Inspired by A_swoop_and_a_dart I thought I would list a couple of my recommendations


Yummy… Alexia Yukon Gold® Julienne Fries with Sea Salt

I always grab a few bags when I make a trip to the commissary. I use them as a quick side or the daughter makes them as an after school snack.

Cascadian Farm Blueberries (from the product site)
Blueberries - Perfect for pies, pancakes or--best of all--with a simple splash of sweet cream, these sweet indigo jewels boast a beautifully sun-ripened taste.
Butternut Squash -mmmmmmmm....This squash is heavenly. I have only found it at Whole Foods. But I usually grab a couple of bags to stash away.






We love Frosted Shredded Wheat. I had not bought them for awhile, but this summer I picked up a box and I have bought several since. Somedays I just dump a handful in a ziploc bag and munch on them at my desk at work. I will admit that I have substituted them as a quick dog snack for the begging puppies! A household fav at for the moment

I could go on... but enough for now. I am hungry.

Chapter One
Forget what you've read about the ocean. Forget white sails on a blue horizon, the romance of it, the beauty. A picnic basket in a quiet anchorage, the black-tipped flash of gulls. The sound of the wind like a pleasant song, the curved spine of the coast --
Read more here


Good read... I had not read anything by A. Manette Ansay before. I was pleasantly suprised.

I started reading this on the plane yesterday and finished before bed last night.
It is part romantic comedy, part chick lit.
And of course it has a nice ending...
Emily's Reasons Why Not

In the last 6 weeks we have had 3 bouquets of flowers in our home.

Why?

The daughter has found her a nice boy that likes to give flowers.
I am sitting here looking at 2 dozen long stemmed pink roses.

It is amazing. It is a little scary. But exciting for her.

Dinner conversations

Wednesday we left the office well after 6 and decided to continue our work conversation over dinner in the restaurant at the hotel.
I agree. Run up to my room, switch to yoga pants and sweatshirt and meet the other three in my party down stairs. No one else had changed, but that is me. If I could wear pajama/yoga pants everyday, I would.
We order dinner and have great conversation.

The conversation switches gears to the subject of young people taking stands for what they believe in. (There was an article in the USA Today) I am nodding and listening. Woman A explains that her daughter had caused a big stink about the brother wanting to buy stock from a company that was supporting the war (they make detonators or something). She felt that the brother should not be connected to the war in any shape or form and gave him an earful. You can tell from her non verbal cues she does not support the war. I say nothing. Just nod and listen.

Then they begin to talk about the town where I live and the mixture of people that reside there. She mentions that there are several large Christian based non profit organizations and the mixture of elite Air Force bases, regular Air Force bases and the lowly Army. She notes that it is a very peculiar town. I say nothing. She proceeds to describe that the Army area can be a little seedy… The other lady at the table that I know fairly well is trying to divert the conversation to a different direction before Woman A sticks her foot in her mouth.

She says now Deb, ‘You are in the Reserves, correct” I quickly confirm that yes, I am in the Army National Guard. She proceeds to tell them that her father was a veteran as well. Conversation halts immediately. Topic quickly changes at the table and no further mention of the military or war. Both my friend and I have been deeply touched by the war. Her nephew was killed in Iraq over a year ago.

I serve my country and I am proud.

The breadth of this war is simply amazing.

Ok.. today was a first.

I boarded the plane to come back to the blizzard (which is long gone and my car was bone dry in the airport parking lot).

I walk back to my seat that is in the middle of the plane.
I notice the person I will be sitting next to is already in her window seat. As I get closer, I realize that she a has bright bubbly face and she is smiling. I pop in, shoving my laptop under the seat and notice she is a bit large. So, large in size that we cannot put the arm rest down between us. I am ok with it. Lord knows I traveled with the Army in much tighter places with duffle bags on our laps!
She is very sweet and we strike a quick casual conversation.
I am not an airplane talker. I usually nap, pretend I am napping or read.
I am not that uncomfortable, but I can tell she is. I scoot over and give her as much room as possible.
I am thankful that I was sitting next to her, I scanned the other seats and realized what a truly uncomfortable ride it could have been for others. I really can not pinpoint exactly how I felt, a mixture of compassion and thankfulness and awkwardness.

