Europe, sometimes I think Americans are right about Europe,Europeans think Americans are all nuts and vice versa,so Im gonna try posting the best and worst from this side of the Atlantic from day to day,week to week,give u yanks a chance to put the boot into us when its required.

I came across this news story from London today,Im still trying to figure out how this helps save African Gorilla's.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7007990.stm

France is taking a harsh stance (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g99NlCnUgYwBaDv3f3ixCpy5knxQ) toward illegal immigrants.

This is a good thing.

Yes.France has had enough,I think its an attempt to protect their culture.
I read a few politicians who say the countrys in the west are recieving so many legals from the east now,that all others should be turned away.

A European Parliment committee has approved a report which says that EU states knew of secret CIA flights over Europe.

The report says the governments also knew of the abduction of terror suspects by US agents and the USs use of clandestine detention centres.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6290701.stm

I came across this news story from London today,Im still trying to figure out how this helps save African Gorilla's.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7007990.stm

All funds will go to the London-based charity the Gorilla Organisation which runs projects in central Africa.

I read that,tho I think the countrys themselves should look after the wildlife.

I read that,tho I think the countrys themselves should look after the wildlife.
Not capable though are they? They can't even feed their own therefore I think wildlife since it is a part of the planet needs help too. Each is called in their own way.

Well,Africa is such a corrupt place,the animals who live there can manage on they're own usually,its the poaching and human encrosion that kills them.

A european joke if ever I seen one.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7005814.stm

Who are these guys trying to kid.

Italy plans on the spot fines for prostitution.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7013041.stm

Can you pay forward?

Just like the hookers.
Cash only.

Good lord, I can't think of a better opportunity for corruption.

Europe, sometimes I think Americans are right about Europe,Europeans think Americans are all nuts and vice versa,so Im gonna try posting the best and worst from this side of the Atlantic from day to day,week to week,give u yanks a chance to put the boot into us when its required.


Oh boy!! A place where I can ask dumb questions about Europeans and get an answer from the horses, um, mules mouth!! (or is that a donkey? I keep forgetting)

OK, dumb question #1. As a general rule, how often do Europeans bathe? (talking about full baths... or showers, including hair-washing)

Dumb question #2. Are there places (France?) where men are actually allowed to pee on the street? I also saw a pic once of a 'potty stall' on a sidewalk someplace that allowed for 'seated privacy' only. Does that exist?? Guess what I'm asking is... describe public restrooms in Europe.

Dumb question #3. Say your family consists of a man & wife and two kids. How many TOWELS does your family own?

I eagerly await your answers Paul... and will fill you in on any discrepancies our continents may have on each issue.

"IN GENERAL" now. I don't expect you to know what goes on in EVERY household in Europe.

:)
SMW

Oh boy!! A place where I can ask dumb questions about Europeans and get an answer from the horses, um, mules mouth!! (or is that a donkey? I keep forgetting)It/he,is a donkey,and his name is Seamus.

OK, dumb question #1. As a general rule, how often do Europeans bathe? (talking about full baths... or showers, including hair-washing)How often,lets see,it depends on a number of factors:
Time of year.
How many are waiting to use your dirty water after you.
Is the water needed for cleaning the dishes when everyone is washed.


Dumb question #2. Are there places (France?) where men are actually allowed to pee on the street? I also saw a pic once of a 'potty stall' on a sidewalk someplace that allowed for 'seated privacy' only. Does that exist?? Guess what I'm asking is... describe public restrooms in Europe.Public restrooms,sure there is,you guys really are BEHIND the times.What are they like,lets say,your better off peeing in the street.

Dumb question #3. Say your family consists of a man & wife and two kids. How many TOWELS does your family own? Easy one this.They own one towel,tho when its dirty,turn it over and use the other side,if youve already done that,when your finished doing the dishes with the bath water,chuck the towel in and give it a whirl.

I eagerly await your answers Paul... and will fill you in on any discrepancies our continents may have on each issue.

