You replied to a comment instead of the OP, so your answer looks a little funny from being out of context, that’s all.

My spouse and I were broke grad students with a baby on the way. We needed a car. Someone in our tiny town was selling a 1992 Accord for $1000 (this was in the early 2010s). We bought it and put in another $1000 to get it to run.

The only problem? It was a stick shift. I didn’t know how to drive standard; at the time, my spouse didn’t drive at all. I tried to learn, but I was so nauseated from my pregnancy that I nearly puked every time the car lurched… which was often. I never did get the hang of it. Eventually we bought a newer automatic car and traded the Accord in for a whopping $250.

These days we could weather a $2000 mistake without too many problems, but back then… yeah, that one hurt.

Pulled pork:

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced, on the bottom layer
• A piece of pork (shoulder is probably best but I’ve also done tenderloin), trimmed
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce poured over the meat

Cook about 3-4h on high or 6-8ish on low. Remove pork, shred with a fork, return to slow cooker & stir everything up together before serving.

That’s great, thank you! We lived in the city in our single/DINK days so a number of these weren’t even on my radar. I had no idea you can water taxi to QC now! That might be a fun one.

I get that, though it does have some cool features (the Science Center is fantastic). But that trip was to see particular people rather than the city itself. We’ll miss them, but we also don’t feel super safe crossing the border right now.

I lived in Ottawa for four years, actually, and my husband for over a decade – but I haven’t been back since 2013 and our kids have never visited. I’m actually really looking forward to revisiting some of my old stomping ground with them!

We haven’t really filled out our itinerary yet, so I don’t mind suggestions on things to do with the kids in particular (all elementary school age). So far we’re thinking touring the Hill & Peace Tower, the Museum of Nature, whatever the Museum of Civilization is called these days, and maybe one of the river/canal boat tours.

Our family was supposed to go to Baltimore this summer but instead we’re going to Ottawa :)

Who exactly is examining your purchase orders for childfree ideological purity? You’re a grownup. If you want the comfy pillow, you can buy the comfy pillow.

That sounds super frustrating!

Our stove has those and I’ve never noticed this; everything takes about the same time to cook as on our last stove, which had the older-style elements. I wonder if it might be a problem with your particular model or brand?

Someone recast Elf as a thriller: https://youtube.com/watch?v=EkwdYSn3Uws

Not quite what you’re asking, but similar energy I think!

I had a second-hand bread machine that served me very well for several years, until one day when it started vibrating like crazy and threw itself off the counter mid-knead. The whole lid smashed into about seven pieces and the dough went all over the floor. We still refer to it as “the time the bread maker committed suicide.”

Anyway, that’s how I ended up making all our bread by hand for the next four years or so.

Give me a Star Trek-style replicator and I’m never cooking dinner again.

Brilliant. Setting up some filters has made browsing All so much better!

My 10-year-old loves Minecraft and Terraria. Do you play any video games? Which ones do you like?

The Princess Bride!

Any other answer is… inconceivable

The Chrysalids https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chrysalids

~~The Giver https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Giver~~ I missed that one in your list, whoops!

I read both of these in school around that age; they may be good options for you.

That guide is helpful. Thanks!

• The Inner Light
• The Visitor

Welcome to Star Trek! We cry here.

I remember when our family would go bowling, my parents made us all change our clothes as soon as we got home because of the cigarette reek. I’m so glad those days are gone.