I appreciate that we didn't even have a gap. We just didn't know we didn't have a gap. Very considerate timing, Jess and E!

Oh, good. I'm not the only one who thought to do this.

I'm scared to look back and see how bad my drunken post was last night. I am amazingly not all sinusy this morning after so much wine.

Thanks, beth. I took a look at "how to become a member" and we don't qualify. Sounds like a pretty good deal for those that do, though.

Wonderful news, Jess and E! We all look forward to the impending Moonette!

Question of the weekend - what music do you clean to?

The sounds of E cleaning so I don't have to. (I'm the worst wife ever.)

Very considerate timing, Jess and E!

We aim to please!

Thanks for all the well-wishes, guys. We're both thrilled and excited.

I just got a letter from ING. Seems they're running a contest: save at least $100/month and you get a chance to win $25,000. That's incentive enough for me, especially after the recent discussion.

Woot! Congrats Jess & Ethan! Yay for new buffista shaped people!

I have returned from the Steel City and had a very good time. Dinner out, hit three bookstores, went to an art gallery and did some very minor shopping for small prezzies for the kids and DH. The kids got books (Maisy & Olivia) and Ugly Dolls (Babo & Ox). DH got some brand new chopsticks.

I bought some fancy magazines (Hello, Natalie Portman in the Breakfast at Tiffany's dress) and a cute, pink stripey coupon organizer.

Deena, I skipped out on money I owe my alma mater after I dropped a graduate class when we moved. Between the bursar there and the Columbia Record & Tape guy, they can kiss my broke ass.

Woo! for good trips, Cash.

We've been having a Sunday, as of old. Newspaper reading in bed and football watching on H's part, bookreading in bed and a little online surfing, light housekeeping on mine, and a running commentary and conversation back and forth. Lovely, after all the un-meeting of the minds and irritable misunderstandings and prickly renegotiations we've been doing lately.

Also, he just brought me long- and a short-handled swiffer dusters, and made my life easier and my heart go pitty-pat. I remarked that the telescoping ostrich-feather duster the kids used to steal to play lightsaber was state of the art 20 years ago, the filament dusters, from keyboard size to extra-long telescoping-handled ones were 10 years ago, and now we have the mighty swiffer. The cat benefitted, as for old time's sake I demonstrated the ostrich duster, which promptly dropped a handful of feathers--score! Kitty toys for days.

I know there are people who disagree with the whole disposable element of the swiffer thing, but considering the energy required and the runoff from detergents needed to wash and reuse string mops and cleaning cloths, I think being able to throw dirty mop pads, dusting cloths and now fluffy duster heads away, containing dust, allergens and other icks one is getting rid of, rather than continuing to deal with...well for me the tradeoff is more than worth it.

Don't forget, I'm the girl who looks at things like sink drain crumb collectors and dryer lint brushes, and says, yes, but how do you clean the cleaning utensil? Disposal means my job is done. I like that part.

Beverly, I'm glad you're having a restful and "normal" day.

I agree with you about disposable cleaning utensils. Swiffer cloths and throw-away toilet cleaner heads are hardly the worst things that go into a landfill.

And don't you love disposable toilet cleaners! No more icky germy brush.

New Buffista! Holy Crap! Yay!

CONGRATS, JESSICA AND FONEBONE! So. Awesome.