The seventh season of "American Idol" premieres tonight.  Will you be watching, or are you over it?

I've never watched 'American Idol' and don't plan to.

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Which breed of dog is your favorite? Post a picture of it. 
Submitted by Melissa.

Here is a photo of our late Prince. He was a beautiful dark Golden Retriever. Prince didn't always act like the brightest dog, but he really loved us. He even loved my cats, and would 'herd' them to our bedroom every night to go to sleep. It hurt us deeply when we had to put him down. Even my cats missed him for a long time.  Mike and I think he was poisoned by someone in our neighborhood. Not everyone liked Prince because he was possessive of our yard and would go berserk when anyone walked by our fence. I guess he scared a lot of people. After he was gone, some of our neighbors said they liked having Prince around, because he barked a lot to alert people that someone was around.  Prince loved to eat fruits and vegetables and especially liked strawberry yogurt and milk. If I put a glass of milk or yogurt on the table and turned away, he'd go after it. Many times I'd share my yogurt with him.

Prince 1993-2001

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What's on your holiday wishlist?

Well, I have two lists, one is the unrealistic list, the one where I wish for things I'd like if money were no object. I won't list those items, there's no point in doing that.

The second list, the realistic one is:

*A Kitchen Aid stand mixer

*A marble rolling pin

*A Silpat (brand) silicone pastry mat, 11"x16"

*A pizza stone or bread stone.

Yes, I'm in a baking mood--have been for months--and these are the items I'd like. I would especially like the first item. My hand mixer is inadequate, even for mixing brownie mix. I know I won't get any of these gifts; my sons are pretty much broke and, since Mike buys for me all year long, I won't get any gifts for Christmas from him.

(Don't feel sorry for me, it's ok. Christmas is just one day, after all).

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What is the best present you have ever given?
Submitted by quornflour.

Actually, I can't say; I don't know.  That would be for the person receiving the gift to determine. 

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When do you start your holiday shopping? 

It depends on what we have to spend. For the last ten years or so we haven't done much for Christmas, just put up decorations, have the usual meal and give a gift or two to my sons. That's it. We might spend $200 if we have it and will buy gifts a few weeks before Christmas. Mike and I don't buy for each other, because we buy things for each other all year long. Our credit card debt (from years ago--we don't often use them now) is such that we can't do much for Christmas. Our bills are ALWAYS paid first and we have a lot of those. Another bad thing is that our winter property taxes are due a few weeks after Christmas. In the county where we live, we pay property taxes in August and December.

A Christmas with extravagant TVs, computers,tons of clothes and so on? No such thing at my house. The last Christmas I remember like that was when I was 16 or so.

I hope next year I'll know enough about sewing/embroidery to make gifts.

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For a full sit-down dinner with several guests, would you rather be the one cooking or do you prefer to just show up and eat?

The older I get, the more I just like to show up and eat. Truthfully, Mike cooks Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner (we don't have any other big meals during the year) and he does a phenomenal job; everyone loves his cooking. I love to bake, so I make the desserts.

In years to come, we see ourselves eating holiday meals at a restaurant.

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Today is Veterans Day.  Is there anyone you know who has served or is serving in the military that you'd like to honor today? 

There are lots of people...My dad served in the Michigan National Guard, his brother served in the Navy. He served two tours, one was during WWII, the second tour was in Korea. My dad's mother was a WAVE in the Navy--during WWI. Grandma worked in the Quartermaster's office at the naval base in New London, Conn. 

My mom's family, all her brothers (seven or eight, I don't remember) were all either Marines or in the Air Force. One brother died in England during WWII.

Mike is ex-Army (16 years), his two brothers are as well. Mike's dad served in the Navy.

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Today begins Día de los Muertos.  What are your rituals or occasions when you remember loved ones you have lost?

CandleForMyMother

Once a month I light this candle shown in the photo for my mom. This is 'her spot' on my shelf above my computer. I try to light the candle on the 20th of each month (she died 9-20-04) but sometimes I forget. Her memorial is in the frame. My dad and my brother have a framed memorial also. 

The verse on the left side of the frame is the Native American Prayer. My dad attended a memorial service for my mom and other patients at the nursing home she was in. He liked the poem so much he had the funeral home order this memorial to her.

My mom's birthday was Christmas Day.

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Over a million iPhones have been sold.  Have you: bought one, considered it, or decided it's not for you?

I would love an iPhone! We already have AT&T cell service. Mike is interested in getting an iPhone, because he says it has everything he needs to help him be organized at work. We think we'd buy one and share it. All I can use a phone for is text messaging. The price would be the deciding factor in buying two of them. If we buy the iPhone it won't be until the price drops to about the $60-$100 range, if it ever does. If the price doesn't drop, we won't buy.

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Are you a registered organ donor?  Why or why not? 
Submitted by jacolily.

Yes, I am, ABSOLUTELY!   I registered myself as a donor well over 10 years ago. I just think it's the right thing to do. My view is, after I'm dead if my organs are still good and can be given to someone else, why not? 

My grandma was to be an organ donor, but she died of cancer in 1980 and the medical school couldn't use her for their educational purposes.  I guess I got my inspiration from her; she was a very giving person.

My grandson died in '03 and his parents donated his organs. His heart went to a little girl in Pennsylvania, his kidneys and corneas went to people in Indiana. Some of his skin was harvested and sent to a lab where it could be stored and used to grow more skin for burn victims. His liver went to a man, but I don't know where he lives.

I think it's so sad there are thousands of people waiting on the UNOS list for organs and few people want to help them live better lives.

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