sj, I highly approve of your alcoholic choices. High flavor and alcohol content to match.

I am taking some community college courses and getting mad on a regular basis. I'm a big fan of community colleges in general but MAN I've got some issues with some of these pedagogical choices. I know it's a) summer and b) asynchronous online but you can't scold your students halfway through the semester for not responding appropriately to your discussion questions when you NEVER TOLD THEM HOW! Or, well, you can. But you shouldn't. Also of course the research project which asks us to do kinds of analyses that are never discussed in the textbook. And the part where the only instruction provided is the textbook and the hourlong recorded lectures in which she reads from the slides that go with the textbook for, as far as I can tell, the very first time.

Tom, that's a huge accomplishment. Congratulations! I'm sorry for the grossness though. Is it deeper-cleaning grossness or age-and-wear grossness?

Both. I really need to get my apartment renovated, but that seems way too daunting for me at this point.

You are not alone, Scola. Envision husband and me cleaning in advance of the in-laws' arrival. There are places where the dust was practically sentient.

You are not alone, Scola. Envision husband and me cleaning in advance of the in-laws' arrival. There are places where the dust was practically sentient.

Us, too. Tim vacuumed the house today for the first time since probably...March? Possibly earlier. And we have a cat, so. It was as gross as you'd expect it to be.

I promise that my 35 years of slack housekeeping at the old apartment were on full display as we took everything down and moved.

It's been quite scrubbed since.

Back from my cousin's engagement party tonight. It was great seeing everyone, but the combo of heat, humidity, and Too Many People sucked every last bit of energy out of me. I am however stuffed full of good food and fond memories from the poolside slideshow. Best of all, the event flipped my mom from being pessimistic about attending their Vegas wedding to being really excited about it!

We cleaned out 90% of the random detritus that had accumulated in the bedroom. Now what's left is tidily contained in a single small bin and both nightstands have been cleaned.

We will not speak of the office or the basement

I am about to head to my basement to clean. There are boxes that are not fully empty from my move 2.5 years ago and corners down there that have not been swept or vacuumed since I moved in.

My goal is to move things around to see if the more private half of it, behind a wall could serve as a temp bedroom if Mac has to move here so we can both save money while he figures life out. Best case scenario that does not happen and I have a space that can serve as overflow guest room if more than a two people come to visit me at the same time.

nods of encouragement and samesies to all who have neglected the housework. It speaks nothing of your value. The last 2 and a half years have been a festering boil on the ass of our psyche.

We are staying at my BIL's house and SIL is a compulsive cleaner. Every room has some kind of cleaning spray or wipes and rubber gloves here and there. She cleans all day. I try and immediately wash a dish, make my bed, and so forth, but no doubt DH drives her nuts. My sister a hoarder and her a clean freak. It is a real contrast. I fall somewhere in between.

BIL was supposed to go to a beach party with 2 of his coworkers and significant others, and not surprisingly they spent 2 hours attempting to park and came back here. It made a whole lot of sense with Greg having a large gazebo and pool and tons of recliners and so forth. Anyway, may hours of a wide variety of alcohol and food options, almost all consumed while in the pool. Loud music, fun people. Then after midnight the non-drinkers had to argue with the drinkers and confiscate their keys and drive them home. These guys all drive big trucks for Costco, so not just risking life and limb, but their jobs. Anyway, the sober crew won the day. Many apologies and thanks for insisting this morning.

Not sure about fireworks tonight, but hope we can see them from here. Most places in the city see them in some direction.