I thought about her for awhile today…

The subject of a bird flu outbreak is becomg a widely talked about topic.
I have not gone overboard but I am take a few precautions at the house.
A few weeks ago I stored 4 gallons of fresh water for the dogs and the bunny in the garage, just in case. I am also going to order a few flashlights that do not require batteries. You just shake them. I have a small list of other things I am going to store up for an emergency.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is providing pretty good updates.
Avian influenza
BTW - you cannot browse their site with a weak stomach, some of the pictures took me surprise. Not anything horrible, just medically graphic.

Army to spread burden of combat

Pentagon records show one-fifth of the Army's active-duty troops have served multiple tours of war duty while more than 40% haven't been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Read more...
It is amazing that I know some Active Duty soldiers that have been over there 3-4 times and some have never been. But, that does not mean that have not been supporting the war in other means. I read the article with a bit of raised brow.

a co-worker passed this along. Winter wonderland

WINTER SURVIVAL KIT

I thought I had better look up the suggested contents of a winter kit.
Sadly my car only has 1/2 of these items - I need to put together a small box and leave it in the car

"Winter Kit." No matter how you name it, you need a survival bag in your vehicle if you live in a wintry place. Put the following items together and keep it in your car. It could save anything from some passing discomfort to a life.
· Stuff your survival kit with the following: An old down vest that you've criss-crossed with a large X of red reflective stick-on tape.
· One or two Space Blankets (a fist-sized packet that unfolds to a large filmy tarp that reflects your body heat back to you.)
· A handful of kitchen matches in a waterproof container.
· Plumbers' candles. (And a metal can to stand them up in.)
· A folding cup.
· A small radio that gets juice from batteries and/or a small crank you turn manually.
· A flashlight that works similarly.
· Several chocolate bars.
· Unsalted almonds.
· Several small plastic bottles of water.
· Heavy warm socks.
· Warm stocking cap.
· Old ski gloves or mittens.
· Lightweight but warmth-trapping turtleneck.
· A signaling mirror.
· Plastic garbage bags.
· Deck of cards.

blusteryday

I am in Houston in the office.
My family is at home enjoying a snow day…

The blizzard warning verbiage:
A BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MDT THISAFTERNOON. THIS WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE INTERSTATE 25 CORRIDOR...INCLUDING EL PASO...PUEBLO...HUERFANO AND EASTERN FREMONT COUNTIES. HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE ACROSS EL PASO COUNTY THROUGH AT LEAST EARLY AFTERNOON. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 4 TO 14 INCHES HAVE BEENREPORTED SO FAR IN EL PASO COUNTY. AN ADDITIONAL 6 TO 12 INCHES WILL OCCUR THROUGH THE REST OF THE MORNING.
THE HEAVIEST SNOW HASFALLEN NORTH AND WEST OF DOWNTOWN COLORADO SPRINGS. WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE THIS MORNING. BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR THROUGH THE REST OF THE MORNING. SNOWDRIFTS IN EXCESS OF 3 FEET HAVE BEEN REPORTED. LARGE TREE LIMBS ARE DOWN THROUGHOUT EL PASO COUNTY.

EMERGENCY SHELTERS HAVE BEEN OPENED IN EL PASO COUNTY. HEAVY SNOWS WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE LOWER ELEVATIONS OF PUEBLO ANDHUERFANO COUNTIES THIS MORNING. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 6 TO 12 INCHESWILL BE POSSIBLE. LIFE THREATENING WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITH THISBLIZZARD. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OR FREQUENT GUSTS OVER 35 MPH ANDVISIBILITY REDUCED TO BELOW 1/4 MILE BY FALLING AND BLOWING SNOWARE EXPECTED.

AVOID TRAVELING IN THE WARNING AREA.

