The bad news is that it's probably going to cost me more than "merely" replacing the engine because they're going to rebuild the one I have. The mechanic, who comes highly recommended, just hasn't been able to find a replacement engine with "low" mileage (it's a 10yo car), which he would trust.

A rebuilt used engine should be as good or nearly as good as a brand-new engine.

Raccoons had better not raid my compost--right now it's filled with half my freezer! The ice maker in the freezer is broken, and a guy is coming this afternoon to repair it. I told my roommate to put anything she wanted to keep in a cooler, so I could empty the freezer. She put a few things, and then I got rid of like, 2/3rds of the stuff in the freezer--some was mine, some was from an old roommate, some I don't even know how long it had been in there. There's going to be so much space!

Sometimes, horrified laughter is what you need to get through the day: Mitch O'Connell: The Top 25 Weirdest and Most Inappropriate Children's books of All Time!

dad~ma Jilli.

Easy Peasy Smooth Going No Complications -Ma for Jilli's dad.

~ma for your dad, Jilli.

Strix, I'm so sad for your Micah. I can't believe his mom would do that to him--even telling him on the phone as soon as she made the decision would be better than waiting to tell him in person--what's the point, there? She can watch him face the crushing disappointment as it happens? This woman totally needs an empathy transfusion. I'm so sorry. But yes, stick to your guns about confronting her.

sj, I'm so sorry about your uncle. Peace to your family.

Maria, we're glad you're here. And we've been privileged to be here for you when we could.

Theo, skill and speed wished to your mechanic.

Procedure~ma for your dad, Jilli.

~ma for Jilli's father.

~ma for the GothFather.

~ma for dad of Jilli