DH always says if we want a clean house, all we need to do is throw a party! Nothing motivates like not wanting your friends to see how you actually live.

I feel like this is a reason to have people over on a regular basis, so I am guilted into cleaning.

I would love for someone to help me cut out a bunch of junk. I'm not a huge hoarder, but I still feel like I have too much crap I really don't need. I'd like to be less cluttery.

My problem with clutter is that I am a Gemini. I have 20,324 interests/hobbies. I've gotten a bit better. I found some pictures of my bedroom from when I was a teenager and they're a crack up. I especially love the tattered copy of Leon Uris's "Exodus" lying right next to a stack of Soap Opera Digest (couldn't get enough of Greg and Jenny!).

The other thing is that I am terribly sentimental. I still have the empty wine bottle commemorating the night I was no longah a fair maiden. That suckers old but it's been through multiple purges.

And over the weekend I found a scrapbook I made when I was twelve that outlined the entire life of Henry Fonda. On the last page, I taped the card I got from his family when he died (I had sent a condolence note). The front is a picture of Fonda as Tom Joad, and the inside has that wonderful (practically Socialist) monologue about how he'll "be there where there are kids who are laughing because they're hungry and they know supper's ready..." and then it's signed by Jane.

I'll likely heave the scrapbook. And keep the card.

ND, DH would be very proud of you for reading the policy. Lots of people don't. He makes me read our insurance policies once a year so we know what's covered. Covered perils should be outlined carefully and there are definitions in print. Sounds like it's another way of making money on people's fears. What company is offering the coverage (if you don't mind saying)?

The insurer is Colony Insurance. The terrorist clause is apparently a government requirement now as part of the Terrorism Insurance Act so it's not all that suspect, it's more just comedy. All of this is for general liability insurance for my business.

I'm so sorry Raq. He was a well-travelled, cultured fellow, as kitties go, wasn't he?

Yes he was. He circumnavigated the globe. And spoke several languages (including Duck).

{{{Raq and DH and Mallory}}} Our condolences. He knew he was a well loved kitty. ... Duck?

Raq, I am so sorry for your loss.

Oh, Raq. I am so sorry. Much love to you all.

I'm sorry for your loss, Raq.

Absent due to required attendance at trade show. Today it is 9am until forever because there is a reception thing in the evening following the exhibit hall stuff all day. Ugh.

I'm off to present my research. Wish me...something!