The whole time in New Orleans my sinuses were much happier than any time I've lived in California. Which is extremely weird, considering which place is full of green growing things spouting pollen and exciting molds, but there it is. I blame the almond trees, mostly.

Eta: but California is Home and Nasalcrom helps an awful lot.

OK, I'm pretty sure I've figured out which cousin it is on ancestry.com, and I'm almost positive that this is going to cause Drama. I so don't want to be in the middle of this.

The PNW is brutal on me allergy-wise. But it's good for me in other ways. For this there are Advair and Nasonex. And Benedryl, my OTPharmacutical.

OK, I'm pretty sure I've figured out which cousin it is on ancestry.com, and I'm almost positive that this is going to cause Drama. I so don't want to be in the middle of this.

just reply "sorry, I only share information with family members"

Nasalcrom helps an awful lot

I can't help hearing Arnold's voice saying "By Crom!" whenever I hear the name of that product.

Nasalcrom, Crom's weirder brother.

How to Cook Everything is a great book for a beginner cook

I may have to look for that the next time I'm at Half Price Books. I need a good basic cookbook.

just reply "sorry, I only share information with family members"

It's not so much sharing information that I'm concerned about, but more that, every time this cousin gets back in contact with the family, drama ensues. She tends to fall out of contact for years, then call somebody, get into a huge argument with someone within a few months, and then disappear for another few years. She's been not talking to my mother since about 1995.

So not ready for this. OK, so next week, while in CA for the PixDesign soiree, I have an interview at the university where I was asked to apply (seems forever ago, hope y'all recall me mentioning head explodey). So? What the heck, if anything, do I bring? The online application was pretty extensive. I had to list jobs worked at, then enter an e-version of resume, then attach resume. So it seems crazy to bring copies of my resume. But it also seems strange to walk in empty handed. And it's a panel. Dunno why I'm nervous already. Yikes.

How to Cook Everything is a great book for a beginner cook.

I may have to look for that the next time I'm at Half Price Books. I need a good basic cookbook.

I love it. Lots of basic recipes with tons of variations.

I need a good basic cookbook.

It's really good, the one I gave Dad is the revised edition. I've wanted it for myself for ages and I'll probably get it. One of the features I like a lot is Mark Bittman will give a basic recipe, say Basic Tomato Sauce, and then he'll list 15 or so easy ways to vary it. Or a basic way to Saute Chicken and then things you can do to change it up. Plus there are pictures and lots of indepth detail.