Tired_Old_Man

The cost of living varies so much from city to city within a state, from state to state within the USA, from country to country and from city to city within a country, that no $ value can be considered normal. It is not apples and oranges, but it is not apples and apples either. When I sold my home in Brooklyn, NY, I could have bought 10 homes of comparable size in the same quality neighborhood in the suburb of Pittsburgh where my friends live. How much a dollar is worth is a neighborhood value. How much day-care should cost is also a neighborhood value.

Tina: Are you eating enough or are you starving yourself? Not eating can cause your internal thermostat to horde fat to protect you from starvation. The thermostat is a remnant of our hunter/gatherer caveman days. Losha: Thanks for the kind words. We shall overcome.

Most restaurants (not all-you-can-eat buffets) serve so much food, that my wife and I order one meal and split it. When I figure the tip, I add enough for a second meal and then multiply by the appropriate percentage of that artificial total as the tip. Example: If we eat at Bob Evans, we usually order an $8 meal with two decaf coffees for a total of $12. If we had ordered 2 meals, it would have been $20. If the service was so-so, I multiply by 15% and leave a $3 tip. If the service was good, I multiply by 20% and leave $4. I usually pay by credit card, so I round up the tip to make the total come to an even dollar amount. If the menu says that they charge a fee for sharing, we walk out.

Did she throw the burnt eggs away or give them to the dog?

I did some googling and found something odd: It says here that horse chestnuts do not ward off spiders, and it says here that horse chestnut can cure "spider" veins. I wonder if the two stories became interwoven into a myth?

:clap2: Thank You :clap2:

We are losing the battle. The weight of all the insects in the world is more than the weight of all the hot and cold blooded animals combined. Maybe we should all have our Lap-Bands removed so the animals can catch up.:faint:

No one (at least not I) am mocking God. Many (like I) may be mocking the imperfect sinners who use the word of God for their own benefits, prejudices or agendas.

I saw the story on the News last night and I said to my wife "shut up" because the bible told me so. No! Actually I said, I wish that woman would get an (ALCU) lawyer and sue the church. If the church is allowed to walk all over the Constitutional rights of a woman, then soon we may have clerics walking the streets with bibles in their hands determining right from wrong, legal from illegal. Wait a minute. Isn't that what happens in Iran and in much of Afganistan?

I think they should double the price when you show them the card. That would be true civic responsibilty and show love for their fellow (wo)man. It would show that principal is more important than the almighty dollar.

I am (reluctantly) retired right now, but I spent much of my work-life on the "grave-yard" shift. It was the worst shift for weight control. In a way, you are lucky that you and your spouse both work nights. My wife was a house-wife raising our son while sleeping human hours, so every week, I reverted to day-shift for two days to be with my family. I was in constant jet-lag. Recently, there was a study which showed that sleep depravation enhances appetite and increases poor food choices. One of the best things you can do to control your appetite is get enough sleep.

I'll trade my Vic20 and my Sinclair 4k for your Commodore 64.

Don't eat hotdogs or cold-cuts. And be careful about ordering meatloaf in a restaurant.

I hope you are taking precautions, because WiFi is ripe for electronic evesdropping. For example, you tax info could be easily read by any PC with WiFi in the area if you do not use file encryption and/or WEP. Please be careful.

Grasshoppers make beter eating than subs. More protien. 6 taco shells 1 cup grasshoppers (legs and wings removed) 2 cups Water 1 onion, peeled, chopped salt and pepper 1 bay leaf 1 clove garlic, crushed 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce lettuce, chopped additional onion, chopped tomato, chopped Bring grasshoppers, water, salt, pepper, 1 chopped onion, and bay leaf to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Drain off liquid. Add garlic, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato sauces and simmer about 10 minutes. Partially fill taco shells with some of the grasshopper filling. Top with lettuce, onion, cheese, and tomato. 3/4 cup margarine or butter 3 cups sugar 2/3 cup evaporated milk 1 package (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate bits 17 ounces marshmallow creme 1 cup dry-roasted insects* 1 teaspoon vanilla Combine margarine, sugar, and evaporated milk in a heavy 2 1/2-quart saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil for five minutes over medium heat. Remove pan from heat source and add chocolate pieces. Stir until chocolate is melted. Add marshmallow creme, dry-roasted insects, and vanilla. Beat until well blended. Pour into a buttered nine by twelve-inch pan. Let stand at room temperature until firm enough to cut into squares. *Dry roasted insects: Place insects on a cookie sheet and bake in a 200-degree oven for about 1 1/2 hours or until crispy. Suggestions for edible insects which would add "crunch" to this recipe would be ants, crickets, or grasshoppers.

