Eliza, sounds like it's time to declutter a couple of cats or establish a safe area (a room they won't destroy with a door that stays closed) for when you're away! As to the vacuum, I took mine in for repair one time because it wasn't sucking dirt through the hose. They fixed it but the hose still didn't work - I pulled the fitting off of the hose and found a paper clip had snagged a bunch of cat hair and it was blocked! Be sure to check the various points of intake before you pronounce it dead, and don't forget to change the bag.

Penny, were those photos taken in 2005, or like you said, did your camera add that to all of them?

Susan, have a safe and stress-free (yes, I know - sometimes difficult to accomplish) trip.

This morning I called the Salvation Army to arrange pickup of some large stuff (the box spring, etc.) and a box of leftover garage sale things. He asked what in particular and all I could tell him was "useful and attractive household items that Nate Berkus fans will enjoy finding when they do the thrift store thing to decorate their houses." It worked. That's later this week, and then I'll bring in the new bed pieces.

I finished the last of the chicken soup for lunch today, again dissolving a packet of gelatin and mixing the hot soup into it. I've added this to my routine once a day to strengthen my nails. I've also figured out another culprit in the dermatitis on my hands. I seem to be reacting to the shampoo I was using. I switched to back baby shampoo (I used it a while ago, and should have kept using it) and they're clearing up again. This is such a silly seeming process, figuring out what I am apparently allergic or sensitive to.

I've been walking the dogs each morning, good for all of us. I will probably walk them separately this evening - that seems to make an impression on them (like children with parents, they like the one-on-one time together).

SRS