Ruby

There is a bilingual presentation in English and Portuguese, and we want to issue an invitation to Anglophones and Lusophones. Please respond only if you know for sure. I can make a guess, but I want to say it in a way that sounds natural and idiomatic.

Is is used just in Brazil or elsewhere?

I always assumed they were kind of an overpriced toy, but am hearing good things about them lately. Does anyone own one of the 500 series? Do you like it? Is it your only vacuum cleaner?

I'm invited to an Indian-style wedding, and to the mehndi gathering that takes place beforehand. What's it like? Is it expected that I should bring a gift (as I'd do for a bridal shower)?

I'm looking for a Christmas song that I heard a while ago called Mi arbol es diferente that was about celebrating Christmas without influences/symbols from the North that have nothing really to do with the holiday. Any ideas? (If you need to answer in Spanish, I can read it but not write it so well.)

I want to visit some friends in the south during January. I usually fly, but would love to see more of the country (and am not crazy about driving alone). I hear people say that they take the train instead of flying - so if you're out there, tell me what it's like. The prices on the Amtrak site are higher than airfares for the same trip. How do you find bargains?

I covered a 6-inch styrofoam sphere with FIMO to make a globe. The directions say I can bake the FIMO at 275F for 20 minutes to harden the surface, but the only oven I have is the one I use for food. So baking FIMO on top of Styrofoam doesn't sound too safe. Should I just leave it unhardened?

I'm going to be leading our Children's Worship service this year. It won't be my first time, and I've taken Godly Play and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. (Plus other workshops and read books on children's worship.) But I always like to hear people's perspectives. How do you feel about worship for children, teaching kids to pray, etc. Do you remember any adults who were helpful in your spiritual development? If you are a parent with children in Sunday School, what do you wish your child would learn about worship and spirituality?

What was it like? I'm going with a church group from the Northeast? I've camped out before, but not outside of New England. Any advice? Any stories to share? What did you do when the work day was over?

Has anyone volunteered at Camp Coastal Care in Mississippi? (Or have you done any similar relief work on the Gulf Coast?) I'm interested in what it was like for you. The organization has instructions, but I'm more interested in first-person stories. Did you make friends there? Anything from what it was like to travel there to inspiring/funny/do's & don'ts - whatever.

I work at home in the summer and don't want to spend money eating lunch out. But I'm bored with sandwiches.

Any good ideas for lunches?

Hot food, cold food, soups & salads are fine. I've just run out of imagination and don't want to drop money on takeout.

I'm inclined to take the train, having taken the train between NYC and Boston; it's fun, and DC is one stop further on that line. I'm planning to visit a friend in DC in the fall and thinking of taking the train. A friend of mine says the train is a waste of $ and the bus is a better deal. I don't mind spending a little bit extra for a better experience. But what do you think? Have you taken both the bus and the train? How do they compare?

I've seen friends held hostage by their contractors when the work goes way over schedule. What can I do to make sure the work goes ahead on time? Any tips for dealing with workers and contractors?

I'm thinking about cancelling my cable TV subscription. I'm watching way too much and can sorta feel my brain rotting. I do have a DVD player, so I'd watch them from time to time (for my movie fix) and getting my news from the papers and the Internet. Have you quit TV? Were you able to stay away? Did you read more books? Did you get out of the house more often?

Next week is my turn to cook for the women's shelter. They like hearty, old-fashioned meals (no pasta). I know a million ways to cook chicken, but then so does everyone else and I think they get way too much of it. Any ideas for something a little different, but not too weird, would be great. I'm looking for ideas for main courses and vegetable/side dishes.

Just took my road bike out of storage and had it tuned up. I've been commuting and riding short distances on an old, heavy bike (while I was living overseas), but haven't ridden more than 5-8 miles at a time in almost 2 years. How do I get strong again? How much should I push myself when I go out for rides?

I definitely need to put in a new sink and the floor is really crummy press-on tile. What else should be a priority for spending the money? Also, I don't have any real training, but I'm good at reading directions and am pretty careful using chemicals, tools, etc. What should I do on my own? What jobs do I have to pay someone to do? Can you recommend any good sites or books I should read? Thanks!