What is an "hhr"???:help:

One of the people who is closest to me in my life had a 5-6 year bout of drug addiction spiraling down from drinking to stronger and stronger drugs culminating in 2 rounds of detox and rehab. My friend has been clean since the first WTC bombing. I remember it that way because I drove almost 200 miles to the rehab for a "family member" week-long visit and was on my way home from the rehab when it was announced that the WTC had been truck-bombed. We used to debate and argue before that final rehab over who's addiction was worse. My friend's addiction to alcohol and (other) drugs or my addiction to food. We both agreed that not taking the "first" dose was the easy part. My friend could on occasion go for days without a drink or a fix, but one drink, one lousy beer and it was off to the races. In my case, I could go all day without eating and I didn't feel hungry, but as soon as I broke fast, my appetite was stimulated. I went to a surprise birthday party one night for different friend. I had done all the cooking for the party, but did not eat for the first 3-4 hours. As soon as I put that first potato chip in my mouth, it was all over. Even though some people ate and drank continually for the 4-5 hours of the party, I consumed more in the last hour than anyone had consumed in the whole night. Another similarity that by drug addicted, alcoholic friend and I both shared was our excuses for breaking our endeavor to control our addiction. We gave in to Celebrate, we gave in to commiserate, we gave in to be sociable, we gave in when we wanted to be alone, we gave in because we were happy and we gave when we were sad. Food addiction's biggest difference from drug addiction is that drug addiction is illegal. Food addiction's most important difference from alcoholism and (other forms of) drug addiction is that the alcoholic or addict doesn't have to take that first drink or fix. They can postpone that first drink or fix for "one day at a time" or if they are having a bad day, for one hour at a time or one minute, whatever it takes to get them to postpone it. My friend has postponed her first fix for 13.5 years. We, however must take our first fix (food) at least everyday, if not 3 or more times a day. That was the crux of my debate with my friend before the successful rehab. We have to give in and then maintain control after we give in. Ask an alcoholic to have one drink every day and see how long before they are binge drinking. But we must do the equivalent of having 3 drinks a day, everyday, spread out through the day without succumbing to our addiction. Alcoholics and drug addicts do it with support groups like AA and NA. We need support groups also. Lapbandtalk.com is a form of support group. But some of us need more structured groups similar to AA. Do not be ashamed to seek them out. I don't know if members of Lapbandtalk.com share phone numbers for “help me please, I am starving” calls. I wish there was a service like that available.

We all go through that same feeling of I want more food, I want junk food, I love food, and then ask the question, "why did I ever get this band??" But that is the time to call a friend and talk. Or Get on the PC and write to us here at Lapbandtalk.com Whatever you do, stay away from television. TV is the #1 source of hunger stimulation. Go for a walk as long as there are no fast-food restaurants or grocery/candy/convenience stores within walking distance. If there are any of those establishments within walking distance, leave ALL YOU MONEY home.

My Wife Crazy!!

An aerosol bomb in the attic might also be appropriate before doing any work.

I hate to burst anyone's dreams, but just like with all the other diets and schemes that each of us has tried in the past, Bariatric surgery is great for losing pounds, but it does not mean those pounds are gone forever. We must learn proper eating and excercise habits while we are losing the weight and continue those habits (if and) after we reach our weight goal or the pounds will creep back on. Then why Bariactric surgery? Because it is one more tool in the battle to repair our lives.