"IN GENERAL" now. I don't expect you to know what goes on in EVERY household in Europe.

:)
SMW
You guys are soooooo uncivilised.

It/he,is a donkey,and his name is Seamus.

How often,lets see,it depends on a number of factors:
Time of year.
How many are waiting to use your dirty water after you.
Is the water needed for cleaning the dishes when everyone is washed.


Public restrooms,sure there is,you guys really are BEHIND the times.What are they like,lets say,your better off peeing in the street.

Easy one this.They own one towel,tho when its dirty,turn it over and use the other side,if youve already done that,when your finished doing the dishes with the bath water,chuck the towel in and give it a whirl.


You guys are soooooo uncivilised.

I think the donkey is laughing and pointing his 'hoof' at me in jest.

Oh well, it was worth a try!

:hula:

I think the donkey is laughing and pointing his 'hoof' at me in jest.

Oh well, it was worth a try!

:hula:

That European donkey got the duck pregnant, too...did he tell you that?

That European donkey got the duck pregnant, too...did he tell you that?
No, he didn't mention it. Along with the other stuff he didn't tell me!

(bless it's heart... hope it has Sal's ears!)

No, he didn't mention it. Along with the other stuff he didn't tell me!

(bless it's heart... hope it has Sal's ears!)

LOL - she said she wished it had it's daddy's ears! Paul has a pic of the little bundle of joy.

Ok SMW, just for you:

How often Europeans bathe,have a shower?
Have no idea,I guess it depends on where you live and how well off you are.
By that I mean,in some countries,like Spain or Greece,water can be scarce,
and not every house would be connected to mains water,so.
In northern Europe,it would depend on what sort of housing conditions people have,some cities have real slums and are very very poor,no showers,and poor water pressure,so,god knows.
Personally,hehe,I would have a shower every day.

Originally Posted by smartmouthwoman

(bless it's heart... hope it has Sal's ears!) No, but it does have my bill

LOL - she said she wished it had it's daddy's ears! Paul has a pic of the little bundle of joy.

They might still grow....

oh gawd, someone lock me up... pour me a drink, roll me a joint... I think they may just shoot all of us... SMW will go down first... it's that scrawny long neck of hers.

Actully SMW, in my house growing up there were likely four towels hung on the rack and they were just kinda used generally. Didn't know what having my own towel meant till I moved out of the house.

Ok SMW, just for you:

How often Europeans bathe,have a shower?
Have no idea,I guess it depends on where you live and how well off you are.
By that I mean,in some countries,like Spain or Greece,water can be scarce,
and not every house would be connected to mains water,so.
In northern Europe,it would depend on what sort of housing conditions people have,some cities have real slums and are very very poor,no showers,and poor water pressure,so,god knows.
Personally,hehe,I would have a shower every day.

Thx, Paul. I guess it really was a dumb question, eh? Depends on their circumstances. I wasn't trying to be flippant (shut up, Dharma). Just interested in whether or it was an 'accepted' belief that frequent baths are not only unnecessary, but sometimes considered harmful to the skin. I've heard that is true in some countries. Showers or baths are generally taken every day (sometimes twice a day) in this country. BTW, we also spend millions on skin softeners. ;)

The towel question comes from discussions I've had with friends whose parents still live in England. They were amazed that we Americans have so many towels! It's not unusual for a couple with no children to have a linen closet FULL of towels. Most of us do. My English friends told me that, in their family, everybody had one towel. They thought we were VERY spoiled to insist on using a clean, fresh towel every day, since you're supposedly 'clean' when you dry off. I thought it was an interesting difference in our cultures.

And the peeing question. Well, I was just being downright nosy. We've all heard stories of men peeing in the street and it being acceptable in some countries. I was just curious if that is true or not? Do people (esp men, can't imagine a woman doing it) risk getting ARRESTED for urinating in public? They do here, you know?

