It always amazes me what a difference humidity makes. Here in the Phoenix metro area, our humidity starts to go up in July when our "monsoons" hit, and you can really tell the difference. And it is still not that high, but it is much more uncomfortable. Still, I look forward to the rain we get with monsoons. However, they have become more unpredictable than they used to be (or they seem to be). There has been so much (mindless) building on the outskirts of town which has resulted in a heat island. Now, it seems the rains cannot make it into town as it dissipates on the edge of town due to the heat. Someone I know was in San Diego this past week and thought it was almost as uncomfortable as here due to the higher humidity. Amazing, as everyone around here tries to get over to San Diego in the summer to escape our heat.

Happy December 23 Festivus Day I thought all along that I was standing alone at this holiday cross roads but you all have with great humor and hysterical examples really helped to take the edge off holiday decorating for meÂthanks. Well as always truth is much stranger than fiction, I canÂt believe I spent time fretting over the issue of having to un decorate our tree. How could it not have dawned on me when I was hanging little Lady Apples on the tree that Basil our 100 lb lab with a big appetite and the uncanny ability to spring jump 6-7 feet high from a standing position would be more than happy to undecorated for us. The funny thing was we found all of the ornament hooks that I had used to hang the apples lined up all in a row on his bed in the same fashion a party guest would line up appetizer tooth picks on their plate. The tree is now looking dry, sparse, and tired I have replaced the apples with millet and as long as the dog doesnÂt develop a taste for bird food we might have something to gather around on Christmas morning. My sister the tropical lurker came across this link and wanted me to share it with you all. Now a Festivus Pole/ De Lighter marketed together could make for one great holiday combo package. Here is a link that might be useful: 'Seinfeld' Spurs Festivus Pole Sales

I got mine in SS to blend in better with the SS and black appliances I have so I was just wondering what colour appliances you have and if you feel the brown will work? I'm trying to picture a brown range under a SS vent hood if that's what you have or do you have it panelled in the same wood as the cabinets? Personally I like a little contrast against the cabinets so maybe the lighter brown or even consider cream/biscuit to match the cream in the floors and the butcher block? Or how about going SS and just add brown knobs? I think that would be stunning too! Great that you can check out the other brown range to see if it will work. Make sure you bring the colour samples with you to see how close they came for curiosity sake and maybe samples of your flooring, cabinets etc. By the way I'm thrilled for you that you've finally chosen your range and can now see everything coming together for your kitchen design. I enjoyed reading all your postings and reliving the similar thought processes I had when trying to choose my bluestar. If I remember correctly, don't you have a BGE? I have one too and do a lot of roasting outside but have done quite a bit inside too when I don't feel like getting cold or wet. It sure is nice to have the versatility. And oh yes, clean up on the stovetop is a real breeze! Judy

imsoconfused- That is soooooo gross. balego- Stay away from water. rilie- THAT is the funniest thing ever. As for me. Recently... I took home some ham from Easter at sis house. I planned to make split pea soup. I put it in freezer so that morning I took it out to thaw. I spent all day thinking about that ham and how yummy the soup would be. I made the soup. I had a recipe out to make sure I did all that I was supposed to. Ate the soup, everyone loved it. At last spoonful I realized I forgot the ham. DH laughed. He didn't want to say anything but figured it was just "chemo brain". To prevent forgetting things from now on I write notes as soon as I think of them. My dh asked our really skinny neighbor when she was expecting. She wasn't, she was just wearing a babydoll top. He has never asked a woman since. Almost every time I go to store to get something specific I get tons of other things and not the specific item. Hence then need to now make notes. Oooooooh, now I remember something good. At work we have three buildings. The bathrooms are womens on north end, mens on south end. I went into another building and realized I needed to go. I headed to the womens room and as soon as I opened the door I saw a man at the urinal with his back to me. Of course, proper male ediquitte is that they don't turn and look at each other when at the urinals. Thank goodness!! I let go of the door and literally ran down the hall and slipped into another suite to hide. I think it was a guy from a unit I don't go to so I am pretty sure he would not know me even if he did look. Later on I realized who he was and was right, he does not know me and from now on when I have to go I go back to my own building.