D.C. Area Nesties

ICE! at Gaylord National

DoIreallyWantToChangeMyName — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:54:07 GMT

DH and I are going tonight. I'm really excited. Is anyone else going?

Newbie here!

t1nkfan — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:16:37 GMT

Two weeks from now I'll be married so I figured it was a good time to migrate over to the nest boards... Just thought I'd introduce myself and say Hi!

Do you have a tankless water heater?

kastle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:20:09 GMT

So, our water heater is older than I am & is crapping out.

The hubz really wants to get a tankless. Our current one is a gas heater. He says tankless gas are better than tankless electric (SIL in FL has tankless electric. She hates it & I hated it when I visited).

Thoughts?

new flooring?

psychoCat — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:50:09 GMT

Can anyone share their recommendations for vendors/contractors/installers for flooring (or send warnings of who we should avoid)? We're considering laminate flooring for a bedroom, den, and connecting hallway. And although I know we could do it ourselves, in the interest of our sanity we'd like to have it installed for us (there's no place in our house to keep all the furniture from those rooms while the work is being done, and yet still have the house liveable).

Where to buy mattress, MoCo?

jenndreier — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:01:58 GMT

Santa might bring me a new mattress, where should we go to look, preferrably in Gaithersburg/Rockville? Thanks so much in advance!! Jenn

Best Thanksgiving Side EVER Recipe

kastle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:18:32 GMT

So it's pretty clear that for most of us, sides are the star at Thanksgiving & turkey is a vehicle for gravy and/or other carby fun.

What is the recipe for your most fabulous favorite T-day side?

For me, it's Tyler Florence's Slow-Cooked Collard Greens: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/slow-cooked-collard-greens-recipe/index.html

(except I prefer mustards)

Haircuts

NewtoVA — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:55:23 GMT

Regarding the post below, where do most of you ladies get haircuts? I know some people mentioned certain places, but not the locations. I go to a place that has levels of stylists. I like my guy a lot, but as he moves up, the price increases. I am paying around $80 after tip for just the haircut and blowdry. I really like it there, but if i can find a good place that's a little less pricey, that would be great. I do not think I want to continue going there when it starts to cost $100. I have pretty normal hair, so I can't justify the splurge.

Thank you!

Feds - what dental/vision plan do you have?

kiahj — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:47:46 GMT

Our exciting weekend has started off with DH panicking that we haven't made a decision yet. We currently have no vision and have MetLife Dental and think it sucks.

United Health Vision & Dental both look decent to me... anyone have either of them?

DH has perfect vision but I wear contacts and have to do the eye exam thing once a year. I'd love a plan that has a discount on Lasik someday, but probably won't be doing it in the next year anyway.

We both have awful teeth and need a good dental plan.

Thanks!

question re: photo gifts - any websites offer frames?

Artslvr — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:17:48 GMT

It occurs to me that I'll be sending lots of photos as gifts this year. I have all my stuff on Shutterfly, and I don't think they have this... but do any sites let you upload photos, then choose a frame for it on line, then they ship it to the recipient?

can anyone recommend a naturopathic doctor in dc? nft

m_willis22 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:51:46 GMT

nft

who the heck harmonizes at a restaurant?

mssaint — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:42:27 GMT

DH and I went to the Royal Mile for dinner tonight, and there was a very weird threesome at the table next to us.

They were waiting for a table when we got there, and they were singing along to the muzak -- in harmony. I thought that was strange, but thought that maybe they were the band performing tonight or something, but apparently not.

So they sat at the table next to us and I swear, they burst into song at least every five minutes. There wasn't a band or performer, so it was just them - not loud enough for the whole restaurant to hear, but I got to hear it all.

They looked very ren fair/hippie, but it still seems kind of obnoxious.

270 vs 495

romsoser — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:58:31 GMT

Which is a worse commute? Both are equal in distance.

[Please visit the site to access the poll]

Need help with a special note

jenndreier — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:00:14 GMT

(back story) my mom is about to sell her childhood home. The house was her great grandparent's, then her parent's, i.e. been in our family forever. The home is very special to us but no one can manage the 5 acres of farm and house and 2 barns anymore. This has obviously been difficult for my whole family.

For Christmas I bought my mom a custom puzzle, with a map of our town and the puzzle piece for the location of the house is in the shape of a house. I don't want to open the puzzle and inspect it before Christmas, but I have read that sometimes these maps on these puzzles are not accurate. Oh well, I'm hoping for the best on that one.

http://www.personalcreations.com/map_jigsaw_puzzle-product-3777-1-218-413.html

The puzzle box has 3 lines on it, maybe room for about 2 sentences for a personalized note. What should I write on the box? I want to say something like "we'll always remember Pickle Road" (yes, the house is on Pickle Road) or "Pickle Road will always be in our hearts" blah blah....but not sound cheesy. My family isnt very chessy.

Any thoughts? Sorry this got long. Thanks for reading, Jenn

need doctor in arlington/falls church!!

bh2720 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:37:38 GMT

I don't f*cking believe this. I think I have pink eye.