;)
SMW

No it is not acceptable.... but it happens... in some citys bums piss in garbage cans right on the sidewalk...

No, but it does have my bill



They might still grow....

oh gawd, someone lock me up... pour me a drink, roll me a joint... I think they may just shoot all of us... SMW will go down first... it's that scrawny long neck of hers.

Actully SMW, in my house growing up there were likely four towels hung on the rack and they were just kinda used generally. Didn't know what having my own towel meant till I moved out of the house.

I'm sure the child is very 'interesting' but let's get one thing straight from the get-go. I AIN'T babysitting the lil creature. I've got 4 beasts who live in the backyard and I'm not real sure who their mama and daddy were. I don't plan to raise no more mixed-breeds.

"Scrawny long neck?"

Are you calling me a CHICKEN???

*flaps wings and pecks at the ground*

Interesting about the towels. My friend from Nova Scotia tells me the same thing.

:thumbs:
SMW

In my house, we had a common hand towel everyone used, to dry their hands. It was changed daily, or more often if necessary. But every one used a clean bath towel after bathing.

No it is not acceptable.... but it happens... in some citys bums piss in garbage cans right on the sidewalk...

Well, darlin... when ya gotta go, ya gotta GO!

My office bldg has an outside staircase that goes from the plaza to the street. Underneath is a open concrete 'cubbyhole' which homeless people have been know to use as a bathroom. In fact, the first duty of the maintenance crew every morning is to wash it out.

I know it happens here sometimes, but it certainly isn't legal... or obvious to passersby.

And while you're here... how many towels do YOU own?

:)
SMW

I don't use a clean towel every day... Damn, how many loads of laundry do you think we can afford to do??

And while you're here... how many towels do YOU own?

:)
SMW

I am a little tricky when it comes to towels,socks,boxers, rather than do laundry..I buy new ones..... I have about 30-40 white tank top t- shirts,and 50 pairs of socks... I cant imagine the towels. When laundy day comes up.. a trip to wall mart and 25 bucks can set me for a week..... Same with silverware and plates... new set of glasses are 8 bucks for 16.. that sure beats washing them...

Not sure if i proved or disproved your theory

I am a little tricky when it comes to towels,socks,boxers, rather than do laundry..I buy new ones..... I have about 30-40 white tank top t- shirts,and 50 pairs of socks... I cant imagine the towels. When laundy day comes up.. a trip to wall mart and 25 bucks can set me for a week..... Same with silverware and plates... new set of glasses are 8 bucks for 16.. that sure beats washing them...

Not sure if i proved or disproved your theory
You are so weird. :eek:

COme on out there..... who has ever bought more socks and boxers just so they didnt have to do laundry a few extra days????? Or bought some extra glasses VS washing the dirty ones????

I cant be alone on this one...

COme on out there..... who has ever bought more socks and boxers just so they didnt have to do laundry a few extra days?????
Guilty as charged.

COme on out there..... who has ever bought more socks and boxers just so they didnt have to do laundry a few extra days????? Or bought some extra glasses VS washing the dirty ones????

I cant be alone on this one...


ick....gotta be a guy thing:D

Guilty as charged.

Come on... anyone else....... this is a very common practice with single males or live in girlfriends who stopped cleaning up after you long ago (that was my old case there..)

Yeah, I'm gonna say guy thing. Just not guys in my family. My dad is the biggest neat freak ever.

Your all mad.

I am a little tricky when it comes to towels,socks,boxers, rather than do laundry..I buy new ones..... I have about 30-40 white tank top t- shirts,and 50 pairs of socks... I cant imagine the towels. When laundy day comes up.. a trip to wall mart and 25 bucks can set me for a week..... Same with silverware and plates... new set of glasses are 8 bucks for 16.. that sure beats washing them...

Not sure if i proved or disproved your theory
OMFG is there room for anything else in your place besides piles of dirty dishes, socks, undies, lol... for 25 bucks a week get a maid... that's an hours worth of work... she can do the dishes while doing a load of wash....

