ktbski's Profile

My friends and I do this once a month and call it Supper Club. We don't live in the same neighborhood, but on Sunday night a month we all bring a side dish and wine, and the host/hostess makes the main dish. We've had everything from grilled pizza served on folding tables in the front yard (my house) to empanadas in a proper dining room. It's a really good time, we'll invite the host's roomies if there are any, and it's a great way to get ready for the workweek with friends.

I got my Dansko Mary Janes (my third pair of Danskos!) at a local shop and when they didn't fit correctly, the shop helped reshape the upper for free, and now I live in them. Look into options on that tight top strap--that can be loosened by a professional.

Mail's actually the only thing I've mastered. I go through the mail every day, sort, shred and recycle everything except my husband's mail. That goes into his box, which is a rectangular organizer that I bought for him at Storables. It makes it vastly easier for me to stash his mess when people come over, since he goes through his mail about once every three weeks.

And I might try that goal strategy at work--what a great idea!

My dog is a 75lb Lab, and she's so funny--she starts out the evening on her bed (right next to ours on the floor) and then by the time we wake up, she's pushed my husband over towards me and she's sleeping on our bed.

She never attempts to get up on my side because she knows I'll kick her off, but clearly my husband is a pushover--literally and figuratively. That said, she only asks to get up on my side of the couch when we're watching TV. Likely for the same reasons.

My sister's old roommate is looking for a roommate in Baldwin Hills! Mostly kidding, but good luck on your search. I definitely wish you the best of luck--I just spent a week at my friends' apartment in San Francisco, and I've never appreciated a dedicated parking spot before.

My father has a saying: "There are things you do, and things you throw money at." I've applied that to a number of things in my life. Can I replace the headlights and hoses in a Subaru? Yes. Can I rewire anything? Hell no. In fact, I just tripped the breaker cutting wires over the weekend. Ooops.

I consider it a cost-benefit analysis, and I apply it on a daily basis. Spend $5 on a loaf of bread? Nope, I can make it for pennies. Make my own beer? No thanks, I live in Portland, OR, and I have the best beer aisles anywhere. But believe me, I certainly respect anyone who has skills that I don't!!

When I was a senior in high school, my family was lucky enough to attend the Bracebridge dinner at the Ahwahnee Lodge in Yosemite; this meant we were away for Christmas. We solved the tree problem by decorating my dad's skis and putting the presents around the tails.

This year my husband and I are travelling to my in-laws' house, so instead of a tree, I strung my lights in my front windows and hung some ornaments from the strings. I think it looks pretty cute!

My mom made a hard and fast rule when I was a child--no list = no presents. She still asks me for one every year, so I have a wishlist lying around on Powells.com, and some Amazon stuff. She hates to give gift cards, so I make sure there are a few things on the list that are in her budget and that I want for me to unwrap. I'm getting better at winging it for my husband, but my MIL has started asking for my list too!

I absolutely covet these. I am dying the pull apart the wall in my living room and put up some built-in bookshelves on either side of my fireplace. Someday...

Definitely stick with the farmers' market veggies and drink less next year. My dad bought a balthazar of wine, and Lord, did I drink more than I needed to!