GodDAMN. I got robbed dry cleaning this last time. Tried a new place on the way to work. I should have known that any place that will come yo your car to get the clothes was going to end up pricey. I asked for an itemised receipt so I could properly evaluate them, and at least once I was paying more to clean a dress than I had to buy it, shipping included. So terribly not right.

Of course, I noticed at least five more dry cleaners on my route into work right after. I will be trying the small innocuous places first, let me tell you.

I was going to become a notary a while back, and then a friend who was a notary told me not to bother, because unless I was going to make a job out of it, it was more trouble than its worth. Too many people asking for favours.

{{Fred, Teddy, Hubs}} I'm sorry. Thank you for the background story Fred. The naming makes me full of awwww.

Continued prayers and good thoughts for Noah and Grace. In the pictures they seem to be so much more alert with the wide eyed stares and their color looks better as time marches forward. {{Kat}} You are handling the stress remarkably well. Try and catch a nap whenever possible to recharge. Have you been able to find any time for yoga?

Sign that I am in need of coffee - when I look at the message header in junk mail that says my loan has been approved and I think twice about whether I applied for a loan. Maybe I need the drugs they are selling.

Yikes on the dry cleaning expense! I have used the in the dryer things well enough for myself and DH's slacks. I do send his shirts to the cleaners though because no way I am washing and ironing those.

I think this is cool news: Shipwreck found! [link]

So my car is covered in concrete dust.

I don't *think* it can be activated, cause it is from sidewalk being cut.

But still.

I mean, my car was pretty dirty, but at least you could tell it was black. Not so much now.

I haven't used a dry cleaner in a long time, I'm too lazy to add a stop.

I have used the in the dryer things well enough for myself and DH's slacks.

How do those clean, though? I've never been sure about that. I get how they desmell, but then again, I have no idea how dry cleaning works anyway. Mostly I'm concerned with how unwrinkled stuff is. And I pay by the dryer load--not as much by a long shot, but it dents the attractiveness.

It was bound to be a big bill, since some of that stuff had been waiting to go out since I lost my job, but still. I'm asking for an itemised receipt everywhere I try from now on.

They have to give you one, right?

My favourite place, which is no longer as convenient, gives you an itemised receipt and you pay up front. For some reason that stings me less.

Another Notary checking in - banks and package stores are your best bet. Other offices may have notaries, but may have an agreement to only do business noratizations during work hours.

What others said about costs - there is a max charge set by each state, but some don't charge. My company covers all my costs, so I don't charge for any of the notarizations I do. I've had folks "tip", but I never ask for it. Though that reminds me, I had one guy ask me what kind of wine I liked and nothing has appeared. Darn it. Oh, well.

Concrete dust probably can't be activated, but can scratch the hell out of your car. There's a big white patch on the trunk of my Passat where it got water dripped on it while covered in concrete dust.

It's Vendor Day today - I thought it would be circuit boards and stuff, but it's books and jewelry and shoes!!! I heart this company. Except for the part where I just decided to quit spending money.

Activated?

My favourite place, which is no longer as convenient, gives you an itemised receipt and you pay up front. For some reason that stings me less.

Well, then you can reconsider and take some of the clothes out of the equation if it's more than anticipated. When you go after the service has been provided, you're committed to paying it. I wish more places would give the costs at drop off though.