Hmmm. We pay about $200 iirc to get our pellet stove pipe and stove deep cleaned every few years. We haven't had our wood fireplace chimney cleaned because we don't use it, but I wouldn't think it should cost any more than that. It's a fast, simple job nowadays. I'd shop around for sure. $1200 seems way overpriced.

Yes. Her husband will be with her.

My mother got very angry at my DH because he didn't throw me a 40th birthday party. Of course, he knows me so much better than she does and knows I would have hated one. She was crazy resentful of my refusal when she threatened to put one together. Some people really, really don't get it. *shakes head* Good luck, OP. I hope you can talk some sense into them.

Back when I was poor and daring, I dragged a dresser from a street corner back to my flat. It turned out to have cockroaches. Ewwwwwwww! So I would say be careful and maybe consider fumigating it before bringing into your house. Also, I'm paranoid about bedbugs. I imagine they can hide out in wood furniture?

Yes, this. Thank you.

I think it's in the context, as with most of these is-this-rude-or-not types of questions. Many people in my town are from somewhere else originally. It's not rude to ask in conversation if they grew up here or if they've lived in the area long. Usually it's part of the flow of conversation and it comes up pretty quickly. However, asking someone if they are "from away" has a different tone. Here that means, "you don't belong if your family doesn't go back several generations in this region". That would be rude. We were on that wrong side of that question many, many times where we used to live and learned quickly that it's very different from an actual interest in someone's experiences. Same goes for randomly asking due to accent or appearance. That would seem to send a "from away" vibe, setting a person apart rather than including them in genuine interest.

Please don't quote and please be gentle. This is NOT a thread for judgement. I have a good friend who has made the heart wrenching, soul crushing decision to undergo a certain medical procedure for which she is profoundly grateful to still have the choice of making. I have been her shoulder to cry on and a listening ear any time she needs, but I feel woefully inadequate as a friend as I have no words to offer. I don't think she wants any, but my heart aches for her and I want to do something for her on the day she has her procedure. Are favorite flowers weird? A small basket with favorite chocolates and other pampering goodies? I don't want to make things worse, only for her to know she is loved. If a small gift is appropriate and would be appreciated, does anyone have suggestions? (I'll drop this off when she isn't home, so there is no pressure to socialize. That is definitely best). I'm kind of muddled and shaken--please be kind.

My mom got asked all.the.time when I was growing up and she hated it. I don't know if random people still inquire like they used to, but yes, she found it rude and offensive. She would wearily answer "up the street" or name our town, even though her accent gave her away as being an immigrant. It would never occur to me to ask, unless I was getting to know someone as a new friend, or if it came up in conversation. But a stranger? Why should it be any of my business?

I use CeraVe 30 SPF.

If you don't have any local bike shops, your state bicycling advocacy group can point you in the right direction. http://www.nebike.org/

I would suggest you call your local bike shop to find out about rentals in your area.

I'm sorry, but I don't get the outdoor cat thing. I understand in this case you've taken in a stray and that's wonderful, but why should your cat be allowed to run free and cause preventable problems for other people? In the past couple of years there have been a few new roaming outdoor cats in our neighbor hood and I'm sick of it. They stalk and kill the birds, they demand attention, they get in my way when I'm in the garden....we don't have pets because I don't want any, and that includes having to babysit other people's. Rant aside, it's nice you are trying to resolve the problem at hand. Keeping your cat inside seems like the most obvious solution.

I like Neutrogena and Cerave.

*Listening* I'm curious about the answer as I'm starting to learn the basics too. I think your idea sounds lovely.

That's awesome!!! Huge kudos to your son!

Oh yeah, he races competitively so he lives and breathes bikes. He out-talks bike mechanics all the time, it's hilarious. He's an information geek and just soaks it all up. :)

Ok, good. I will. Thanks! (And Happy Ramadan!) :)

I'm wicked proud. :) It's at a local bike shop--he wants to learn to be a mechanic, but this year would likely do general shop help. He will learn a ton and get to geek out with other bike fanatics. The shop manager was **so** awesome when DS inquired--I swear the manager sounded like a proud dad. DS is a regular there, and they know he knows his stuff. I'm so excited for him and hope it works out. Cycling season isn't in full swing here yet so it might be a few weeks until he hears back; until then I'm certain I'll be more nervous than DS is! Just had to share! It feels like a Big Parenting Moment, even though it was all him. :)

We would totally skip. One, because they haven't made friends and the season sounds like kind of a bust. Two, because goodie bags--who needs more plastic participation awards? And three because it's a lot of money for something they won't care about. Come to think of it, I don't think in all the sports and all the teams my son has played on over the years, that we ever had an end of the season party. I guess his XC and track teams at the middle school do, but those are during normal meet times and get this--they charge 50 cents. I just love that. :)

I have a new friend who celebrates Ramadan and misses the community she used to celebrate with. Is it at all appropriate to wish someone a "happy Ramadan" or is that weird/totally lacking in context/rude/nice? Sorry for my total ignorance. I know she can use some kindness but I don't want to be inappropriate.

I just got back from the doctor and we talked about ticks...basically even though she went through all the precautions, she knew it's not enough and fully admitted it's just a terrible situation. She was super frustrated by the lack of movement in the medical community. On a positive note, she did say there are at least 4 things they routinely test for now every time someone comes in with a bite/tick. So that's a huge improvement from a couple of years ago when DS was diagnosed with Lyme but they didn't look for anything else.

Yeah, we live in an insanely beautiful corner of the world full of easily accessible trails and have pretty much given up hiking. It's not that we are being overly cautious as anyone who has had a tick related illness knows, but until the medical community starts taking it more seriously I don't know what else to do. Fun fact: I recently read that some years ago a Lyme vaccine for humans was being developed, until a certain group (cough) made a huge fuss and funding was pulled. So now our dogs are better protected than we are allowed to be. The upside is that the more they learn the better the vaccine will eventually be.

Title Nine and Athleta offer good selections. Title Nine prides themselves on being bra fit experts, if you are lucky to have one in your area.

Strawberry season here is around the first of July. Other than jam, I don't make anything with them. They are perfect all on their own.

We are wrapping up this week, then DS is off to public high school. We are all excited for this next chapter; it's the right time for sure. Congrats to everyone who is finally finished! :)