[OT: son is in hospital so I have been absent here....]

I'm sorry to hear this. I hope your son recovers quickly.

 

Louise

[Modest Clothing (repost)]

These are beautiful!

[Can someone explain external hard drives to me?]

Just to add to what the others have already said, an external drive can be hooked up through your USB port so you can disconnect it when you don't need it. I have several for different purposes: one for photos, one for my work, and one for our home documents. My largest one is 250 GB. They are just back up for the files that I don't want to lose if my computer crashes.

[Can we talk about cars vs. vans vs. SUVs?]

The only thing I have to say is that the Pilot is tight on room for five never mind 6. You will have to use the third row, which means there really is no cargo room. A minivan is much roomier and there is a lot more cargo room.

[What is the least expensive place for a family of six to stay in Boston?]

Try sublet.com for a vacation rental. I recommend that they include outskirts of Boston, Boston area, and Bristol and Plymouth County in their search. A car is not really needed in Boston. Parking costs for tourists is very expensive. It is much easier and cheaper to take a T train or an MBTA train into Boston. If your friends look at places outside the Boston area, be sure that they ask how far the place is from the nearest train stop.

[Knitters - reusing yarn]

You are talking about reclaimed yarn.

 

A woman (local to New England) unravels cashmere sweaters (even commercial sweaters, not just handknit) and puts them back into skeins and sells them at prices much less than new cashmere yarn. She even puts the general gauge on the label.

 

Her skeins are very smooth. I'm not sure how she smooths them out. One yarn shop owner thinks that the lady uses some kind of spinner.

 

Google 'reclaimed yarn' to find tips on how to take a sweater apart.

[Help, (computer help please)]

I just checked the requirements for your software and it does list Vista as an OS.

Try this site to see if you can find your problem. I would contact tech support also.

 

http://kb.learnatglobal.com/display/4/search.aspx?tab=search

[Is anybody going to actually spend their economic incentive check?]

Hope all of you enjoy your checks.

 

Louise

[Banking Question for Anybody With Bank Knowledge]

It depends on what you deposited. Did you deposit something that was to be credited that day, e.g. cash or U.S. Treasury (SS, IRS, etc.)? All deposits at our bank are available the next day or later (depending on the source of the deposit) except for those two items. Since the bank took care of it, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Lent. Are you giving something up? If so, what?]

I am going to limit online time except when necessary (map directions, work-related stuff). No browsing just to be browsing so I won't be here at the boards. We will give up sweets until Easter except on certain feast days. We will be taking on an alms project. This year I will buy toiletries on sale to give to the local homeless shelter around Easter. My kids will also being saving their coins to give to church.

 

Plaid Dad, where did you take your retreat? Do they have women's retreats also? Was it directed or self-directed?

[What to do in Charlotte, NC?]

We are traveling with dh on business to Charlotte during the second week in February? What are some things one can do with young kids (9 and under)?

[Has anyone ever replaced their own brake pads and rotors?]

Did you have the brakes evaluated? The pads may only need changing or even just a cleaning? Don't jump to the conclusion that your rotors are bad. How many miles are on the car?

[?? question about raitings....]

Am I understanding this correctly then: Anyone can leave a rating regardless of what you post? If you post something "nice", someone could still rate it negatively?

[Person who signed the appraisal for my house was not the one who came to see it (m)]

I found the code of ethics for a professional organizaion of appraisers. Don't know if your appraiser is a member. However, if you look at the link listed below, under Heading 7.4, it talks about signing and appraisers under supervision of another appraiser. So it seems that you can have one appraiser see your home and a supervising appraiser sign the form.

 

http://www.appraisers.org/join/code_ethics.cfm

[Person who signed the appraisal for my house was not the one who came to see it (m)]

Yes, you can contest the appraisal. You need to print all comparable values, including the ones the appraiser used and the ones your realtor claims are missing. Write and request a meeting in person. You should meet in person with the appraiser and your realtor and make your case with all of the comparable values. Explain the differences between those comparable values and your own home. For example, House A has 5 acres while your House B has 7 acres and hence more value. You can also ask the bank that is refinancing for another appraiser. Out of your own pocket. you can hire an independent appraiser.

[Can someone link me to a Catholic message board where I can as ?'s]

http://forums.catholic.com/

[Hello! This is a test.]

Hi, all. I just wanted to try these forums out.:)