Laurie F

We'd like to stop about half way to 3/4 of the way through our drive to get out, stretch our legs, buy some liquor and food. But we don't want to stray too far from the freeway.

Do you know if there's a Costco near I-15 along the drive from San Diego to Vegas? What city?

A little background: We just moved to a new apartment, and our neighbors have made the move amazing. They helped us move our furniture and bring us food almost every day. They are the nicest neighbors I have EVER had.

The mother doesn't speak English, the two daughters speak some, and the sons speak the most.

The other night they invited me over for tea and we were visiting (with broken conversation). They said they have a holiday coming up. Luckily the oldest son was walking through the room and he told me about the holiday. All he basically said was it was called Eid and it was similar to Christmas, meaning, it's a big deal for them.

I read about it on Wikipedia, and I want to do something for them. Get them a gift or show them how much I appreciate their kindness.

I don't know what's "appropriate" or what they would like. I really don't know them too well. They're just SUPER nice and I want to repay them.

What would be a good gift for the family? Any ideas?

...over either malpractice or a command issue with equal opportunity?

Does it make a difference if you're a veteran or active duty? Or can a spouse sue on your behalf?

I work for a temp agency at 'Company X' as their front desk receptionist. They have hired someone else, not from a temp agency, to permanently take over my position.

Am I allowed to apply for another different position with 'Company X' and not go through the temp agency?

Are there any laws that say I can't work for the same company that I was assigned to by the temp agency?

What I want to know is, can I take them to court? Can you offer me any personal advice or suggestions?

Here's the basic run down of what we're going through:

In Feb 2007, my husband and I were planning a move from Hawaii to California. When we got our bonuses in Feb, we called up our credit card company and asked what the final payout balance was if we want to close our account. They told us that we owed $2796.95. While we were on the phone with them, we made the payment online and told them we wanted the account closed.

From that moment on, we thought it was closed, done, finished. We went on our move, went on with our life, and didn't think twice about it.

We just got a call from a collections agency saying that our credit has been reported to the agencies and we owe them $213 in late fees for this account.

There's a lot more details, but I'm running out of room. Anyone who has any knowledge of our rights, please write back! Thanks!!

It's going to be a "thank you" gift for my parents.

They're really into wine, and although I do like wine, and drink it quite regularly, I'm not a connoisseur and don't know what to get them. I usually buy cheaper wine, around $10 (or less) so I don't know too much about more expensive wines. We don't have a lot of money to spend, we were thinking between $15 and $20. Nothing sweet, we don't like sweet wines. And nothing that's going to be too hard to track down at a store.

We have about 30 people, and a budget of around $35/person (plus or minus).

Location: We're in Kearny Mesa in San Diego, so anywhere downtown or closer to the office would be fine. Maybe La Jolla or PB. Really, anywhere in the San Diego area except far south and east.

We're thinking dinner, drinks, maybe dancing. It has to be fun for the people who don't drink as well as those who do. Maybe dinner and one drink (non drinkers can get fancy virgin drinks or a dessert or something instead). Then there has to be some kind of activity or something like games or dancing or something.

I'm new to the area and don't really have any ideas.

Any suggestions??? Anything that pops into your head, just throw it out there. It might trigger some ideas in others. :)

We have about 30 people, and a budget of around $35/person (plus or minus).

Location: We're in Kearny Mesa in San Diego, so anywhere downtown or closer to the office would be fine. Maybe La Jolla or PB. Really, anywhere in the San Diego area except far south and east.

We're thinking dinner, drinks, maybe dancing. It has to be fun for the people who don't drink as well as those who do. Maybe dinner and one drink (non drinkers can get fancy virgin drinks or a dessert or something instead). Then there has to be some kind of activity or something like games or dancing or something.

I'm new to the area and don't really have any ideas.

Any suggestions??? Anything that pops into your head, just throw it out there. It might trigger some ideas in others. :)

and what it means?