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO TRAVEL IN THE WARNING AREA DURING THE TIME OF THE WARNING...LISTEN TO THE LATEST WEATHER FORECAST AND CONSIDER TRAVELING AT ANOTHER TIME OR BY ANOTHER ROUTE. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL IN THEWARNING AREA DURING THE TIME OF THE WARNING...TAKE ALONG A WINTERSURVIVAL KIT. IF YOU BECOME STRANDED IN A RURAL AREA...STAY WITHYOUR VEHICLE UNTIL HELP ARRIVES. IN SIMILAR CONDITIONS DURINGPAST BLIZZARDS...PEOPLE HAVE DIED OF EXPOSURE WHILE TRYING TOWALK TO SHELTER. TO KEEP WARM IN YOUR VEHICLE...RUN YOUR ENGINE 10 MINUTES EACH HOUR...AND MAKE SURE THE EXHAUST PIPE IS CLEAR OFSNOW TO AVOID CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

ughhh

Just when you thought you had read it all this headline caught my eye… US mid-terms- Campaign spending is not as scary as Halloween decorations

Yes you read…
Americans will spend more than $4.95bn - yes billion - on costumes, candy, cards and decorations -that's five times more than they spend on democracy. Now that really is scary!
Costume Facts


2006 Top Kids’ Costumes
# Costumes for Children
Princess
Pirate
Witch
Spider-Man
Superman
Disney Princess (Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, Snow White)
Power Ranger
Pumpkin
Cat
Vampire

maybe if I had this...

My cleaning efforts would be more productive.

Yesterday ,I tried honestly.
The husband left for Drill early 5am-he had at least a 90 minute commute and it had snowed.
I did not bother to go back to bed- heck this was primetime to get things done. Last weekend was my drill weekend and this week I am traveling for work Monday-Friday.
I started the wash – always wash to do.

I went down into the basement to organize a few piles that have been growing for the Christmas season. I am estimating I am probably 50% complete. I putter around and put together the five Operation Christmas Child boxes and fill two grocery bags to take to the trash can. Hey, I am accomplishing things – But to the naked eye nothing- Looks pretty much the same.

I made 4 batches of peanut butter dog biscuits. Dogs are happy. Lazy, but happy.

Next, I decide to clean out the spice cabinet which was in dire straights and the another cabinet that we use for vitamins and coffee and tea. (I need to stock up on things, the holidays are fast approaching.) I cleaned out a small drawer and folded the kitchen towels neatly. All of this takes me an over an hour and the inside looks great – All of the salt and pepper and shakers are filled to the brim and tidy. The spices are lined up like formation of tiny soldiers. But to the naked eye – nada.

I fold a couple loads of laundry and iron three shirts for the husbands work week… Still showing no signs of real progress.
Gather up bathroom rugs to wash.
Decide to switch out the kitchen curtain – Iron the replacement curtain and hang.
Steam clean the living room and hallway.

And ladies… my house barely looks any different than Friday.

The only score is that I actually put up a Fall plaque and ribbon on my door and I am going to put out a small Halloween decoration for my neice. (Every year I find it with the Christmas decorations.. much too late.

I am lame!

I did read ½ a book that I was saving for the plane.

Today… more of the same

Church, errands, daughter needs to go shopping.
Groceries… (need to use the coupons ending on 10/31)
Pack for trip.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Story

I listened to this on NPR today.
'Fire in the Night': A U.S. Military Blog from Iraq
Check it out.
wordsmith

Is Nothing sacred?


I used to buy Dagoba Organic Chocolate at Whole Foods and Wild Oats on special occasions.
I liked the fact it was different and owned by a small company.
No any more…

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY), as part of its strategic focus on the high-growth premium chocolate segment, today announced that it has acquired the assets and operations of Dagoba Organic Chocolate, LLC. Based in Ashland, Oregon, Dagoba is known for its high-quality natural and organic chocolate bars, hot chocolate and chocolate-covered coffee beans sold in natural foods outlets and gourmet stores.

Hershey has scored a new brand!
Good for them – the chocolate is great.
I hope they keep it Whole Foods…

About Dagoba Organic Chocolate, LLC
Founded in 2001, Dagoba Organic Chocolate, LLC seeks to create the world's most exquisite organic chocolate, following the highest standards of ethics and ecological sustainability. Dagoba is dedicated to the Art of Chocolate Alchemy: transforming cacao into exquisite chocolate through Full Circle Sustainability(TM): blending equity, quality, ecology and community. The company seeks out fine flavor, sustainable and certified organic cacao through direct, equitable partnerships, and manufactures in small batches with great care. All products are also kosher, and many are Certified Organic. Dagoba's approach has gained high regards: Food & Wine's 2005 Tastemaker Award, "World's Best Chocolate" - CNN/Money, and "Best Dark Chocolate" - San Francisco Chronicle.

