I realized last night that Leo and I go through one dishwasher load of dishes a day. Is that normal? And, if we do this now, how many dishwasher loads will I do in a day when we have kids?

I am positively giddy about the upcoming chocolate tasting party. I have 9 types lines up. 3 are single bean bars (from the Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Mexico). 2 are "flavored"; 1 is flavored with masala, 1 with pink peppercorns. There's 1 white, 3 milk, 1 "medium" and 4 darks. I think I'll get another milk so we can look at how salt effects the flavor.

I've already made a tasting mat and guide. I've only been to one chocolate tasting before, so I did all of the studying up I could. Of course I realize that no one I know what's to have even a quarter of the knowledge I now have about chocolate. I understand that. I have vowed to not attack people if they refuse to sniff the chocolate (to judge the aroma) or rub it on their lips (to check the texture). I plan on being totally casual about the whole thing (just don't make fun of me for having chocolate on my lips).

No matter which of our many life plans we choose, we must redo our kitchen ASAP. We've decided on Ikea cabinets as they seem to have a good rep and they aren't too terribly expensive. Plus Leo and I can assemble them and then pay someone to actually install them. I'm scared to be without a kitchen for three weeks but I can't wait until it's done. I suppose this means another trip to Chicago, because the Ikea here isn't set to open until 2006.

I have decided that I won't ski in Vail, but I might dog sled. One can dog sled there on the actual sled part (no mushing) while a "professional" drives. It's just the sort of completely passive sport that I like. I imagine that there will be beautiful views (with the exception of the 12 dog butts) and I won't have another opportunity to go into the mountains.