Las Gaviotas. Many privately owned condos for rent in a guarded , gated community of American ex-pats, between Rosarita and Ensenada. Really close to Puerto Nuevo (lobster!).rental site. Went here for many years with friends. Nice pool. Tennis courts. Small beach. Lots of surfers. Bring your own food, or dine out. The amenities vary per condo.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 9:49 PM on June 18, 2008 marked best answer

Before putting down mulch, layer 5-6 sheets of (wet) newspaper. You can also use cardboard. It is a great weed barrier and will break down eventually.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 4:09 PM on June 16, 2008

TRY HERE
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 12:14 PM on May 22, 2008

DUH! HERE
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 12:15 PM on May 22, 2008

My wife switched to formula after trying with several consultants and nurses to get the good latch. It never happened and ultimately the baby lost weight, a lot of weight, because my wife was less inclined to breastfeed, the baby couldn't get enough milk per session , and there was much sadness.

Then something wonderful happened. My wife's doctor absolved her of all guilt. The guilt was the worst part. It was ingrained in my wife in all her pre-natal classes that if you... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 1:14 PM on May 13, 2008

I have never been a big fan of the tomato. Especially now when they are being bred for travel instead of flavor. But I learned a few tricks that make them very good

Roast them in the oven drizzled with olive oil (not virgin) and chopped garlic for 45 minutes at 350, or grill them topped with bread crumbs, herbs and parmesan cheese. Also try some of the heirloom varieties some are truly spectacular.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 2:31 PM on May 8, 2008

I bought the wife a car as a surprise birthday gift a few years ago. I began by making smalltalk with her during a long car ride, telling her what my top 3 cars were and why. Of course she had to respond in kind. Then we talked about cars for awhile. You should be able to gauge her interest in a new car from that discussion, as well as the appropriate make, model and color.Bonus points for trim and finish. I couldn't afford her first choice, but luckily I could afford her #2. I was able to have... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 1:35 PM on April 10, 2008

Nthing Jamaro for checking actual structural damage.

Is the threshold close to the ground (puddling), near irrigation (sprinklers), or exposed to the elements (will a hard rain run down that wall)? Is it painted or sealed ? Is the surface of the wood cracked, checked or peeling? Wood doors are great. ( I hate fiberglass and vinyl windows and doors.) But they need regular maintenance, sometimes a yearly sanding and a coat of paint or sealer, the eventual replacement of... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 3:51 PM on April 7, 2008

Credit check, credit check, credit check. I almost rented to a career flim flammer. Once they are in they are difficult to remove.

Hire an experienced local management company if you can afford it. Their 10-15% commission will pay itself back many times if they know good tradespeople, screen applicants and handle all the small things. I have used an excellent management company that was also able to offer me counsel on what properties to buy, based on what they thought... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 4:54 PM on March 26, 2008

For furniture..... good, gooder, goodest

For accessories...unique, fabrics, wallcovering,
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 11:56 AM on March 26, 2008

We have a tropical Asian interior and have used a lot of mid century modern pieces that were in the same color palette. I have had some luck using tinted wax instead of paint on some furniture and even handmade case and base mouldings. I am wondering if their black wax might not fit the bill?
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 2:20 PM on March 14, 2008

Have your sheets and pillow cases cleaned and PRESSED. The smooth, cool feeling of pressed bedclothes makes the difference.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 12:18 PM on March 13, 2008

Wooster and Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse is the best. Flashman by George MacDonald Fraser is both historical and hysterical. Portuguese Irregular Verbs by Alexander Mccall Smith are like the old fashioned comedy of manners, except funny. Try Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson for some gripping prose with some wry social and political commentary. Jim Thompson Population 1280 if you like some irony mixed in with your humor. Election by Tom Perrotta. Motherless Brooklyn by... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 10:15 AM on March 6, 2008

2nding Gardenweb. A good source of inspiration is walking around different neighborhoods, with your camera, and seeing what you like about other people's yards and incorporating it into your own. Don't be afraid to do it in several stages so it won't be overwhelming. Also, it is okay to hire professionals for any and all of it if you don't feel comfortable. Experimenting is good too. Most of all have fun.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 10:03 AM on February 25, 2008

Metformin is not a magic bullet. It is only one small part of the treatment of diabetes. It will aid in weight loss if combined with sensible eating.

I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes 6 months ago. Take this all very seriously, as the complications of diabetes are HORRIBLE. By all means take metformin, if and only if you plan to make the necessary changes to your diet and lifestyle, otherwise you are just fooling yourself. You need to find low carb and good carb... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 9:57 AM on February 25, 2008

Okay. The next question is do we really need a safety fence?

