Those bowls look like the bowls we had at camp when I was a kid - for FOOD. Ugly, industrial bowls.

javachik is coming to Philly soon!!!

squee!

Rachael Ray is now selling bowls specifically for use as a garbage bowl: [link]

I kinda love it. But, yeah, I usually just use a mixing bowl or the sink.

What kind of social programs, and by "social" I mean "socializing" rather than "social security" would be available in the suburbs of a place like Cleveland?

Andi, does your mom fall, age-wise, into the "senior" bracket? The Cincy community centers have a lot of activities for seniors -- fitness, coffee hour, book groups, tax preparation, shopping trips, lunches, etc. -- and it looks to me like the Cleveland community centers do, too: [link] (scroll down to "Seniors Fifty and Fit*;" it's not all fitness-related -- it looks like there's various social activities, etc., too).

I don't know how close she lives to any of the community centers, but it's a place to start.

I feel the same way about my dad -- I wish he would get more involved in activities, because I feel like he needs more human contact than just calling me. But, to his credit, he has joined his community center so he can use the fitness facilities; he just needs to stop having heart crises so that he can actually, you know, exercise without fear of keeling over.

*(The "Fifty"part of "Fifty and Fit" makes me giggle, because -- and I know my mom is WAY outside the norm -- my mom is 62 and is more active, in terms of physical fitness, than most people my age. She and my stepdad just took up kayaking last year. It makes me feel a bit lazy.)

Gronkies

I slept about 12 hours and am moving slow.

I wish I knew better how to comfort K-Bug through this. I see her making some of the classic breakup mistakes, but yet she doesn't really want to talk with me about it, so I just have to sit back and watch. Gah - being a parent is hard.

Tonight my dad is having a "party" for me, celebrating my graduation (once I got the pretty piece of paper, he acknowledged my degree). I put party in quotes cause other than my family I have no clue who is invited or what is happening. It is one evening. I can do this.

Poor K-Bug. Healing-ma to her.

Oh, poor K-Bug. Hang in there, girl.

Also, Suzi, your dad is a little bizarre. I'm glad he's recognizing the degree, but um...party that you have no idea what's happening at? Something weird and wrong about that...

Healing ~ma to K-Bug, but also, coping and not butting in ~ma to you Suzi. I know it's hard, but you can do it. And I hope you have fun at the party, whatever it turns out to be!

Poor K-Bug! Suzi, you're doing a lot just by being present. All those classic mistakes are things we all seem to be unable to avoid, but we all learn from them. You two are so close, and have such a wonderful relationship that I'd bet folding money she'll come talk to you eventually -- and then you can talk about the mistakes. I for one, am glad that she's not going through it alone at college with only (well meaning but inexperienced) dorm mates.

libkitty, I hope you feel better soon!

I think we're going to take off for the National Mall soon with the puppy to walk around.

Oh, my goodness. Redneck Wedding is freaking hysterical.