“To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven”- Ecclesiastes 3:1


Where did I run across this verse?
On the back of the Edwards Georgia Pecan Pie package.
I have been picking up individual pie slices and leaving them in the freezer for when we needed a snack or dessert after dinner. Sort of like a stand-by dessert.
I had never noticed the scripture. I did some research on the company.
Edwards Baking

The pies were great to begin with, but the subtle touch on the back of the box widens your view.

all I can say is wow.... Congratulations Detroit Tigers.
Off to the World Series
and Way to go University of Michigan

Yesterday I accomplished what some may see as a small thing, but for me it was a huge mental challenge.
I passed my pt test. Simple task, right? I am healthy and I am fit. Well, I had missed it twice by twenty seconds. Yes, twenty seconds. That equates to just 50 steps or a final sprint vs a final gallup…. I am glad I have it out of my way. Running is not my strong skill, but it is not optional either. I feel pretty good. But I have another one in seven months….
It was good to be at drill, we have a small section but it is like a family. That is probably one thing I have always enjoyed about the military. You put a bunch of people together that you would not normally find together and you make something happen!

Occasionally, you meet someone that rubs you the wrong way, but you get by. I am thankful for my little section of citizen soldiers it is a mixture of full-time guardsman, corporate people like myself, high-tech folks and stay at home moms. Amazing!

4 hours of bliss

This week during Monday Night Football, I read Miss American Pie.
It is a memoir about growing up in the 1970's.
Fabulous read.
Makes me want to write.

The details

Just so you know...

HUMANITARIAN VIDEO GAME NOW IN SEVEN LANGUAGES: This week, the world's first humanitarian video game "Food Force" will be available in seven languages following the launch of French, Hungarian and Chinese versions. The games are being released in the lead up to World Food Day, 16 October. Food Force is an educational computer game created by the World Food Programme.

Read the article

World Food Day leaflet

The world’s health authorities should prepare for a significant increase in the number of deaths from heroin overdoses following a dramatic surge in opium production in Afghanistan this year...Read the story

Overheard in our kitchen

Last week I needed to run to the commissary to grab diapers for a baby gift.
I called home to ask if the daughter needed any toiletries.
She called back with the following:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Razors
Body Soap
Facial Cleanser
And Hair Product

I had $7.00 worth of Dove Coupons that I wanted to use before the end of the month.

I arrived home, we unloaded the groceries, and I handed her the bag of things she needed.
She looked at me and just said, “I guess you must have had coupons.” I nodded.
A few minutes later, she announced that I had purchased the wrong facial cleanser. That tube was for normal-dry skin types. She needed the other kind.

Without missing a beat and looking straight at her I just said, “I guess you can use it for your feet.”
She said, “Good idea.”


Long sigh…
And a funny smile…

I drove with some anxiety to the appointment. But it turned out to be a fairly easy. I ran through a series of tests and spoke with a wonderful ophthalmologist, she encouraged me that my eyesight was really not that bad and it had nothing to do the recent 36th calendar year. I was amazed when she fine–tuned my prescription and I could see distances clearly. I will probably need them for driving and activities that require distance eyesight. I am excited about going to the rifle range this year. Admittedly, I have been struggling to qualify for the last several years. I can control the weapon and frankly I love to shoot. It just made me very anxious when I could not get a good sight picture because I could not focus. We had fun picking out frames, the ladies made the task almost enjoyable. For that, I am thankful. They should be ready in 5-7 days.

I have two important updates and continued prayer requests…

Blake
Here is a quick excerpt from an email I received from the family…

And even more good news! Blake is home! He gets four days at home before his next round of chemo begins – what a blessing! Please pray that he will get renewed mentally and physically in these few days for what is ahead. This next round will consist of four days in the hospital and three days at home for a couple of weeks until his blood count will drop drastically again and he will need to be in the hospital again for three or four weeks.

