Jenna is stressed out. Currently, her apartment does not feature indoor plumbing, a condition she hopes to remedy ASAP. A plumber has given the place a preliminary once-over, though he does not yet know what kind of pipes he's dealing with, and will not have a prognosis until he has a more invasive look-see. Until then, Jenna worries that she may end up having to buy a chamber pot. (Kara suggests eBay, as long as Jenna doesn't mind that it might be slightly, if not gently, used.)

In other news, the LaReau Sisters are embarking on some very exciting projects: Jenna is developing art for a super-duper new series, and Kara is waiting to start work on a new picture book illustrated by her UGLY FISH partner-in-crime, Scott Magoon. For those of you who wonder when the LaReau Sisters will work on something new together, fear not! Something very, very special is in the works, which we think/hope will blow your socks off (in a good way). We'd tell you about it, but then we'd have to kill you, and we need all the friends and fans we can get.

Speaking of friends and fans, the LaReau Sisters would like to send out a big GET WELL SOON to their editor, who broke her leg two weeks ago. We'll maintain her privacy by not divulging any details, other than to say that her accident involved a Vespa. In the future, we would advise her to leave the scootering to Rocko and Spanky. Sock monkeys tend to enjoy a much softer landing.

Thanks to our friend Miss Cecil for sharing this celebrity look-a-like site with us. As you'll see, Jenna was curious as to what other kinds of photos might work. The results are nothing short of amazing:

Kara's birthday was yesterday. As we previously mentioned, she spent the first part of her day eating chips that smelled like liverwurst and worrying that she might already be starting to decay. Thankfully, the day went uphill from there.

Jenna treated Kara to a gigantic latte and a chocolate croissant for breakfast, then took her to the outstanding Providence Place Mall, where Kara convinced herself she needed to do some back-to-school shopping and bought herself a new pair of shoes, two pairs of pants, and two very spiffy sweaters. Then she and Jenna performed their birthday ritual of drinking peach bellinis at the Cheesecake Factory while marveling at the restaurant's decor (Egyptian, Middle Eastern, and Art Deco architectural elements paired with airbrushed Baroque ceilings featuring cherubs floating on clouds dotted with Stars of David...clearly, they aren't kidding with their motto, There's Something for Everyone).

Afterwards, Kara and Jenna and K-Hubs enjoyed a bottle of Prosecco and a pizza from Fellini's (the best we've enjoyed here in Providence so far), followed by a custom-made Italian birthday cake Jenna and K-Hubs ordered specially for the occasion, studded with just enough candles to appear festive without being too depressingly accurate. The cake was outrageous, and huge, and festooned with pink and green frosting, and there is so much left over, it takes up nearly the entire middle shelf in the fridge. For those wondering, oh yes, we had more of it tonight, and oh yes, it tasted even better the second time around.

As for gifts, K-Hubs presented Kara with a tub of mini-macaroons from Whole Foods (for those who know of Kara's love of coconut, this was the equivalent of presenting her with a tub of diamonds) and two tickets to the upcoming David Sedaris reading — FRONT ROW SEATS! Some of Jenna's gifts are still on their way (thanks, lazy eBay seller), though she did give Kara a bee-YOU-tee-ful patinated brass dragonfly-shaped door knocker for the soon-to-be-repainted front door.

And then, as if the day wasn't perfect enough, Kara sat back with her Prosecco and macaroons and watched the season premiere of Prison Break, followed by Entourage, followed by WEEDS, followed by The Closer. All in all, a decadent birthday, filled with many guilty (and not-so-guilty) pleasures. And a LOT of sugar.

Today is Kara's birthday. We won't say how old she is, though we will say it's a bit of a milestone (and Jenna would like to remind everyone that she is, and always will be, three whole years younger).

Kara spent the evening before her big day doing what she loves most — watching forensic shows and reruns of Law & Order. She was also eating potato chips from Whole Foods, a delicacy to which she has recently become addicted.

At midnight, Jenna wished Kara a Happy Birthday. She also began to detect an unusual odor.

"Um, do you smell liverwurst?" Jenna asked, eyeing Kara suspiciously.

As it turned out, the potato chips Kara was eating were barbecue-flavored — though some foods smell different than they taste, and these chips do have a savory, vaguely "wursty" aroma, as Kara was quick to explain.

"Are you sure it isn't you?" Jenna asked. "A lot of old people smell like liverwurst. Maybe you're already starting to decay."*

Though Kara may be decrepit, she still maintains a thick skin and a sense of humor.

*It should be noted that Jenna remembers this exchange differently. After all, she is three whole years younger, so her memory is sharper.

Mary-Louise Parker

Because she tends to play women who are smart and funny and moody and sexy and ever-so-slightly neurotic, just the way we like them. Because she managed to steal every scene she was in on The West Wing (and that's saying a LOT). Because she starred in Fried Green Tomatoes, one of our favorite movies, and uttered one of our all-time favorite lines: "You're just a bee chah-mah, Idgie Threadgoode. That's what you are — a bee chah-mah." Because WEEDS delights us; we haven't felt this way since the loss of our dearly-departed Six Feet Under. Because she's a hot mama, and is much, much better off without the likes of Billy Crudup (try to sit through Stage Beauty, and you'll know what we mean). Because she turned down the role of Susan on Desperate Housewives, then went on to beat out all of that show's actresses (and we use that term loosely, except for Felicity Huffman) for last year's Golden Globe — well-done, we say, and well-deserved.

On Monday, Kara learned that UGLY FISH was named to Amazon's list of 10 Best Books for 2006, and it was only one of FOUR picture books on the list! Of course, 2006 isn't quite over yet, so Kara is hoping that there will be no other good books published over the next four months. Fingers crossed.

On Tuesday, the LaReau Sisters learned that their pal Scott Magoon and his lovely wife welcomed their second baby boy into the world. Hooray for Daniel!

On Tuesday evening, Jenna became the proud owner of a vintage Frigidaire refrigerator. It is white with turquoise (pronounced tur-KWAAZ) interior and lots of fabulous chrome trim, and it is already firmly established in her new apartment.

Does life get much better than this? We'll be sure to let you know, as the week isn't even over yet.

So, this thing? With the heat? How are y'all doin with it? The LaReau Sisters, not so well.

It is so hot that Kara and Jenna have to carry spatulas around, to regularly unstick their cats from the floor.

It is so hot that Kara doesn't want to go outside, even when there is a sworn promise of ice cream.

It is so hot that Jenna stays entombed in her room upstairs all day, where she and Kasha take turns lying in front of the air-conditioning unit.

It is so hot that the LaReau Sisters have put off going out to the grocery store for three days, and are now reduced to eating what's left in the fridge and pantry: assorted condiments, pickles, kalamata olives, stale crackers, and microwave popcorn.

Of course, the hottest news of all here is that Jenna found an apartment. Yes, folks, and while it doesn't exactly have indoor plumbing (it's a long story), this tony artist's loft features impressive square footage, huge windows, a stunning view, central air, and a location in Providence's up-and-coming Downcity neighborhood. Jenna will be moving there as of September 1. In the meantime, the LaReau Sisters will attempt to survive this heat wave without melting like a couple of Del's Frozen Lemonades.

Mmm...Del's Frozen Lemonades.