abfabmom1

Just now, my dad is stuck with a walker, so things like going to a ball game, or the park are not options. My thought is to try to bring home one or more of these experiences, and let him enjoy it from inside the house. For example, he likes classical music...I'm thinking of finding a pre-recorded concert that we could watch on tv, to replicate the local "Pops for Pops" concert that we've attended in the past.

That said, my question here is to collect as many of these ideas as possible, so as to keep the options open.

How will you celebrate this year? Your ideas & suggestions are highly appreciated!

My husband and I are contemplating a vacation to Mexico. We went to Cozumel a few years ago, at the beginning of November, and still got stuck with poor weather because of the season's last (and very slow-moving) hurricane.

Now we're looking at another trip to Tulum. Naturally, the best time for us to be on vacation is going to be summer. But booking a trip there during this time makes me worry that we're dooming ourselves to another week inside in the air conditioning.

How many hurricanes actually make it to the coastline of Mexico? Was our last trip a fluke, or should I try to avoid the whole place from June to November?

I need to get a smart phone, but have concerns about the touch screen with my fingernails (and no, I'm not getting rid of the nails!). What would you recommend?

For a work-related issue, I need to find the top management of Maykenbel Properties. I'm in the US, so I'm not sure where one would get info like this regarding a UK company. Is there any type of governmental database that I can search remotely? I've picked through the company's website (http://www.maykenbel.com/index.php), and the only contact information they have is for general inquiries, and that's not what I'm looking for.

Any suggestions you have would be much appreciated!!

It's for the secret sound competition...even if I have the right guess, chances of being the right caller are slim, but it's worth over $10K, so it's worth a try! :)

Here are the clues:

1. Doesn't seem like something you would borrow

2. Therefore, it's right where you left it

3. Good luck finding one

4. It's easy...or should be

5. Most people don't use it

6. Research say's it's safer

7. It saves time

8. Wo...retro...cool

9. Honestly, we can't say it looks good

10. Location, location, location

11. It's all about convenience

12. It's a guy thing

13. No pockets needed

14. Better than a pocket protector

15. Slide on, slide off

Every idea I've come up with ends up being negated by one or more of these clues. Any thoughts you have would be appreciated!

My new-every-two is up with Verizon, so it's time to upgrade. As of now, I'm looking at either the Droid Eris or the Samsung Omnia II.

At this point, I think the primary differentiator is going to be the operating system. Does anybody have experience with both of these OS's, in order to have commentary about which works best?

This past weekend, we applied some diatomaceous earth (http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=ytff1-t... in order to stop a recent flea infestation.

During the process, we discovered what's been allowing the fleas to breed so aggressively. Turns out there has been a fairly massive leak through a window frame, that left the a corner of the carpet, subfloor and wood trim soaking wet.

Unfortunately, we didn't notice the moisture until the diatomaceous earth was already in place. So, now we have diatomaceous mud on top of, and slightly embedded in, the carpet.

Our landlord has recently had some fairly large expenditures come up on our behalf, so I'd like to clean the carpet, instead of asking him to replace it (especially considering it's a small corner of a large room).

What's your best recommendation for getting the mud out/off? The landlord does have a shopvac I can use, but I don't want to ruin it by clogging it up with this sticky mess. I've contemplated using a steam cleaner for the purpose of adding liquid to the equation, but don't want to be stuck having to buy the rental machine if things go bad.

How would you handle this one?

If so, I could use some advice!

We've just used diatomaceous earth on our carpets, to help eliminate fleas. In the process, we discovered the leak which is allowing our home to be humid enough to allow them to breed. The leak is fixed, but I now have a piece of carpet which is coated in a layer of diatomaceous mud.

I need to steam clean the carpets anyway, but am concerned that the mud may gunk up the machine. Anyone out there who's tried it?

What's your recommendation for cleaning up the sticky mess?

I've just got a prescription for Tetracycline, which I'm taking for acne. I really, really don't want to my my system or the bacteria less receptive to the antibiotic, but I seriously struggle to remember to take the pills.

I do okay, if I leave the bottle of pills on my desk...I've managed to remember to take one after breakfast, and then again before I leave the office.

But on weekends, my eating schedule is different, which throws things off (I have to take them with food, but no dairy). Also, when I put the bottle in my purse to bring it home, I forget that it's there...and now I've just remembered that I haven't had any pills since Friday, since they've been in my purse since the weekend!

