I'm not really a fan of small spaces either, but as long as there's no gross smells down there, I think I'd be interested.

I suppose it depends on how much you are willing or able to spend on rent or on a new home.  What kind of a budget are we talking about here?

$6000 dollars is pretty cheap for a new car and I bet it will probably get good gas mileage as well.  I wonder how safe it will be though. 

I remember actually looking at homes in Natomas about 5 or 6 years ago.  They were very cheap at around $150,000 to $200,000 for a decent sized home.  However, I never heard anything of a flood plain.  I'm sure you're not the only one who wasn't aware.  By the way, I'm curious what homes are going for there now.  Is it more like $400,000- $500,000?

It's good to see that this problem did not end up much worse with an explosion.  But, it should serve as a lesson to be on the lookout for this kind of thing.  I've never had this happen anywhere near where I live, but if I did notice a smell I'd know what to do and who to call ASAP.  I've heard horror stories of people who smell a gas leak in their own home and instead of getting out and calling for help they try to find the source and instead all they find is themselves wrapped up in a ball of fire.

It's really sad and scary how much this cold weather has damaged citrus crops here in California.  I've really been enjoying these little small California oranges "cuties" as they call them for the last month or two.  However, prices are expected to go up two or three times after supply is down due to the freeze.  I believe avacados were also hit by the freezing temperatures.  I love guacamole and just can't live without it, but I'm not sure I'm ready to spend $3+ on an avacado.   

Google is the fastest growing company in the world right now.  This doesn't surprise me.  If only I had been smart and bought their stocks before it quadrupeled. 

$300 a year is a small price to pay for the peace of mind, although I'm not sure what an insurance company would help you with in the case of a flood.  It seems like a lot of the Katrina victims were not compensated much for their damages and I'll bet the insurance companies would find someway not to pay for a Natomas flood as well.

Anyone have an update on Arnold's condition?  Is he able to get around without too much assistance now?

I was watching the Nightly Business Report last night and some respected analyst ( I can't remember who) was saying that it appears that the housing market might be stabilizing and 2007 could actually not be a bad year afterall.  Apparently, this weeks data was surprisingly good...

I love to use the crock pot as well.  This is the perfect time of year for one.  Yesterday was a perfect day to use it, but I just didn't get around to it.  The next rainy day, I am going to make up some soup. Here's what I do. I just get whatever vegetables and herbs that look good and that are on sale, and throw them in.   Add a dash or two of olive oil and a good amount of stock or broth and let it go all day on low.  I'm a vegetarian, by the way.

I just got off the phone with my poor mother and she told me she had been throwing up all morning long.  Actually, there are more details than that, but I don't want to gross anyone out. 

Sorry to hear about your illnesses - it sounds like you have two something that's just about as bad if not worse than the flu. My only advice is to turn up the heat, stay warm, and sleep it off.  There's nothing that works better for me when I am sick than a good nap.

Is the Flu Going Around in Sacramento in a big way right now?  My family just got together for Christmas in Sacramento yesterday morning and today everyone is sick with the flu.  Thankfully, I was not there as I was with my girlfriend's side of the family who lives on the coast.  Is it just my family in Sacramento or do others have the flu right now too?

I have no problems with regifting and I think it's silly if anyone looks down on it.  America needs to find ways to save money and be a little more frugal like the rest of the world is if we want to remain prosperous.   And, this is just one more way to do it.    Call me cheap, frugal, stingy or whatever but I'm a regifter and I'm proud of it!  Some day I'll probably be bailing my friends and family out of their debt and they'll be thanking me that I saved them money on their gifts all these years so that I am able to give to them when they REALLY need it someday. 

I actually like the rain because it cleans the air.  This makes my allergies almost nonexistent for awhile.  If I had it my way I would like it to rain everyday - my allergies are that bad.