I wrote this just before the USA invaded Iraq in March, 2003. It may be dated, but the point may still be valid. One day while baby-sitting my 4 year old great-grand-daughter, I put Sara on my knee and told her how I became a war hero 28 years ago in the year 2003: You see Sara, The bulk of the US Armed Services were still mopping up in Iraq, when the MooLongs arrived from outer-space in their terrifying spacecraft. They were humanoid in appearance, but were at least 200 or 300 years ahead of us in weapons and communications technology. The first thing they did when they arrived was to take over all our frequencies and tell us that they were upset by Earth's war-like policies. Cell-phone, TV, radio; no matter what you tried to use, you got the same message. "We will replace your leaders at every level in every country. We will put an end to war. We will give you medical and food production advancements beyond your wildest dreams. But, we will be in charge." Well, I had voted for Gore in 2000, but George W. was still our president, so of course, we were not going to stand for this. Even though, the Stock Market had crashed, jobs were diappearring and the country had gone into the toilet since George W. had become president, he was still our elected leader. Well, at least as close as you could get. Those other countries, cowards that they were, gave in, but the USA was not going to capitulate. (Sorry, honey, that means give up.) Well, first they leveled the White House and most of Washington DC's governmental structures. Then they did the same in every state capital and in the big cities. I almost cried when I saw Mike Bloomberg; homeless! With their advanced systems, they were able to suspend the planes, carrying our service-men, in mid-air so that the Gulf War ll heros could not come back to defend us. After a month of relentless bombardment, we would still not give-in. I had big arguments with some of my neighbors, because the countries that did surrender their governments were now living a picturesque disease free life. But, I would not let my country down. When the MooLong's ground assault started, there was just police and armed citizens left to fight. On that fateful day, we had barricaded our block with cars which we pushed into place since they were without gasoline. The humanoid MooLongs in their eery bullet-proof armored suits marched towards us. Behind my Toyota stood myself, my next door neighbor Russel and a police patrolman. We only had pistols, but were ready to die for our country. Russel, at least as scared as I, said, "Why are we fighting them? We have no chance to win. Our lives will be better under them. And besides, I voted for Gore!" With that he hurdled my Camry and yelled, "Don't shoot! I surrender!" I had never shot a man, but I figured I needed to stop Russel, so I screamed, "Russel, come back or I'll shot you in the back!" Now, I knew that I could never kill a man, but I figured, I would shot him in the lower leg and save him from his terrible mistake. As I was in the process of shooting, Russel stumbled and my bullet meant for his leg found his spine instead. I started to cry as I saw his body explode. But, the police officer told me, "You are a true hero. He was a traitor. We would have hung him!" It did little to make me feel better at first, but the more I though about it, the better I felt. I realize now 28 years later that I was a war hero. Anyway, George W. stayed in hiding until the battle was over. The MooLongs took over the Earth, but what the MooLongs didn't know was that a disease that they had never found a cure for, had just started in Asia. SARS as we call it now had just starting killing humans. The MooLongs had invented vaccines for every known disease, but not knowing about this one when they left their home-planet, they died like the rats that they were. We put George W. back into power. Too bad that the MooLongs' technology died along with them. After the war, the patrolman, who fought at my side on that fateful day, put me in for a medal. I was awarded the "Red Star", a medal designed for fighting alien invaders. Barbara Bush designed it herself. So you see, Sara, "Great-Grand-Pa is an American Hero".

More of my solution: I wrote this over a week ago and e-mailed to my address book. I posted it at some forums, maybe even here: If Israel was losing this war, I wonder: "How long would it take the USA to get a cease fire resolution passed and implemented? For all those that complain about the logistics of a cease fire, how about this proposal? Since the Israeli attacks have cut off all roads in South Lebanon, and since the Israeli and US administrations are worried about Hezbollah re-arming if Israeli pulls out of South Lebanon, how about if the USA uses troop carrying helicopters to move Lebanese army personal into South Lebanon? And for every Lebanese soldier that is transported into South Lebanon, one Israeli soldier can be helicoptered out by Israeli helicopter. Then there will be no vacuum in which Hezbollah could be resupplied or regroup. Nah, that would never work. Right Ms. Rice? Right Mr. BuSh? I guess it is better to just let the civilians are each side die and suffer. Isn't it a shame that we don't have a "Right to Life" president?

China has some oil rigs off the coast of Cuba, so maybe now Castro can feed his people while China takes oil that the USA thought was theirs. If Castro gives only a small portion of the revenue, that he can receive from these oil wells, to the people of Cuba, the USA may find that the average Cuban's life will improve to such an extent that it may stem the flow of USA bound Cubans. This recent series of events may also guarantee Castro, or at least Castro's form of government an unlimited life expectancy.

