I started reading it, but I don't know if I will finish it I got as far as the part where

and then said "I think I need to take a break from reading this." I know it's going to get worse from there, and it will be a hard read!

I can afford stuff a lot easier these days, but the home parties would still never suit me.

Tupperware is great but I like a variety of different brand containers. I recently bought clear Pyrex bowls of different sizes with lids and use them all the time. Rubbermaid containers work well for me, too, and I like their dark red lids. I know people who love the Pampered Chef knives. I used a Victorinox chef’s knife for awhile and loved it, still have it, but these days I tend to grab smaller serrated knives in the drawer. I only buy Baggallini or Kipling purses; they’re the only ones that meet my multi-criteria list of must-haves in a purse. Pricey but worth it to me. The collection of vendors under one roof is a good idea, but still not my preferred method of shopping. Even tho there’s no pressure, I don’t really like someone staring at me behind a booth while I peruse merchandise. I have a hard time going to craft fairs and flea markets for this reason, too. My own personal hang up. 

I’m really glad a couple of her siblings visited her after brain surgery. I hope a few more can get back in contact with her before she dies. I’m sure Joseph and Joshua won’t. They seem to be the most angry about the book. But a lot of the younger siblings might be less resentful. I hope they reconnect. 

10 hours ago, GreenBeans said:

Huh. Bake sales must be really different in the US then.

It's not the entire US. Every state has their own laws around cottage food and bake sales. Municipalities can also have laws that are stronger than the state. So Art really should be checking both Washington and Seattle's laws. And the county as well,  not sure how that works, my state doesn't have counties, and my municipality is in a consolidated borough so it's one and the same.  

Washington State has some of the most stringent cottage food laws. Typically, but there are exceptions, states on the coasts (and illinois) have more requirements than, say Montana/Wyoming/Idaho/Dakotas. Obviously Florida and Texas do their own thing. Probably a safe bet would be "if you can get an abortion, you need a permit to sell food." (Although I think Missouri has some pretty strict laws around cottage food as well.) 

10 hours ago, GreenBeans said:

The volunteers selling will of course wash their hands and use utensils to cut and hand over the cake.

But where do they wash their hands after taking money and before handing over open, unwrapped food? How does the department of health track down who donated the Salmonella pie, if they aren't required to keep a list of who donated what product? How do the volunteers keep the open and unwrapped food from being contaminated by nonfood materials if it's just sitting on a table in a gym or in a parking lot? In my area most people aren't buying the item and eating it right away, either. It's usually a few tables in a church basement or library or parking lot with a lot of traffic, no electricity, no handwashing stations. People buy for the cute kids or whatever and shove their ziplock of cookies in their bag for later or never. 

7 hours ago, neuroticcat said:

I wonder if she’s trying to write a home decorating book or something? 

Oh dear Rufus no. No, No ,No. 1000 x NO. Please not another thing for her to be insufferably smug about.

She's way beyond Maximalism. What would her decor style be?  Over Stuffed House-ism? Shopping Addiction-ism? 1 Step from Hoarding-ism? Jesus Loves Me Best and Gives Me Stuff-ism? Buy Everything You See, Who Cares If It Coordinates-ism?

As a BEC I'm saying Braggie has zero taste and zero style sense.  What she has is a serious shopping addiction and a wallet full of cash.