We just had the best week. Awesome and fun. But expensive! Our best friends from New Orleans drove up to visit us, and brought their DS, who is the same as my DS1. The kids had a blast together. They got along great, which was a relief!

We had a great visit too. We took the kids to the zoo, to a Lego exhibit at the science museum, the Lego store, trick or treating, and to a pumpkin patch. Then, at night, we'd put them to bed and retreat to the basement bar and lounge area I've been working so hard on lately for drinks and conversations. It was great!

unfortunately, we spent a lot on groceries and gas, but well worth the money.

****

Today has been the day of back to reality. The FIL managed somehow to crack the base of our main bath toilet while he was here, so we had that replaced today. ( I don't want to know.) Normally, I replace toilets myself, but with two little kids it'd be weeks before I'd get to it, so we decided to pay the plumber to come. Labor cost about $200, plus the $200 for the new toilet (we supplied that).

We needed a new flange, which I never would have known, and if it weren't replaced we could have gotten a leak which would have cost us much more, so it seems like saving money preventing water damage is worth it.

Oh well. we're in home improvement mode still, and are planning to head to Menard's later today. They have the fireplace doors we need for the basement, and are offering the 11 percent back. They are the same model sold at lowe's, for $68 less, in stock vs special order and I'll get about $20 back in rebates, so it seems like now is the time! Then, we can have them installed and have a fire for our once every four years presidential election party. That will be nice!

*** Things have been a whirlwind. Once Oct. 1 hits, it's non-stop action and activity until New Years. it never fails, Every year. Trick or treat and a big Halloween party at our friends' house is Wednesday, then it's nothing but parties. I'm almost getting party fatigue!

*** Oh, and add in that hurricane thing. I'm in Ohio and we're supposed to get 50 to 60 mph winds starting now. I'm prepped for a power outage. We've lost power at the house twice this summer, once after a 50 mph storm blew through and once on a normal sunny day. We live in a 1950s subdivision with outdated infrastructure, so I'm not optimistic.

We lost a lot of food those last two times, so I have a food plan to minimize losses. I already tossed a few bags of ice into the chest freezer downstairs, and planned meals based on clearing out the freezer and fridge. We have peanut butter, bread, crackers, and other shelf stable items as well. I held off on stocking up on milk today.

All the batteries and laptops/phones are charged, so now it's just waiting. We'll see how it goes.

***
In other news, I normally don't think about Christmas this early (apart from casual second hand and estate sale shopping all summer) but I bought three Christmas gifts on amazon using amazon card points yesterday. Three nice gifts for essentially free! Gotta love points.