sight is beginning go. I have never worn glasses. I have been using reading glasses for the last couple of months. Here's my problem: I try to read my kid's (age 11 and 13) assigned books and try to buy the larger size paperbacks. But sometimes the books are small and the print??!! Who can read those small books??!!:confused: AAGH. That is all....

Our co-op did the chicken mummy last fall. We started with 12......we buried 2! The others stunk beyond belief and I am sure the garbage guys are still wondering what that smell was:lol: So here is what I learned: Do not pick a really big bird. Really submerge well in the rubbing alcohol. Totally drying off the bird is key. We packed ours really well and changed it when we could see the salt mixture taking on moisture. We actually ended up with a normal chicken and a cornish game hen. Smaller bird ....smaller stink..... We had a elaborate burial with kids in costumes. We will probably dig them up this fall. We love an excuse to have a party:lol:

encyclopedia or reference book. Any favorites? I have been trying to find something used with no luck. DK, Usborne....what do you recommend? My ds are 11 and 13. They will be doing some reports on scientists and inventions this year and I would like to have a general reference book. Thanks

We tried Writing Strands many years ago and both ds complained whenever I brought the book out. If you think Writing Strands might work, you could pick up a used copy for a low price, see how it goes... It would certainly be cheaper than IEW. It just didn't work for us. We now do IEW in a co-op setting and are really happy with it. My 2 ds are writing:D and not complaining. This makes it worth every penny. Also, resale is high.

A big YES to crate training. We have two dogs, both were rescued animals, mixed breeds often have good personalities. One we got at 7 wks., the other was about 6 months. Crate training was pretty quick.

My mil used to make this for dh when he was little. :001_smile: Mine is called eggs goldenrod. Gravy can be hard, but this one if fool proof. 3 cups milk (no less than 2%) 5 Tbsp butter 5 Tbsp plain flour salt and pepper to taste 5 boiled eggs Make a paste from the soft butter and flour. Heat the milk to a "steam" then add the paste mixture. Then just whisk as it heats and thickens. After it is the right consistency just add the chopped whites and then serve on toast with the yellow sprinkled on top. I make this when I have nothing in the fridge. I usually keep a stash of frozen hotdog or hamburger buns in the freezer, so I pull them out and put them under the broiler and serve the gravy on top.

I have only hardwood and tile floors but I do vacuum a lot since we have indoor dogs. I agree with Ellie, you can't really use a upright. I have a Eureka cannister and I use a hardwood attachment. It never blows the dirt around. It works great. I have a carpet attachment that I use for our area rugs that has a separate motor for additional suction. I bought it a Lowe's about 6 yrs. ago.

Kitchen Aid food processor I thought I would use it all the time. But it is heavy and in the back of the cabinet. So I just use my food chopper from Pampered Chef or my blender. They are easier to get to and easier to clean.

I have 2 ds ages 11 and 13. They are typical boys and I try to let them do "boy" things without putting too many restrictions on them, within reason of course. They build forts, bike ramps, dig holes that go nowhere, take old skateboards and make new dangerous riding "things". :auto: I take a deep breath :chillpill: and remind myself that they are future husbands and fathers and I want them to have the confidence to try things, fix things, and make things. At the same time, I want them to be cautious but not fearful. Yes, we have had stitches and broken bones, so, I always know where my car keys are and know several different routes to the ER. We haven't made a run to the ER in several years. Well, not counting the recent trip from a basketball game injury. :tongue_smilie:

All I can say is "Hide the magnifying glasses!" And we are the proud owners of the complete MacGyver series, 7 years:lurk5: My kids LOVE them! Although, I don't think they have tried to re-create his crazy inventions:D

We have a pool so I am a pool girl too. I really wanted my kids to be good swimmers and physically active. It can be pretty hot here, so for us, swimming is a good summertime activity. Being out by the pool is when I read up on what my kids are reading or plan for next year or just relax with friends. I really do not mind when friends call and want to come over and my kids are thrilled. I especially don't mind if they don't expect me to entertain them. So, if your friend has invited you, chances are they really want their pool to be used and enjoyed by their friends. I vote for going there and maybe take some pool friendly snacks to share every now and then.

Did somebody say Heath Bar Blizzard:iagree: But, oh yeah, I am on a diet...:glare:

I do love the outdoors, but AC is essential in the deep South where we lived for 8 years. Man, was it hot!

My son is 11 and he asked for Calvin and Hobbs for Christmas this past year. We bought him 3 big hardback volumes. He has read and re-read them. Even makes copies of his favorites to put up on his bulletin board in his room.

I'll start with the bad, so I can end on a positive note. I started a diet this morning, doing really good, exercised even. But dinner is looming and I'M HUNGRY.:glare: Now for the good, my Rainbow order arrived, 23 lbs. of books. Yeah. I love getting new books.:lol:

Just finished our 7th year:)

Yes, my son took a picture with my cell phone, if only I could figure out how to post it! I have temporarily named them Fred and Wilma. Maybe air soft guns would scare them but not harm them??

At first I thought isn't that something, but now I am ready for them to STOP. This was the third day that I noticed a pair of ducks, male and female, waddling around my pool. So far they were only on the pool deck. Then my ds(11) said "Mom, you aren't going to believe this." Yes, the female duck was not just in the pool but on the float that had been left in from the day before floating on the float around the pool!!! It was pretty funny for a moment:lol:, but how do I get rid of them. We live on several acres and do not have a fence around our pool.

Chaco (zong)...My current shoe of choice. I am a shoe queen. Maybe I should change my name:001_smile: I found any amazing deal at the REI online outlet last winter. I loved them so much I bought another pair by watching ebay auctions for a good deal. I find that they run true to size. Enjoy your new shoes!

What are you doing? Finishing up subjects or new short subjects. I am finishing up some, doing summer reading, and a 4 wk study on the election process. Both my ds(s) have dad questions with the upcoming election.

Another vote for the diffuser from Pier 1. I have the citrus cilantro. I think that is what is called. It is great! My sister gave it to me for Christmas. She said it was their best seller.

I received my catalog yesterday and thought we were doing "fine" and then I noticed we are a year behind! Stress!! But then I realized that we have doing a pace that suits us well without going overboard. So, I prefer to look at it like this, they are a year ahead. LOL. I do LOVE their catalog!

Pam, Thanks. I was thinking that the audio on Henty's book would be an option. I would have to buy it since our library does not carry it, but that would probably be a time efficient way for him to check 1 off the list. Do you know anything about the other 2? Which one would be more interesting? We would read that one next....You know, save the "worst" for last.