My laptop seems to have died. It's at least critically ill since it WON'T TURN ON. Argh.

I had a 4-year plan to get out of credit card debt when I moved back to my hometown, and then the economy tanked and I took a big pay cut, and now my parents seem to have developed the retirement hobby of coming up with new expenses faster than I can pay for old ones. I think I'm going to settle for maintaining a consistent amount of debt to saddle some inheriting second cousin with in 30 or 40 years.

And then I dumped the ring out, he took it, got down on one creaky knee and proposed, and after the yeses and kisses, he said, "Seriously, this is called a tiara setting. You get to wear a tiara every day!"

Sniff. He knows us you so well.

Um, hey, adorable kid and dog: [link] ! Yes, that's it. Adorable cuteness.

Those two can never grow up.

How can daycare cost that much?

I'm gonna say it's because toddlers lack a sense of mortality. Not that undergrads are always any better, but we tend to presume they can manage survival on their own.

JZ, I'll be consulting you when my one year review comes around.

Not long after I paid off my student loans I had a few months during which I had no debt. That was nice.

I love that story, Steph. And that he thought about the practicalities of the setting! Related note, I need to clear my search history and browser now that I've been googling various engagement ring search terms. Don't want D getting any kind of false sense of urgency on my part.

I dream of getting out of credit card debt. Sometimes it feels like two steps forward, tumble back down a flight of stairs. I'm much better about not spending money that I don't have, but I'm making way less of it and my expenses are higher. Working on both of those things, but it is slow and painful.

I want this. [link]

I just helped the kids make 60some Valentines. Oy! That was almost fun, except not. And then DH came home in time to take the kids to their tumbing class, so I get to go to my stretch class later. Yay DH! As far as I'm concerned, that's better than a Valentine's day card right there.

I tried oven-roasting a steak for the first time tonight, and it turned out very tasty. I overcooked it just a bit, but I'll know better for dinner tomorrow.

I want this. [link]

Huh. I've often fantasized about owning that building, but I didn't know it was for sale.

eta: From my Alderman:

The City is not selling the firehouse at a fixed price but, rather, is soliciting proposals for the use and purchase of the property. This means the City does not necessarily intend to sell the firehouse to the highest bidder, but rather will work with my office and community residents to ensure a use that is most beneficial to the surrounding neighborhood.

I love him. Did I ever mention he was the alderman who pushed the foie gras ban for Chicago?

How did you cook it, Matt?