OMFG is there room for anything else in your place besides piles of dirty dishes, socks, undies, lol... for 25 bucks a week get a maid... that's an hours worth of work... she can do the dishes while doing a load of wash....

well dont get me wrong I do eventually do ALL the laundy... and wash ALL the dishes.... silverware i toss out sometimes... those little mid week shopping trips are a little jump start to get me through till the next weekend.

I had a lady that would come over twice a week when i was in my early 20s and had a roomate...it cost us 50 bucks each for her... but much worth it...

I'm sure the child is very 'interesting' but let's get one thing straight from the get-go. I AIN'T babysitting the lil creature. I've got 4 beasts who live in the backyard and I'm not real sure who their mama and daddy were. I don't plan to raise no more mixed-breeds.

"Scrawny long neck?"

Are you calling me a CHICKEN???

*flaps wings and pecks at the ground*

Interesting about the towels. My friend from Nova Scotia tells me the same thing.

:thumbs:
SMW

Okay, okay, be caaaalm and take the little pink pill and swallow it... now... it's just a small identity crisis... don't panic we can fix you... well maybe not entirely, but a bit.... Okay next take this mirror then slowly, slowly lean that 5 foot neck down and voila.... you will see.... a giraffe... not a chicken. It's okay, really, it's okay.... you'll adjust. How's that pill workin' for ya?

well dont get me wrong I do eventually do ALL the laundy... and wash ALL the dishes.... silverware i toss out sometimes... those little mid week shopping trips are a little jump start to get me through till the next weekend.

I had a lady that would come over twice a week when i was in my early 20s and had a roomate...it cost us 50 bucks each for her... but much worth it...

Save up and get a dishwasher... :) you'll love yourself.

my dishwasher is where my clean glasses go... I can fit 20 small short ones at the top and i have 20 tall ones in the bottom...
a
t 16 new glasses a pop i got tons... i take new ones from the dishwaser and when it is empty... i load em up wash..rinse and repeat... the classes in my cupboards never get used... they are filled to the brink though

I am a little tricky when it comes to towels,socks,boxers, rather than do laundry..I buy new ones..... I have about 30-40 white tank top t- shirts,and 50 pairs of socks... I cant imagine the towels. When laundy day comes up.. a trip to wall mart and 25 bucks can set me for a week..... Same with silverware and plates... new set of glasses are 8 bucks for 16.. that sure beats washing them...

Not sure if i proved or disproved your theory

LOL, good one, LF. I knew a girl who did the same thing with clothes. She had a whole pile of once-worn clothes on her garage floor, but instead of washing them, went shopping every weekend to buy new ones!

I like your idea. May try that one myself.

;)
SMW

Okay, okay, be caaaalm and take the little pink pill and swallow it... now... it's just a small identity crisis... don't panic we can fix you... well maybe not entirely, but a bit.... Okay next take this mirror then slowly, slowly lean that 5 foot neck down and voila.... you will see.... a giraffe... not a chicken. It's okay, really, it's okay.... you'll adjust. How's that pill workin' for ya?

Guess it was the 'scrawny' that threw me off, Sal.

But thanks anyway for the pill.

Mmmmmm, pills.

:hula:

Here's one for the girls.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7015841.stm

hehe

Here's one for the girls.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7015841.stm

hehe

OUCH!

Here's one for the girls.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7015841.stm

hehe

Having her wouldn't be as painful as bringing her home!!


The "little" girl, Nadia, was delivered by Caesarean section at a hospital in the Altai region of Siberia, joining eight sisters and three brothers.

Egad, what a herd of kids!!!!

The new baby's name is.............................Aaaaargh! Ohmygodthathurts.

Poor mum,she'll be walking like John Wayne for a week or three.

No need to buy new glasses, silverware and dishes if it's too much trouble to wash them.

