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Staying Cool, in Spite of Yourself

Hopefully it's not as hot and sweaty and muggy in your part of the world as it is in mine...and really, we're lucky. Our part of Colorado cools down in the evenings. (yeah for breezes!)

But if you're watching moisture drizzle down your face, or down your dog's/daughter's/husband's, as well, this group of posts about dealing with the heat is for you. Take your time -- a number of valuable links here.

It has just been a zany week. The Mama and Cousin Joy have been here, which means extra driving and tourist stuff and meetings with the girlies. Tomorrow we head to Ikea, which finally opened a store in the Denver area, to look for a rug for Daughter #1, and storage units for the basement.

Life goes on...I just wish I didn't have to run so hard to grab for my place on the merry-go-round. At least the end is getting more near. (After being gone for most of next week in Nebraska, that is. Will explain more later.)

Home Again

After 19-plus hours on the road, plus an overnight stay in Evanston, WY, I'm home. Which means clean sheets on the bed, a very happy Charley, and Husband, who was happy to have his cooker/cleaner/snuggler home!

Something has been wrong all week in the Blogpost department -- I've tried several times to post, but was unable to retain anything except the post title! Aargghghghg....true to form, I mentioned this to Husband tonight, brought up the blog to show him...

And it looked totally different from the gibberish I've been enduring all week.

And the test post Worked. Just. Fine.


Husband, sitting next to me, burst into laughter. I think the computer likes him more than me.


More tomorrow, after I get my head together. I'm so happy to be back!

Shower Presents

Bridal shower gifts, that is! Every year about this time, it seems like the showers proliferate. I've got one coming up fast for the fiancee of our good friends' son, Deano. What should I get?


Like Mother, Like Daughter advocate the "something old, something new" approach, suggesting that a deviled egg dish (vintage, if you can get it), an old-but-reliable cookbook and a pretty new apron fit the bill. Good ideas...and there's even a link to an apron-making tutorial.

I thought these suggestions were good ones, too, from The Knot.com.

The Mama is fond of making a 'shower doll,' starting with rolled dishcloths and towels to make the doll's body, then adding whatever kitchen tools she can find on sale: spatulas, peelers, scrubbers and such. It's cute and kitschy (and useful!), all at the same time.

My favorite offerings vary some from these ideas:

*Christmas bubble lights. They're hard to find (so I stock up when I do), but add a fun, old-fashioned touch to holiday trees. And they last forever -- we still have lights purchased during the first five years of marriage. (We're pushing 30 right now.)

*A collection of frugal-themed books. These can often be found at booksales or your local thrift shop for pennies on the dollar. Look for the Tightwad Gazette series, anything with 'Cheapskate' in its title, or a Suze Orman book. (I'll pick up cookbooks  too, especially when they deal with Depression Era cooking, leftovers, or cheap foods.) Snuggle them in a basket with a big bow on the handle, and you're giving good sense advice for the young couple to save money. 


*A good tray. We were given a Blue Willow patterned metal tray for a wedding present that's held like iron -- it's gracefully collected everything from flowerpots to teasets, and looked good in the process. It has a few scratches now, but I'm reluctant to let it go.
    Choose a nice wooden or resin tray, add a few napkins and/or placemats, and you've got a piece anyone can make use of. If possible, get one of those breakfast trays with collapsible legs -- they sure come in handy for breakfast in bed!

Bankruptcy...And More

*Does it ever make sense to file bankruptcy in retirement?
     This slide show will give you some very matter-of-fact information, if you've been mulling over the possibility.


*PRISM: An insanely cool short film, courtesy of the makers and Youtube. If you enjoy sci-fi, you're going to love this one.

*Weird (and unsettling) facts: did you know the director of the American Red Cross makes close to a million bucks in salary a year?  Gee, that gives me pause. The director of Compassion International, an adopt-a-child program we support, with a 'son' in Brazil and another that was in Africa, makes a little more than $250,000 yearly. Not great -- but bearable.

And Chocolate Cherry 'Ice Cream' Popsicles, courtesy of Cheap Healthy Good. 

Did a huge batch of appraisals this morning...and now it's hot hot hot. Makes you wish for a swimming pool within tippytoe reach. Ah well.

More Mystery Guitar Man

Mystery Guitar Man's got a great 'Mystery Guitar Boy' video you've got to see.

And in honor of the new Harry Potter flick hitting the screens on Thursday...
   a Harry Potter Water version, too.

I love this zany Brazilian-American's musical forays -- you will, too. (A new video comes out every Thursday.)

Gripe, Moan, Complain

Boy, what a downer that previous post was...but somehow I feel better.
Thanks for listening.

At least some people had a better time -- like Aunt Purl in Florida. Gives you hope, doesn't it!