My "china" and flatware are the sets my dad bought when he and Mom separated nearly 30 years ago. He had put them in storage when he remarried a few years later, and my sister had them for a few years when she graduated from college. When she moved west about 15 years ago (God, has it been that long?!?), she left them in Mom's basement, and I ended up with them when I got my first apartment on my own. I donated the cups and saucers to Goodwill last year (never did use them), so I just have the plates and the flatware. I keep meaning to replace them with good quality ones whose pattern I actually like, but that's waaay down on my list of Things to Spend Money On.

"8 November Must-Haves."

Apparently, it's the season of the must lists. I blame Ugly Betty.

Flatware I have. Oneida. Wedding present.

Me too! My dishes are a discontinued Pfaltzgraff set that I found at Kohl's for $150. Nice heavy stoneware that's lived through many moves, with only the occasional pilot error to account for breakage. Plus, black.

I don't want china. Too easily broken.

I've finally decided that I can spend the $20 to replace the flatware my grandmother gave me when I graduated from college, which I really don't like, but which is perfectly fine. Now I just need to find some that I do like, because replacing something that's just OK with something else that's just OK is RIDIC.

Right hand tremor action.

Never underestimate the power of "leaning on the elbow funny".

I have really pretty flat ware that Mom bought me from Publix (grocery store) and also a set dishes, that is the exact same kind as we had when we were kids (I don't have the originals because she lent them to my aunt who promptly gave them away).

No matching luggage. Well I do have a set of vintage brown luggage -- 2 suitcases and a traincase but I use them for storage/decoration.

The Uglydolls, homespun monster toys with stubby limbs, missing eyes and names such as Ice Bat, are showing up in the company of A-list celebrities.

Olivia sleeps with Babo and Ox.

I have two cheap but matching pieces of luggage--a roller case and a small, carry on. We don't travel enough to need more than that.

I'll bet you can't make the Journey quotage last the whole thread!

The Marie Claire list is a little different than the one I use to have in a tag: Every woman should have a screwdriver set, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.

Pitt told Esquire magazine for its October edition that he doesn't intend to marry Jolie until legal restrictions are lifted in the U.S. and "everyone else in the country who wants to be married is legally able."

Pat Robertson was quoted as saying, "OHMYGAWDS! Change that law! Change it, change it! Those nice kids deserve to be married and if we have to let all them homos do it, too, then ok! As long as Brangelina are married and togetha foreva !!!1! Won't someone think of those children???"

@@

Seriously, I get and appreciate the gesture, but dies it read to anyone else as bullshit excuse for not wanting to get married again?

I got 91.7% Correct on that Tone Deaf test [link] The website tells me that any score greater than 90% means I have world-class musical abilities.

I should be happy, but instead, all I can feel is the crushing weight of yet another unrealized potential. When is Willow going to do that frakking spell?