Living in the US - Where we say TO MA TOE and you say TO MAH TOW

[alipiggie]

Wow we filled the thread guys. So as I was about to Say UR you've probably had squirrel if you've eaten Chinese . Think I've had most things. Just don't ask eat. Roasting hot here, very busy but having a blast. Enjoyed our new gym yesterday and picnic in the park tonight which was wonderful. Live music, handsome young men - need I say more.

Some of the stuff in Whole Foods is really expensive but the bulk food section isn't and it is the only place you can buy decent cheese this side of the city and they sell tiny little blocks of it which is good for a treat. AND they always have bowls of samples out so DS eats his way round the shop.

Disappointing update, mananny.

I am shocked at those kids playing out so late, Dooney. I like Portland.

Are you buying a house, SB?

Yes you can deduct the interest on your income tax. So it's just a reduction of your gross income to your taxable income and the percentage is whatever tax bracket you're in. The other thing to think about is what your property tax will be and that can vary considerably based on where you live. For instance in TN ours ran about $1k but is seven times that on our house in NY. The one we are in now in AR is about $2k.

I thought it would be high when you said San Francisco

Crikey! I am glad I am renting.

Glad it arrived Cali. You were very kind to me last year. Hope it is still edible.

I'd just like to tell you all that, with windchill, the temperature outside is MINUS 19'c

No wonder my hands hurt when I came home tonight. Must remember to take gloves out tomorrow. Or better still, stay home.

Today I learned my lesson and will never do royal icing with my 5 and 3 year olds who have to help in every step of the cookie making process, making it 3 times slower. 'Twas lovely, but we took far too long to use it, and had some of it dry out.

On a weather note, our totally full garbage can blew over outside, and I had to go digging through the snow in the yard to retrieve the garbage. School has already been closed for tomorrow, which means no Christmas party for Caitlin, and there's supposed to be a big snow storm coming in Wednesday, making me wonder if there will actually be any school from now until Christmas.

Oh no, Dooney (both school & royal icing)

I should make cookies really.

No you shouldn't if you have my willpower. I've had 4 already.

I tend to have that problem, Dooney

Anyone got a recipe for Stollen?

You guys are freaking me out. Here I think I have lots of recipes, and there's 2 requests in a row I'm just sitting here going, "huh?".

Off to go crawl under a rock. (Or take a nap, since Caitlin woke up sick last night, and came and "slept" in our bed.)

Oh no Dooney. Have a good nap. Hope Caitlin is better.

Lebkuchen?

Cali

Thank you

Are those Norwegian SB?

Another day of no school. It is raining today. almost all of the ice and snow are gone. I think teachers have pretty much just bagged it in, and are taking early Christmas break.

We have been baking lots of bread. That was what I ostensibly got my Kitchen Aid mixer for, but haven't done much with it. We've made 12 loaves and frozen most of them. I love it, it is so easy to do. It was a good thing we did, because we finally got out and went to the store today, and there wasn't anything in the bread, milk or egg areas. It took us an hour and a half to get about 10 items, there were so many people there.

It blew so hard the other night my full garbage can being knocked over wasn't the biggest casualty. Our neighbors tree was at about a 45-50 degree angle, and finally fell over today. Some people had mild roof damage. I'll take digging for my garbage over either of those.

German, I think, Jabber.

Its funny hearing about how different parts of the country deal with weather.

DS is ill so we've been home all day. And yesterday actually. I neeeed to get out!

In New York on Monday, we played in the playground until after dark, the kids were in socks and t-shirts. Then on Tuesday there was snow on the ground. It's very changeable. But I am aghast at the idea of -19. I will never get the kids to leave the house if it gets that cold here.

Sittingbull, do you have a broker? I'm not sure if it's the same everywhere but here in NY the seller pays the broker's fees so as a buyer you don't lose anything by having one. We found ours really helpful for all these questions about tax and such. Your property tax will also be tax deductible, by the way.

We're just not used to it, though. We usually have 1 day or so of snow, and not usually ice, and it melts off the roads pretty quickly.

I know what you mean about getting out. I was fine with the long grocery store wait, as we haven't been out of the house since Saturday AM.

Hope Dinner isn't to ill. Caitlin and Colin seem to have a mild cold this time around. (Crosses fingers)

We went to Linens N Things to get FIL his X-mas present. I felt bad knowing those people wouldn't have a job the day after Christmas. We got him a self-inflatable air mattress as he's so cheap incredibly thrifty he won't buy a new one even though his old one deflates in the middle of the night, and has done so for the past year. It was 1/2 off. They had Christmas at 75% off, so I got some things you put on your mantel and hang your stocking on. They play music and light up. They were only less than $7 each.

Dooney, Oregon sounds like England in it's response to snow - schools closing and everything. Chicago Public Schools NEVER close. The univserity closed once in 50 years.

Dinner has diarrhea and I don't know what to do. He's never really had it before. He was ok all day, other than that but if it is still happening in the monring, will have been 24 hours and I suppose I should do something. But what?

I can't imagine playing out in socks and t-shirts! It's amazing how much the weather can change, isn't it?

Has Linens & Things shut down then?

I'm happy because the schools announced they wouldn't be deciding if they're closing or not until tomorrow morning, so there's hope.

My kids get colds/croup all the time, but Colin's only had a stomach thing once when he was 9 months old for less than 24 hours, and Caitlin's never had anything like that.

They have to be closed by Dec. 31, everything in the store was at least 1/2 off, but by the time I realized what was happening, all the good stuff was gone. There were tons of buffet type serving things, but even at 70% off, I didn't need one.

Fingers crossed, Dooney

I need help with 2 things:

1. Sleds. We don't have one. We neeeeed one (for sledding down the hill and possibly for dragging Dinner to playgroup).

What should I look for? Or avoid?

2. Bookcase/ shelves

I need a sturdy one that will fit in my car but will hold actual books. Ikea Billy bookcases have failed me twice. I like the idea of those folding/ stacking ones but have no idea where you get them. Any suggestions?

TIA

Hope everyone is ok. What news?

Happy last day of school