Kristy

My mom loves popcorn, but hasn't been able to eat it since she had a good foot of her large intestine taken out because of diverticulitis. I wanted to get her some of the baby white, hulless popcorn as a gift, but I'm not sure how good for her it is, although they claim that a person with diverticulitis can eat it safely. Since it will be a gift, I'm not too keen on having her ask her doctor beforehand- so I thought I'd see if anyone had any insight.

My driver's side door has stopped opening not once, but twice now. (The first time it was fixed after an argument as to why it should be under the warranty, this second time, I have yet to see what they'll try to charge me). I just wanted to know if this was a problem with Focues or if it was just mine.

I have an '03 4-door sedan Focus, just fyi.

Frankly, I think all the nominees are jokes, but Kinky seems to be the jokingest of them all. What person in their right mind would vote for him? Why make Texas an even greater laughing stock?

I don't mean to sound like a broken record, since I'm sure you all have heard this before, but if you would instead vote for Bell he would have a hell of a chance and we'd be free from RepubliTexas. Bell has the same general plan for Texas (sans being absolutely pro gay marriage like Kinky, but what are the odds that a governor would be able to overturn something written into the constitution anyway? I think Bell's idea for civil unions is much more reasonable for Texas right now)- why Kinky?!

I just don't think it would be red. My friend tells me it HAS to be red.

I have a 2003 Ford Focus (in Texas if that's any different) who's been into the dealership on two different occasions for transmission problems, and now it looks as if it's going to need to go in again (not even a month after it's last visit either). I do have an extended warranty that is lasting me til 2009 (or 75,000 miles, but I'm only approaching 50,000), and they have indeed honored it to specifications.

However, my dad told me that the Lemon law is basically three strikes and they replace my car for me, obviously (and unfortunately) it's probably nearing it's third strike. I was just wondering the specifics of the Lemon law, what it takes to meet the requirements, what they do with the car, what kind of car they'd give me etc. etc. If someone could point me to a consice website (or let me know a good bit!) that can give me some info on it that would be wonderful. I really don't want to let go of my car...

I live in a drier (less humid) part of Texas now than where I came from, and I'm just confused as to how all of a sudden I get a sinus infection at least once a month.

I think they killed her off because they really don't have any storyline left in them and they're resorting to shock value. I really enjoyed the comedy and utter absurdity of the first season, but it's just gone down hill from there.

I hear they only have one season left, which makes sense, since they can't just have all the characters go off to different colleges and make sense of it all. Oh, OC, you've let me down.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/14...

There's tons more info on it if you do a simple google search (if you want).

I'm just not sure what this kind of text means for modern Christianity. I do have my own ideas on it, but I'm sure I'm biased :) Anyone else out there have any input?

I really am interested in your opinions.

I just found this today:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/20029...

And I know there have been studies done to the contrary, but the whole thing seemed interesting enough to ask about here :)

I really do think praying for a person and telling them so probably helps them, if for nothing else but because it gives them hope and the security that people care for them. That article just goes into how it's actually detrimental to their well being to pray for them!

I'm having problems with dealing with anger towards me. My first reaction is to yell, scream and be rude to whomever, but I know that's not really the best thing to do.

I don't necessarily want to heal this relationship, because it is a toxic one (she needs to find a way to leave her addiction and be as loving as she thinks she is), however, I do want to take the 'high road' so to speak.

I just can't get over the hurt she consistently causes me, and unfortunately she won't have a way out of my life until at least August, so how can I cope with her and my own anger in a more mindful way?

I read up on it a lot yesterday, and although it does sound a lot like a typical cult (which isn't necesarily a bad thing), I didn't find anything in there that was completely whacked out. Sure they have odd counseling services, and have weird names for ideas like the soul, but they don't seem innately bad or crazy (or at least as crazy as they're portrayed on South Park)

Here's where I checked them out at if you want to give it a look:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/scientol.htm

The related links were also a source of good information. But still, I just don't think they're so crazy. I think Tom Cruise is crazy though, and some of his beliefs are odd, (but I think he's just more forceful about them than he should be) But anyway, can someone give me some examples of some of their really crazy beliefs (if any)?

Sore throat and can hardly talk. I've tried the gargling of salt water, and it just ends up being nasty. (And I love salt so much too!)

Any good reccomendations?

Or is there just not enough research done on it yet?

Or is it really safe for you despite the Chlorine (that may or may not be gone after the treatments)?

I heard of a small amount of the population having adverse, even a deadly reaction to the injestion of Splenda, is this true? And just how safe is the sugar substitute?

I really just have no idea what to go into now that teaching is off for another year or so, and I don't want to keep working here at my University (I hate this town). So what should I do? Any suggestions?

I'd really like to jump into a non-profit, but I wasn't sure where to start with that. I have a good reputation with some Texas non-profits, but if I moved down there and worked for one of them, I'd be far too close to my parents.

Does it work? Do you have a good experience with it?

What else would you recomend for someone looking to get a job and be relocated about 300 miles (to Houston)?

Something simple to put it in a graph or some such to let me know how far I've come, how I'm doing, or how far I have to go.

I'm doing Weight Watchers Online now, and it just doesn't have something that's easy to look at that will track my progress.

Any other suggestions to help me keep to the diet or otherwise encourage me would be great too :)

This really isn't meant to be a serious question, I just think it's silly to think that Christians in the US and on this particular website feel they've been/ are being persecuted.

Being in the minority myself (as a female atheist), I have recieved many attepts at a conversion, and have faced hatred in the form of lost friends and heated arguments. I fear telling people that I am atheist until I feel them out and think that they won't absolutely hate me or attept to bring me to their Sunday school. I'm sure many atheists have felt this way, nevertheless may have had MORE hatred directed towards them. I invite all you to tell your story of your own 'persecution' against you, atheist, non-believer or not.

I have a theory that we have all been wronged because of something as simple as our own unique faiths, and within the US or other western countries, I'm sure we are all equal in this way. Why must we always try to play as if we are the MOST wronged? Why is there still no respect?

A girl was telling me yesterday how she couldn't understand Judaism or it's followers because she would feel weird not praying to Jesus. My question to her was: wouldn't they just pray directly to God? Isn't that what you're doing anyway since Jesus is God or at least the son of God? All I got was an "I guess" out of her and was hoping that someone could expand on this.

Does praying to Jesus or God matter in the grand scheme of things? Aren't they the same thing? This girl, although one of the sweetest people I know, seems like one of those who are absolutely blindly following their faith. But she's so very nice and sweet that I didn't want to hurt her or her feelings by pressuring her for more answers.

Or tell me what you know about this religion. I've only heard rumors, I'd like to read more truth.