Secular Solutionist

I see these nice inspirational posters/ messages on FB that encourage ppl to "never give up on their dreams," but what if I don't have a dream!? What if I just want to be able to pay the bills, NOT live paycheck to paycheck, and maybe take a vacation once in a while? I know that these "dreams" they speak of could also be falling in love/ raising a family/ creating memorable art of some type, running a marathon, etc. However, I always think of it in career terms. (I'm already in love, I don't want kids, and for me it is enough that I can appreciate, rather than create, art/ music/ literature. I have no desire to be immortalized after my death.) I do have a college degree & a career plan, but not one that I am particularly passionate about. Does anyone else out there see those "follow your dream" messages & think "WHAT DREAM!?"

And, if you can't relate to what I'm saying, please answer to that effect. Tell me I'm crazy if you think it is so!

I'm planning on laying out for about 10 minutes on each side, a few times a week, just after 4pm. I will be wearing sunblock on my face, but I'm not sure if I should wear it on the rest of my body. I went on a cruise (from Tx to Mexico) last summer, and didn't get ANY COLOR at all because I used SPF constantly for fear that I would burn. I've also had issues w/ polymorphous light eruption in the past.

Or is there a safety issue w/ that? I've had it done once before, but that was several years ago. I'm wondering if regulations are more strict now.

I have never baked w/ raspberry extract before, but the amount this recipe calls for seems like a LOT! (1T in the cake mix, and 2t in the icing.) I read the reviews, and no one said anything about it. I will probably use only half, bake one cupcake & see how that turns out - unless someone has a better idea.

http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Desserts/Raspberr...

It calls for 2 tsp. I was thinking I could use 1 tsp garlic powder, and then mix equal amounts of chili powder, cumin & oregano to make up the other tsp. How does that sound? The only other ingredients it calls for are salt. pepper, and lime juice. Any other suggestions?

I'm sure there was some soapy explination for this, but if so, I missed it.

My BF was in a car accident last night; sprained foot & fractured rib (from the force of the airbag.) Any info/ advice you have will be greatly appreciated!

I've only watched on a regular basis for a couple of years, so I have never seen the actress play that character & I think it would be interesting. Sad, of course ... but interesting.

I can still jog on it, and it only hurts enough to be annoying. When I work out on a regular basis though, I can feel that something is wrong even when I'm just walking. It doesn't hurt then, but just feels like something is out of place inside my foot, moving back & forth.

I have some apple cider vinegar & white grape juice. Can I mix the two (half & half) for the following recipe?

Ragu Bolognese

Brown ground beef, add wine, cook til evaporated

Add onion, carrot, celery, oregano, salt & pepper

Stir in canned tomatoes w/ juice

Bring to boil, reduce, simmer.

Stir occasionally til slightly thick

Stir in milk & cook til creamy.

If anyone wants the measurements, let me know and I'll them to my question. This is a weight watcher recipe.

The recipe (below) says to cook on low 7-8 hours. It also call for bouillon cubes, but I already have plenty of chicken broth on hand. Can I use it instead? THANK YOU!!!

Season pork chops with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and then dredge in 1/2 cup flour. In a skillet over medium heat, lightly brown chops in a small amount of oil.

Place chops in slow cooker, and top with onion slices. Dissolve bouillon cubes in boiling water and pour over chops. Cover, and cook on Low 7 to 8 hours.

Preheat oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C).

After the chops have cooked, transfer chops to the oven to keep warm. Be careful, the chops are so tender they will fall apart. In a small bowl, blend 2 tablespoons flour with the sour cream; mix into meat juices. Turn slow cooker to High for 15 to 30 minutes, or until sauce is slightly thickened. Serve sauce over pork chops.

I'm completely serious. I can't get anything too visible because of work, so I only have room for about 3 more (which will total 17.) I just figured that out & it really makes me sad. I can't imagine sitting in the chair, knowing that I'm getting my last one! I'll have a few that will be able to use a touch up, but ... it's just not the same. Any thoughts on this? Similar experiences?

My BF says it in round-about ways all the time, but he will never actually say it. I know that these things happen at different rates for different ppl, so I didn't think too much of it ... for a while. Now I'm afraid that it may never happen for him; that he will never fall for me that way that I've fallen for him.

Yes, I have told him that I love him, but I say it very infrequently because I don't want it to seem like I'm begging him to say it back. I want it to happen when he's ready, but now I think that day just may not come. We're clearly in different places. Many times, I have to struggle to keep the words inside, yet he can't get them out even once ...?

He treats me very well. He acts like he loves me. He just won't SAY that he loves me. Could there be a justifiable reason for this, or do I just need to accept that while he cares about me a great deal, it just isn't *love* for him?

The casserole type dish has tamales, cornbread, onions, rotel & cheese + seasonings. The only thing I can think of to serve it with is beans & I really don't want to do that. Can you think of any other side dish than might compliment it well? Nothing too starchy, as the main dish already has plenty of starch. Thanks.

There was never a time in my life when I wasn't allowed to watch scary movies. I watched them as a very young kid, and I am therefore pretty desensitized to them. I like them (a lot!) but they don't freak me out.

PA darn near put me to sleep, but other ppl have said that it TRULY scared them. (So much that they couldn't sleep w/o the light on and things like that.) I absolutely cannot grasp WHAT made them feel this way. WHY was it scary?? I really want to know! Even though other movies may not scare me, personally, I can usually understand *why* they were scary to other ppl. PA baffels me to no end. I have questioned it time & time again & I can't come up w/ anything. With the second movie just released, the same question is bothering me all over again. WHY!!!?

TRULY scary. You know, good plot/ creepy stuff. Not *just* gore. (Though a moderate amount is certainly welcome, lol.)

I helped a friend put together a ceremony including an intro/ speech/ vows/ ring exchange & the announcement. It looks very wordy, but when we read it slowly, out loud, it is less than 5 minutes. Is that about right?

Also, we have

1) Officiant doing the intro

2) Bridesmaid says a few words

3) Officiant speaks again

4) Best man says a few words

5) The couple says their vows, and the officiant finishes the ceremony.

I know that the bridesmaid & best man usually don't speak, but this wedding is not about following traditional guidelines. What do you think about having them play a more active role in the ceremony?

And why is it so impt to keep Todd away from Tea?

How many hours of driving between your place & his (or hers) would make you define your relationship as "long distance." Just curious. I think I'm in a medium distance relationship, lol.