Yesterday I got my first placemat quilted.  While it took longer than expected (why am I always surprised when that happens?) and still needs a binding,  I am happy with the way it's turned out.

Last night Tom and watched The Big Short, and were once again reminded of the outrageous practices at the top levels of banking that culminated in the meltdown of the financial industry. People lost their jobs, their homes, their pensions and life savings - and yet the people and institutions that caused it got away with it! You'd think people would learn, but the current batch of people "leading" our country are definitely stumbling in the wrong directions - a fact sadly proved yet again by the latest vote in the Senate late last night.  

Tuesday night the Senate voted to give broad lawsuit immunity to credit card companies, auto lenders, credit reporting companies like Equifax, and many other financial firms. The resolution passed by the Senate overrides a rule created by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which prevents many financial firms from engaging in two abusive practices. The vote is a major victory for the banking industry.

Patti checked at Park Meadows yesterday, and the lanyard/key we found does not seem to belong to any of the staff there.  So this morning I called the District Office and left a message, which Michelle (in the Facilities Dept.) promptly returned.  She said that given the alphanumeric code (conveniently stamped on the back of the key) it definitely sounds like one of their classroom keys.  So during my various errands this afternoon I'll drop the lanyard off at Park Meadows, the interoffice mail will get it to Michelle (saving me a drive over to the DO), and she'll see that it's returned to its rightful owner... who no doubt has been considerably inconvenienced by the key's MIA status.

I had a lovely chat with Mom, who is "threatening" to come out for a visit this winter.  At this point she's still officially undecided, but after winter arrives (and drags on) out there, a visit to warm and sunny Arizona will no doubt sound more and more attractive! The second half of February works great with my schedule, and it doesn't hurt that the wonderful Fountain Hills craft show (which the two of us have always enjoyed) will be held then.

THE GREAT FAIR OF FINE ARTS & CRAFTS

FEBRUARY 23 – 25, 2018

Now in its 31st year, this three day juried art fair

features nearly 500 artists and artisans 

While I was on the phone with Mom I got a text from Lisa, who was stuck in traffic and wondered if this would be a good time to chat.  So after I got off the phone with Mom we did just that.  It sounds like things are reasonably normal over there (we had a lengthy discussion about Logan's aversion to homework) and I certainly got a chuckle out of her e-mail this morning:

Remember all those times Dad was making fried chicken and mashers and Alex and I would hang around in the kitchen whining and wanting chicken and making y’all nervous by getting near the hot oil and generally making it way more aggravating than it needed to be?

I’m sorry. Thanks for continuing to make it for us!

On an unrelated note, we had fried chicken and mashers for dinner tonight. Logan loved it. My kitchen is destroyed. Did you know kids make it really hard to keep your house clean? Thrilling discoveries left and right over here.