Pot Luck #57 TXT U L8R - Texting

I started using text messages when I discovered that my teenage son would text me back immediately. Before I became a regular texter, I would leave a voice mail message and it would be hours or days before he responded. He told me no one really talks on their phones anymore, but text each other instead. I use the text lingo but am still learning some of the shortcuts.

I am strongly against texting while driving. The caption under the picture says it all: "lol no im nt bsy im only drving"

Potluck #51: Holidays and Cooking and Recipes - Oh My!

This recipe was taken from MyRecipes.com

From: Campbell's Kitchen
Prep: 10 minutes
Bake: 30 minutes
Serves: 6

Ingredients:
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular, 98% Fat Free or 25% Less Sodium)
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. soy sauce
Dash ground black pepper
4 cups cooked cut green beans
1 1/3 cups French's® French Fried Onions

Directions:
MIX soup, milk, soy, black pepper, beans and 2/3 cup onions in 1 1/2-qt. casserole.
BAKE at 350°F. for 25 min. or until hot.
STIR . Sprinkle with remaining onions. Bake 5 min.

Recipe Calculator Converter was used to convert this recipe to serve 18 people:
3 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1/2 tsp. black pepper
12 cups cooked cut green beans
4 cups French's French Fried Onions

Potluck #50: Global Nation

My dream vacation will be to Africa. I used IgoUgo.com to plan my trip. I was very surprised that I could get a round trip flight from Houston to Nairobi, Kenya for $876 (this is not much more than my flight to New York). I will stay at the Hilton Nairobi for $163 per night. The first thing I will do is go on a safari which will be booked with Vintage Africa, Ltd. I will also visit Malindi to enjoy the wonderful beaches and the excellent snorkeling. I will visit Mount Kenya and some of the national parks there. I would also like to venture out and take a side trip to Tanzania and maybe explore some of the terrain and attractions on the way there.

Potluck #49: Love of Languages

I explored all 3 sites. I wold not use Wikibooks.org to learn a language because there is no help with pronunciation.

I would use Mangolanguages.com because the site provided an instructor to pronounce the phrases for you.

I preferred Livemocha.com because there was visual aid along with an instructor for pronunciation. This site also provided several different ways to reinforce the words and phrases you learned.

I would love to learn Spanish because it is almost impossible to go anywhere in Houston where that language is not spoken. It would also be beneficial at work (especially at the branches)

#45:Making a Video:An Overview

A Consumer's How To: #44: How To & Make

I looked at all of the How To sites and they were all basically the same. You can find information ranging from car repairs to health issues to relationships. VideoJug is a great site for people who prefer a visual aid along with verbal instructions.

I selected eHow to learn how to refinish a hardwood floor. I discovered that it will require a lot of time and patience. Special equipment (sander) is needed and improper usage will damage the floor. I think we will hire someone to redo the floors. This information can be found at http://www.ehow.com/how_2117359_refinish-hardwood-floors.html

A Consumer's How To #43: Buying & Selling Online

My family and I use Ebay regularly. We have sold video games, video systems, clothes, cell phones and various other items. We have also purchased video games, guitars, drums, books, music and various other items from Ebay. It is a fun way to stay within your budget because you can determine how much you want to spend on something and search and bid until you win that item. I like that you can judge the quality of the merchandise you are buying by checking the feedback and score of the person you are buying from. We personally do not want to buy from someone with negative feedback and a low score (90% or less).

My son furnished his apartment with furniture that we purchased from Craigslist. There is no bidding on this site, you just find what you want and make arrangements with the seller to purchase it.

I was not familiar with Etsy, so I browsed the site and found some unique hand crafted items. I wish I had known about this site when i was selling my crocheted socks (I will tuck this information away for future use).

Since we buy and sell on Ebay we already have a PayPal account. I was hesitant at first to use it, but once I started I realized that it is a very safe, fast, and secure way to make transactions.