whatfreshhell's Profile

I would love more lower calorie options - or substitutions that can be made to make dishes lower calorie - in cooking and baking. I have lost almost 50 lbs over the past year, and in order to maintain it I am going to have to continue to eat fewer calories than most people eat. I have experimented a lot the past year, but honestly, a lot of my attempts were less than successful. So, it would be great to get some guidance!

My sister lives in a small town in downstate Illinois (I'm up in Chicago)...it isn't too Jesus-y, but they sure love their guns. Politically, your ideas of Democrats and Republicans will probably be turned upside down. Many Democratic state reps look an awful lot like Republicans, and the Republicans are pretty reasonable.

Depending on where you will be living, Springfield has pretty decent restaurants and cultural events. They have a robust farmer's market and a lot of chain retailers (food and otherwise). And St. Louis is just a hop, skip, and a jump from Springfield.

As for UPS not delivering, I have never heard of such a thing. I really wouldn't worry too much about that.

Do be prepared for sweltering heat...and awesome thunderstorms. Watching the dark clouds roll in over the prairie is an amazing sight.

Welcome to Illinois!

Children need to learn to show appreciation for every present given. Even if they would prefer something else, they need to learn to appreciate the thought and gesture behind it. It isn't bullying to tell children before a gift-giving event that while they may not like the gift they were given, they should still thank the giver and tell them that you appreciate it. It is called politeness and manners.

I don't have a really good spot in my apartment to put a real tree, so I have one waist-high lavender tinsel tree with silver ornaments, and one tabletop iridescent white tinsel tree with jewel-toned ornaments. Some day, when I have the space, I want a forest of tinsel trees and one real one. My belief is that if you are going to have a fake tree, it should look fake and you should celebrate it!

I agree with KHinNJ - It is very cute, but I was expecting a dollhouse. With furniture and dolls - not necessarily a spiral staircase, but something more. This is still a bookcase, just with a roof. But it is inspirational as a basic template. If I had kids, I would be all over this idea.