I own a Whirley popcorn popper and struggle with getting it clean. The lid especially is difficult with the oil residue. You can't scrub with pads because it will scratch it up so badly. I don't expect it to shine like brand new, but don't want oil build-up either. Have you found a way to keep yours clean from the oil build-up? Thanks!

I know that it probably doesn't exist, but anything over $300 for some sort of family health plan will be too much for us until our employment situation changes. Anyone in the same boat? Did you find a company with reasonable rates? We have been offered COBRA, but the rate is out of sight. We may have to opt for AFLEC accident policy and "stay healthy," but that is taking a chance. I'm okay with a high deductible to lower the rate. We just want some reasonably priced that will kick in should a major medical issue arise. Thanks everyone!

A new 345-kV transmission line may be routed through our property. There is a meeting in a few days for those affected to express their concerns and for the electric company to calm anxieties. Our property (we are on a small acreage in the country) is one of three proposed routes. We are researching the dangers of living in proximity of such a line. One such thought was to let them know we operate a "non-accredited private school" that is registered with the state. These lines cannot come within so many feet of a school. Anyone else fought and won such a situation? Any other clever ideas to divert this situation? Thanks!

We made some chili for lunch that is too salty. Is there a vegetable, herb, or something that could be added to calm down the salty taste? Thanks!

I remember when in junior high public school my math teacher took a break from our curriculum to teach us how to use a checkbook and savings account along with managing money. We had actual checkbooks and daily there were life events that we had to contend with by writing checks, budgeting, etc. I would like to my kids to work through something similar. Is there anything out there similar to what I described? All I found on the net was a workbook from Remedial Publications titled "Checkbook Math," which is okay, but I was looking for something a bit more engaging. Thanks!

I called Lehman's this morning and they told me that the grinder I purchased (in the late 90s) does not grind fine enough for flour. If I had known that, I would not have purchased it. Up until now, we have been using it to crack grain. NEW QUESTION: Which hand-crank mill, that is capable of grinding wheat fine enough for bread baking, do you recommend?

I have a manual Lehman's grinder that I purchased many years ago and now have a house to set it up for use. To my surprise, the wheat berries did not grind down to a fine enough flour. I believe that the grinder has the extra fine burrs. If that is the case, what could be another non-electric option to get the flour fine enough? For this batch, after grinding, I put the flour through my Magic Bullet, but I would rather have another option. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Is the television series Jericho safe for kids (ages 10 and 15)? Mostly I'm concerned about nudity and bedroom scenes. I've never heard of the show, but found it on Netflix, however, they do not detail as to why it has a PG-14 rating, which giving the content of the show, could be for violence/peril only. Thanks in advance! NETFLIX DESCRIPTION: Jericho (Season 1) This CBS entry into the serial drama genre revolves around a small town in Kansas that finds itself cut off from the rest of the world after a mushroom cloud appears on the horizon, and a TV and radio blackout ensues. Has there been a terrorist attack or a preemptive nuclear strike? Faced with terrifying uncertainty, the town -- including the mayor (Gerald McRaney) and his prodigal son (Skeet Ulrich) -- begins to come apart at its seams.

We pulled the plug 6 months ago from DirecTV and signed on with Netflix--one of our smarter decisions. Life has been so much richer without the tv on out of convenience. We would buy the Roku unit, however, our WildBlue satellite Internet service limits our monthly downloads (some irritating law they must follow). I'm afraid that I would easily go over my limit with so many options available! I didn't know about the Starz and Amazon connection, which makes me want it all the more :-) My understanding is that the Roku can't surf the Internet to utilize websites such as Hulu.com. I wouldn't be surprised if that add that feature soon.

We are sci-fi fans also. I'm mostly concerned with nudity or bedroom scenes. Sounds like its safe. We will watch the first couple of episodes. Thanks a bunch for responding.

We don't watch television, but are members to Netflix. I came across the tv series Surface, but there were no ratings or guidelines if the show was okay for kids to watch. The date for Series 1 is 2005. If you have seen it, would you let me know if this series is okay for kids (ages 9-15). Thanks!

Great ideas, thanks. I also thought of popsicles since I have some molds for that.

We have been in the process of changing over to an organic (nonGMO) diet and adding sprouts as well. We can't afford to buy everything outright, so we are finding ways to make it work (e.g., buying in bulk, from scratch, etc.) Lots of GMO information on the web, including videos on YouTube. I found a free Non-GMO shopping guide (a PDF download) at http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/Home/index.cfm if anyone is interested.

My plan was to make fruit roll ups with all of my yummy apricot puree I froze in late summer, but I have way more than I could dry out. Do you have any ideas/recipes on what to do with all of this puree? Thanks!

I did not know what NAPS stood (was going to be my next question) LOL. I read something about having a non-approved private school option, but it was a bit confusing at first read. That sounds like the best way to go. Thanks for sharing everyone. I appreciate it!

Do your kids test with the local school kids? Who receives the test results? We would be living on a farm outside the town of Bridgewater, which is near the Canadian border. Wonder what that would be like? Anyone live near the border? >>We just order up an Iowa Test of Basic Skills and do it every year. They don't care how they do on it.

Living in Kansas now where requirements to homeschool are very light. We may be moving to northern Maine where you need to file a letter of intent each year (no big deal), but also test or have a portfolio reviewed YEARLY. I would definitely opt for the portfolio, but since I have never done one I'm uneasy as to what they look for, how fancy does this compilation have to be, etc. There is an option to have the portfolio reviewed by a homeschool cooperative group that has an on-site Maine certified teacher to approve -- this concept sounds like a nice option. Are the portfolios graded by pass/no pass or given a grade? What happens if the portfolio review does not meet the requirements? Do they ask us to do summer school (LOL), force public education, force tutoring, or worse, involve social services? I'm sure we would be fine in meeting the requirements, but I want to have all of my ducks in a row before moving there. Oh, one more thing, if we move midway through the school year, does anyone know how they handle the assessment/testing process since my kids weren't in the state the entire time? I will also pose this question to HSLDA. Thanks in advance!

We would like to raise bees this coming year, but are a bit overwhelmed by the variety of how-to books and beginning kits that are available for purchase. Any advice on what to buy and where to get it would be great! Plus whatever other tidbits you might have would be fabulous. Thanks so much :-)

Have you ever been mining for gems? How did that go? Was it worth it? Did your kids have fun? Do you know of a location that would be within a day or two drive from central Kansas? We found a place in north west Nevada (opal mining), but very expensive and a couple in north east Montana (sapphires), but far away.

I thought that a follow-up would be good in case others do a search on the topic. We purchased the bullet and many months later I have no regrets. That machine works amazingly well and it is so small on the countertop. It blends ice so well, that if you leave it in too long the ice becomes more of a powder. Once, I scooped out the cream from our fresh goat milk into the blender and used their whipping blade--within about ten seconds the blend was the consistency of butter. In addition to your traditional smoothie, we have made salsa, dips, and ground coffee beans with it successfully. So . . . if you are considering and not sure, I would recommend it!

We love homemade tortillas, but not so much the time consuming part of rolling them out. Do the tortilla makers really work? Sounds too good to be true. One brand, in particular, I have read some good reviews on is the Saachi SA-1650 Roti Tortilla Maker. Any feedback on any variety would be appreciated. Thanks much!

We want to use it mostly for fruit smoothy protein drinks using frozen fruit. Is it capable of that? Any other good/bad comments about the product? We were also considering the Sharper Image Shake 'n Take which is about $20 cheaper, but doesn't do all the Magic Bullet claims. Thanks!