A few good gems

{Note: Picture above is what I imagine Fall to be like. Pictures are all I have. Sniff.} 

Temps are still in the 90s here in the Lone Star State, and yet, I've fallen to the dastardly machinations of a head cold. My throat hurts, my nose is stuffy, and by mid afternoon? I'm toast -- so, so tired. I know. I'm whiney. It's part of what makes me, "ME". 

I just think if I'm going to cough and wheeze I should be wrapped in a warm blanket and scarf, with a steaming cup of hot cocoa. I should NOT be in shorts and a t-shirt, madly turning up the AC. It's not right. I need someone to FIX IT. 

Even in my mucus-laden state, I've managed to spend a considerable amount of time surfing the net. Just for you. I only do it for you. Otherwise, I'd be studiously reading and writing and doing laundry and baking homemade cookies for my children. But nope. Just surfing the net. Like it's my job. 

You'll thank me later. 

Have you seen this "informative rant" about why American health care is so expensive? It's not a partisan thing, so everyone calm down. Basically, it's about supply and demand -- but it's delivered in such an entertaining way! Also, Sterling and I recently paid upwards of $2000 OUT OF POCKET for a brief trip to the ER that required no technology or testing WHATSOEVER. I have to quit writing about this now before my caps lock key is STUCK FOREVER. 

My new favorite contemporary book just might be "Where'd You Go, Bernadette."  Guys, I polished off this novel in about 3.5 hours. I couldn't put it down. I'll have to read it once or twice more to really decided if it's my "favorite," but I can tell you this right now -- so entertaining. And not scholarly and boring. But not super fluffy. It's just about right.

I heard about goldbely.com on the radio this morning (while I was making my second trip to drop off kids at 6:30 this morning). Basically, Goldbely is a service that ships famous eats from around the US. You can get bagels from Zabar's in NYC, Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza from Chicago, and even Blue Bell ice cream from Brenham, Texas. I'm a big fan of food in general. Also, I can't imagine living away from a freezer-full of Blue Bell. But be warned -- four 1/2 gallon containers of Blue Bell runs $129 (shipping included). I currently pay approximately $6 per 1/2 gallon containers, which would put my cost (before shipping) at around $24. But, if you are desperate, THERE YOU GO.

Before I dissertate today, I'm seriously considering making this

OR maybe these pumpkin snickerdoodles

Also, don't tell Becca, but I'm working on something like this for her birthday. She wanted a bedroom-refresh for her gift. Pictures to come. 

And that's it folks. Happy weekending to you.