• The growly voice Petey’s been using at random intervals lately.
• Orange peel shrimp from PF Changs.
• My husband, who is putting the kids to bed while I watch “The Biggest Loser.”

In one month and a day, I’ll be 31 years old. For my husband’s sake, I’ve put together a little shopping list. Thank you in advance, dear.

• A cordless electric lawnmower, because I’ve discovered that I like mowing the lawn. But I don’t like starting the lawnmower or buying gas for it. This could be a WIN for both of us. And, you know, for the earth.
• A cordless electric weed whacker. I know I quit really, really early on the weed whacking this afternoon, but that was because it was loud and stinky. I suspect I’d enjoy that lawn task, too, if it weren’t.
• Planters, for the garden the kids and I are planning for next year. I especially like the bluebird crocks and Ikea’s Huson and Kardemumma pots. Or a few of these raised dudes would work beautifully.
• Art.
• A computer.
• A new lens for the camera.
• A break from reality.
• Fuzzable McLoveykins

.

Rockford and I just got back from visiting Amy and Joe in Chicago. It was a lovely, lovely time. I don’t get to spend nearly enough time with Amy. We ate at Frontera Grill, watched “Whatever Works” at a humid and vaguely stinky theater and “Bonnie and Clyde” in Amy and Joe’s perfectly temperate and not-at-all stinky living room, Rockford and Joe went to the new Tarantino movie while Amy and I watched the “Project Runway” premiere, we went bowling — I had two strikes! Unheard of! — and found a great used bookstore.

I highly recommend spending a weekend with Amy and Joe. They’re terrific hosts.