I managed quite a few things today that need to be done: laundry, new cat nail trimmers, collars for the cats, trial cat carrier that will go on the plane, new bedskirt for my bed, and lastly - soaking the luggage and backpack that the cat peed on.

Tomorrow I get massaged and then hopefully look at the sari stores for fabric for curtain sheers in the new house.

An intervention wouldn't have worked. "Persistence of belief." The harder they tried to challenge his delusion, the more strongly he would have held onto it, and the farther away from reality he would fallen. He wasn't completely gone; he was trying to make an emotional connection.

I didn't think it was "cute". I thought it was a good exploration of how his broken mind worked, and how he got himself back to a point of being able to live with other people. I like things that give people a reason not to automatically fear and hate the mentally ill.

I once read a novel where a guy has a relationship with a lemon. Unfortunately for all, it did turn sexual.

The CBC were say that the Canadian Policy is for Cabinet Minister, in the name of efficiency, to travel together when possible.

I have cleaned the cleaned the oven after the disaster of the brownie souffle.

Cooking question: I'm making gluten-free cupcakes for a classmate coming to the birthay party tomorrow and I'm using a gluten-free cupcake mix. But he's also casein-free and the recipe calls for butter. Could I sub butter-flavored Crisco for the butter? And what about frosting? Would that sub work as well?

If you can find it, I'd go with Earth Balance rather than butter-flavored Crisco. It tastes much better.

Okay, talking about makeup and cloting and home stuff. I think I'm mostly okay - less on make up than the rest, but still. I've been making a lot of changes, and I'm feeling in serious need of guidance.

I would love for someone to come for a weekend and give me uncensored opinions on all of that. I'm not applying for WNTW. But if there were a style conscious Buffista who wanted to take me in hand? I will pay your airfare to come out here for a weekend and whip me into shape. David, Jilli, smonster, JZ, others ? - so many others who might be on target. E me if you have any interest. I'm really serious about this.

The Crisco website has answers to questions about substituting for butter [link]

What do you mean about home stuff, brenda? Organization or decorating?

I really liked Lars and the Real Girl mostly because it took me from laughing at the crazy people, to slowly warming up to the idea of just letting the crazy be, to caring about the characters by the end.

Little of both. I'm pretty good at organizing, but a gut check on decorating is never a bad thing. Part of my issue is that I have things like couches that kind of work but maybe not entirely, and I need someone to tell me to keep or get rid and replace.

ETA: I'm actually really serious about this. I need someone with a good fashion/design/fit sense who will not (like family and most friends) avoid saying what they think for fear they'll hurt my feelings or something. I have a pretty decent style sense, and I'm not shy in my own opinions. But I'd really like an outside view from someone I trust to be frank.

So, if that's you, and you want a few days in Chicago? E me.

I didn't think it was "cute". I thought it was a good exploration of how his broken mind worked, and how he got himself back to a point of being able to live with other people. I like things that give people a reason not to automatically fear and hate the mentally ill.

Yes, this. I like how they explored it and embraced it, rather than were horrified. Lars' mother died in childbirth, his sister-in-law was pregnant. I can see how that would dredge up serious issues for him.