# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1412 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1413 --- ## [Refinancing a home questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refinancing-a-home-questions/641276)
**Author:** [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2012, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refinancing-a-home-questions/641276 "2012-11-17T05:19:44Z")
When my husband died, I had a (just) paid off home, and suddenly, as heartless as it sounds, no deductions for tax purposes. The tax man loveth a younger widow, and it was crazy, as I am gainfully employed. I purchased a… --- ## [Year Round School](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-round-school/641181)
**Author:** [@RachelChristine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RachelChristine)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/year-round-school/641181 "2012-11-17T02:14:59Z")
The county I teach in is starting to discuss going to year round school. I have never really been around anywhere that does that, so I would love to hear from some people who live in districts where they have year round… --- ## [Hormones, Tears and Cramps at age 53? WTF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hormones-tears-and-cramps-at-age-53-wtf/640829)
**Author:** [@Buttercup\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buttercup_Smith)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2012, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hormones-tears-and-cramps-at-age-53-wtf/640829 "2012-11-17T01:11:57Z")
I am 53 years old. I still have periods every damn month. Here lately though, I have become so sensitive. I cry at the drop of a hat. I have cramps that last 3 days and are unbearable without painkillers. When will … --- ## [Question about Sex and Relationships (AKA Am I old fashioned?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-sex-and-relationships-aka-am-i-old-fashioned/640997)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-sex-and-relationships-aka-am-i-old-fashioned/640997 "2012-11-16T23:43:42Z")
I had a conversation with a friend of mine. She is 32 and I am 40. I am giving the ages because I think that may be relevant. She is getting divorced (for reasons that are not germane to this discussion but had nothing … --- ## [Is "Dogwilly" a US Southern Expletive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dogwilly-a-us-southern-expletive/641164)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dogwilly-a-us-southern-expletive/641164 "2012-11-16T21:55:59Z")
Never heard it used, myself…but some writer claimed it is a mild expletive, south of the Mason-Dixon line. Anyone ever heard of this? --- ## [Recovering from a Broken Heart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-from-a-broken-heart/640839)
**Author:** [@dragongirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragongirl)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-from-a-broken-heart/640839 "2012-11-16T20:31:46Z")
Does anyone have any tips on recovering from a broken heart? I have had a bad marriage in the past and certainly had break-ups, but the most recent one just a few weeks ago has left me struggling worse then I ever have.… --- ## [Help plan my European vacation!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-plan-my-european-vacation/640418)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-plan-my-european-vacation/640418 "2012-11-16T20:31:18Z")
So, I’ve bought the plane tickets - I’ll be arriving in Amsterdam on February 16th, 2013, flying back to the States at noon on the 24th. (Yes, I know it’ll be insanely cold - but it’s slightly cheaper, hotels are easier … --- ## [Half a day in Detroit/Rochester, what should we do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/half-a-day-in-detroit-rochester-what-should-we-do/641104)
**Author:** [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/half-a-day-in-detroit-rochester-what-should-we-do/641104 "2012-11-16T20:03:33Z")
I have a work thing coming up where Mr. Athena and I need to be in Rochester, MI for a couple days. We’ll have most of a Saturday on our own. We’ll have a car, what should we do? We’ve been to the Detroit Art Museum bef… --- ## [How do poor people afford everything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-poor-people-afford-everything/641018)
**Author:** [@CEOofPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CEOofPolar)\ **Replies:** 238\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-poor-people-afford-everything/641018 "2012-11-16T19:31:39Z")
my sister said that she is having trouble paying the bills and she makes 60,000 a year so shes middle class i was wondering about the lower class of like 20 or 30,000 a year how can they afford everything?(mortgage,tv,ph… --- ## [Netflix Set-Top Box Recommendation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703)
**Author:** [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703 "2012-11-16T17:51:55Z")
I need a really cheap yet reliable set-top box for viewing Netflix on TV. Ideally it should have WiFi as I don’t have any wired internet connection in the room the TV is in and I’d prefer not to run one. Any suggestions… --- ## [Liability for a non-professional cat-sitter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liability-for-a-non-professional-cat-sitter/641036)
