Jesse, I haven't read the article, but I will. That's one of my greatest fears.

Just wait until you have some time to cry. :(

I cried :(

I had a weird name AND was made fun of a lot, but there wasn't much you could do with "Nadine". Although my BF called me "Moo", which started because he called me "Nay" which was corrupted to "Neigh" which was corrupted to "Moo".

Also, this brings me to the point that what I am missing in my life is a gay best friend, because I had one from 5th grade on until after college.

Sue, that's fantastic! Wanna come do my stairs?

There's a reason mine are still carpeted.

Yeah, I made use of the kleenex box.

I was able to track down a contact point (her wife) for my old friend who was also neighbor's friend and coworker. Hopefully it is still active and will be passed along. Google also revealed they have two kids, a boy and a girl. Aww.

There's a reasonj mine are still carpeted.

Mine just weren't really redone when they did the floors (probably resealed, but not sanded or restained.) Plus the accidental damage I've done doing the railing. Gah, I don't think I'm going to make much progress on that before the new year. I need to do research, buy tools, and figure out how to do it right. And I'm travelling and xmas shopping and weddinging, so less time for it. And I need to bring in my outside table, wash it down, restain some bits and linseed oil it. Maybe this week.

mac had a friend over from church and then two boys from the neighborhood were over. Four 9 year-old boys and we only had tears once (mac, of course), but no physical fights and no one left mad! OMG I want to dance and sing. They played for HOURS.

I working in the yard. Put mulch on the new flowerbed I made (I need to take pictures), laid out bricks for the next one I am making, planted two yucca and moved a shrub, then dug up vines and small trees and shrubs that are starting in another flowerbed. SO MANY ROOTS. I now have an over 2 foot deep and 3 foot wide hole trying to get out some thing that is growing that I do not want. I took pics of its leaves so you all can identify it for me. Gotta load them to flickr.

Here is evil plant: [link]

Yay.

msbelle, evil plants and all, I'm so glad to hear about your gardening. Clearly it feeds a need.

ION, I bought $30 worth of vintage dresses at an estate sale this morning, which at $1 each translates to a LOT of dresses.

Whoo, good score, Holli! Heeeeey, you're doing a lot of thrifting for starting your store, yes? I may send you a photo of a particular pair of boots and ask you to idly keep an eye out for them.