Take a page out of my daughter's book and steal some from handy nearby cafeteria or McDonald's. They have the stuff loaded up by the drink section and you can help yerseff to yr heart's content. While you're at it, make sure you get plenty of ketchup, salt, and free napkins.

AND, if ya carry a big purse, or know someone who does, it has plenty of room to cram as much "extra" food from the buffet table to last you for a week at least.

Yep, moms is sure proud of her kids, and if the neighbors make remarks about nonmatching glasses or cheap plastic forks, well then, just see if they're ever invited back to partake of daughter's hospitality.

THAT'LL learn 'em!

No need to buy new glasses, silverware and dishes if it's too much trouble to wash them.

Take a page out of my daughter's book and steal some from handy nearby cafeteria or McDonald's. They have the stuff loaded up by the drink section and you can help yerseff to yr heart's content. While you're at it, make sure you get plenty of ketchup, salt, and free napkins.

AND, if ya carry a big purse, or know someone who does, it has plenty of room to cram as much "extra" food from the buffet table to last you for a week at least.

Yep, moms is sure proud of her kids, and if the neighbors make remarks about nonmatching glasses or cheap plastic forks, well then, just see if they're ever invited back to partake of daughter's hospitality.

THAT'LL learn 'em!

And don't forget the bounty hotels provide! Love staying at those who provide coffee, creamer, sugar, tea bags, soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body wash. I really stock up when I stay multiple days. Bet the maids wonder how I manage to use up EVERYTHING everyday... incl the little bottles!

:)
SMW

P.S. And NO, I don't steal towels. Maybe a nice thick washcloth finds it's way into my bag occasionally, but that's just an honest mistake. *koff*

Its not a hotel you need,its a wholesalers,big of u not to take the towel to roll everyting else up in haha

Poor mum,she'll be walking like John Wayne for a week or three.

If she's even ABLE to walk. I think I would stop pushing my luck after this one. The next one might weigh 25 lbs. That's half-grown!

Yeah,youd need to feed that brat with a duck caddy.

And don't forget the bounty hotels provide! Love staying at those who provide coffee, creamer, sugar, tea bags, soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body wash. I really stock up when I stay multiple days. Bet the maids wonder how I manage to use up EVERYTHING everyday... incl the little bottles!

:)
SMW

P.S. And NO, I don't steal towels. Maybe a nice thick washcloth finds it's way into my bag occasionally, but that's just an honest mistake. *koff*

I don't feel a bit bad about taking the little 'amenities' when I leave a hotel. They shouldn't put 'em out there if they don't want you to take them, right? Lord knows you pay for them.

Don't they provide those washcloths to wrap all the little bottles in?????

Yeah,youd need to feed that brat with a duck caddy.

That's about the size of your donkaduck, isn't it? Poor duck, I bet she's really waddling after giving birth to that!

Shouldnt tell an Irishman to wrap all his emptys in the one and only towel he owns,c'mon now smw

That's about the size of your donkaduck, isn't it? Poor duck, I bet she's really waddling after giving birth to that!Dont know,Im an absent father.

Yeah,youd need to feed that brat with a duck caddy.


Excuse me, but....what the hells a "duck caddy"?

Dont know,Im an absent father.

Yeah, I've noticed that, too. Just like an ass....:lolhit:

Excuse me, but....what the hells a "duck caddy"?
Pros mispelt,my english is crap.
Duck Caddy. What ya use to shoot food at game,before ya shoot them.

Pros mispelt,my english is crap.
Duck Caddy. What ya use to shoot food at game,before ya shoot them.


I've heard of deer feeders and salt licks, but that was a new one.

Pros mispelt,my english is crap.
Duck Caddy. What ya use to shoot food at game,before ya shoot them.

Hmmmm....maybe it's best that you're an absent father.....lol

I've heard of deer feeders and salt licks, but that was a new one.

Yeah, for me too, Mod.

