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.

Chocolate. Without a doubt.

The oldest woman I personally know is...ME! I was 41 when ds was born, and turned 42 two months later. He is my first, my only (only bio child), and was conceived without medical intervention.

When he stepped down there was speculation that his health was rapidly failing, but I never imagined it would be this soon. So sad. :crying:

That's the one I'd choose.

Can I change my vote? :) I voted no, but was thinking of ds at 5. It would have been lost or broken within a month. If you think he's responsible enough though, go for it. I still wouldn't buy a new one (maybe a cheap mp3 player but not an iPod) for a 5 year old, but a hand me down - go for it if you think it's a good idea for your child.

Our lights have motion sensors. Our neighborhood is fairly safe, though bored teens are occasionally a problem. Also, the design and location of our subdivision makes it difficult for someone with illegal activities in mind to get in and out easily.

But many Christians don't say it that way. They (the proverbial many) talk about those who don't believe as either not having seen the light and in need of pity, or as evil ones to be avoided. It happens every Sunday in many Christian churches around the world. I'm not offended because I'm confident in my belief, but many people do find it offensive. Exactly. As far as I know, Dawkins is not accosting random religious people on the street and calling them names. He participates in public debates with theists who are just as rabid in their beliefs as he is in his lack of belief. He writes books which anyone is free to not buy. He gives speeches, mostly to fellow atheist, which anyone is free not to attend. Yes. I'm free to ignore what religious leaders say and write, just as religious people are free to ignore Dawkins or any other outspoken atheist. Capitalizing truth in the way Christians do, says they are right and those who don't believe they way they do is wrong. How is that less arrogant than Dawkins saying there is no god? I've never heard a Christian say, IMO, Jesus died for our sins. They all say it with conviction. They say with certainty that those who don't believe in him are going to burn for all eternity. The point that new atheists try to make is that there is a double standard for religious believers and atheists. Religious believers can say whatever they want about non-believers because religion gets a pass. New atheists say, "Hold on. Let's end the double standard."

And those are all true. When you add in the Monster of Florence it sheds doubt on the prosecutor's competence. I thought the same thing until I visited England many years ago.

As I stated, he broke the taboo. The taboo that we don't say out loud what we really think about religious beliefs. We are supposed to be respectful of religious beliefs regardless of what we really think. He says what he thinks. People don't want to hear it, therefore he is "mean".

Thank you. I kept seeing people say Amazon UK but it didn't click. The US site doesn't have the Look Inside feature and UK does. I took a look, and it seems pretty basic. It's mostly knowledge that he already has.

Yes, it's pretty common here too. When ds was little, I refused to go along with it. I searched until I found a dentist that would allow me in. I do understand that in some cases there just isn't room for an extra body, but he was too young IMO to be there alone. As he got older I let up.

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

They didn't report anything about the prosecutor and The Monster of Florence? If you google Amanda Knox Monster of Florence, you'll find much more than the article below. Mignini had some bizarre theories in both cases. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20003238-504083.html

Unless you have a crock pot with a keep warm setting, I'd put it in the fridge. It will cook even on low, and has the potential of getting dried out, or turning everything into mush.