Mr. Luckier and I once saw a box of "Club Sandwich" -flavored PowerBars. No lie. We didn't purchase any, which has made it more difficult to convince people this actually happened. I've written and tried to get confirmation from the PowerBar people, but they will not respond.

While a lawyer could probably do this, I would first ask your accountant or financial advisor if they could do it. Will you want to write this off on your taxes? If so, you'll need to donate to a non-profit foundation on behalf of your school - often the PTA or like foundation is set up as a 501(3)(c), so you can take the write off.

Then, your accountant's going to want the receipt for your taxes - he could inquire with the institution, make a donation (of your funds, but from his trust account) and get a receipt that he could include with some sort of form indicating that the receipt is for you? Just spitballing here, but I think it could be done, and cheaply.

Why not just tell her that there's an awesome present for her but it's too big to travel with so she'll have to wait and no hints. She's a grown up who knows there is no Santa coming down the chimney. The anticipation will be fun and make you both excited to get home. Just make sure her surprise isn't a vacuum cleaner.

If she likes vintage styles and isn't married (ha) to white, I'd recommend she look at Modcloth or Trashy Diva.

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses

http://www.trashydiva.com/shop/Dresses-c11/

White will be harder to find in winter, but it's also a hard color for most of us to pull off.

Whatever she buys, she should line up a good seamstress to fit it in the neckline, waist and length.

Good luck!

When my nephews were littles, I made them an awesome mix of They Might be Giants and Jonathon Richman and the Modern Lovers, which they l.o.v.e.d. But, they also listened to a ton of Beastie Boys, and now they love the Beatles (at 14, 12 & 8.) I think anything with no swears or overt nastiness is fair game for kids. And O My Captain's mix rocks, I would listen to that with kids.

Are your kids adventurous eaters? Blue C Sushi, with the sushi (and many other things) on a conveyor belt is endlessly entertaining to the small people I know.

I haven't tried this myself, but I have heard that you should make any extra payment with a separate check, sent with a letter instructing the lender/administrator to apply it to the principle only. You should make sure that you're current on your monthly payment first, or they may ignore your instructions. So, if you pay on the first of the month, send your extra payment and instruction letter on the fifteenth.

If you give this a try, let us Qlanders know if it worked.

Wasn't that Vito's, pre-remodel? The ladies room still has Burt, but I don't recall seeing a towel rigged to cover his bits.

How about a Carhart jacket, or something in a similar hardy twill? Can be worn Fall-to-Spring, and the woven fabric would make sewing patches on pretty easy. You'll spend $80-100, but it will last ten years.

Just a note, for men's casual jackets, don't buy one with sweater/knit collar and cuffs, as those wear out much quicker than no-cuff and twill or wool collars.