I'm so desperate for good father's day gift ideas that I'll take any suggestions from the sale papers. Father's Day seems just to be as overrun with stereotypes as Mother's Day and Valentine's Day. If you take your cue from the sales paper then Dad is a golfer, a keen fisherman or a couch potato. Oh, and he loves power tools or reigning over the grill. What if he doesn't fit those stereotypes? Well, I guess there are always gift cards.

From 8 p.m. till midnight everyone can get a free root beer float at participating Sonic restaurants tonight only.

I've just become a homeowner for the first time which in turn means a whole new relationship with my local hardware store.

I have already learnt two lessons. One - old houses always need something repaired or fixed and two - never go shopping with my father-in-law - his middle name should be 'Lowes'. I let hubby and my father-in-law out of my sight for 10 minutes and a trip to buy one plumbing fixture turned into a $500 tab at the check out!

Glancing through the receipt a day or two later I noticed that we had paid for two garden hoses (at $34 each, I might add). After checking that we didn't have two, hubby decided to head back to the store to see about a refund. We were unsure it would be possible, because it had been a week between visits and also, how do you prove that you don't have two hoses sitting at home?

Well, luckily the store manager was understanding and refunded the 'non-existent hose'

Before we know it, it will be Father's Day and we'll be stuck trying to think of something for dad that he doesn't already have. A good starting point could be The Dad's Day Sale at JC Penney where you can save 20-50% on apparel, electronics, watches, etc.