Pray for his struggle now with nausea! The chemo is wearing down the systems in his body and while he has a healthy appetite so far, he often doesn’t get to keep his lunch. He handles it very well but it can wear on you as any of you who are moms and have had morning sickness can attest to.

We also got another bit of good news today – the lady from SSI called to say that Blake was now on disability – we don’t know for sure yet but hope that this is the next step to get him on to Medicaid so that he can have the bone marrow transplant at the University Hospital. Our insurance will cover the first $100,000 and the Medicaid would cover everything over that. And yes – the doctor seemed pretty certain that Blake is looking at the bone marrow transplant, which we are just beginning to learn is quite a rigorous undertaking, very dangerous but with the best hope for a cure. Pray that one of Blake’s brothers will be a donor match for him. Having your kinfolk donate stem cells gives the best possible opportunity for the graft to take.



A Storm in Afghanistan
excerpt from their blog…
Day to day life? Well, she has good days and bad days. She no longer carries anything breakable or sharp as we never know when something will give out. Driving is a long-ago memory now. And, of course, I don't leave her alone with our toddler. For her to get in/out of bed, we like to have me there... just in case.

...Stop by, leave a note, send a card, make a donation, call a friend… They are part of our extended military family and they need our help.

Damn Cancer - I hate YOU.

I am going to an appointment that I have been avoiding for three years. Yes three years. I pretty much know the results - but I need to get this taken care of. Today is the day.

Please no four-eyed comments.

It is a blustery day. The blue sky from yesterday has been replaced by rain filled clouds.
I did see a small herd of antelope on the way home from church this morning; they weregrazing for a morning treating seemingly unaware to how close they were to the road.
The weather encouraged me to put on a pot of white northern beans for soup this afternoon. I do not have a real recipe for this. I just add beans, ro*tel tomatoes, organic tomato paste, garlic and a few pieces of turkey bacon and season as needed. Very simple food. No frills. It reminds me of something my mom would have made (of course the turkey bacon would have been replaced by a ham bone and the tomatoes would have come from a canning gar).

I will post pictures of the daughter’s involvement in the quinceta later this week, I plan on catching up on a few cards and letters, resting and cleaning for the rest of the day…

Over the summer I took one term off from my master's. I am now regeistered for a class that meets next week on Thursdays from 530-1000. They changed the format from an all weekend schedule to meeting five Thursdays. How can I prove I am back this term?
I have a $150.00 Barnes and Noble bill to prove it.
The best thing is that I tagged on Blackfive's book. Blackfive

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

Highly recommended.
One must understand that at times I pick odd movies to watch.
My Netflix list is very eclectic, but for me it is perfect.
Last weekend we started to watch The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio.
Unfortunately the last four scenes would not play due to a huge crack in the dvd. I was stunned. I had to find out what happened to the family. I sat on edge of my seat the entire movie. The story line is both wonderful and a little sad. On Wednesday, we received the replacement dvd and we fast-forwarded to end of the movie with anticipation. I went to bed with a heavy heart but in a good way. It is a story of a remarkable woman trying to keep her home together.

From the publisher

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio introduces Evelyn Ryan, an enterprising woman who kept poverty at bay with wit, poetry, and perfect prose during the "contest era" of the 1950s and 1960s. Standing up to the church, her alcoholic husband, and antiquated ideas about women, Evelyn turned every financial challenge into an opportunity for innovation, all the while raising her six sons and four daughters with the belief that miracles are an everyday occurrence. The inspiration for a major motion picture, Evelyn Ryan's story is told by her daughter Terry with an infectious joy that shows how a winning spirit and sense of humor can triumph over adversity every time

The Prize Winner

The movie is based on a memoir written by Terry Ryan. I am headed to the library this weekend and will look for the book.

Kimberly loves her pumpkin. She has been giving it plenty of kisses and even sang an 18-month year old's renditon of "Happy Birthday". Amazingly enough my garden produced four perfect carving pumpkins. The garden was very good to me this summer. I am thankful.

I just finished Fat Girl A True Story by Judith Moore
This is very well written and an amazing true story.
I could relate to Moore on many issues. I was not fat, but I was not popular. Playground scars run deep.
Book details

I think I could even make this...

