The incident with the tattoo bothers me because, like Dr. Aller's says, it shows that he doesn't respect female bodily autonomy. I would never just start grappling with a person's body to better see their tattoo.. I would ask, "Can I see you tattoo?"... "Does it have Pluto?? Where?" I would put that along the lines with touching a pregnant woman's belly without permission... no, just no...

You said that way better than I could have ever done. Yeah, I agree it came across as someone who doesn't really know how to romance.

I just read the NPR article and what he did was creepy in a sad kind of way. Like a very socially awkward guy trying to use someone else's pickup lines. But I wonder .... what if she had been interested in him romantically, would that have played out differently? What he said about not hiring her--- not cool - sexist in the extreme. But, it also made me think of something I heard on "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" just last night. There was an exchange between two of the star panelists. Male and female. She has an English accent and said something about making Ham Hocks in an Instant Pot. The other panelist said something along the lines "The way you said Ham Hocks turns me on." Eewww.... but she laughed. So, I'm thinking... "okaaaay... she's fine with that exchange." Then it went on to an exchange between her, this guy, and the announcer (Bill Curtis) all saying dinner things: "Roast Beef." ... "With Trimmings" all done in a suggestive manner. Ha ha ha... um...no.. eewww... I thought it was terribly inappropriate given today's climate. I was a bit shocked that it went on for several minutes.

I've always wondered about Ebates. It seems too good to be true. I'm glad you asked

Congratulations. You look so happy.

In that case I would not throw out the whole thing. I'd do what Mum suggested... just cut and make a new beginning. You'll lose some thread, but probably not much.

This is probably going to be long - I'll try to keep it brief... help me process through this. We started working on remodeling our kitchen a year ago when we moved in. We finally got a design/construction company (husband/wife team) out in Jan. to look at our house and talk about both the kitchen a bath. At that time I explained that I wanted a wall taken out to open up the kitchen into a front room with an existing picture window. I wanted a island in that space with either the sink or stove. She suggested that I put the sink there rather than the stove. The meeting went very well and I was very pleased with how well we seemed to understand each other. She was not horrified when I said that I liked Formica. My only issue is that they seemed to be taking a long time to start projects (once they start it went well). For instance I contacted her in early Nov. and the earliest she could see me was late Dec/early Jan for a first meeting. In mid-Feb I got a both preliminary estimates and chose to go ahead with the master bath first. They did the bath in April/May and it went well... I'm very pleased with the work. When they were finishing up on the bath Memorial Day weekend I asked them how soon would we get to the kitchen... I did not get much specific info. I was thinking it would be July/Aug.... I was wrong. Since then we had a structural engineer and another design engineer out because we would be taking out of load bearing wall and we're on a crawl space. It was probably June when we were all in the crawl space looking at the footers and taking measurements. I was pretty sure there would be issues because the previous owner had put in his own fitters under the house and they don't look like they are to code. But, I never heard anything from her about this. We would talk via email but weeks would go by before I hear things back. Progress has been painfully slow. When Oct. came and went I decided I really wanted to get the propane fireplace project started - something I had mentioned to her when we first met because I want to upgrade to a propane stove. But, I wasn't 100% sure where the stove was going so I reached out to her and she was mystified about the fireplaces (I know we talked about it because she gave me the name of someone who does conversions). Then we talk back and forth several times about the island and choosing cabinets for the island (we're saving all the current cabinets and adding only the island). She sends me some designs, which we discuss. We talk about the size of the island and other design issues. That kind of thing. So this weekend I get the updated estimate. In it she states that there are some newly added items: One is moving kitchen sink to an island (wait?? what???). I know we talked about this in our very first meeting. How is this on the "newly added" list. I go back to the preliminary estimate and see that indeed, moving the sink isn't specifically in there. She has info about removing the load bearing wall but nothing about an island... so it is an oversight on my part. I'm annoyed at her and myself. She took detailed notes and made sketches at that first meeting. So, I'm baffled by this. But, there's also new add-on to the estimate concerning the footers under the house. They have to tear out the flooring in order to dig 2 new holes for the footers and construct footers and piers... I'm not so annoyed that this is happening, because I thought there would be an issue, but the fact that I'm finding out about it now. I've been pretty vocal that I thought there might be a problem, so I honestly expected to have heard something before now. I even hinted in an email when I wanted a larger island and she said it wasn't possible. I asked her if it was because of the weight. That could have been a chance for her to say something. But, she doesn't even mention it. I dunno, maybe I'm off on this, but it rubs me the wrong way. I've been waiting a YEAR to get this done. I thought it would been finished by now. I'm annoyed that this has come up now and that somehow moving the sink and adding an island wasn't included in the original estimate. I'm worried that this might be a sign of mismanagement... but OTOH, we worked well together on the bathroom. She really is good at working to keep the price down and looking for alternatives with supplies. She's very down to earth. The only thing I've paid for is the price of the structural engineer's work. I dunno if I should cut my losses and wasted year and move on...or plow through and chalk this up to a hiccup.

