I don't think the dishes or flatware really have to match, but you should be able to set a nice table if you want. I also think good towels are nice and having good ones for guests is also a sign of adulthood, something I only achieved this year by the way.

Being able to entertain is part of adulthood for me--having people over for a real meal, whether it be a barbeque or ordering pizza or a sit-down dinner. I think that's because I didn't do it regularly until I was in my late 20s. Those of you who are better cooks and hostesses will probably not think of entertaining as much of a milestone, but it was for me.

I have no actual luggage. My mom's got a few pieces that I borrow in case. Everywhere else I go I get by with a big duffel-ish bag.

I got flatware last Christmas! Granted, it's Target, but it all matches, and my mother inexplicably bought me two 4-pc place settings for just little ol' me. It's heavy and pretty. Dishes are Corelle, which are awesome. I don't forsee myself ever needing china.

I used to have a full set of flatware. And then my daughter moved in. Somehow, she had a way of losing spoons. I think it was the yoghurt cartons. She'd forget to take the spoon out when she threw them away. Der.

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

No, my hand was doing the crazy dance without any assistance from my elbow. It seems to have receded, though, so I'm hoping it was just some kind of weird delayed reaction from not having eaten anything in... uh, sixteen hours.

I would love to know where the teaspoons go. I swear I'm not throwing them out!

In other news, I just got a "save the date" for a friend's son's 1st birthday party. It's going to be at the same place the baby shower was -- the beer garden. This is why these people are my friends.

I need more flatware - mostly due to the spoon issue.

only two things are important in the marie claire article - mamgram and a good cause - whihc can be anythign big or small - just something you care about . and it doesn't have to cost money, it could just cost time.

and sorry , a 50" tv ain't gonna happen. TV, I like but it does not domminate the house, thank you very much .

And then my daughter moved in. Somehow, she had a way of losing spoons.

Hah! The last year my brother lived at home, their spoons and forks multiplied. He was bussing tables at a fairly nice place and unintentionally amassed quite a collection, which my parents discovered when they cleaned out his car.

I have some that I nabbed from them one of the summers I was passing through. And some of the covetted skinny forks. They were from a set my grandparents got in sweden for my parents, an inexpensive everyday set. But the tines are thinner and longer than usual, and the balance on the knives is perfect. Mom and I have sought for years for another set like this, with no luck.

I'm hoping it was just some kind of weird delayed reaction from not having eaten anything in... uh, sixteen hours.

That could do it.

I've been having trouble working meals into my schedule lately. After I fainted a few weeks ago (I had been out of bed for maybe 2 minutes, felt a little dizzy, then suddenly I was sitting on the floor.) I started keeping my car stocked with Luna bars and VitaminWater.

I also have a rolling duffel bag, but it's huge. I think it's a good size for transporting a dead body. So at least I'm prepared for that.

*plans to stay on Sue's good side*

Plastic swizzle sticks are dah bomb and prevent much teaspoon wastage for me.

Is corelle nice? They look nice on the commercials. I'm not getting married anytime soon, but I am planning ahead.