And I need to go to a doctor ASAP and the one I picked off my insurance company's website last time was terrible and I'd rather not go back. Anyone have a recommendation for a general practitioner in Arlington/Falls Church/McLean? Preferably one with Saturday hours...

Thanks!

indian grocer

tashahart — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:03:19 GMT

I'm looking for an indian grocer in my area, im at fort belvoir, close to alexandria. and recs?

Who is the derm in SS rec'd for a skin/mole check?

zerf77 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:15:03 GMT

I want to make an appt but I can't remember the name of the doctor a couple people on here recommended...

Bar menu at Ray's the Classics?

Dizzumm — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:24 GMT

We went to Ray's the Classics with my parents last week and loved it. Friends of ours are interested in the Hell Burger, which I know is served at the bar/in the lounge, but I'm wondering what the menu is like for the rest of the bar/lounge and what the price range is. We're planning to go tonight. Unfortunately there is no menu online that I could find. Thanks!

Tea at the Ritz Pentagon City

cif8 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:04:12 GMT

I just got an invite to an alumnae event for my college to do afternoon tea at the Ritz at Pentagon City. The invite says that the tea costs $29-$42 per person.

I went to their website, and all they list on their menu is the teas they offer and 4 or 5 kinds of tea sandwiches.

Now, I love my college, and I there haven't been any alumnae events since I moved here, so I'd love the opportunity to meet some people.

So, has anyone been? Do you know what you get for the lower end of the price scale? I do expect the Ritz to be overpriced, but I'd still like to know I'm going to get more than a cup of tea and a few tiny sandwiches for $29.

Party Spread....would this appeal to you?

Ajknightfan — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:53:35 GMT

Yeah, I know it looks like a lot of food...but we'll end up with 50 - 60 people and I am always worried about folks finding stuff that they like to eat. I realize I have 2 pork recipes, but both have been specifically requested.

1. If this was the menu at a holiday party....would you be satisified?

2. What would you NOT eat (I might eliminate something if it gets enough votes).

Pork Wellington

Jack Daniels Ham

Chicken Stuffed with Goat Cheese

Pumpkin Soup

Cheese and Crackers

Veggie and White Bean Dip

POM glazed baked squash and apples

Goat Cheese and Pom Celery

Fresh Bread

Broccoli Slaw

Pecan Pie

Apple Pie

Chocolate Pie

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cheesecake

Pomegrante Drinks

Chocolate Cow Patties

POM Parfaits

Apples with Toffee Dip (IF apples left over)

Mulled wine

stolen from TODAY SHOW: turkey or sides?

Sofka — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:53:05 GMT

they had this segment where they got to judge what they like best and also asked the viewers. Most of the anchors went for turkey, while the viewers overwhelmingly went for the sides

where do you stand?

Poll: How often do you get your hair cut?

vtkendra — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:53:28 GMT

I don't know how to do the clicky poll but I'm wondering how often people typically go to get their hair cut. Also, how much do you pay?

I wish I could get mine cut more often but it's so expensive. Then again, someone once told me you "wear" your hair everyday so it's worth the investment. I've tried going to less expensive places to get it cut but I'm never that happy. The last time I got mine cut was at the end of August but I really want another cut before the holidays so I'm making my appointment today. I pay $50 for just a cut (no blow-out).

Twilight Readers?

MrsBzb — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:03:23 GMT

So one of my closest friends and my cousin have been trying to convince me to read Twilight for quite awhile. I have avoided it because I am not really into the whole vampire thing. But I have to admit after watching the Oprah show and seeing some of the previews, it looks intriguing. They swear I will like it even if I am not. Are they right or crazy? I'm think I will add it to my library hold list. Looks like there is a bit of a wait.

Thanks.

Stranded in Panera...

kiahj — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:10:44 GMT

well, not really. I dropped DH off at the back surgeon to get his cortizone shot to find that his 1130 appointment was really at 1215 and they just told him the earlier time so that he would be on time.

soooo I'm hanging at Panera until he is done so that I can get some work done. Any idea if they really stick to their free internet for only 30 minutes during peak dining periods? cause that would suck if I had nothing to do, I'd have to go shop someplace and I really have no right to be spending any more $$.

Vent: Heat and Hot Water

JMU00&03 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:08:25 GMT

I'm a nestie that is slightly displaced and live in Norfolk, VA. We got hit by that Nor'Easter last week. Since that Nor'easter, I haven't had heat or hot water as my basement flooded (took on 2-3 feet of water). Today the hot water heater folks came out and replaced my hot water heater. Woohoo!

But my furnace is dead. It apparently needs a new control panel and other parts. So the fight now begins between my landlord's homeowner insurance and flood insurance.

Today is day 8 without heat.

Gourmet food gifts online?

victoria1212 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:43:58 GMT

My dad and his wife are really, really hard to shop for for X-mas but they do love to cook. Any recommendations for good online stores for gourmet food type gifts? I am thinking some cool salts and oils but open to any suggestions! They are big food people but are not really into wine.

TIA!