I think I ate too many cookies. Eyes are tired, but heart is still racing from the sugar. Stupid Keeblers. Them elves are conspiring to keep me up all night.

I can keep you company for at least an hour.

Is preventive a different word, or not a word at all?

I don't think it's a word. But I could be wrong:

The words are often used interchangeably to denote whatever prevents something else happening or occurring, especially when it is undesirable. However, preventative is often applied to an actual object, especially in noun form, while preventive is mostly reserved for an abstract concept, and remains an adjective: Preventive medicine regards vitamin C as an effective preventative against colds.

That's weird. I usually see the term "preventative medicine." But Google seems to think I'm crazy.

I was just reading about "preventative measures" when I thought, couldn't you save time and take preventive measures?

Askye, joining in the middle of the conversation, which is always a dangerous thing, but I took two adult cats when their owner went to prison. I didn't much like one of them, and the other one drove me nuts. It was rough at first, but now I love them dearly. One's my cuddle-bunny, although I'm sure he was a dog in a former life, and is not quite sure if he took a step up or a step down. The other is brilliant and beautiful and I've mostly gotten over her having the same name as my real life one. It sounds like you've done a good thing, and I hope it works out as well, only perhaps getting to the good part a little faster.

And now, I believe I have turned into a pumpkin. Ssssslllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

Hi all.

Woke up in the middle of the night.

It's 46˚F, wind gusts up to 36 MPH, and oh yes, raining.

In Minnesota.

In February.

I'ma headin' back to bed.

Anyone who's done this before know the basics of what I'm supposed to do?

Hil, I can try to help with this. I'm confused why you're filling out actual forms. You should be able to do everything online. Are you looking for federal loans or private loans?

PC, my mom has an Altima, and it has been the bane of her existence. She cannot wait to get a Toyota. Personally, I adore my Civic. It's my second Civic, and I hope to never own another car than the Civic.

askye, I hope things calm down with the new fam!

Aimee, I'm so thrilled that it looks not too bad. More ~ma, just 'cause.

I know there was other stuff, but my brain doesn't remember. So, hugs all around!

I, too, have Civic love. Mine is a 1996, manual transmission, and I can still get better than 30 mph in the city. (My husband can't, but I have mad gear shift skillz, and he's a relative newcomer to it.) People keep asking if we're going to buy a new car when the baby arrives, and at this point there's just no reason to do so.

Aims, I'm very glad to hear that your Mom's diagnosis isn't heart-related.

I know this is a much more complicated question than this, but am I better off buying a decent used car or a cheapcheapcheap new car?

I may be in better shape than ever before, but I'm still paying ridiculous amounts on my student loans every month and making nearly 10K less than in California, so large car payments aren't in the near future for me.

I finally just had it. I got this e-mail from my brother's MIL:

Please read this article. The European socialist health care that is upon us has me asking why live a so called healthy life style to live a long life. Don't miss the portions that require the oldsters to forego medical treatment, pain reduction treatment, treatment for ailments that plague us as we age so there is sufficient medicine, health professionals, etc, to meet basic care for younger people. Forget neonatal care for infants born early or with anomalies. Forget miraculous experimental treatment and medicines that have saved and extended life for Americans as well as people world wide who come here for treatment. The health care system will be required to provide less care and you will pay the price in physical and emotional pain. ----Oh well, elections have consequences and this one has destroyed my beloved country.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=email_en&refer=columnist_mccaughey&sid=aLzfDxfbwhzs

I e-mailed her and asked her not to send me any more political e-mails. There will be fallout, but I'm sick of her e-mails, which raise my blood pressure.