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.

not everything I use is thow away - but with the asthma It is either cloths with stuff sprayed on them ( which is often propellents) or disposable- and I have found with disposable wipes of various sorts - I clean up the dust more. so I think it is better for me.

I love the disposable stuff. When I was considering disposable diapers I came to the decision that Florida has more empty space than water. So I toss. Clorox wipes, stainless wipes for the fridge, pledge wipes. I am disposable girl. Hey, surely they will figure a way to turn the piles of garbage into clean energy one day. Get on that right now science people.

Houses are strange. one project creats a whole new project. one you didn't know exsisted. and discussions . and more discussions and reminders of the budget. Somedays I swear we talk mostly about the cat, followed by the house.

money tip: put all your change in a box ( something that is not see through). Feel free to use it for vending machine change or the bus. But everyso often - you 'll have a nice amount in there that will be good for a treat day or meal . I know people that put in in a saving account - but i find for emotional reasons that ability to treat without guilt makes it much easier to watch my pennies more often. I have been doint it since my 20's .

I am tired and cranky and negative thought having. Is it from drinking too many beers last night? Probably. That doesn't help with the negative thoughts. Perhaps doing some schoolwork would help.

anything you can make progress on should help , nora.

today, I am avoiding cleaning the bedroom. We started it yesterday, but really. I don't want to dust or clean the floor. or find all the shoes and books that I am sure are under the bed. Now if only someone put money under the bed...