...with the helpful popcorn machine!

With all of the work we've been doing on our house over the last few weeks, the folks who work at the local Ace hardware store have gotten to know me pretty well. On a number of occasions, I had the kids in tow, and I have to say the popcorn machine near the door works like a charm. Each kid can get their own little bag of popcorn (for free), and it keeps them occupied while I'm fumbling my way around, trying to find whatever it is that I think I need.  read more »

The traffic this weekend is going to be insane, since my town is in the path of the massive annual War Eagle Crafts Fair. Last year, we made the mistake of driving in the vicinity of the fair one afternoon and got stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic for over half an hour. So I'm having a bit of a dilemma with regards to our kids' Halloween costumes. We've still got two weekends to finish picking up their costume supplies, but I'd much prefer to get our shopping done this weekend rather than fighting even more crowds later.  read more »

Halloween is going to be the next holiday...to sneak up on me. I have a great idea for a costume, but I'm not sure if I can afford it. I want to create a Cousin It costume based on the character from The Addams Family. To do this, I was planning on sewing a few dozen wigs to a trenchcoat. Then I could wear my prescription sunglasses on top to complete the look. It looks like the cheapest wig I can find is about $5, and seeing as I would probably need a bunch of them, that makes for an expensive costume.  read more »

What does a microwave meal taste like after 54 years of research and development?  read more »

I was just thinking about this whole Wall Street bailout plan, and I have to ask...  read more »

This afternoon, I stopped at the grocery store after picking up the kids from school. I just wanted to grab a few things - bottled water was on the top of my list, since our filtered water dispenser in the refrigerator is disconnected until the contractors can get our kitchen back together. The shopping itself was quick and painless, but choosyboy had a total meltdown at the cash register over a pack of bubble-tape that he wanted.  read more »