**Author:** [@takingpart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/takingpart)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liability-for-a-non-professional-cat-sitter/641036 "2012-11-16T17:40:39Z")
I would deeply appreciate the straight dope on my financial liability as a cat-sitter…in this story of everything that could go wrong going wrong… in an arrangement entered into with the most vital info withheld…the numb… --- ## [Traffic ticket for something different than what I was pulled over for](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-ticket-for-something-different-than-what-i-was-pulled-over-for/640801)
**Author:** [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/traffic-ticket-for-something-different-than-what-i-was-pulled-over-for/640801 "2012-11-16T17:34:47Z")
So I was pulled over for speeding the other day, and without admitting guilt, that may have been a legitimate citation. However, the officer wrote me a ticket for “Driver Inattention,” stating that while a speeding tick… --- ## [Wedding etiquette. Need answer fast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wedding-etiquette-need-answer-fast/636925)
**Author:** [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wedding-etiquette-need-answer-fast/636925 "2012-11-16T16:35:44Z")
I have to leave for a wedding in an hour and a half. My fiance just asked me if we got them a gift. I reminded him about the $125 gift I gave at the shower. He said, “No, for the wedding, you’re supposed to bring a gift … --- ## [What kind of dog would you recommend for us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-would-you-recommend-for-us/640963)
**Author:** [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-dog-would-you-recommend-for-us/640963 "2012-11-16T12:25:56Z")
I love dogs. My childhood was sadly deprived of pets of any sorts (other than fish). Boyfriend endured the same injustice. Anyway, hopefully we’ll be moving to a bigger apartment next year. Already I’m fantasizing about … --- ## [Who uses Kaiser Insurance? Do you like it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-uses-kaiser-insurance-do-you-like-it/640977)
**Author:** [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-uses-kaiser-insurance-do-you-like-it/640977 "2012-11-16T11:47:04Z")
It’s open enrollment season again and they’re raising the costs of my current PPO plan significantly for next year. The premiums are almost the same, but the deductible is going up by 50% and some of the co-pays are doub… --- ## [I hate people saying "use your common sense".](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-people-saying-use-your-common-sense/639697)
**Author:** [@blueslipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blueslipper)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-people-saying-use-your-common-sense/639697 "2012-11-16T05:31:27Z")
I need some help with these people saying this. I would like to show them that saying this phrase - “use your common sense” is worse than useless. I would like to point out all the ways that common sense is wrong - comm… --- ## [Home Network Controlled Gadgets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-network-controlled-gadgets/641109)
**Author:** [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-network-controlled-gadgets/641109 "2012-11-16T03:59:15Z")
There is an increasing market for home gadgets that can utilized in conjunction with a home network. Many of them also can be controlled through the Internet via web page or smart phone app. Many of us here on the SDMB… --- ## [People who share depressing thoughts after you've told them to stop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-share-depressing-thoughts-after-youve-told-them-to-stop/640641)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-share-depressing-thoughts-after-youve-told-them-to-stop/640641 "2012-11-16T03:55:09Z")
There’s someone I have to see often who’ll share depressing thoughts with me with no purpose even after I’ve told her to stop. For example, she’ll tell me that some people I’ve never met and have no relation to have die… --- ## [Yugoslavia and Austrian Empire = Similarities?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yugoslavia-and-austrian-empire-similarities/641135)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yugoslavia-and-austrian-empire-similarities/641135 "2012-11-16T03:50:29Z")
It’s come to my attention that the differences between the former Austrian Empire, and the former Yugoslav state are superficial. Both were multi-ethnic polities. Both had large ethnic groups which dominated the others… --- ## [Need name for team at 1920's themed trivia night](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-name-for-team-at-1920s-themed-trivia-night/641089)
**Author:** [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-name-for-team-at-1920s-themed-trivia-night/641089 "2012-11-16T03:45:16Z")
My synagogue runs an annual team trivia night, with twenty ten-person teams competing to identify different flavors of toothpaste dabbed on a plate while completing the next words of a song that cuts off in the middle an… --- ## [The birth of my child and the death of my faith](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-birth-of-my-child-and-the-death-of-my-faith/639593)
