Zen, I've been on the phone with various State Farm people all week..and honestly they've been pretty vague and not great at returning phone calls (I've been waiting for 3 days for my actual adjuster to call me back...). If I learn that this is normal, I may not freak out so much. I just need to know when to press them more without turning into the crazy paranoid person.

Nilly! Hi, Nilly!

I would imagine stuff would take time, java, but I have no personal experience.

Where do you get coconut oil? Is that grocery store stuff?

I tried the Avon silicone cream as primer this morning, and the makeup does look different. I'm just not sure how primer is supposed to look and feel, so I dunno what I'm getting for my (lack of) money. I think I should buy a real primer first and then try replacement products. We'll see if it lasts better today.

Today is canning day, but I woke up late and now I don't feel like doing it. And I finally actually looked at the recipe, and I have double what I need. But I'm not supposed to just double the batch, am I? Because I also have pint jars instead of half-pint. But I dunno if I'm going to seriously overrun my pot if I try to double up.

Thanks for the congrats.

This is my first belt test in over a year, at least. Between various health things, I just haven't had the strength and stamina for a 4 plus hour test. I did fine last night (other than having my big toe stomped on and bruised) and I even went to class this morning. And now I'm done. Lunch and then severe nappage.

I need a cabana boy.

java, I dunno. Me, I wouldn't be real happy with that level of service. If things are going to take time, they just do, but someone should be available and willing to give you an idea of how much time, at least.

Where do you get coconut oil? Is that grocery store stuff?

I buy the coconut oil I use on my skin from the grocery store, and the coconut oil I use in my food from the organic all-natural store. Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature, but its melting point is 76degF, so it melts in your hand pretty quickly. It is shelf-stable for a longlong time and doesn't need to be refrigerated.

I've skived off most of the day, and am only now getting around to catching up. MFN, I do hope you take your f-in-law's offer to help, unless he's likely to be more work than he helps with. Sounds like he'll be handy for handling the daytime Stuff. You can make it up to him by bringing home really good takeout -- your husband probably won't have much appetite, but that way you can reward your FiL.

Some in-laws would only add to the stress in this situation, so it's a YiLMV situation.

Jesse, I hadn't remembered about your father's diagnosis, and now I feel like a bad Buffista!

Happy Birthday, Perkins!

Congratulations, SuziQ! And, happy birthday, Perkins!

javachik, I had no problem getting a hold of people at State Farm for my car repairs, but my car didn't get hurt in a major weather event. If there were a lot of people with flood damage, they might be a bit overwhelmed. I hope someone will get back to you soon with useful info and anything else you might need from them.

I just finished dealing with the screen Leifur burst through yesterday. I went to Lowes and asked how much an entire new in-frame screen would cost--answer, $32 for my window dimensions. Then the guy told me that if I brought in my screen frame and bought just the screen section he'd install it for me. Which I did. Half an hour later I had a fresh new screen for under $6.00. As soon as I got home (and installed the screen) I went to the Lowes.com contact form and left a glowing review for the employee.

Happy Birthday Perkins!!!

Suzi, congrats!!

Perkins, totally happy birthday wishes for you! MWAH!

Sparky, I'm looking forward to seeing you on TV, but mostly I hope it gets Sass home.

Yes, exactly this. (Although I'm glad they had a make-up person for you. I'm just inappropriately weird that way.)

Continued ~ma to Maria.

Congrats Suzi! You rock!!

Happy Birthday, Perkins!!!