Oh Maria, that's good news!

I am checking Olivia's doll into the American Girl Doll Hospital. I have reached the apex of CRAZY MOMHOOD. Someone shoot me.

What does one check a doll into the American Girl Doll Hospital for? I mean, I have a few teddy bear restoration places bookmarked, and eventually Clovis and I will take a trip to one of them, but I can't imagine what you check a doll into a doll hospital for.

Cashmere, I want that doll house. I can't decide which I want more: to own it, or to live in it.

There was an awesome doll hospital near where I grew up. It also housed a collection, I guess -- I think we went to see it with Girl Scouts.

But they had all kinds of dolls -- all eras and types of antiques. They did doll restoration, which is something I need to look into again. I have a few Madame Alexanders from childhood that need limbs reattached, and mom has an antique names Hortense who needs her hair redone and her wardrobe restored.

Michael's Crafts has surprisingly sturdy unfinished wooden coffin boxes for $2 in the Halloween stuff, with decent hinges and latches. I keep turning over the one I got in my hands, thinking of what to do with it and telling myself I don't need to go back and get more.

Michael's Crafts has surprisingly sturdy unfinished wooden coffin boxes for $2 in the Halloween stuff, with decent hinges and latches.

Oooh, what size? I need more coffin boxes.

What? Don't argue with me on this, I do.

The one I have is roughly 5 inches long, 2-3 inches wide at the shoulder (narrowing at head and feet, of course), and two inches deep. There were some smaller ones as well.

edit: I'm thinking something beaded in black and gold on the top, crimson velvet lining, but I'm stymied by the outside because I'd like black satin ribbon but I don't want to get into a lot of fuss with folding over edges to get a smooth finish. Possibly glossy black paint.

Maria, that's great!

I have an APC UPS around here somewhere. It required software installed on my computer that communicated with me constantly, to my annoyance. I wanted one that would run quietly in the background.

But I think I can live without computers if the electricity goes out for a long time. I have Twitter on my BlackBerry, so I'm good with outside-world contact.

I just bought a battery-powered lantern. I'm not even in the danger zone; why am I getting prepared?

On behalf of the nation of Australia, let me say: you taunty bastard.

If you can't taunt Australia what's the point of being American? And eating bananas?

Maria, that's great news, and one of the truest compliments you'll receive in this life, I think.

Congestive Heart Failure is what finally got my dad, after his whole body seemed to be headed downhill for a couple years.

My all-time favorite band, the New York Dolls, was named after the once famous New York Doll Hospital.

Team Zmayhem is in bed early, but I did all the dishes and loaded the coffee so I could get Emmett out the door by 7am. He's coming home via BART now, though, so that's a huge change. I'm trying to get used to it.

Wait, I"m confused--are there no bananas in Australia, or something??

She lives in a rom com, PC. There's nothing we can do to compare.

Hah! Well, if it consoles you any, I am currently in quite the dry spell. And apparently in the part of the rom com which ends up a menage of bad dates and ridiculous embarrassments, etc etc.

But Decadence and New Orleans are next week! I have my fingers crossed, though high expectations are hard to fulfill.

I am beginning to get worried about my family and friends who live on the CT coast. (Also friends along the East Coast in general, of course.)

Wait, I"m confused--are there no bananas in Australia, or something??

At the moment, more or less. The Queensland floods earlier this year took out the banana crop, and the farmers' lobby group is preventing imports so they won't have the competition next year.