European, I guess. We do it too here in Portugal.

Butter and sugar is a classic childhood treat in my country. Is she Portuguese, by any chance? That’s not weird arround here.

Better than my favourite: butter and tomato paste. I was a weird kid.

Even my very catholic country has a saying that goes something like: Rely upon the virgin and don’t run and you’ll see how hard you’ll fall. That’s a way of saying that faith is very well and good, but you’ve got to take concrete meaures or nothing will happen. These nuts desrve to be bitch slapped.

Same. I just want to cuddle and take care of all the children. Not realistic I know, but having a kid really does change you

My husband. It took me 36 years to find him though.

Thumbs up for the Tom Waits reference. Pretty apt.

Well, I’ve been a teacher for the last eighteen years, that is to say, dealing with the most demanding and critical audience. Yes, they will notice what you wear and mock you for it. Neutral and conservative-ish is the way to go. Slacks are a small price to pay for some peace of mind.

Buy some neutral slacks, black, grey or navy, for example, and pair them with said nice tops. Buy some cardigans to go with it if it gets chilly, again neutrals or colors that go with your tops. Another option is a nice pair of dark wash jeans or even a denim pencil skirt.

Yeah it’s rough for new parents out there. I’m starting work next week and leaving my six month old with my mother in law and my mom. I’m dreading it. I can’t even imagine leaving him with strangers

Good luck, those are wonderful, start with The Relic, which is shorter and more fun, then go to The sin of father Amaro, that’s the one with the infamous sex scene.

Ooooooooohhhhhhhhh if you like that,may I suggest something you may not know but it’s really cool? Try Eça de Queiróz, he’s a nineteenth century Portuguese writer with a witty, dry, ironic style. He’s a true master and part of our national curriculum, even though some of his writting is still shocking today. I cackle…

Stendhal is also worth it. So is Proust. French nineteenth Century novels are, in general really worth the read.

It will be. But I have some Luther and some Sherlock to catch up with, too. My country will have Netflix in October, can’t hardly wait.

Not yet seeing as I currently have a six months old baby that seriously curtails my tv time. As a general rule, I find the British make superb tv. Their versions of Shameless and Queer as folk are flawless.

I was refering to Anne Perry’s William Monk book series, but the TV series is pretty cool. Also_ Luther.

Try the Monk series, starts off with The face of a stranger. Almost certainly you’ll be hooked.

I made a faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabulous Cocq au Vin with white wine (I was out of red). It turned out pretty good, if I say so myself. I know that feeling with cigarettes, I quit smoking when I got pregnant (my kid is six mo) and still miss them a lot even though I’m relieved I don’t smoke anymore.

Thumbs up for Heavenly Creatures. Did you know the English girl ended up becoming a mystery writer? She writes as Anne Perry and I looooove her books. They’re Victorian crime stories, superbly written. And because I’m a classic films buff, please allow me to suggest a film noir festival. Start with The Maltese Falcon,…

Nothing is worse or as barf-inducing as Blair Witch Project. That wobbling camera tho.