Also, if anyone wants to see my neighborhood, the diner on my corner is going to be on TLC at 5. FYI.

I have a nice rubberrmaid mixing bowl and a generic glass one. I tend to use them depending on how much volume and mess I'll make (plastic one has steeper sides, so less splatter.) It also has rubber feet, which keeps it from scooting around ( great for when I leave the mixer unattended), but makes it hard to spin the bowl if necessary.

I have sorted, trashed, vacuumed, mopped and dusted (in some places, anyway.) I did not, however, get to the emissions station to get my car inspected. That will wait until next weekend, I guess.

Finally figured out where exactly my brother lives and getting a mental map of whereall we went while there.

I have also not spent any money. I'm going to cry writing last month's credit bill anyway, no need to add extra, even if it is routine stuff... ($400 trip related costs, 2 birthdays and all my xmas shopping for 6 adults and one kid. Uhhhg. On top of normal expenses.) Going back to shopping year round, I think. It's really just a mindgame, I realize, as I would have spent that much anyway, but.....I hate writing checks with 4 digits before the decimal. Weird that way. Speaking of which, I should figure out what my paycheck was.

Theodosia, so sorry I missed seeing your post earlier. I was off running massive errands today and have appointments all day tomorrow.

I definitely have the inclination but, sadly, not any free time until Wednesday. Yikes. It would have been great to get a chance to catch up too.

I'll send no-rain-tomorrow~ma county-wide though so hopefully you can safari...

Are you in San Diego often for work or was this a one-off?

metal bowls chill better

Metal bowls chill faster, but they also warm up faster, because metal is a good conductor of heat. Glass or ceramic will stay cold longer once you take them out of the fridge. Of course, you could also float the cold metal bowl in a larger bowl full of ice water to keep it very cold for a very long time while working.

Speaking of kitchenware, I bought a new 3 qt. saucepan last night, complete with nonstick coating and glass lid. The old one goes in teh dumpster trash day, as a tragic soup accident finally gave me the impetus to get rid of it.

Also, the artichoke parmesan soup mix I'd waited literally years for a local store to carry again was so not worth the wait.

Had dinner with an old friend. She had been painfully skinny as long as I have known hers. Has finally gained some weight and is looking really, really good.

And I did not tell her so, because I'm not sure "You've gained some weight haven't you? Lookin good." would be taken as a compliment.

Just "lookin good" would do.

Well, that I did say. But it is a shame; because if someone loses weight, it is ok to compliment them on the specific fact, but if they gain weight, that is often taken as a bad thing, even if it is good for both looks and health.

Eh, guys are safe. I had many people compliment me on gaining weight back after college, when I was merely filling out a previously scarecrow-like frame rather than overshooting into fatassitude.

I think complimenting on weight loss is weird, too. Especially because so many people lose weight due to illness or whatever.

Edit: I mean, I've had a lot of people JUST say "You've lost so much weight!" like that by itself is complimentary. But "You look great" is always appreciated.