[Chicken, cream, mushroom and broccoli casserole left out o/night - toss it?]

Lol.  She's still fine.  Let me state for the record, I am in no way a proponent of going AGAINST the hive mind on this one, just saying maybe we're all wrong...

 

Same thing with a quiche a few weeks ago. I wanted to let it sit in warm oven a few more minutes to slightly firm up.  I forgot it was in there and we found it next morning.  This was an egg, sausage and pie crust type thing.  I wouldn't touch it, she ate it and had no problems.  She also sticks pizza in the oven to store overnight.  She's a wild woman!

 

Guess I'm wild, too, because none of what you describe strikes me as off (no pun intended).  Count me as outside the hive mind. : )

[Chicken, cream, mushroom and broccoli casserole left out o/night - toss it?]

Got a kick out of this thread, as I'm right there with the 83 yo woman.  Wouldn't toss it ~ and seriously doubt it would affect any of my guys, all of whom are hale & healthy and began drinking our raw milk before their first birthdays. 

[Young adult drivers and insurance, ??s]

Sorry about what you're going through.  I get it, to an extent.  Your daughter is an adult who doesn't live with you.  She needs to secure her own auto insurance, if possible ~ and if not, work within that reality.  Stop twisting yourself into a pretzel, getting worked up about things that should no longer be your concern.

 

 

[s/o drugs: what if your child is using?]

So let's say you *have* talked to your kids about drugs and alcohol, and they know what your expectations are, and they choose to experiment anyway.  I'm not talking about addictions, but an otherwise normal functioning teen who likes to "party." How have you handled that? 

 

What do you mean by "party"?  That's a rather broad term.  It can encompass addictive and or potentially damaging (to self or others) behaviors on the part of very young teens.  Then again, "using" might reference a 20 yo having a couple of beers while watching a football game.  Huge difference.

 

My guys know I don't agree with this country's hypocritical laws that allow a young adult to vote and go to war even as s/he is considered a "minor" when it comes to buying a six-pack of Bud.  I encourage my young men to be aware of the laws and act accordingly.  I remind them that common sense is often absent where young people are involved ~ and where puritanical U.S. expectations are involved.  I don't wring my hands about a group of guys sitting around a bonfire on the back of my property, sharing a six pack.  Truly, no big deal in the grand scheme of things ~ as long as driving is taken into consideration.  

 

Communication, perspective, recognition that I can't force my preferences on others ~ including my children ~ all of this plays a role in my approach (such as it is).

[Who is planning on watching the World Series?]

Sports addict here, follower of everything, all the time, even when I don't have a dog in the fight.  So yeah, of course I'll watch.  Goes without saying that I'm all about the Royals.  The mere fact that they're in the mix brings back memories…but now I'm dating myself. : )

[Second Ebola Case in Dallas]

Am I the only one finding it more than a tad ironic that posters in an earlier thread were vigorously mocked for fearing things which have now come to pass?  

 

What things?

 

You are not wondering alone :) There were people on the thread that got shut down who were called alarmists and told that CDC was handling things competently and that the chances of anyone getting sick with ebola were slimmer than them dying in a car crash. 

 

Here we are a few days later: the govt has been caught flat footed, apparently the president is "seething" at all the incompetence according to news reports, there are more than 1000 people under observation for symptoms, 2 American cases of ebola, zero facilities if this becomes a massive outbreak and the whole country is spooked. Ironically, I have been seeing news reports of possible travel bans to parts of Africa.

 

And your chances of contracting Ebola are still infinitely smaller than are your chances of dying in a car crash.   And really, always will be.  Glad we cleared that up!

[If you've changed your last name, or opted not to...]

Thank you for the encouragement and good wishes.  Some of you know that my marriage has always been challenging, but I'd prefer to avoid divorce ~ at least until my youngest guys are older.  In other words, this isn't my choice, but it is what it is.  Given all that is involved, it may be a rather complex process, unfortunately.  Sigh.

