Yummy? No. Yucky? No. It's decent instant, and perfect for camping. I've tried a lot of options for making coffee when we go camping, and have finally settled on VIA. I wouldn't drink it when I can get brewed coffee, and in fact the only time I've ever had it is on camping trips. We took a camping trip last weekend in the crazy almost-tropical-storm (some weather experts say it actually was a TS) that hit the east coast of Florida. I had plenty of VIA with me, and the 2 other families we were camping with were thankful. We were drinking VIA right up until we all decided it was time to give up the attempt at camping in a storm.

Me too. I love cooking, and even like making the meal look good on a plate. But I just can't get into decorating with food. I love looking at the pictures though, and if someone made a bento lunch for me, I'm sure I'd enjoy it. :D :lol: Um, I have only one and still don't do it. I think it has to be something you enjoy, otherwise it's just another unpleasant chore. I liked the Planetbox right up until I saw the price. I just can't bring myself to pay $35 for a lunchbox. And that's before shipping. :eek: Maybe it's because ds has always liked fruit and vegetables and other healthy food, but I never made cutesy food. I suppose I'm lucky that I never had to.

I started to mulit-quote, but realized I'd have to quote just about every post. So I'll just add my 2 cents (which doesn't go as far as did when I was a kid).:lol: -Don't forget aluminum foil on those rabbit ears - I don't think anyone mentioned that. -I remember when we got out first push button phone. Not touch tone - that cost extra. Just push button. -I saw the moon landing in black and white. We got a color tv the following year. Not that it would have mattered, since the landing was broadcast in black and white anyway. -When ds was little, he found a Christmas album I pulled out around the holidays. He wanted to know how we were going to play the "big CD". -I have an aunt who had a color tv when no one else in the family had one. Every year we'd all go over to their house (all the cousins) so we could watch The Wizard of Oz and see the Oz part in color.

DS 14 will be getting an iPhone when he can upgrade next March. He's only getting a smart phone because the prices of iPhones have dropped. Right now he has a basic texting phone. Dh and I both have iPhones. I'll actually be glad when we're an all iPhone family. FWIW, we don't have a landline.

It's frustrating, but some of it is liability and some is due to maturity issues with the kids. My 23 yo niece volunteered at our local animal shelter when she was 14. Ds couldn't wait until he turned 14 so he could volunteer. Well, it turns out they no longer allow 14 year olds to volunteer unless the parent also volunteers with them. They had parents of troubled teens dropping their kids off to "volunteer" because they didn't want them at home unsupervised. The kids didn't want to be there and were more trouble than help. So now the good kids are punished. You have to be 16 now to volunteer on your own there. The library allows 15 year olds to volunteer on their own, and just about every place else around here requires a parent to be with them if they're under 18. Ds is going to need volunteer hours in order to apply for certain college scholarships, yet we're having trouble finding places for him to volunteer without me. GRRR.

I do both. For my non-vegetable garden, I try to plant native plants or Florida friendly plants. If you want easy care gardens (few pests, watering needs minimal, etc.) look into natives for your area. Native plants bring native wildlife too. You can attract butterflies, birds, and pollinators by going native.

:iagree: I'm not rude when people come to my door, but I'm under no obligation to explain why I don't want to have a discussion or don't want what they're selling. I simply say no thank you, and close the door without any further interaction. I *do* equate it with door to door sales. Whether they are trying to sell me their product or their religion, they came to my door, uninvited and not for a social call. If I want what they have to offer, I'll seek it out myself.

Hmm. Dh has an iPhone 3GS, and some of the reviews recommend not upgrading if that's your phone. Apple says it works; reviewers say it's sluggish. Ds' has only a 2nd Gen iPod Touch, so he's out. He'll be getting an iPhone in March when he can upgrade, so he's not getting a newer iPod. That leaves me. I have an iPhone 4, and will probably upgrade the iOS. Maybe. With all the new and wonderful notifications though, I'm not so sure. I turn most push notifications off. One, they use data if I'm not near wifi, and two, I hate those ugly red circles on my apps. :glare: Does anyone know if you can turn Push off with iOS 5?

:grouphug::grouphug: I'm so sorry.

:iagree:I have been to physical therapy for my back, many times over the years. The best PT's are the ones who have you exercise at the PT facility, gently adjust, AND give you exercises you can do at home to help the healing process.