And the next question would be, which is more Darwinian parents building a safety fence or children surviving without one?
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 4:46 PM on February 20, 2008

Of course we will have a pool fence! And I am not suggesting that there is a price point, or aesthetic line in the sand, that I will not cross to make my pool safe. I was just hoping that a product existed that had eluded my search, but was known by a member of this community.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 9:04 AM on February 21, 2008

If you are in Los Angeles try here. They have everything succulent.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 4:00 PM on February 20, 2008

If it is on a smooth floor (not carpet) and you can tilt the machine back enough to place a towel under the front legs you might be able to use the towel to drag it away from the wall by having one person tilt it a little forward, while the other person pulls the towel towards them. It must come away from the wall somehow.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 1:46 PM on February 20, 2008

The Mrs. favors "grooming the poodle" when referring to the act.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 3:29 PM on January 29, 2008

The arousal part for a woman is called "getting a wet-on".
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 5:23 PM on February 7, 2008

The Mrs. has a bun in the oven and I have been half heartedly looking for the same. I have run across the following blogs that seem to have lively comment sections. YMMV.
Parent hacks, for dad try daddy types, and for style (or crazy expensive shit you don't need) Ohdeedoh has some nice discussions on kid clothes, furniture and all assorted hoo-hah. Good luck. I will be interested to see what turns up here.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 3:10 PM on February 7, 2008

The safety concerns are with the location of the oven, and the size/depth of the base, and with the hot gases and possible sparks coming out the chimney. There is a lot on the interwebs, so don't re-invent the wheel.

Traditional Oven this is a basic and time tested design.

Ovencrafters more of a bread oven, but you could scale down the mass of the plans for pizza or roasting.

Masonry stove builders a nice resource page.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 10:31 AM on February 4, 2008

You don't say where you live, but if it is rural an earth oven, or a horno, would be cheap and fantastic. It just doesn't seem practical for an urban setting. Of course wood storage and procurement are also an issue in urban areas, not to mention not wanting to "smoke out" your neighbors. Those are some of the reasons I ended up not building one.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 1:03 PM on February 4, 2008

Baron Bob sells some real crap a la Archie Mcphee.

I also like American Science and Surplus for some real esoteric gift items.

And try American Entertainment for some truly geeky stuff.

If you want something truly horrific I think a road trip to a China Town of a major city is in order.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 11:54 AM on February 4, 2008 marked best answer

Gardenweb is a free site , and should have a forum for almost everything you may be interested in.

Dave's Garden is a good fee based forum ($15.00 per year).

Garden Buddies is free and has many photos, compared to other forums, but does not seem as active as Gardenweb.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 8:53 AM on February 4, 2008

The wife swears by the Bodyrev. 2 months of 15 minute workouts 3x a wk did much more for her than 3x 45 minutes at the gym did in 1 year. It is mostly cardio and toning. It helps to have a tv/dvd player nearby when working out solo. Also you can try one out if there is a Marriot near you.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 1:27 PM on January 30, 2008

Mrs. SMELLS, a vegetarian, made me the juiciest chicken breasts the other night. She wrapped them in parchment paper with some sliced carrots and zucchini and baked them at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Here's a basic recipe http://busycooks.about.com/od/chickenrecipe1/r/chickenparchmen.htm
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 3:10 PM on January 29, 2008 marked best answer

I second Zeoslap on the Rockler hooks. Our bed has them and is rock solid, even after several moves. I was skeptical the first time I put it together. No squeaks. No movement. And the wife is 7 months pregnant if you need some proof regarding the sex thing.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 2:08 PM on January 18, 2008

I think Tallus got it right. I don't want it to be multi-media. I just want to send different file types on one disc. We want to send a birth announcement that reflects our happiness and creative nature. We want to send photographs of the baby that can be easily dropped onto relatives computers. I want to send out an eclectic "mixtape" with our baby's name in all the song titles to make people smile. We want it in a fun package that we will enjoy creating without breaking any laws.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 9:43 AM on January 11, 2008

I will second a corn free diet. It worked for my dog. Switch his diet for a couple weeks and see if there is a change. It could also be a contact dermatitis. Does he get into any plant matter? It could be rubbing him the wrong way.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 10:21 AM on May 1, 2007

First thing I would do ( if I was an equal or a department head) is meet with the other department supervisor or individual and define their role and what the expectations of them are. Or talk to your department supervisor to start the process. I find that people don't always know what to do innately, and a lot of the workplace runs on unspoken assumptions, and some of those assumptions are wrong. Some training or more defined job descriptions might be the solution.

As... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 8:50 AM on April 11, 2007

Thank you for all your suggestions and concern. This has been a very stressful tiring process. I can't wait to digest food again! I only used the word "tip" because I was feeling snarky. My lawyer has practiced law for over 30 years and is a trusted advisor. He has kept my goals firmly in mind and we are likely to achieve them. But he may have regretted not securing a "bonus" for a successful transaction at the onset?

To be honest, I was not... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 11:56 AM on April 8, 2007

I second Alexander McCall Smith. I would describe them as playful and uplifting. A real treat!
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 4:07 PM on March 19, 2007

Half.com
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 9:28 AM on March 7, 2007

French toast casserole is a slamdunk for breakfast. Amaze your out of town guests, hush your whiny kiddies, and the bonus is you must make it the night before, so no rushing around with morning brain fog. This recipe is from the good folks at the food network website.

1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 4:50 PM on March 2, 2007

For immediate, and temporary, relief from the pain try the following:

Lie on your back and put your legs over a chair. Your thighs should be perpendicular to the ground. Your calves should be resting on the chair with your knees bent to 90 degrees.

I had something similar when I was your age. As for what is causing it, if it is sciatica, I was told not to carry anything heavy, stop sleeping on a futon, stop driving my car, and to sit down when... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 10:56 AM on February 26, 2007

Energy costs would vary depending on things like the amount of insulation, type of heating, type of fuel used, etc. I don't know of any websites that offer what you want, but you could benchmark. Ask other businesses in the same development what their utility costs are. You could also ask the utility company to give you historic usage for the property.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 10:33 AM on February 26, 2007

I know what you are talking about. Sometimes historic homes are sold cheaply in an effort to keep them from being demolished. You might try ...

http://www.antiquerealestate.com/?prtcc=1

http://www.historicproperties.com/search.asp

Sounds like an adrenaline filled adventure. Good Luck.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 3:58 PM on February 22, 2007

I believe this is what you have been waiting for:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/caffeinelaced-pantyhose-for-weight-loss-174993.php
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 3:16 PM on February 15, 2007

Do not use any vodka that you wouldn't drink straight. Wait until something good goes on sale and stock up.Get vodka with a screw cap, if you want to keep them in the freezer. The cork tops don't like the freezer. I have a box of EZ Cap bottles and labels at the ready for easy gift giving. I get them at the local homebrew place. In our pantry we have 1-qt mason jars of nutmeg, clove, cinnamon and chipotle infused vodkas. You can't really wreck them, you just might need to blend any unwanted... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 11:15 AM on February 12, 2007

A compendium of links that should give you something to do for a long time.
http://www.miss-charming.com/recipes/homemade.htm
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 1:48 PM on February 12, 2007

The smells produced during the actual brewing will fade quickly. Sometimes there are unavoidable messes because of spillage during fermentation. Be sure to keep your carboy or bucket in an easily cleaned tray or refrigerator. The smells from beer getting into the carpet or under the floor covering would be awful.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 11:40 AM on February 12, 2007

Learning to cook is a learnable skill. Something to consider would to be hire a personal chef, or a cook or chef who wants to make some side money, to give you a series of cooking lessons. In order to make that more cost effective you could invite some other kitchenally challenged friends to share the costs? Make it into a social opportunity. Don't be afraid to ruin something. You will make it better the next time.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 10:48 AM on February 12, 2007

get a kill-a-watt and see where your money goes.

http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001067.php
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 1:23 PM on February 9, 2007

Two cannibals are eating a clown, when one asks the other "does this taste funny to you?"
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 2:16 PM on February 8, 2007

If you go to Haight Ashbury check out a beer bar called the Toronado. One of the all-time best micro brewery taverns anywhere.


posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 11:08 AM on February 5, 2007

I have been buying my wife (5'2" and petite) size small casual athletic pants from old navy online for the past 2 yrs. Surprisingly they are a good fit especially in the length, which tends to run too long in other brands. I know she shops at Banana Republic for camisoles and tees. She is also in love with the new Forth and Towne stores, but I don't know if she has purchased anything from them yet.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 10:07 AM on January 10, 2007

Alright petite ladies, I am going to let out one of my wife's shopping secrets. Go to the expensive stores and scout out tasty clothing items. Your petite sizes will be on the sale rack in a week to a month. All the chubby girls clothing sells fast and the petite flower wrapping is left for you to buy at closeout prices. That is how my honey cleans up at Nordstroms, Banana Republic and other top shelf stores.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 3:22 PM on January 11, 2007

The first ultra hip soundtrack was for "The Big Chill". This was the first time the soundtrack became a character in the movie for me.
posted to Ask Metafilter by SMELLSLIKEFUN at 12:56 PM on January 11, 2007