I've heard of deer feeders and salt licks, but that was a new one.Maybe a picture will fix this cross comunication mix up.

Maybe a picture will fix this cross comunication mix up.

Well, I never. You sure that isn't some kinda Irish sex machine, Paul??

:lolhit:

Your talking to it girl.
Its not only in Texas that things are big.

Your talking to it girl.
Its not only in Texas that things are big.


:eek:

I thought y'all were famous for little tiny leprechans??

Learn something new every day, eh?

:lolhit:

Yeah I used to enjoy the wee people stories,until Hollywood spoilt it.

Well, I never. You sure that isn't some kinda Irish sex machine, Paul??

:lolhit:

OMG!! You beat me to it, Smarty!

So, that's how you talked the duck into sex! Kinky duck.

Nah,its the gift o the gab,we're born with it.

I don't feel a bit bad about taking the little 'amenities' when I leave a hotel. They shouldn't put 'em out there if they don't want you to take them, right? Lord knows you pay for them.

Don't they provide those washcloths to wrap all the little bottles in?????

I don't feel bad either. If they DIDN'T mean for us to "accidentally" forget to NOT take the bedspread, pictures, and toilet seat, well, they ought to bolt the stuff on better.

At least I'm not as bad as daughter, tho I DO wonder where she gets her thieving ways. Must be from her Dad's side of the family. His folks used to crash fancy wedding receptions, pretending to be either guests of the bride or the groom, dance, party, and mingle on top of partaking of all the free booze and grub. Not caught once!

Now, that's class.

I don't feel bad either. If they DIDN'T mean for us to "accidentally" forget to NOT take the bedspread, pictures, and toilet seat, well, they ought to bolt the stuff on better.

At least I'm not as bad as daughter, tho I DO wonder where she gets her thieving ways. Must be from her Dad's side of the family. His folks used to crash fancy wedding receptions, pretending to be either guests of the bride or the groom, dance, party, and mingle on top of partaking of all the free booze and grub. Not caught once!

Now, that's class.


Gotta love that man. Let me know when you get thru with Bubba and I'll gladly take him off your hands... overalls and all.

;)
SMW

I don't feel bad either. If they DIDN'T mean for us to "accidentally" forget to NOT take the bedspread, pictures, and toilet seat, well, they ought to bolt the stuff on better.

At least I'm not as bad as daughter, tho I DO wonder where she gets her thieving ways. Must be from her Dad's side of the family. His folks used to crash fancy wedding receptions, pretending to be either guests of the bride or the groom, dance, party, and mingle on top of partaking of all the free booze and grub. Not caught once!

Now, that's class.

LMAO! I've always wanted the nerve to crash something like that.

LOL @ you about the hotel 'ammenities'!

I don't feel bad either. If they DIDN'T mean for us to "accidentally" forget to NOT take the bedspread, pictures, and toilet seat, well, they ought to bolt the stuff on better.

At least I'm not as bad as daughter, tho I DO wonder where she gets her thieving ways. Must be from her Dad's side of the family. His folks used to crash fancy wedding receptions, pretending to be either guests of the bride or the groom, dance, party, and mingle on top of partaking of all the free booze and grub. Not caught once!

Now, that's class.
yeah yeah,blame it on the in-laws.

I don't feel bad either. If they DIDN'T mean for us to "accidentally" forget to NOT take the bedspread, pictures, and toilet seat, well, they ought to bolt the stuff on better.

At least I'm not as bad as daughter, tho I DO wonder where she gets her thieving ways. Must be from her Dad's side of the family. His folks used to crash fancy wedding receptions, pretending to be either guests of the bride or the groom, dance, party, and mingle on top of partaking of all the free booze and grub. Not caught once!

Now, that's class.


LOL, your post reminds me of an Aruba story, Ren. Shoulda remembered to tell it to Nappy-poo... but I'm sure he's lurking someplace.