 

(M)aybe you can think of it that way- it's keeping the boys' last name and not your ex-husband's. 

 

While I appreciate everyone's input, this first reply particularly resonates with me.  I do like sharing the same last name as my sons and I can just view it as their/our name.  Thinking in those terms, I realize that for now at least, this is what would feel best.

 

It's very simple to have a name change included in a divorce.  It's not that much harder to have it done after, though, at least in my state….I only bring this up because you are going to have to make a lot of choices this year, and a lot of decisions about your future.  You don't have to make this particular choice until you feel sure about what you want to do, so take your time if you need it 

 

Oh, I know a name change here in WA isn't difficult and that I can make the decision any time.  But given all the tough choices & compromises that lay ahead, it's comforting to consider the relatively simple things, kwim?

 

My friend is going through the same decision right now.  She decided to go with her mother's maiden name.  

 

That's unique!  Coincidentally, my mother's name is actually contained within my married name.  But I have zero attachment to her maiden name, and really, she doesn't either thanks to some challenges in her upbringing.  Just wouldn't make any sense in my case.

 

Some maiden names are more hassle than they are worth. My MIL's is Kok. This might be okay in Holland, but is a bit problematic here. :tongue_smilie:

 

Ha!  That's not uncommon here in my Dutch town and is even a road name. : )

 

I'm glad I started this thread.  It was really helpful to me & I've settled the issue in my own mind for the time being.

[If you've changed your last name, or opted not to...]

...following a divorce, will you share your reasoning?

 

I'm in the initial stages of a divorce and while the name thing isn't a pressing issue, it's on my mind.  I didn't initially change my last name when I married.  I was 26 at the time and while I had a pretty awful maiden name, it seemed odd to just "be" this other person, name-wise.  So, despite my yearning desire to get far away from that name (kidding ~ sort of!), I stuck with it for a couple of years.  By the time our second son was born, though, I'd taken Hans's last name.  It did seem more convenient and logical with children and also in terms of our business.  So for many years now, I've worn that name. 

 

In many respects, it does feel like my married name is me, if you kwim.  It's the last name of our five boys.  It's the name affiliated with our farm.  It's the name by which everyone in our community knows me. 

 

And yet...I don't know.  I've never clicked with Hans's family and some how, it seems odd to have him divorce me and then keep using this name.  On the other hand, as I said, I certainly don't have an affinity for my maiden name.  And beyond my parents, I've never really known anyone in my dad's family or had any deep, multi-generational connection to that name, either.

 

So.  Just thinking what I might do.  I actually know a woman who created a new last name altogether after her divorce.  She didn't want to keep her husband's last name, but she had terminated her relationship with her birth family and didn't want to go with that name either.  I understand her reasoning, but in my case, I'm not really keen on developing a new name identity.  Plus, as it stands, I'm the only person in the world, to the best of my knowledge, with my name ~ both in the case of my maiden and married name.  I do like to be unique. ;-)

 

Please, if you reply, don't quote my post.  Thanks! : )

[Second Ebola Case in Dallas]

Well, I was enjoying this thread but I'm going to have to stop reading now because the hysteria is getting out of control.

 

Eh, I'm not hearing hysteria, just discussion of what is currently and understandably a hot topic.

 

I'm not reading that the second nurse is being transferred because she is so ill. I've read she is stable.

 

Same.

 

I cannot comprehend a health care professional getting on a plane with a fever after caring for an ebola patient. Utterly irresponsible if it's all true.

 

True, but given the number of utterly irresponsible things I've done ~ and given that a young, healthy person often lives with the delusional belief that s/he is immortal ~ I can't rush to judgment.

[Second Ebola Case in Dallas]

You know, I've observed that a lot -- people, especially on FB -- caring more about pet/animal issues than they do about human concerns.  It rather boggles my mind.

 

But there's a world of difference between this phenomenon and thinking that the Dallas health officials (collectively) care more about the dog than they did about Duncan's family.  