When I miss my dosage, I don't feel any different...if I had a headache, that would at least serve as a reminder!

What are your tricks for remembering doses?

The name in question is Nevaeh.

My niece is pregnant, and this is what she's currently planning on using if the baby is a girl. She says, it's heaven, spelled backwards. I personally think it's a terrible choice, but perhaps I'm the odd man out. A friend said, "Heaven backwards is Hell."

Your thoughts?

I personally think this show TOTALLY ROCKS...but I'm not sure it's entirely appropriate for minors. Maybe it's good to let teenagers watch it, because it accurately reflects what life is like in school?

What are your thoughts?

I've seen people on this site say it's because the men don't want the females to experience sexual pleasure. But I can't find this theory cited anywhere, and studies show that women often DO feel sexual pleasure after having the(se) procedure(s) done.

I get that it's a cultural thing, at this point. But what really started it? What was the original reason for having it done?

My birthday is on Sunday. The lot of us will meet at my parents' house for dinner, and my dad has asked what I want to eat.

We will also be celebrating my niece's 11th birthday. As a vegetarian, her current fave is a particular veggie burger.

I'm not really in the mood for burgers, and am very much a meat lover.

What are your thoughts on what would be good for both of us BDay girls?

I'm not understanding the concept. Why does someone need a scene name, and what/where would someone use it?

Is this just another term for "nickname"?

Over the years, I've seen many emails come across my desk, that offer safety tips (what to do if approached by a rapist, how to safely leave work after dark, etc.).

One of the themes that consistently shows up in these emails, is the concept that "Women have a tendency to get into their cars

after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit

(doing their check book, or making a list, etc.)"

Do you do that? Do you sit in your car an balance your check book? I don't, and as far as I can tell, I don't know anybody who does.

I know, it's entirely trivial, but it has been bothering me for years now. Just wondering if I'm missing out on part of being a woman...

It's very well established...been in place between my patio pavers since late spring, and thriving. It has spread like wildfire, and is at the point where we're going to have to start trimming it, just to see the pavers.

Just within the last 2 - 3 weeks, it has developed brown patches. It started in one planting, and now there are several spots where the planting is almost completely dead. As far as I can tell, it's fairly random. Some spots have this problem, some don't, and there doesn't seem to be any connection.

The plant is browning, from the root side, toward the end of each stalk. There are stalks that are completely brown, except for the last inch or less, which is as vibrant and healthy looking as the rest of the plant.

Any ideas?

I am an Administrative Assistant, supporting the head of Materials.

I have a new plan to read one "business" book per quarter, in order to help me better understand the issues he's facing, and the things he's asking for.

I've read "Five Dysfunctions of a Team" and some similar books. These were easy enough to read, but I think I'm looking for something a little more technical...less on team-building & communication, more on finance & supply chain kind of things.

Can you make any recommendations on entry-level business related books?

They seem to have good pricing...wondering if they're legit, and if anyone has experience with them.

I love the idea of having access to great beaches, great snorkeling, and ancient ruins, all in one place.

I'd love to go to a nice resort (would prefer all-inclusive), but I'd like to avoid being on a resort-strip, so I think Cancun is out.

What cities/areas do you recommend?

What resorts within those areas can you comment on?

All input will be very much appreciated!

Okay, so we're looking at two cruise options...

The first is an 11-day cruise out of San Francisco. We live in the Bay Area, so the convenience factor (no flight, no extra hotel, etc.) is a big deal. Ports of call are Topolobampo, La Paz, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. The itinerary includes five total days at sea, and seems to be only offered by Norwegian.

The second option is out of Los Angeles. Obviously, this would require at least a hotel room before departing, and either a long drive, or a short flight. That adds expense, as well as inconvenience. However, there are more cruise lines to choose from, with this departure point. Ports of call are Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta.

So, here are my questions:

1) Should I worry about seasickness with all of those days at sea?

2) Are the extra stops on the longer cruise worthwhile?

3) Has anyone sailed on Norwegian? I've heard a lot of good things about Carnival, but as of right now, their price for the shorter trip is $500 more than the same trip on Norwegian. I also like Norwegian's "Freestyle Cruising" concept, that allows us to time meals & events on our schedule, instead of theirs. Input?

4) What shore excursions do you recommend in these various ports of call?

5) Is the end of October a good time to be on the Mexican Riviera, or are we in trouble relative to hurricane season?

6) What else am I missing?