Americans think chicken-flavored potato chips are disgusting (in fact, I think I gagged just a little now) so maybe we're even. Oh, and butter on sandwich bread.

I will go on the record as an American saying that I have eaten and enjoyed both these things. Also a bit puzzled that bread n' butter is blechy. But my tastes are not for all, I guess!

I like to use butter (or buttery spread) as a mayo fat substitution for sandwiches. especially european butter, all yummy and high-fat content-y. I probably picked that up from Tom though. Previous to that I was more a mayo sandwich kind of girl. Now we barely use any mayo at all.

Ask away, tommy.

Americans think chicken-flavored potato chips are disgusting

Why? We eat crackers called Chik-n-Biskit. I find that concept much grosser.

Chik-n-Biskit.

I don't eat them, but that could be because I've never heard of them.

I could be spelling it wrong, Lee. But they are chicken flavored crackers. And they are very gross, to me. My daughter likes them. ::shudder::

Ask away, tommy.

OK. Some people think that the US is about to attack Iran. As evidence they point out that the deployment ahead of schedule of the USS Dwight D Eisenhower (it's due to arrive in the area around today). The Eisenhower is scheduled to relieve the USS Enterprise, but they could probably hold the Enterprise there for a while longer if they needed to, thus making two carriers available if they wanted to attack Iran. So my question is - is there a way to find out if the Enterprise has left the area and is coming home? When does the Navy typically notify spouses, etc. that a ship is sailing to home port?

MMM, Chik-n-Biskit, nummmm . . . though that might just be because I'm a salt whore.

The more I do tech support, the more I think I have a future in phone sex, especially from a dominatrix point of view.

Oh, lord, my nana used to put butter on PB&Js. Ugh. But as a Canadian, I am well acquainted with many varieties of chips that would make most Americans sneer. (Bacon! Dill Pickle! Ketchup! And the killer, All-Dressed!)

So my question is - is there a way to find out if the Enterprise has left the area and is coming home? When does the Navy typically notify spouses, etc. that a ship is sailing to home port?

I'll give the old WWII maxim. "Loose lips sink ships." Honestly, they don't give much notice on that kind of stuff at all. When I was in Spain, the hookers out in town knew when the gator freighters were coming in before most of the folks on base found out. The people who would know first are the Port department personnel to make sure they've got a slip ready and for refueling and the like. How much notice do they give spouses and families? Not a fricking clue. Suzi might be able to give you a better estimate on this since she was a Navy spouse.

::shudder::

I did become fond of curry chips, though. Mmm.

Suzi might be able to give you a better estimate on this since she was a Navy spouse.

Heeee, and here I was being quiet thinking that you would have the scoop.

You have to remember that I was a Navy spouse 15 years ago, pre-technology. Now sailors can e-mail home during most of their deployment. That being said, we always knew, within a few days, where they were. Word would just filter through unofficial sources.

DH was on the USS California, a Cruiser, when the USS Stark (another Cruiser) got hit in the gulf. The first news reports did not list the ship name and we all knew that our ship had been in the area. In fact, it had just be relieved by the Stark. While we weren't supposed to know any of this, it became common knowledge quickly.

So - is there an offical way to find out, probably not. If you know any families on the Enterprise, you might get information from them.