MargeGunderson

I wonder if Nova-whatever (I just can't with that name) will be compared unfavorably to Carly as she grows up. I can just see Tyler thinking and probably saying things like "Carly gets straight As" and "Carly wouldn't miss curfew" etc. My parents certainly pulled that crap with my siblings and me, but at least we could (and did!) point out that none of us was perfect. The difference is that there's no way Nova-whatever can compete with an idea of what Carly's like. I hope Tyler and Caitlyn give some thought to how they talk about Carly around Nova, especially as she gets older.

The New Radicals "Get What You Give" namechecks Beck, Hanson, Courtney Love, & Marilyn Manson (and now that's stuck in my head).

Once a month more than before he was married, so he comes out ahead.

"Glorified guardians?" Calling the people who are taking 24/7 care of the child that you birthed but couldn't/didn't want to provide for "jealous, possessive & greedy?" That's crazy F-ed up! They clearly have no idea what truly makes a parent. I wonder how different Tyler's feelings really are than that person, what with the "my kid" and attitude that kind of comes off like B&T are just babysitting until Carly turns 18. I suspect there's either a tremendous amount of guilt with Tyler for not being able to handle a child at 16 (kudos for recognizing it) or a huge ego that that is fed by all of the idiots who encourage his thinking. Wait, why choose? It's probably a combination of both.

So that's why Tori can't just "get over it" - she won't eat Dean's get-out-of-jail meals. Or apparently anything else. Although if one of those meals included the Gummy Bear salad, I totally give her a pass.

I doubt both the "best" and "20 seconds."

So then yes, the opposite of a Grateful Dead concert (gently teasing)

There's a pretty interesting book on the subject titled Anne Perry and the Murder of the Century by Peter Graham.

I really did not need to know that, but thanks! Off to add to the Target list.......

How come it won't cease? See, that's just wrong. I refuse to accept it. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to yell at some kids to get off of my lawn.

You can also try to rescue dry cakes by brushing them with simple syrup. Sometimes mine turn out dry for no reason I can figure out, but a little simple syrup can make a big difference.

My grammar pet peeve is the use of "how come" instead of "why." Really, national newscasters and NPR reporters, really?

Have any of the Duggar women said why they want a home birth? Or why they choose to forgo drugs during the process? Historically there has been a biblical interpretation that childbirth is one of woman's punishments from God for Eve eating the apple in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:16). I'm curious about if this is part of their reasons.

Photo Fox, I like Philosophy's Purity cleanser, Microdelivery exfoliating wash (it's very gentle) and Help Me retinol cream. I've got the delightful combination of dry yet adult acne prone skin, and these products have helped without drying out my skin or causing breakouts. I've also recently started using FAB's ultra repair moisturizing cream for my extra dry winter skin and it's effective but not heavy. I get both Philosophy & Fab at Sephora. I think FAB recently had a nice starter set @ Sephora that wasn't outrageous if you like to try things out.

There is a series featuring a female detective in NYC, Eliie Hatcher, and then another series with an attorney (I think). I've read the Ellie Hatcher series and at least one of the books in the other series. The Ellie Hatcher series is in the vein of "new detective with something to prove" but that manifests in her being very persistent, not with her taking unnecessary risks and finding herself in trouble. Good homicide detective stories is the best description I can come up with unfortunately! Somewhat similar in tone to the Kate Martinelli series by Laurie King.

Agreed! Some of the same phrases seem to pop up in every book. Have you tried the books written by his daughter, Alafair Burke? I've enjoyed them a lot. Nothing like her father's though.

I second the Tana French recommendation. My suggestions are anything by Laura Lippman ( I love the Tess Monaghan series in particular) and Julie Smith. I also like Mo Hayder, but only if I'm in the right mood because her books can be kind of creepy.

I've had the Kougin Aman - they are very good! It's good for breakfast, kind of like a croissant (but less flaky) with a crunchy sugar crust. Be sure to proof them in a warm place; my kitchen seems to be a bit too cold in the winter so they only rise if I preheat the oven to warm, then turn it off and wait a few minutes before putting the pastry in the oven to rise overnight.

For jambalaya, I use this recipe from Cooking Light. I think it's pretty authentic and it gets a little spicier the next day.

Also a Sephora junkie/VIB Rouge! Oddly I had no real interest in makeup as a teenager or in my 20s and 30s. A couple of years ago I was at a conference in Vegas and felt like I was surrounded by senior citizens and early 20-somethings. It made me feel so frumpy - I suppose because I felt closer in age to the senior citizens - that I went to the Sephora next to the Venitian and got a total makeover by a delightful guy named Nick. I bought everything he put on me, and now I have a slight addiction. The one thing I haven't mastered is eyeliner. It always put on a too thick, squiggly line. My current faves are FAB skincare products and Fresh tinted lip balms. Also, Bite's Agave lip mask.

I think you mean "clearify." Remember, the schools are not well there.

Oh, the irony if her kids end up hating her because of her pathological narcissism and infantile mommy issues. Too bad the irony would be entirely lost on her. It can't be said enough - those poor kids.

I'll add Leave Me Alone by New Order

My traditional Christmas movie is Fargo. It reminds me of my Midwestern childhood (the snow and the accents), and it has a hopeful message (there's more to life than a little money). I agree with everyone who has said It's a Wonderful Life is pretty dark. At the end, when his friends and townspeople give him the money, I always think that just makes him more indebted to them, forcing him to stay out of just more obligation, the reason he's always stayed there. Downer!

David Downing has a series of mystery/intrigue books set in Germany pre-WWII and then during the war. The protagonist is an English/American journalist in Berlin. I've really enjoyed them.