Disposable plates and utensils can be a godsend. Sometimes your personal well being just has to come before the environment. (sounds horrible, I know).

I picked up a generic version of a George Foreman grill and that thing is awesome. $7 at Family Dollar. It makes a mean grilled turkey and swiss, and cleanup is wiping the surface with a paper towel while it's still slightly warm so the food doesn't get stuck on. Quick and easy comfort food.

I haven't hired the appliance man to come replace the dryer belt because my house is messy. I have to stress the whole family out by not being able to have clothes washed and dried in an hour. Instead, it's a trip to the laundromat to dry things (The kids can't stand crispy, air-dried clothes, especially socks and towels). $50, a few minutes of embarrassment because of a sink full of dishes and crumbs on the floor, and I could have a dryer again, but nooooooo. I know all too well how you must be feeling about the DSL guy. (What happened to our joint effort a few months ago of super decluttering? So much for our good intentions, huh?)