mockstar

Our HVAC friend recommended that we consider the Trane CleanEffects system. We have terrible allergies (to the point of replacing wall-to-wall with hardwood) and he thinks it's a great system. We currently use Honeywell room purifiers, however they are really loud and my husband hates it. Since Honeywell is a brand I use and trust, I am trying to find out if there are significant performance and cost differences between the two. From what I gather from the Trane marketing material is that the Trane filter is non-porous creating less pressure drop. Beyond that, I don't know what the difference is in air quality or cost. So I guess I have three questions:

What are the performance differences?

What are the cost (unit, installation, filters) differences?

If you use either of these systems in your own home, what do you love/hate about it?

THANK YOU!

My older kids get off the bus, have a snack and then we try to get homework out of the way. (We have tried playtime first, but changing back to work mode didn't work out.) My 3-year old, who is home with me all day, gets jealous and works to get attention. T.V. would work, but we do our homework at the kitchen table (I can prep dinner/they are young enough to need supervision) and the t.v. is in view. And I would like to provide her with an activity rather than zoning out.

I need suggestions for novel activities that she can do completely on her own. (Also, that can't create a huge mess, as this has been a method of getting attention.) Maybe I have a bin with stuff just for homework time? I just don't know, so ANY suggestions are very appreciated. THANK YOU!

Back in the 90s there was a game called The Incredible Machine for the PC. You basically had to solve puzzles by building machines: using pulleys, levers, gears, candles, balloons and even gerbils in those little exercise wheels. I would love to find something similar that I could play on the DS or my phone.

The dress is an a-line pique dress with blue trim and a ribbon tie to be worn by a toddler. Can leather be worn with pique? Would sandals be ok?

My thrice married uncle-in-law recently gave my husband and I our own christian-based marital self-help books and the accompanying CD at the Thanksgiving table. Now, My husband doesn't confide in this uncle, so presumably this was appropo of nothing, or just the uncle's impression of our marriage. Or maybe he was just projecting....At any rate, I'd like to return the favor in kind at Christmas. I am seeking suggestions for titles that would maybe "help" my in-laws learn boundaries and manners.

Our inflatable mooshead finally died. This was our litmus test for guest: if you laughed, you were in, if you looked at it and didn't get it, well, you kind of weren't going to get us. In years past we had a panel of the last supper, that we could plug in and calibrate blinking lights. It was awesome, but too small for over the fireplace. We are looking for something that is subtle, something that people might think we take seriously, and that will help discern those with a similar sense of humor. For example, a painting of Elvis and Jesus is a little too obvious.

I dunno, seems a refreshingly frivolous topic in light of election season.

I have cubed up some butternut squash and tossed it with chopped onion and seasoning. I threw a little (1/4c) water in there and covered the casserole with aluminum foil. It's been baking at 350 for a while. I just checked it, almost done, not evenly. Some pieces are still hard. Should I take off the aluminum foil for the last 20 min or will that just dry it out???

If you had a mortgage with Washington Mutual, and you heard they were going to fail, what would/could you expect and does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

I am writing a story for a class and need another term for "clueless" or "out of it" or "in la la land".

THANKS!

I just recycled an empty cereal box. The bag, the one that holds the cereal, i pitched in the garbage and now I am feeling guilt and shame! Can that bag be recycled? Answer quick while I still have time to fish it out !

I have laundry to fold, floors to vacuum and dinner to prep, but I can't seem to stop answering these questions. Does anyone else have a compulsive need to answer questions in order to delay work?