I didn't disparage Christians. I stated that Communism would me possible if Christians were as pure as the Bible wants them to be. I am sure that Jesus wants Christians to be pure, though he knows that they can never achieve that goal. Jesus may have been the world's first and best Communist. When he fed the multitudes with the 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread, didn't he give to each based on their individual needs? And when Jesus ministered to the sick, poor and needy, didn't he also give to each as their needs required? That is the main tenant of Communism, each gives according to his ability and each receives according to his needs and since Jesus didn't have the human frailty of greed, he was able to work and give without the motive of capitalism. I am a Christian, though I might not be the same type as you. I have seen Christians on TV shows and spoke to others in person who say that only their type of Christian will enter the kingdom of Heaven. These so-called Christians claim that Baptists, Catholics and other types of Christians plus Jews will not go to Heaven. They tell me it is in the Bible, word for word. The Qur'an does not consider Jews or Christians as Pagans. And the Qur'an only allows the killing of Pagans in defense. Not going over 8,000 miles to defend and kill pre-emptively, but when the pagans are attacking. The misinterpreting of the Qur'an is on a par with the misinterpreting of the Bible which allowed for the Inquisition and Salem Witch Hunts. But BuSh has done a pretty good job of killing non-christians, with or without the permission of Jesus. Again I say negotiate with your enemy. Talking to your friends gets you little, just as preaching to the choir gets few converts. And the USA has few friends left since BuSh took office. As far as spying goes? Nothing wrong with it. Torture: NO!! Wire-tapping? As long as there are court orders. The Republicans try to paint Liberals and Democrats as soft on security because the Liberals and Democrats want the administration to follow the constitution and the laws of the land. There is a special court set up that is open 24/7 for these cases. They have approved all but 4 of over 20,000 requests by the government for wire-tapping permission since the court was set up. And there is a 72 hour retroactive clause which says that if you accidentally hear anything without a wire-tap, you have 3 days to apply for a wire-tap and when approved, all of the last three days will be legal. Not good enough says BuSh, Cheney and Gonzalez. Is the president's name BuSh or Big Brother? Neutralization? What's that? A euphemism for killing leaders? Of course not. How would we feel if BuSh was Neutralized? I do not like BuSh, but I would not want him killed by the people the USA is fighting. In WWll, we knew the war was over when the Japanese and Germans signed peace treaties and surrendered. Ask yourself this: How will we know when the war on terror is over? When 1.2 billion Muslims are dead? When Bin Laden is dead? Did putting Hussein in jail solve the Iraqi Problem? What is right? To always strive for peace and the protection of life. I am not speaking about pin sized embryos, but live breathing humans. I am not talking about peace through war. How do I solve the problem? I already stated my solution above: Negotiate. Bin Laden would be hard to talk to because the USA has put a price on his head, and even if the USA arranged a truce with him (which Bin Laden offered earlier this year) the US credibility outside of the USA is too low for him to accept a meeting place, but Syrian president Al-Assad, Iran's president Ahmadinejad, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Shiite Militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr and Kim Jong-il are all available for negotiation, as is Fidel Castro. The reason I bring up Castro while speaking about negotiation is this: China has some oil rigs off the coast of Cuba, so now Castro can feed his people and China will take oil that the USA thought was theirs. I could (as a Liberal and Democrat) blame this situation on BuSh, but as a human Earthling, I will place the blame where it really belongs: On all the US presidents and the congresses since JFK. They were never willing to negotiate with Castro. Maybe if the USA had taken a stance of lets give him something he wants for something we would like (one more right at a time for Cubans), we could have avoided this situation. We can't throw China out of Cuban waters. We can't nuke them. They have ICBM's and nuclear warheads. Even if we could destroy China with no retaliation, Wal-Mart and Home Depot would go bankrupt and the US public would have no consumer goods to buy. I wonder what BuSh will do? Nothing, because these are not Muslim terrorists. TOM Dear Ms. Gadgetlady: Please do not take anything personal. We can disagree and still be civil.