I want to start up a creative services business and offer things like website design, greeting cards, photography, and DVDs. It will be just me, no employees (for now). And I don't plan on making a lot of money at first, kinda just doing it for fun and for the learning experience.

Do I need to have a business permit, tax id, etc for this?

I'm going to have a website and business cards, and possibly sell products in local stores.

I want to buy my friend her every-day glasses for her bridal shower, but I want to wrap/present them in a fun way.

I have an idea, but I need some help with it.

I want to wrap each of the 12 glasses individually, and put something small inside each glass. I'm not sure what to put inside. It has to be small enough to fit inside a tumbler glass (about the size of a pint glass).

I need 12 ideas, one for each glass.

They can be funny, gag gifts, romantic, anything. Got any ideas?????

Oh, and the shower is informal, so the items can be ... "inappropriate" (if you know what I mean). ;)

She's got a boyfriend, she graduated college, she is going to be starting a 5th year of studies in the fall to get her teaching credentials, she doesn't really have any hobbies or passions that I know of.

We haven't lived in the same house for about 10 years, so as much as I know her, I don't know TOO much about who she is now (does that make sense?)

I've thought of generic things like jewelry, a picture frame, and things like that. I'm trying to think of some creative idea, something original. Maybe something she could wear or use to decorate her room or maybe a good book, but not one of those cheesy ones filled with quotes about sisters.

I don't know. Maybe just give ideas so I can get my wheels moving and think of something. :)

Thanks!

Discovery Channel's Shark Week is upon us, and so I thought I'd open up a little YA discussion. A few questions, but feel free to just discuss/share your opinions and encounters with sharks.

Have you ever seen a shark while surfing? Describe.

Are you scared of sharks? Why?

What shark do you fear the most?

(((ps, Shark Week is July 29-Aug 4, so make sure you set up your DVR to record. Knowledge is power.)))

Don't you love it when you click on "your category" and you go to vote for some best answers, and one of the questions you come across is one that you answered.

So, you re-read through your answer, as well as the next couple of answers, and you decide to vote for yourself.

When you do, you see that 58 other people voted for you as well, making you the best answer, by far!!

Doesn't that make you feel great!!! :)

Anyone live in San Diego and want to go surfing with me this Saturday, July 7?

Answering all these surfing questions has got me stoked to paddle out!! :-}

I'm currently trying to lose weight, get toned, and increase my endurance. I think I look good, and I feel pretty good, but I want to look HOT and I want to feel GREAT! I like discussing weight loss, diet, and exercise.

I'm looking for someone (or a few people) to kinda be penpals with. Someone to discuss progress, keep each other motivated, and help each other out.

I eat pretty healthy...actually really healthy, but with a few too many "splurges." I exercise regularly, but am worried that I'm not going to always be this motivated.

I am looking for someone who is kinda in the same boat as me. Someone who wants to lose weight, get toned, and look great. I thought we could write back and forth for the summer and keep each other on track and focused.

Sound like something you'd be interested in???

Do you think the Top Contributors cheat?

Like, do you think they just put "thanks for the two points" as their answer and do that all day long? Do they have multiple profiles and vote for themselves as best answer?

Any thoughts or comments???

Mine are Bolsa Chica in HB, 36th St Newport Beach, Kaupo Bay (Oahu), 15th St Del Mar, and Tourmaline in Pacific Beach.

What about you?

When you're out and about going for a walk, walking from your car to a store, at the park, etc. do you pick up trash that you see on the floor? Why or why not?

Do you only pick it up if there's a trash can near by? Only if it looks "clean." Only if you're in a beautiful nature preserve?

What does it take for you to pick up trash or litter?

I am looking for a temporary job in San Diego. I have my education in Graphic Design, but I have great at secretarial skills as well.

I'm currently going through the hiring process for a government job, and I need something to fill the gap inbetween.

Any tips? Any leads? Anything???