I think every city I've ever lived in has had a Sherwood Forest, or something similar, with Robin Hood inspired street names. The sincerest form of flattery, I guess. :001_huh:

If the title of the house is in your name, and you own if free and clear per the raffle agreement you should be able to get an equity loan. I would think you're much less of a risk than someone who has a large mortgage on it and is applying for an equity loan on top of that!

I think I'd take the house, though I'd not live in it. I would likely rent it out (houses in that range typically rent for $2500-3000 per month around here. I could take an equity loan to pay the taxes, then use the equity loan payments and depreciation as tax advantages. The extra monthly income after insurance and taxes are paid can be set aside in an investment for retirement, college, or to set up the children for their needs as they fly the coop one day.

I've downloaded free ringtones from this website. I've never had any trouble, just download them onto my computer and transfer them to my iPhone. There are other ways, and probably easier ways to do it, but this works for me!

I'm trying to put myself in the position of different people here. As a MIL (which I'm not yet) I can't imagine my DIL having to convince my son to make an appearance to help me out after I'm left alone following knee replacement surgery. Then as icing on the cake my DIL, who clearly doesn't want to be there in the first place, sets in on me to go to a rehab facility. Honestly if I had any respect for my son and DIL after they failed to help out after any surgeries or health issues prior to all of this, it was zapped away in an instant. As the SIL in this scene, I can't imagine being shooed off to work by my brother and SIL. She has been the main caretaker for years and knows what is necessary in this situation. She can't handle being in two places at once and asks for help. This plea is met with your appearance and thoughts of bringing your MIL to a rehab facility, then returning home. I'd not leave you alone with them to return to work either, honestly. I'm sad you have no more compassion for your dh's parents, for without them you'd not have him. I hope my sons and their families show me more honor and compassion. I'm working to raise them as such right now by teaching them empathy.

Given how extremely self-important and self-indulgent she seems, as well as self-absorbed (detect a pattern?;)) I think this is just her way of bringing attention to "her" and not to the actual point of the card. In addition, my inlaws have taken to writing things in quotations as they've gotten older. I think they use that like younger generations use an exclamation point--just as a means of emphasis. Let it go and pass the card along to him. Personally, I don't think I'd ever consider not giving dh's mail to him.

If she adopted him, why wouldn't she sign it that way? She's his legal mother, correct?

Accurate teaching of world history shows political incorrectness and it's impact on world events. However, it is vitally important to teach it. Doing so in a respectful, accurate, and intelligent manner will also show the initial point being made by the op is moot.

Someone emailed me this link. I don't know if it's been posted, but I wanted to share a laugh with some other mini van parents...and the lucky ones who've left their mini van days behind! Swagger Wagon

Pantyhose? :::shudder:::

Some people are just "friend collectors" and friend everyone they've ever encountered. I just hit ignore and don't give them another thought. If I get another request or two and they don't get the hint, I will block them.

Keurig.com when you register your brewer gives you buy two, get two free with free shipping. This is the best promotion I've found. For regular prices, the best I've found is Amazon with the subscribe and save discount.

Our neighbors have a very elaborately landscaped yard. It's beautiful and something that could be in a magazine. Three years ago their oldest daughter got married in an outdoor ceremony there. From our vantage point it was a large and impressive wedding with lots of catering vans, equipment, tents and covered areas, a wooden dance floor, etc. We were not invited guests, though I received two shower invitations, attended both, and brought a gift. :glare: We knew when it was (who within five miles didn't?) so we left for a few hours with the kids to avoid the street parking and noise. After we got home we noticed our dog missing. She apparently dug her way under the fence to hob-nob with the wedding guests. And eat the catered food. And swim in the pool with the floating candles. And knock over a tent. She's such a social butterfly. I'm sure she was the life of the party!! :D

If they do ask that you return them, you can always counter offer to purchase the items for half of their listed price. It will save them in the long run by not having to pay return shipping and restocking fees.

You know what may be a good idea? Since she was so intent on seeing you that she cut down your bushes I think you should put up posters of you between the signs. And since she seems to love roosters, you should find a rooster costume to wear in them. It will hopefully cut down on the possibility of her knocking down your fence. :D Seriously, when you have the fence installed make sure she is not around. You don't want her to have one smidgeon of it put slightly in her property line. It gives her access to it. In fact, have the property lines staked and clearly marked by a surveyor before the fence is put up, to protect you.