When I went to Aruba, we checked into the (nice) hotel and started unpacking. Someone went into the bathroom and came back out saying, that toilet's not working. No water in the tank. So we called the front desk. About 2 hrs later, they sent a guy around to fix it. He put on a new toilet seat!!

Yep, Nap's gonna fit right in down there.

:lolhit:
SMW

I thought you were gonna say he brought a bucket of water hehe

LOL, that terlit story reminds me of Bubba's sis, who even HE admits is a little, ah, odd.

For fun, she'll go to Lowe's or Home Depot with a newspaper and check out the plumbing section with the fancy terlits on display, just sitting in the aisle.

She'll sit right down on a random terlit, open the newspaper, and appear oblivious to the shocked stares of shoppers as they wander by.

As my Dad used to say---




relatives.......

I thought you were gonna say he brought a bucket of water hehe

We figured out how to do that ourselves! Thank gawd for ice buckets, eh?

LOL, that terlit story reminds me of Bubba's sis, who even HE admits is a little, ah, odd.

For fun, she'll go to Lowe's or Home Depot with a newspaper and check out the plumbing section with the fancy terlits on display, just sitting in the aisle.

She'll sit right down on a random terlit, open the newspaper, and appear oblivious to the shocked stares of shoppers as they wander by.

As my Dad used to say---




relatives.......

:lolhit:

Sounds like you married into a whole nest of 'em, Ren. Bless yer heart.

Much as it pains me to say it, but his family is actually normal compared to MY family, but at least we're not............dull.

:lolhit:

Sounds like you married into a whole nest of 'em, Ren. Bless yer heart.

I'm thinking I know some of these people.:lolhit:

There ain't no such thing as a normal family, my old Grandma used to say, as she collected and hid bread ties by the hundreds because she might use them some day, stuffed money into her mattress because banks were untrustworthy, and read the obituaries every morning first thing to see who had died before her.

There ain't no such thing as a normal family, my old Grandma used to say, as she collected and hid bread ties by the hundreds because she might use them some day, stuffed money into her mattress because banks were untrustworthy, and read the obituaries every morning first thing to see who had died before her.

My grandmother kept ALL aluminum foil. She was one of the first recyclers I knew, but I didn't know that at the time.

LOL, did she wash and iron it?

I'm pretty sure I had a relative who did that, but can't really remember.

I come from a long line of penny pinching cheapskates but at least I don't collect Campbell's soup and rolls of toilet paper by the THOUSANDS like my Dad's brother did. He could not literally open the door to his kitchen because of all the soup cans he had in there--stocked up in case of an "emergency", he claimed.

LOL, did she wash and iron it?

I'm pretty sure I had a relative who did that, but can't really remember.

I come from a long line of penny pinching cheapskates but at least I don't collect Campbell's soup and rolls of toilet paper by the THOUSANDS like my Dad's brother did. He could not literally open the door to his kitchen because of all the soup cans he had in there--stocked up in case of an "emergency", he claimed.

She didn't wash it, but she sure straightened it out and kept it, 'just in case'. I think some of that comes from depression era folks. My mom is a pack rat and she's always blaming it on that. I've heard a lot of excuses used because of "The Depression". I've tended to go just the opposite direction and probably get rid of things I should hold on to, for whatever reason.

That's true--anyone I knew who lived through the Depression thought wastefullness was a sin.
Like you, I tend to throw too much away and then, later, sure wish I had not. But a person can't keep everything--just wish I knew what I was going to be needing a few years down the road!

That's true--anyone I knew who lived through the Depression thought wastefullness was a sin.
Like you, I tend to throw too much away and then, later, sure wish I had not. But a person can't keep everything--just wish I knew what I was going to be needing a few years down the road!

I've kind of trained myself to get rid of it if it's not a sentimental item, or if I haven't seen/used/thought about it in a very long time. I hate moving, but those are the times I sure get rid of a lot of stuff, and some of it, I can't even remember why I thought I needed it in the first place. My sister just moved my parents in with her and, bless her heart, has had the daunting task of going through their things to clean their house out. I was supposed to go to Texas to help her and we decided the money I would have spent on the trip would help more than my being there. I still feel bad that she's had to deal with it so much by herself. I'm sure I'll get to make it up to her, though.

