It's pouring out there. Lots of streets around here are starting to flood, but so far, it looks like it's more annoying flooding than dangerous or damaging flooding, although we've got to drive really carefully. Also, I was wearing a raincoat, but the part of my slacks that were exposed below the coat got completely soaked through while I was walking from my car to my office. I'm debating the wisdom of going to the bookstore and buying a pair of sweatpants to wear while I hang these up and let them dry off. On the plus side, dry legs. On the minus side, I'd have to go out in that rain again.

ugh, Hil, hate that kind of rain- I think you are getting the aftereffects of good ole Tropical Storm Lee that came to the Gulf Coast over the weekend.

Dinner was both fun and nom. And I'm eating Tom's birthday cake for breakfast.

Cramps. Bah!

I get to meet three of my five minions today!

eta on the way in, my coworker and I were commiserating over the fate of low-slung cars in NOLA. Her car flooded this weekend like mine did in July, I showed her the bungies holding my wheel well mud guard in place, she told me about how she nearly lost her oil pan and engine mount to a pothole. I never thought I'd say this, but I might have to get a little SUV next time I buy a car.

We've had pretty good luck with the Versa, except for when the exhaust pipe broke off from the muffler from the potholes- but that was because it was weakened by several New England winters and salting the roads. Since then, it's been OK.

You're welcome to park on our block of St. Thomas next time it storms- we've never had an issue with flooding between first and second...

That said, I am vaguely interested in perhaps getting a Jeep or a small truck once it's time to replace the Versa.

I remember many times at Tulane I would walk across campus and get so soaked by the rain that, as soon as I got to my dorm, I had to totally change my clothes and hang everything up to dry. I didn't expect to have to deal with this in Pennsylvania. I checked the forecast, and the rain is supposed to last all week. My basement is starting to take in water.

My basement is starting to take in water.

Eeeee! Did you tell your landlord?

Eeeee! Did you tell your landlord?

Yeah. He called the plumber to make sure it wasn't a leaking pipe, and the plumber said that a lot of people in our neighborhood have been getting water in their basements with this storm. He said there's nothing to do about it right now -- the house is over 100 years old, and the foundation is stone, and the water is coming in through the cracks.

You're welcome to park on our block of St. Thomas next time it storms- we've never had an issue with flooding between first and second...

You know, I wonder if that's because you don't have curbs, so the water can be absorbed by the grass. Hmm.

Yikes, Hil.

Ouch, I'm sore today. Probably a combination of working out and the rain outside. I think I'll still to stretching and weights at home today.

From personal experience, I strongly suggest never letting any company take money from your checking account. Either use your checking account's Bill Pay to pay them (so you can stop it whenever you want without any hassle), or else use a credit card, for reasons already mentioned.

I second this. I had a huge issue with a gym with this.

Askye, when I have bones (from a chicken I roast or debone, or a rotisserie from the store, etc.), I just throw them in a freezer bag. When I have leftover bits of onion or herbs (like parsley stems, or I've chopped a little too much whatever, or the herbs in the fridgeshave gotten dried or wilted), I throw that in the bag as well. Whenever the bag gets full, I just dump it in a pot, add water until the stuff is covered, and simmer for two hours. It usually makes about two quarts.