I'm sorry about the hedge and believe you handled it very well. It sounds like they are idiots.

I've grated carrots, squash, and eggplant as toppings. Obviously they do not melt but the color is similar and my non-dairy kids have never complained.

I think the boycott is more of a call to action than a desire to run them out of business. They have been less than forthcoming about the size of the spill, have no conceivable plan for containment, and no plan of action to stop it. By temporarily boycotting, it seems they will take heed and take action. If they begin to act responsibly, I see no reason for the boycott to continue on a grand scale. Think of the 11 innocent men who have already perished, as well as the innocent wildlife at risk and the innocent people who use these waters for their livelihoods. So many have been touched by this disaster and corporate responsibility and action should be the highest priority.

Get a thick waterproof tarp to place under the tent. This will prevent any water from soaking into the tent. If it's quite a bit larger than the tent he can bunch it up on one side at an angle in the event a heavy rainfall makes the tent a dam against drainage. Many campsites are not level and water will run. Instead of an airmattress, consider a cot or even a hammock. I've seen one many times at thrift stores for very little money. By sleeping above the ground he can take advantage of the air circulating all around him, not building up underneath. Most campsites have picnic tables, so get him some plastic table cloths from the dollar store. Load up a tote with items such as paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, bowls, cups, utensils, clothespins (those things can be so handy!), string for a clothesline, rain parkas, extension cord, surge protector, hose, extra towels. If the tote's loaded well he can toss the items in it after he's finished and put it in his vehicle before leaving. Campgrounds are very safe, but still... Send him off with things like some rolls of quarters for the laundromat, bath shoes for the bath house trips, a hand held mirror to make shaving easier, gallons of drinking water, an alarm clock, chargers for his phone/gps/computer/other devices, charcoal for cooking, matches or fire starter stick, and a whistle to blow for attention/help. Send him some entertainment that he likes to do such as a frisbee, ball and glove, walking/hiking shoes, bicycle, musical instrument, etc. He will meet many people in the campground this time of year and likely will have someone around to hang out with. It's nice to have things to do with them. If he can choose the campsite, I recommend one as close as possible to the park host. It will give him someone to call on should he need anything, and it will be someone more permanant to get to know. Good luck to him on this adventure!! ETA: He'll need a lawn chair for sitting. The ground will get very hard after a while.

I have a number of friends and family members who make their living in the fishing industry working off the coast or in the marshes. Around 80% of their income is earned this time of year. Since this is a very profitable time for them, this disaster will mean financial ruin for most. These are not rich people, as most in the seafood industry are not. My heart is breaking for them. I'm inland by miles, but we will likely feel the ramifications throughout the state, and throughout the country as well. My biggest fear is that, with hurricane season on the near horizon, we will have a large storm that drives this contaminated gulf water inland to ruin other industries such as farming and tourism. We could use some prayers for a mild hurricane season for the gulf coast.

My dh's Samsung seems durable. He's dropped it several times and it keeps working. My iPhone doesn't seem as durable. I've known several friends to break the screens on theirs, but I'm not as rough with mine.

I've always heard "preaching to the choir" also. Going deeper here...I dare say that many people in church are converted but still attend to hear the sermon. So while I know what the intent is, I don't really understand the logic behind the metaphor. Is it like being told once you become converted, there's no need for further teachings? I think I've had too much coffee this morning!

I have a couple of houses on my list, but they are more of the "when I win the lottery" variety as opposed to just going up for sale...:D

This makes no sense to me. We were created to appreciate the beauty in one another. That to me is both outside and inside beauty. It's how our species survives. If you instruct your son to look at a pretty girl then bounce your eyes to the window, what exactly are you teaching him about interacting with the opposite sex? And of course, how is she going to feel about having a young man look at her then look away immediately? I see nothing wrong with a young man making eye contact with a young lady who catches his eye. Now, ogling body parts is different. I've talked with my oldest son about making eye contact when having conversations with young ladies, but never looking them up and down during a conversation. If he is conversing with another or trying to start up a conversation, then eye contact is the way to do it. Looking away indicates a lack of interest.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-31322_3-20003185-256.html