 

Yes, I've observed the same phenomenon.  My comments aren't directed at Dallas health officials collectively, rather an observation re the general public.

[Second Ebola Case in Dallas]

(G)iven the public outcry about the dog in Spain it makes sense that they would act differently in this case

 

This is unrelated to my earlier observation, viz. many people are more concerned about the dog than they were/are about the earlier patient and those connected with him.

[Have we discussed free college in Germany yet?]

I was just talking to a German foreign exchange student about this today!…(S)he would rather go to university in Austria, but not she feels like her parents will not pay for it. She sounded disappointed. She said the best students will still want to go to US Ivy but the free tuition might 'force' them to stay in Germany. It was an interesting conversation, not sure all her facts were right, but it was her opinion.

 

Her comments make little sense given that tuition at German universities has always been nominal, comparatively speaking.

 

But I can't see us ever doing free tuition because there would have to be some standards.  College, getting in, getting a degree would have to mean something again.  It wouldn't be for everybody.  It could happen for public state schools, though.  In theory, they're supposed to be affordable enough for the average middle class family, but they no longer are.  In my Dad's day, he could earn enough money in the summer to pay for college.  He had friends in med school who did that for their med school tuition.  Impossible today.

 

Sure, but schools in general and colleges in particular are much more than an academic experience.  Obviously, this particular forum isn't the place to engage in an objective discussion on the pros & cons of that reality, but it's now our cultural norm.

[Second Ebola Case in Dallas]

I hope that has more to do with Duncan just being the first case

 

I'd like to think so ~ but I don't.  I have no doubt there are a lot of people who feel worse for that dog than they did or do for either Thomas Duncan or his friends & relations.  

[Second Ebola Case in Dallas]

Can't help but note that the dog is getting more immediate care and attention than did the family with whom Thomas Duncan was staying.  

[if you DON'T facebook....]

Same reason I don't have a cell phone: I find a ridiculous pleasure in not joining the bandwagon. ;-D

[Way to go, Idaho! (We're finally moving!)]

Nice!  I'm in northwest WA, but I really enjoy Boise, especially the fantastic greenbelt along the river.  I need one of my guys to go to Boise State so I have an excuse to visit there more often. : )

[Countertop help]

I prefer quartz but since I am selling and granite is about half the price, we are going with granite. Most of our area is granite.

 

What do you like?

 

 

I'm a euro-style minimalist.  I intended to go with Paperstone; it's a sustainable composite product, and this particular company is based here in WA state.  I couldn't track down anyone north of Seattle who had experience installing it & didn't want to be the guinea pig.  But I've seen it installed elsewhere, and I love the look, the feel, and the very flat finish.  

 

After looking into various other options, I ultimately opted for Caesarstone quartz in Ginger.  I was concerned it would be too shiny for me, but it's fairly low-key and blends really nicely with everything else. 

[Countertop help]

I dislike granite in general, especially that "flecked" look, so I much prefer the first option.  It will look far less cluttered and provide a cohesive, calm effect to the whole room.

[Teaching sons to shake hands]

Just be sure what you're teaching them what's appropriate to the region you live in. Remind them that social norms vary by region.

 

Too true.  Had I known, back in the day, that Swiss people (of both genders, and regardless of level of intimacy) expect hand shakes and direct eye contact virtually every.single.time you see one another, I'd have saved myself a load of grief. 

 

Only weird if you didn't teach your daughters the same thing. 

 

Agreed.  I don't consider it a male vs. female thing.  When I do shake hands, I'm all about a firm, direct grip ~ though ultimately, I'm a fist bump kinda gal. ;-)

[What carpet do I want?]

I understand the call to avoid carpet, but it has its place and all carpet is NOT created equal.  It doesn't have to be a synthetic, environmental bane to our existence that harbors all manner of household junk.  In my case, I have no pets and don't wear shoes in the house, so those two factors alone help minimize accumulation, as does a good (Miele) vacuum.

