noemij

Karen you should go into the Italia thread....all of us went through Naples and you will find great advice there regarding how to contact the embassy. Fortunately for my husband and I, our process was pretty quick so there was no need for us to contact the embassy other than to schedule the appointment. My husband's appointment letter was lost in the mail, and he had to call again to set up another interview.

What did you guys do to prepare your body before you got pregnant? Exercise more, take more vitamins, etc? Right now we are thinking of getting pregnant at the end of next year and I want to prepare myself mentally as well as physically for that...

We weren't exactly preparing, but we did take vitamins every morning, including B complex -- it has folic acid. That's really the only supplement you need before pregnancy so it has time to build up. The best way is to take if for a few months before getting pregnant. The advice is also to quit smoking ahead of time, if you smoke. If the woman is overweight, they advise to lose extra weight before pregnancy as you can't diet while pregnant and the extra weight may make the pregnancy more uncomfortable. That's about it. One last thing, it's a good idea to start exercising beforehand, so you can keep your exercise habits while pregnant (but it totally did not work for me -- between being tired and m/s, exercise went down the toilet, which I now regret.)

thanks I don't smoke and am losing the extra weight and exercising regularly...

It isn't corporate issues that make or break the elections, it is social issues. It is abortion, gay marriage, same-sex adoption and the such that will keep Republics in office. They are conservative on these issues and so are the majority of Americans. These issues are bigger than any tax cut and are much more at the heart of voters.

Unfortunately, these issues do bring the Republican base to vote....even if it means going against what would be better in the long run for the country and them....Gay marriage isn't going to hurt me in anyway, but rising gas prices, the state of this country's healthcare, the constant pushing of someone else's "moral values" and definitely the state of the economy is going to have an impact in my quality of life.

I still can't believe that Chris was voted off the show, he was this season's most versatile singer. I thought that Kat and Taylor were awful....Kat needed to go just because of the face she makes when she's in the bottom group. Taylor needs to go....I hate it when he dances!!!!

Don't get me wrong I loved Chris and am gutted....but this seasons most versatile singer... The only complaint you ever heard about him was he always tended to sound the same!

I think that he at least tried to sing different genres as opposed to Pickler and Bucky that made everything sound like a bad country sound....

Commenting on the incident, Baltimore County police spokesman Bill Toohey told the Sun: "It's a sign that we're all a little nervous in the post-9/11 world."

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43685

What does 9/11 have to do with supposedly counterfeit money????

What did you guys do to prepare your body before you got pregnant? Exercise more, take more vitamins, etc? Right now we are thinking of getting pregnant at the end of next year and I want to prepare myself mentally as well as physically for that...

This was a good thread.....

I come from a culture where children carry both last names, the father's and the mother's, and in my husband's country women don't change their last names after they are married. Here in the US, I only use my paternal name and when I decide to take my husband's last name (for sentimental reasons), I want to have it hyphenated...

I knew you'd be along before too long, Kaydee

Personally, I think the next president - be they Democratic or Repulican - needs to be a lot more centerist in terms of domestic policy and needs to respect the rest of the world in terms of foreign policy. This deep polarisation in the country makes it very hard for meaningful change to occur because at any given time 50% of the people (give or take) feel like they're being dragged along for the ride on a trip they didn't choose to take. Maybe coming back towards the middle would create a more solid, united country with more power to institute and implement more inclusive policies.

I completely agree with you, we need someone who will truly unify the country (without resorting to religious dogma)...

I still can't believe that Chris was voted off the show, he was this season's most versatile singer. I thought that Kat and Taylor were awful....Kat needed to go just because of the face she makes when she's in the bottom group. Taylor needs to go....I hate it when he dances!!!!

Well then, I'll just say, Antonio Banderas should be included on the list. Juanes too.

Agree with Juanes....have to add Juan Luis Guerra...

What? I didn't even know she was latina...

Does speaking Spanish make you more of a latina/o than someone of latinamerican descent who doesn't speak Spanish? I ask because someone mentioned J.Lo in this thread and although she's not one of my favorite people, I do think that she is a latina. I grew up around Puerto Ricans and it's not rare to find one that does not speak Spanish well, but is still proud of his/her heritage. Would Selena have counted as a latina to you?

hey now jlo was not mentioned in good vein..and selena is a god to some folks

Yes I know, she's not one of my fav people either, but what she did have in common with Selena was that neither spoke Spanish fluently.

I loved Selena's music

(no ugly pocho ####### like cumbia kings)

oh, they are the worst...

What? I didn't even know she was latina...

Does speaking Spanish make you more of a latina/o than someone of latinamerican descent who doesn't speak Spanish? I ask because someone mentioned J.Lo in this thread and although she's not one of my favorite people, I do think that she is a latina. I grew up around Puerto Ricans and it's not rare to find one that does not speak Spanish well, but is still proud of his/her heritage. Would Selena have counted as a latina to you?

Edited to say that I'm also using the Neutrogena at home microdermabrasion kit...wow!!! My skin looks great

I want to try that Neutrogena micro-dermabrasion kit, now I may just run out and get one!

what's this kit include and how much is it? Can you get it at your local drug store?

I'd appreciate some details, if possible.

Thanks plenty

You can get it at your local drug store, CVS, Rite Aid or any similar store...it's about $35

The kit includes:

Micro-Oxide Crystallized Cream Net Wt 2.6oz (75g)

System Applicator (1)

Soft Foam Sponge Heads (2)

AA Batteries (2)

Custom Stand for convenient storage when not in use.

Anyway, here is a pic from the ultrasound:

Awwww....how adorable He does have chubby cheeks

y'all don't want to play anymore?

You can sometimes get Proactiv at your local mall as well...

Good job!!!!

When we painted our place I chose the colors and I tried to creat an ambiance. In the master bedroom I chose a light green because it's a soothing color and with our dark furniture, it provides a nice contrast. Our master bathroom is also that same green so that the rooms flow into each other. The closet/meditation room has two colors, one wall is a deep purple and the other a hay color. The hallways and stairways are a light yellow (almost like a light sand color) because I wanted light. Downstairs, where we have the kitchen, living room and dining room, it's almost like being in Tuscany. My kitchen is orange-yellow (like the inside of a squash), the living room is a hay color and the dining room has one red wall.

I've never been called for jury duty..

I've used it before and it really does work. I recommend that you try it. I stopped using it because I became a little allergic to the benzoyl...now I use Aveda products to wash my face and have a prescribed topical solution...

Edited to say that I'm also using the Neutrogena at home microdermabrasion kit...wow!!! My skin looks great

I only saw the last 15 minutes of the show, but I hope that Taylor goes....I hate it when he dances

Congrats Kanyiri!!!

dollar, dollar bills y'all