i would love the roy’s gc so i can FINALLY try the chocolate souffle everyone always raves about…and because it would be a super sweet birthday present (oct 27th!!)

i need the Roy’s Gift Card because my mom is coming to town and I am brrrrrroke! It’s her birthday on November 4!

In the past week I have lost a dearly beloved neighbor, may lose a much loved cat (come on kidneys! restart!) and my mom had yet another fall. And the weeks not over yet.

Now I know this isn’t the worst it could be. And that at least I have options. But oy, it’s not the best it could be either! (However if you could undo this week, I’d give YOU the gift card. Multiples!)

I need it because I’m a glutton who yearns to be a gourmand but have been living off Spaghetti-O’s for days because I’m also a broke college student whose dad’s career as a full-time church ministers means I don’t have a Rich Daddy to turn to when my credit card bails on me.

But I also just read the last comment from Oddlyme and now I think maybe a week of Ramen instant noodles is something to give thanks for.

Dear Sinosoul -

Chatting with my hubby during dinner we agreed – count me out for the gift card.

We both remember how it was to be young and poor. (We’re not rich, oh no, but we don’t HAVE to buy day old bread anymore : ) And though this past week has been awfully hard – let’s face it, some folks have it even harder.

Please know that your unexpected words have made a tough time better. They have been their own gift card!

And Burp – check out the 99 cent chef for cheap tasty meal ideas and – sign up for Blackboard Eats. It’s not all high end, they’ve also had mo-chica and tinga – both places a college student can afford – but nicer than they cost.

Thanks Sinosoul – you have a good place.

I interrupt my hijacking of a perfectly fun giveaway for some happy news – our cat is home. Alive. This was the day we were probably going to be told we had to, well, you know. But instead we were told to come pick her up! New meds but overall – it’s that she improved far more than the vet ever thought she could, her test numbers made an incredible change. “She has nine lives” he said. And trust me, for him – that’s a joke. For us, it’s a bit of the truth and we’re glad for it.

So thank you for your thoughts and support and lets turn this space back to food : )

OK fine, I’ll play. Why do I need this more than everyone else? Because unlike everyone else whose work schedules get lighter over the next couple of months, my work schedule actually gets crazier being the retail whore that I am. And the less I have to cook, the better.

Oddlyme, so glad to hear. As much as we’re absolutely “dog people” over “cat people”, 9 lives stories continue to leave impressions on me. Our geriatric “pup” is beginning to develop cataracts and it’s worrying us to no end. His hearing is obviously deteriorating and I think the time to say goodbye will be sooner than later.

Oh dear – I am so sorry to hear your news! That said, I’ve known many a dear dog who has continued to enjoy life with imperfect senses. (Including a dachshund who continued his daily dips in the pool even after he lost his sight.) I hope your time with your pup is longer than you think. And may your love light all his remaining days.