And Meghan, I am a BIG fan of making big batches of soup! I do have a crock pot, but I tend to use a big pot I have. Unfortunately, the last time I made a big double batch of my favorite chili, I accidentally burned it, which has meant that I have been forcing myself to eat ALL that less than awesome chili, because I can’t bring myself to throw it away!

Also, Megan, do you have a good strategy for thawing out things (like soups) that you freeze in freezer bags? I always make a mess!

Also, I actually have gotten into The Big Bang Theory this season. So much so that I’ll probably go back and Netflix the previous seasons.

And of course, you know how I feel about Community.

ALSO, I know your feelings about Parks and Recreation, but please look at this clip as I find it hilarious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5Lmk-TTGO4

Get a Crock Pot. No really! You can make soup in it while you’re at work – because even though you’re not at home and the Crock Pot is, it’s plugged in and cooking your soup. I’m talking LOTS OF SOUP. And then, you can freeze that soup in your zillions of containers and eat it with your plastic spoons for days. A $10 or less batch of soup could make far more meals than those itty bitty cans that cost upwards of $2 a pop, and it’s a lot more delicious and healthy too. And P.S., kale is awesome in slow-cooked soups with say, some beans and some Italian diced tomatoes and broth and if you want to spend the money, a little Kroger-brand smoked turkey sausage… Yum.

I’m sure you already do/know this whole soup thing, but the reason I love the Crock Pot so much is that it saves the next best thing to money, and that is time.

OR you could go on a date with a chef and keep getting food sent from the kitchen for free. SCORE.

And I totally remember that time that Phantom came to town. That was my first musical, too, and my sixth grade class got some kind of grant and we all got to go. And then we put on a play of Phantom and I don’t mean to brag or anything, but I was Christine.

In other news, I had no idea this NaBloPoMo (hilarious name) thing was going on, but I’d really like to try to do it AND I’ve got a leg up because I managed to remember to post in both of my blogs yesterday. Hurray!

So, let me get this straight: For men, dogs are totally chick-magnets. For women, dogs are…a liability? First we own cats and they stereotype us as crazy and now they’ve tainted our ownership of DOGS? What is next? GERBILS? Is nothing sacred?!?!?

You know, this happens to my mom. She owns a very crotchety-old-man Shih Tzu named Toby that is the most adorable-looking thing on the planet. Upon meeting him for the first time, everyone wants to pet him, which of course is out of the question. He’s not a very nice or patient dog and my mom denies all requests to pet him. Needless to say my mom and Toby have *quite* the reputation in the neighborhood–and they haven’t done anything wrong!

The way I get around this problem (because my Boston Terrier is cute as a button) is to where earbuds while I walk her. I can make eye contact and I can smile and nod without worrying about feeling obligated to actually speak to anyone. Sometimes I also take my iPod.