Jack-O-Lantern Layered Mexican Dip

Serves: 10-12

Ingredients
1 - 16 oz. can of refried beans
1 - 4.5 oz. can of chopped green chiles
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 avocadoes, peeled and diced
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 cup Stonewall Kitchen Black Bean Salsa
4 scallions, chopped
2 cups shredded orange cheddar cheese
Blue corn tortilla chips, triangle shape
Sliced black olives, drained
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a greased deep pie dish, spread the refried beans and then layer the green chiles.
For the next layer combine the sour cream and the mayonnaise and spread over the chiles. Continue layering the avocadoes, lemon juice, Stonewall Kitchen Black Bean Salsa, scallions, and cheddar cheese.

Bake for 20-30 minutes until heated through and bubbly.

Decorate top of dip with three tortilla chips forming the eyes and nose of the jack-o-lantern. Use the sliced black olives to form a mouth.

Serve hot with additional tortilla chips.

Happy Fall

Saturday was an amazing day for a football game. Warm, sunshine and blue skies. We could not have asked for a better day. I even picked up a little color on face! We had a great time and the Falcons beat New Mexico! Catching up with our friends was just what I needed. It felt great to just relax, share and laugh.
Our friend’s daughter who is my age is literally fighting for her life. She had been a school teacher in Virginia, but a month or so ago she was gven 6-12 months to live. She is spending time traveling and helping others.
Kelly's story

Yesterday we drove to see the changing colors. Yes, drove. We did not stop; we did not collect $200. We just drove. I am must remember that not everyone likes to walk and smell the fresh Fall air.
I am planning a day to honor my mom. Next week she has been gone for eight years. I have a few ideas and I will pass along what pans out.
I started an amazing book yesterday which I will pass along the details tomorrow.

I have also begun to a bit of Fall cleaning and sorting. On Saturday, I gave away five pair of my daughter’s tennis shoes to a family that could use them and I gathered up all of the shoe boxes that I have been collecting throughout the year for Operation Christmas Child. I have them all wrapped in Christmas paper. I have a grocery bag full of things I have been saving and I have trial sized toiletries. If you are not familiar with the program, go check it out samaritans purse. It is an amazing way to give to others in need. I personally love to discover how many small treasures we can fit in a tiny box. Our church comes together and fills boxes as a huge community project. We filled over 800 last year and I know they would like to shoot for 1000.

I began to make a mental list of a few major purchases I need to make. When I say major that means over $100 for me! I need to replace the bed pillows, they are looking a bit rough and they should be replaced. I counted seven pillows. One was lost at camp, my daughter’s tent leaked and she felt it was just safer and easier to toss it away. The pillows will probably be around $85. Tuesday Morning is one of the best places to buy linens. While I am there I need to purchase new bath rugs. I need to change things up a bit. The current one’s have been laundered far too many times and look ugly, they serve their purpose but they are ugly. Rugs are expensive and I have three bathrooms. So, I believe the cheapest I will get out of the store with three sets of bath mats and rugs will be $60.

Our shredder is broken and I finally set it to the curb about a month ago. I have plenty of junk mail that needs to be shred. I think shredders run about $35. This weekend while I was restacking the shred piles, I thought about my grandparents house on Post Road. My grandpa used to have a burn barrel and he would fiddle around outside and keep the burn barrel going. I think maybe that was his man cave. He would burn household items, newspapers and lawn waste. Of course, that was a long time ago. If I tried to create a burn barrel in my back yard, I would have all eyes from the neighbors and probably a citation from the city. But, just for a split second, I wanted one.

The last and final decision has been to remove the vertical blinds from the back sliding glass doors. This is the third set we have put up and we current have two missing slats. We are not gentle with them and neither are the dogs when they come running in or out. I think I want to find a nice rod and purchase a rich dark red, brown or natural color curtain to use as accent and cover instead. I do not want to think about the cost of curtains, I know they will be ridiculous, but I might be able to make some on my own. We shall see. I also need to make an appointment to get the carpet cleaned and maybe buy a new couch. Good grief… I need to go to work and stop thinking. Have a great week.