manders13 ttc#1

We just purchased a home with a pool. It also has an attached "hot" tub, but for whatever reason the hot tub has no heating element to it. It also doesn't seem to have a way to turn the jets on. So my question is, is there a way to add a heating source to an already existing hot tub? I am more interested in something solar powered as opposed to propane. Thanks for any help!

I am helping a dear friend of mine shop for an upcoming trip, and he specifically wants to shop for jeans. I have no clue what style would look good on a 47 year old without making him look like a. he is trying to look younger than he is, or b. look like an old fuddy duddy. Any suggestions?

I am looking for unique gift ideas. the couple has lived together for awhile now, and have asked for help with their honeymoon. I don't want to just hand them a check, but would like to come up with something creative to help make their honeymoon special. I think they are doing England, France, and Italy. Any suggestions?

A club I belong to is collecting gifts for a organization that works with young adults (18-19) who have aged out of the foster care system. Since I know many of you are foster parents, or have a lot of knowledge about kids in foster care, I figured you might have some suggestions. The organization was fairly vague about what to get, and I really am at a loss. It can be for a girl or guy. Thanks for any suggestions.

Going to Las Vegas next week, and trying to figure out what to buy/pack. I have dresses for the evening (shows, clubs etc) but what is the norm for during the day? My friend and I have never been to Vegas before, but like to look fashionable, but comfortable.

Well DH and I have hit the 3 year mark of ttc. Our next step is to go for medical intervention (we were hoping if we stopped stressing about it, it would just happen like everyone told us) Since the decision was made, I have had the craziest dreams! Last night I dreamed I took 13 hpt's and displayed them, lol. I've had other dreams where I woke up and looked down to see a big ole belly. I just just curious if other ladies ttc have the same crazy dreams. the dh and I always get a chuckle out of them, he told me I woke up talking about two lines, but I think he was just messing with me :)

The salon I went to went out of business, and I am clueless to what other salons offer the OPI or Shallac gel nail polish. Does anyone have any ideas?

We have 2 dogs, wood floors, and a backyard that is mainly dirt. We are planning on re-sodding the back yard, but in the meantime does anyone have any good tips for keeping the dirt out? I find myself sweeping and mopping 1 to 2 times a day to keep the dirt at bay.

My husband and I are going to an 80's pub crawl. He is doing the Maverick flight suit get up, so how do I match that with a "charlie" look? It's in Florida so the bomber jacket look is out. Any ideas?

Now I was born and raised in Orlando, and have been to Epcot more times than I can count, but I don't remember there being more than one sit down restaurant in Mexico. So what is the difference between San Angel Inn and La Hacienda De San Angel?

I am normally not a stickler for that type of thing, but lately on Y!A it's getting really bad. Have we fallen that far as a society that common, elementary taught, grammar and spelling is not longer necessary? Anyone else find this frustrating?

I have this water bottle http://www.camelbak.com/Sports-Recreation/Bottles/...

I only drink water from it, and I noticed some black smudges on the inside of the straw part. I took it apart ran hot water and soap through it, but they are still there. I am concerned it may be mold. I keep the bottle at work, and we do not have a dishwasher (i don't have one at home either) How do I clean the inside of the straw?

I will attempt to keep this as brief as possible. I work for a very large health care organization. My department has 12 people in it. Recent events have led the secretary to dislike me to the point where she does not look at me, talk to me, or recognize my existence. I could understand if I had done or said something to her, but it all stems back from another co-workers mis-communcation with me. The other co-worker and I have worked things out, but the secretary still ignores me. Should I reach out to her, and ask her directly what the issue is, and how we can fix it, or just leave it be. I have talked to the department director, but I think he feels as long as the work is getting done, and nothing nasty is being said, it is ok. I am at a loss, I have never worked around ladies so mean! I feel like I am in high school all over again. I am the type of person who bends over backwards to ensure everyone likes me, I do my best not to give anyone a reason to dislike me. This is killing me! What would you do?

A good friend of mine asked me to do a reading at her wedding (during the ceremony, just before the vows) She told me to pick what ever I wanted, and she wanted to be surprised. I am torn between the 2 below. What are your opinions?

