I think I found the perfect sugar cream pie recipe. This one uses heavy whipping cream instead of half & half and less sugar. I like the texture of this one better and the taste isn't nearly as sweet.

Pie crust is still a win. I'll have to wait until DH weighs in on the pie, though before I stop researching.

I'm having some Sprecher lo-cal root beer and I can't be sure if I like it or not. It's definitely not-sweet, which is something I sort of admire in a root beer.

I think kids are nominated, but then still have to go through an application process of some sort.

Heh-- I was just reading that. I'm trying to figure if Abby's teacher last year might have nominated her or if her grades/FCAT scores brought her to their attention (kid freakin' smoked the FCAT-- considering she'd never taken a standardized test before in her life, I was floored).

Only thing I worry about is that Nate'll be pissed that Abby got singled out like this, but then again, maybe it'll serve as incentive for him to work harder. Sometimes, it's hard to tell with him.

From the news stories I was looking at, Barb, it seems like the cost to you might be 5-6K. Please tell me they don't address those letters to the students and leave it to the parents to say, "we can't afford it."

Oy. Job hunting is exhausting. And I haven't gotten to dice.com or hotjobs yet.

any of the educational types around here ever heard of the People to People exchange program?

K-Bug went to Europe with People to People. It was a fantastic experience. She learned so much through the whole thing. I'm really glad she got the invitation and that we were able to do that for her.

Please tell me they don't address those letters to the students and leave it to the parents to say, "we can't afford it."

Oh hell no. It actually came to the house, as opposed to something they sent home with her and they have the sense to address it to the parents. I wasn't planning on saying anything to her until I can talk to Lewis about it. One reason I wasn't too twigged about it-- the website seems very geared towards giving the parents information.

the website seems very geared towards giving the parents information.

Thank doG. A 2008 newspaper article said a kid's 19 day trip to Australia, Fiji and NZ was over $8,000. I don't know about Nate, but I'm going to be jealous if she goes...

K-Bug went to Europe with People to People. It was a fantastic experience. She learned so much through the whole thing. I'm really glad she got the invitation and that we were able to do that for her.

How old was she when she went, Suzi? I can see by the website that they organize things by different age groups, which is reassuring, but still-- Australia at age eleven seems a little mind-boggling to me. Not impossible, just... mind-boggling.

Barb - if you are interested and have any questions, feel free to send me an e-mail at my profile addy.

Let's see - that was middle school so she must have been 13 or 14. She traveled to 5 countries in Europe over 2 weeks.