 

I have bamboo flooring in the kitchen, dining, hall and office areas; Marmoleum in the boys' bath and mud room, and stone in the other bath.  But I love carpet in living/sitting room areas and in my bedroom.  I did a great deal of research and opted for an all-wool, jute-backed carpet from Geoffrey Hirst, an Australian company.  It is lovely and I highly recommend it both in terms of care, appearance, and health/environment.  

[Is this rude?]

A Canadian punch someone? Nah!

 

Y'all are too nice.

 

Except in downtown Vancouver when the Canucks resoundingly lose the Cup to the Bruins. ;-)

[Is this rude?]

Either ignorant or rude.

 

Hogwash.  There are many, many tribes here in the fourth corner (northwest WA state) and tribal members routinely use the term Indian.  Whether the term Indian, Native American, NA Indian, American Indian, or specific tribal name is used is entirely dependent upon the individual and, quite often, the person(s) with whom they're speaking.  I've known quite a few tribal members who dislike being identified as "Native American".  As others said upthread, they consider it a bureaucratic attempt at political correctness.  

 

I live directly on the WA-BC border, and in this case, the border does make all the difference.  "First Nations" is common usage there, yet wholly unused here.  On the other hand, the term "indigenous" is more commonly coming into play.  As evidenced by the Seattle City Council's unanimous vote today to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous People's Day.  

[Twin Peaks]

You know, I wonder if before it airs (which is way in the future at this point) it will bring new viewers to the old series. And, if so, if it will make any sense at all. I mean, it's weird and dated. It's hard to capture what a strange moment it captured in everyone's imagination.

 

Nope, you can't go back.  Especially in this region where the show was set, the early 90s were a very particular time that can't be recaptured. Twin Peaks, Northern Exposure, Singles, Nirvana, Pearl Jam ~ it all exemplified a certain scene.  Driving my oldest over to college last year, we stopped for lunch at the Roslyn Cafe.  I tried to no avail to explain to him the uniqueness of Northern Exposure, the way the show & cast came to be part of the region.  

 

I couldn't do it because it's all changed so much.  (Well, not "all"; the town of Roslyn never changes.)  The hamlets where Twin Peaks was filmed are Anytown, USA bedroom communities now.  Downtown Seattle lost its edge.  Granted, there are some things we don't want to revisit.  I sure as heck would rather watch the current Seahawks play at Clink than I would endure the Hawks of the early 90s in the Kingdome. ;-D

[Living in Italy -- It's been a YEAR!]

Here's a tip for when you go to the Colosseum:  Tickets for the Colosseum will also get you into the Forum, which is just up the road.  The lines for tickets at the Colosseum are ridiculously long, so go to the Forum first, where the line is never long, buy your tickets there, tour around the Forum, then go to the Colosseum, and you can go right into it, instead of waiting in line again.

 

Even easier than that is just buying the Roma Pass online.  Did this a number of years ago & it was super handy.

[Is there not an Ebola in Dallas thread yet?]

That story I posted is not untrue.  

 

I didn't say it was untrue.  I'm encouraging you to consider the reliability of sources, particularly when using those sources at reference points.  I don't see great value in passing along links to sites that are presented in an almost comical, National Enquirer fashion.  If in fact the info you share is valid and available elsewhere, it makes good sense to provide the more respectable, less tabloid-esque source.

 

You know a thread has jumped the shark when you (the general you) are speculating on whether or not a wandering dog MIGHT have possibly come by and licked up vomit from an ebola patient.

 

Yabbut…doesn't it stand to reason that if we talk of chili and Texas-Okie wars and football, canine attraction to vomit is fair game, too? ;-D

 

Am I reading this correctly?  The daughter of the patient's girlfriend was cleared?  Wasn't she with him while he was sick?  I thought she originally said she did have contact with him.

 

So many things about this situation are just…concerning, at best.  I'm not following the story closely because the "news" is in a constant state of flux, not reliable or genuinely informative.  I have many questions, most of which are unanswered and likely to remain so.  Frustrating!