Thanks, Brenda and Deena!

Many thanks for the cardiac and coping -mas. Astarte Ma was released from the hospital tonight, thankfully, angiogram free.

She was feeling so jaunty that Dad was picking her up and they were going straight to their regular monthly card party.

I feel much better, too.

The show went very well tonight and I am a tired bear.

So why the hell am I still awake?

Yay for good show-going, Trudy. Sleep now.

Does the Buffista cookbook want recipes based on canned corned beef and canned cream of mushroom soup and canned tuna? Not altogether in one recipe, ew. Because those are a couple of never-fails, but they're not made 'em up myself from scratch type recipes.

Also, I keep a spray bottle full of water near my Foreman, and when I unplug it, I spray the upright half of the grill while it's still hot and (carefully!) wipe it clean with paper towels. It takes about three sprays. I pour water over the bottom half and do the same thing--the water deglazes the surface and most of the yech runs off into the catch tray. I've never had a dishwasher; I just learned it's as easy to wash one bowl one plate, one fork one glass when everything else is clean as it is to wash one bowl one plate one fork one glass when everything else is dirty. We do a rotational thing: if there's a glass or a spoon in the sink when one of us comes into the kitchen, we wash it and put it in the drainer. If the drainer has dry dishes in it, we put them away. It's a few things at a time. And if DH is cooking dinner, I sous-chef, and wash utensils as they're used and emptied. The same knife, pot, or spoon may be used four times preparing one meal. Cuts down on multiples of the same size pots and knives to store, too.

Does the Buffista cookbook want recipes based on canned corned beef and canned cream of mushroom soup and canned tuna? Not altogether in one recipe, ew. Because those are a couple of never-fails, but they're not made 'em up myself from scratch type recipes.

If you like it, we want it.

erika, I don't think your family's going to appreciate your soul package.

JZ's almost done with all the covers (which are sort of soul collages as harvested from various issues of Mojo). Anyway, they're burned and should go out on Monday.

I would not apologize to the person that hit me with a bike or a car. I'm not that Canadian. That might be my new motto.

Dude! Polar fleece swag blankets can be easily cut into diaper liners! For, like, free! No sewing needed, because it Does Not Fray.

I'm stoked. Stupid and pointless swag shall be pointful and soft wicker-awayer of moisture!

Really, I just need to learn how to use my sewing machine without panicking so I can make my own damn diapers, but this is a start.

(Besides, when my parents get back, I'm totally blinking at my mother until she makes me some wool-in-ones.)

Cloth diapering is so very cult-like.

If anyone is considering it, this: [link] is the Best Thing Ever. The big stuff sack holds a load of diapers (dry pail method), the small ditty bag carries 2-3 dirty diapers when you're on the go, and the mesh bag is perfect for toys and other random baby items. You only need two of the sets, and at $10 each, such a bargin. (Seriously. See how much they charge for things designed for the purpose I'm using these for, and boggle.)

Today we went to four consignment baby shops in search of diaper things. Not a huge success, but not a total bust, either. We found either diapering items or clothing items at 3 of the 4 stores, and one of them was near a watch place, so I got my battery replaced and my strap shortened.

I think I've transfered all my Shopping Energies (them what were thwarted by boob and foot growth) into shopping for bargin baby stuff.

And, err, handbags, but I promise I've stopped at two.

until I find them in nickel...

David, you are not especially Canadian. But we like you, anyhow.

Dude! Polar fleece swag blankets can be easily cut into diaper liners! For, like, free! No sewing needed, because it Does Not Fray.

Do you need more polar fleece? Not because I have any swag blankets around, but I do have some polar fleece yardage stashed away.

I may, in fact, need more polar fleece.

Especially if I go through with my Cunning Sewing Plan.

For the first time in my life, I'm sad that the Malden Mills outlet in Seattle closed.

just got back from a party where i met my host for the first time - at the party. I love my neighborhood. It was a party celbrateing the Niles 41st annual antiques/flea markewt. you either embrace it or run away, there is no middle ground.

[link]