That does sound like a big chore, kimi. It's amazing the stuff that can accumulate over a lifetime.

It took my mom and her sis months to clean out Grandma's house after she died. She was a schoolteacher and had received gifts from students for over 40 years--some were still in their boxes, unused. There were huge stacks of old newspapers, boxes of china, linens, handmade artifacts from the Navajo schoolkids Grandma had helped out west, huge boxes of Grandpa's Civil War collection (some of these boxes were thrown out--all that valuable history lost--mom didn't realize how valuable some of that stuff was, maps, diaries, battle flags, ) ..there were 600 boxes of books alone.

It saddens me to think of the stuff that mom threw out--us grandkids would have liked to have had a memento of Grandma's besides a few things we managed to steal from the basement when mom wasn't looking, but basically it all went to charity or into the trash--including Grandma's Ethan Allen furniture mom got rid of because it was "old"!

Oh man, Ren...that sucks! The history stuff, I keep. I've got some of my grandparents' things that I grew up around, and it's comforting to me to have it in my home. My mom is the opposite - she never throws anything away. The back bedroom at their house was always referred to as the Bermuda Triangle because she also taught as a teachers' aide for years, and when she retired it all got put in there. She's got dementia now and we have no idea where she has stashed some things. I guess my sis is finding out, though!

OK. Back to euro news. I found this story today,and would like to remind anyone doing europe soon,ie Frogger, to remain vigil at all times.

A man attempted to get into the US Embassy in Vienna today with a back pack device.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7022522.stm

This is the disturbing story of Anna,Anna is one of an estimated 4000 women trafficked into the UK to a life of prostitution.

Here she describles how she was forced to have sex and faced ice cold baths,starvation and beatings if she did not do what she was told.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7026018.stm

Paul, I got a REALLY SCARY email this morning that shows pics of Islamic demonstrators in London carrying signs warning that Europe will be the next 9/11 and stuff like that. Is that true? Are Islamic radicals allowed to hold rallys in the streets of London??

SMW.There are rallies in London every week,especially Friday I think.Theres a famous mosque there were they all gather,cant remember the name of it,but I'll check it out.
There was a cleric who preached there regulary,the Brit papers nick named him 'Hook',as he has no hands,I think hes in jail awaiting extradition to the US.

Abu Hamza is his name:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4652693.stm

and a US report.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,121044,00.html

Thx, Paul. Been in jail since 2004 and swears he's innocent??

Guess I just didn't realize London was so liberal about allowing groups like those to demonstrate in the streets.

I think its called Freedom,dont they have that in America?

I think its called Freedom,dont they have that in America?

Yeah, but no way would we let the group shown in the pics I got demonstrate in our streets! We allow PEACEFUL protests... but no public displays of hate for any group. Even the Ku Klux Klan has to behave themselves in public.

PM me your email addy and I'll send you a copy. Then you can tell me if it's authentic or not.

;)
SMW

A senior leader of Basque seperaist group Batasuna has called the arrest of 23 key members as ''a declaration of war'' by the Spaish Gvernment.

Pernando Barrena is the only top leader still at liberty following a police raid on a party meeting on Thursday.

Batasuna was banned in 2003 for failing to condem violence and cut ties to ETA,which has killed more than 800 people in a four decade campaign.

ETA called off a 15 month ceasefire earlier this year.

The seperatists want an independant Basque state in northern Spain and south west France.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7031815.stm

All smiles and handshakes in Lisbon.

The 27 nations who make up the EU signed up to a Constitution today,
tho its being called The Reform Treaty.

Countries like the UK have grave doubts about the whole thing,preferring to remain half way between the US and EU.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6914468.stm