Michelle, welcome to motherhood! There was one day when I was changing Moonglow's diaper that was so involved I've never forgotten it. I had to change a poopy diaper that had shot out the leg and she was kicking - by the time I finished I had to change the sheet on the changing table, everything she was wearing, and everything I was wearing except my bra. Yup. It can get that bad!

Forewarned is forearmed. Maybe. (At least keep your sense of humor handy!)

It's difficult to imagine feeling cold right now. It has been so warm for so long, few of the cool-down breaks we usually get in a summer. I spoke to a coworker friend at work yesterday about a print job, and he asked "while I have you on the phone" and described the state of his tomatoes and peppers. "Is this normal?" Yup. They just didn't do much this year and didn't respond to all of our various forms of prodding. It was too darned hot!

One load of laundry washed and dried, another to go in today, and since it is whites with sheets I'll dry these on the line. I'd like to dry everything outside, and if necessary, I can, but I have to agree with my son that some things just aren't meant for line drying. He didn't like towels on the line (I don't really mind, they get soft soon enough) but some of my clothes that are permanent press dry with creases that I can't even iron out. So those garments will go in the dryer.

My new antique hankies found in one of the trunks are completely finished with their soaking and oxy-bleach treatments and look great. I'll wash them with the rest of my hankies and then iron and use them. I have some dishtowels I've subjected to the same long soak in plain water than soak in oxygen bleach, and some of them are ready to go in the laundry now. Others may never get much lighter. That's okay - but it is nice to have these new old-fashioned linen and cotton towels for my kitchen.

SRS