I was a cradle Catholic - born to an Italian-American mother and Irish-American father. I was attending Catholic school while Vatican II was in session. My family was mostly Cultural Catholic. As I became an adult, there were many things I disagreed with the church about, but remained "Catholic" because it was my culture. I was a Cafeteria Catholic. When John Paul II came to the U.S. in the late 80's and basically said you can't be a Cafeteria Catholic, I said "Okay. See ya." Eventually I left all religion behind, but it started with me examining my beliefs as a Catholic.

I was born in NJ and we lived there until I was 13. Our entire extended family took an annual trip to Florida. :D We also traveled to nearby states fairly often.

Almost 3 years ago, when we went to Washington, D.C. for the Inauguration. This more or less describes us. Florida is also a big state with so many things to see and do (much more than theme parks, which we rarely go to). We travel around Florida several times a year.

:lol: Mine had the same questions. How can a bunny be that big? Then he considered that it was a person dressed as a bunny, but if so, why did people talk about him as though he was a real rabbit? After he found out the truth about the Easter Bunny, and he asked about Santa, I asked him if he really wanted to know. He said yes, so I guess he was ready.

I agree, especially with the parts I bolded. Even though it's an American school, the Americans chose to be in another country. If you served mostly the children of embassy personnel, I'd say taking off on U.S. holidays would make sense. Unless I'm mistaken though, those children don't make up your main student body. The parents really need to get over it.

It was answered, but since I'm the one who posted - yes, escrow.

My mom had a friend who was talking about her late FIL's will and said it was "still in escarole". Mom and I laughed for years over that one. Her friend is a lovely lady with a big heart, but always had trouble using words and phrases correctly.

Mine was about 8-1/2 when he figured it out. He started with the Easter Bunny, and by the end of the day had worked his way to Santa and the Tooth Fairy. I was pleasantly surprised at ds' reaction when he found out. "You mean all those presents came from you guys?" Yes. "Wow! Thank you!"

Yes, but we just cancelled satellite, so we're very new to watching tv this way. We really weren't watching many dvd's from Netflix so I dropped to streaming only. We have 2 Roku boxes, and use Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon (we're Prime members anyway) to watch tv. We also have an antenna. We're still getting used to watching tv this way, but so far I like it (dh is more of a tv addict than I am, and is having more trouble adjusting).

Ooh! Are you willing to share the recipe? It's the only coffee I can drink black. So smooth, not bitter, but also so not affordable. :( I'll drink most any coffee as long as it's a dark roast. The one I really don't like though is Dunkin' Donuts. I usually go for what's on sale. Around here, Eight O' Clock goes on sale often. When not getting coffee on sale, I like Chock full 'o Nuts and Cafe Bustelo.

Same here. We decided to use our library for older dvd's and Redbox for current movies. Our library system has a great selection of tv shows that aren't available on streaming anywhere. Blockbuster decided to close all of their stores and appears to be trying to compete with Redbox. Bright blue Blockbuster boxes are popping up all over my town. I wish Amazon would create a queue system. Right now you have to start a new search every time you use Amazon Instant Video. I find if something is available on both Netflix and Amazon, I watch it on Netflix because it's easier. Since we dropped Directv, we don't mind paying a fee for a show or two on Amazon. It's still cheaper than keeping cable or satellite for just a few shows.

My countertops are basically sage green, but speckled to make the laminate look like granite. I just looked closely at the speckles and there is grayish-blue in it. There's also a deep mauve, though I wouldn't want that color on my kitchen walls. I agree with the suggestion to get some paint chips.

I buy Nature's Own 100% Whole Wheat. I was buying Honey Wheat, but I like the flavor of the 100% whole wheat better. I get it at BJ's for less than anywhere else.

:iagree:I was against such games for a long time and unlike Joanne, I'm going to tell you my story. :lol: Well, the part where I relented. One of the many times ds and I were discussing it went like this: DS: Mom, I'm not going to go crazy and shoot someone because of a video game. Me: I know that. But I do think you can get desensitized to violence. DS: I know the difference between a game and real life. I'm never going to shrug over real life violence. When I type it, it sounds like he was being snarky, but he wasn't. The conversation went on a bit longer, and he actually made his case. We set down some rules such as not playing the games around friends unless he knows they're allowed, time limits, etc. When the discussion was over, I decided to allow it (dh had deferred to me so it was my decision).

[ :iagree:Obviously her feelings were hurt, so it wouldn't hurt to apologize to her for how you said it. But there's nothing wrong with letting the person know you didn't get the message. I would tell them, regardless of whether it was my son or my dh who didn't give me the message. Everyone is worthy of respect, regardless of age.