**Author:** [@inedible\_knapsack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inedible_knapsack)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-birth-of-my-child-and-the-death-of-my-faith/639593 "2012-11-16T01:14:34Z")
Until recently, my wife and I were members of a Christian church. We attended weekly, participated in most activities, were members of committees, and contributed our tithes. It was good, satisfying even. Earlier this y… --- ## [Back to work after a break - any good tips?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-work-after-a-break-any-good-tips/640877)
**Author:** [@Lars\_Aruns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lars_Aruns)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2012, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-work-after-a-break-any-good-tips/640877 "2012-11-15T23:38:03Z")
I’m going to return to the IT industry after a good many years as a researcher in the University (funding applications did not go well, unfortunately) and a few months’ break. Now, being the easily worried person that I … --- ## [Cleaning house: Any good reason to keep old automobile, accident & ticket records (1984 - 2007)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-house-any-good-reason-to-keep-old-automobile-accident-ticket-records-1984-2007/640994)
**Author:** [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-house-any-good-reason-to-keep-old-automobile-accident-ticket-records-1984-2007/640994 "2012-11-15T22:30:43Z")
I’m cleaning my old motor vehicle files. From 1984 to 2007 I owned one automobile and one motorcycle (neither of which I still own), and I drove various rental cars and vehicles owned by my employers. During this period… --- ## [Adding flood insurance to home owner's insurance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-flood-insurance-to-home-owners-insurance/640762)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2012, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adding-flood-insurance-to-home-owners-insurance/640762 "2012-11-15T20:13:02Z")
Why is flood insurance separate? Would it really make home owner’s insurance prohibitively expensive to add flood insurance to standard home owner’s insurance? --- ## [At what age did you lose your virginity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-did-you-lose-your-virginity/512058)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-did-you-lose-your-virginity/512058 "2012-11-15T18:22:00Z")
Wanted to try the new polling feature, so that’s mainly what this is for. Knock yourselves out… --- ## [Kitten has ringworm; what now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitten-has-ringworm-what-now/640880)
**Author:** [@stretch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stretch)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kitten-has-ringworm-what-now/640880 "2012-11-15T16:53:58Z")
We adopted a kitten from the humane society. Since no good deed goes unpunished, 10 days after we brought her home, I discovered Veronica has ringworm. Yay! I don’t have any experience with ringworm so I come to y’all… --- ## [Doctors "talk" to man in vegetative state](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-talk-to-man-in-vegetative-state/640990)
**Author:** [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-talk-to-man-in-vegetative-state/640990 "2012-11-15T15:31:27Z")
Just skimmed this story, and it appears that a group of doctors are saying that they studied “brain scans” of a vegetative patient and determined that he could answer questions, including saying he wasn’t in any pain. I… --- ## [Dead Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-arm/640998)
**Author:** [@mkelly4275](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkelly4275)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-arm/640998 "2012-11-15T14:45:46Z")
I have been suffering with a dead arm when I wake up in the mornings now on and off the last few years. Recently my arm is totall dead in the morning and feels like the blood is rushing to my fingers and ready to explo… --- ## [Tell me about fundraising and development](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-fundraising-and-development/640992)
**Author:** [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2012, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-fundraising-and-development/640992 "2012-11-15T10:36:37Z")
I’ve been trying to figure out what to be when I grow up, and when I think about where my passion lies, I think working for a non-profit might be just the thing. It looks like the biggest need in that area is for fundra… --- ## [Dop's w/kids: How old before bathing solo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dops-w-kids-how-old-before-bathing-solo/640956)
**Author:** [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2012, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dops-w-kids-how-old-before-bathing-solo/640956 "2012-11-15T03:10:16Z")
I sat by the tub for the duration of every bath until my daughter was \>5, had some swimming lessons and experience, and seemed like she could handle it. Then I jaunted off for brief periods, nervous all the while but thi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1411) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1413)