Is it one of those where it is wrapped into the edge? I'm not sure how to explain this, but newer spools now have a little catch on the top and bottom of the spool around the edge. That way you can wrap the thread ends into that and not have loose threads. Ugh. I dont' think I explained it right. There have been a few times when it's wrapped so tightly you can't see where it went into the spool top. I'll try to take a photo of what I'm talking about, if you want.

oh Scarlett... that sounds awful.

Wow Ellen, I forgot you were taking classes when you posted about your dh's heart attack. That is a lot to deal with. I hope you're able to hang in there. Amber- how exciting to be almost done. I have a meeting with my advisor tomorrow. I think I still have quite a ways to go since I'm taking the turtle route. 🙂 Coming into the last few weeks of school. My class has turned out quite well. The prof. is very engaging and I've learned a lot. The class has been relatively stress free (yay). She does a lot of hand-holding and gives out lots of extra-credit opportunities. I will admit that I do sometimes do the rolley-eye at all the extra help... but it's so nice to to be taking a 100 level class.

So adorable. Congratulations

That was lovely. I appreciate the story. We have a mostly good relationship with our in-laws. My MIL is deteriorating and making some bad life-choices, but overall I've been blessed with a great MIL. I'm sorry about your dh. I hope today was better for you guys.

I want a subscription to British TV - either Acorn or BritTV... I don't care. I've been asking for one of them for over 5yrs. I'm not holding my breath.

I've had that happen. They check it off as delivered...but no - it comes several hours (or a day) later. Ugh.

heaters are huge electrical hogs. Most likely it was that. If you need to use it again before an electrician comes try to put it on a different circuit.

It makes sense - especially at the holidays. Hugs and prayers

For years I would brine my turkey and then cook it in one of those cooker bags. 2 years ago I tried Spatchcocking and I'm a convert. The.best.turkey.ever... and so easier too, IMHO. Here's the method I use... the video was very helpful. I don't have the fancy scissors, so I used my best big sharp knife and that worked fine, https://www.seriouseats.com/2012/11/how-to-spatchcock-cook-turkey-thanksgiving-fast-easy-way-spatchcocked.html?utm_source=yt&utm_campaign=nov16

Ours is longer.. I think it's because Christmas/New Year's falls on a Tues. My son has a half day on Fri Dec. 21st and doesn't go back until Jan 7th!! But, his school has a boarding option with many international students. So I'm pretty sure ours is usually longer than one week.

I'm on my laptop and that happens to me all the time too.

oh my goodness. They'd have to knock me out for me to keep still overnight. I.cannot.imagine. Also, I can't lay flat on my back... I get terrible lower back pain. What do patients with other issues do in such a situation, I wonder? I'm glad he's being well attended to. That must be such a relief.

Telestrations is the same game except they give you the concept or sentence. It's a lot of fun

It could be coming from our sink then. It can be slow to drain and I'm sure, after 60yrs, it's pretty slimy down there. Ick.

I think that is wrong, especially since she is specifically taking it to use elsewhere. It may be factored into the price but she is stealing. I wouldn't do it and I would definitely be judging someone who told me they did that.

We have been infested with fruit flies and I don't know what's going on. Normally, I'll have an small issue but as soon as I get rid of any fruit on the counter (which is rare anyway) it solves the problem. Not this year. I was having problems for weeks and I then discovered an opened bottle of wine sitting on the counter - well it was vinegar when I noticed it opened amongst the other wine bottles. I have not had fruit or open wine bottles sitting out for over a month and I still have a serious problem with fruit flies. I try to keep the sink clean... but they love the sponge. That's never been an issue before. What is going on?? They.won't.go.away. What am I missing... Is there a new bionic type of fruit fly plaguing us now??

So glad you realized it was something more... and took him in. Hoping everything goes well. Prayers for peace.