Allyson, you really need you and Ruby to be in a hotel--this isn't safe for your health, or your belongings.

This. Mold & mildew grow very quickly. What would a pet-friendly hotel in the area cost? You should be able to get that money back but the out-of-pocket expense sucks. Or can you possibly crash with someone? The first thing to find out from HRC or whoever you speak to is that you're within your rights to withhold this month's rent (and yeah, you'll have to put it in an escrow account).

Take photos of the damage (and any of your belongings that may become damaged) if you haven't done that. I'd also make a record of all your phone calls & emails to the landlord, and his lack-of-response, while it's fresh. I'm sorry this is such a nightmare.

It really is too bad that Allyson already paid July's rent.

Allyson, what everyone else has said.

Damn jackholes need some smiting.

hmm, the post office lobby used to be open until 5, for the APC, now only 4. I guess I'll get up early and mail things in the am.

the new A/c seems to still be working, even after I left and ran errands (that is when it broke the last time).

Tricksy A/C, waiting until you leave the house.

Ooh -- it looks like they're doing a marathon of the 1st season of Project Runway tomorrow. Fun!

Question: I bought some sandals and in wearing them around the house, they feel comfortable, but the bands leave indents on my feet. They are leather, and from Aerosoles. What are the odds that they will stretch out, rather than cut holes into my feet, with additional wearing?

Ooh, first season?

They ran a 30 minute Project Runway thing on Chicago NBC at 6 which I taped and haven't watched yet.

And there's an excellent interview with Tim Gunn at the Chicago Tribune Website.

I think they will eventually stretch, but the first few times you wear them out they may dig.

Leather typically stretches. But what does the indents matter?

Ooh, first season?

Looks like.

But what does the indents matter?

I'm just paranoid after a recent shoe purchase left me with scabs for three weeks after one afternoon of wearing them. I think I will trust that these will be OK, because they are pretty much exactly what I've been looking for, and for cheap.

Heh. Jesse, I too have a new pair of Aerosoles that I'm hoping will stretch a bit--they indented my feet, but they are still super-comfy, really. But at the same time as I bought those, I bought another pair of shoes, and they gave me blisters. Stupid shoes.