#1

It is often said that it is love that makes the world go round. However, without a doubt, it is friendship which keeps our spinning existence on an even keel.

true friendship provides so many of the essentials for a happy life- it is the foundation on which to build and enduring relationship, it is the mortar which bonds us together in harmony, and it is the calm, warm protection we sometimes need when the world outside seems cold and chaotic.

True friendship hold a mirror to our foibles and failings without destroying our sense of worthiness. true friendship nurtures our hopes, supports us in our disappointments, and encourages us to grow to our best potential.

This couple came together as friends, they pledge to each other not only their love but also the strength, warmth and most importantly, the fun of true friendship

#2

If you can always be as close

and as happy as today

yet be secure enough to grow

and change along the way

if you can keep for you alone

your love as man and wife

yet find the time to share your joy

with others in your life

if you can be as one

and walk through marriage hand in hand

yet still support the goals and dreams

that each of you had planned

if you can dare to always go

your separate ways together

the all the wonder of today

will stay with you forever

My best friend and I are going to Las Vegas to celebrate her 30th birthday. She has picked out the shows she wants to see, but I would like to do something for her on her birthday as a surprise. any suggestions? Neither one of us have been to Las Vegas before, so I really don't know where to begin looking. Thanks for any info.

My bosses birthday is coming up, and we would like to get him a briefcase (or something) he can use to transport his laptop, files, etc. in while on his bike. He has mentioned more than once how he would like to ride it to work more, but he doesn't have a way to tote all his crap. Anyone got some suggestions?

My husband and I recently moved into a larger house, and now we are going through our "stuff" deciding what stays, what goes, and what is packed away. Specifically mementos. We were both in the military (I'm still in the reserves) So there are alot of mementos. Do I keep my 4th grade softball trophies? What about my high school plaques from student government? Or the doll that was given to me by my childhood neighbor? We don't have any kids yet, but I have a feeling I may want to share them someday. Would a kid even care to see my high school varsity jacket? I have been thinking about this all weekend and still haven't come up with a good solution. The biggest issue is space, anything not left out on display will have to go into the shed outside. How do you decide what to keep and what to toss?

I take a late fitness class (8pm) And I never know if I should eat before the class or after. When I eat before, I am always starving by the time the class is over. If I eat after, it is so close to the time I go to bed, all I can envision is all those unburned calories. What are your thoughts?

I should say that I think it should be my period. I have such an irregular cycle, that keeping track is pointless because it's always different. So it has now been 17 days of what I would normally consider "spotting" similar to what I get before, or after my period. I don't think I am pregnant, but plan to take a text just in case. Has anyone experienced this before? I am just curious if this is normal, or something to see my OBGYN for. Thanks for any help.

I never go looking for appriciation for being in the military. I am in the military because I love this country, and love that I can do my part to portect it. However something happened to me on Saturday that reminded me that there are so many civilians that are so appreciative for what we do:

I am in the Air National Guard, and in a new unit. Since I don't really know anyone, I went to dinner on saturday after drill alone. I sat at the restaurant bar planning on reading and enjoying a nice meal. A man and a woman sat next to me. After talking for a few minutes I found out they are sister and brother-in-law. Her husband/his brother was in ICU in town, and they were taking a break from the hospital. We talked for awhile, they asked about me. I told them I was in the ANG and in town for drill. They thanked me a few times for what I, and everyone else in the military did. After awhile I needed to get back to base for the evening, so I asked for my check. The bartender stated that it had been taken care of. I started to protest ( I am not one to usually let someone else pay for me) but the man and woman had already left. I was so touched by their generosity. They were there because of a bad situation, a loved one in ICU, but took time to show me their gratitude. I will always remember them when I am in the cold at 4am during an exercise, or doing PT, or any of the other not always so fun things that come with the job.

Have any of you had any similar exerieinces? How do people in your area show their gratitude? I am interested in hearing your stories. It is things like what happened on Saturday, that all the hardships, sacrificies, and hard work worth it!