It means you are freakin' hilarious, and someone gave you a five-star rating for it! I shared this thread with my family, and we were all laughing! Laughter is good medicine for a bad headache!! Thanks, Bee. Merry Christmas. ANd Nicole- I loved that! I acted it out for my family, and they looked at me funny and then burst out laughing!

Thanks for the hugs. I don't know why this big online family/community works, but it does. Your hugs helped a great deal. As did the vicadin:D. I just woke up from a two hour nap, and although the room still spins if I move, the head pain is much improved. THe Dude called to say his trial is over, and he is out doing some last minute shopping- which means I will probably be getting some gifts after all! Thanks for the caring- I am going to go shower now, and then I think I will be able to handle the wrapping as planned. LB And Jean- thanks so very much for the phone call- it meant a lot. And thanks for not minding the vicadin-induced rambling conversation!:)

The Dude had to go in for jury duty, and we have been busy all morning getting our canned and baked goods wrapped and ready for neighbor gifts. The Boy will be picked up to go to his house-sitting gig in an hour, so he has been packing and doing laundry. I am still in my jammies, and really need a shower. My head hurts so bad, and I have the migraine nausea to go with it. I am hoping I can crawl into bed in about an hour (I have one vicadin left that I can take if sleep becomes a possibility), but not a single gift has been wrapped, and many of them haven't arrived yet. All the Santa gifts are being delivered, I am just hoping they will come today. I also cannot find the bag that has the curling ribbon and bows- sigh. Just tell me the snow will be melting soon, the firewood will last through this cold weather (like Colleen, I live in a drafty old farmhouse, and it is COLD!), and this nasty headache will go away soon.

Interesting! I have not been having that problem. I have found that the ones that are drying out the most are the ones with the regular tip and cap. So far, it is the colored ones of this style that are drying out quickly for me. I wonder if it is the surfaces I am using them on (many layers of paint, papers, mixed media). I was actually surprised that the retractable ones were lasting as long as they were. Shouldn't be a problem for your needs, Nicole- unless you have an uncontrolable urge to collage on your calendar!:D

Yep. Sharpies have come a long way- several styles of points thick and thin, and they even have a retractable one. They come in lovely colors, too. I use them often in the studio, and I am collecting the retractable Sharpies in many colors! It was delightful to talk to you today, Nicole!

On my kitchen table are two computers (for the kids' online school), 4 dozen sugar cookies, several books, a pair of mittens, a stack of CDs, etc. I hear you about the need for quiet and space in the kitchen, especially that hour before dinner. I have to say, that it doesn't bother me nearly as much since I have my studio- I don't mean to rub it in, but I have 3 big tables down there, and they are all covered with just MY messes. I love that. The only one I have to fight with over table issues down there is my studio cat. She gets into everything down there and sits on my canvases. I can run away down there and just sit by the stove, and listen to the radio with no interruptions. Maybe you can come over some time and just sit in the studio with me- it is a very quiet and welcoming space. It sounds like Santa needs to bring you a game table. We have a little one in the living room and it is wonderful for games and puzzles. :grouphug:

Hi Amy!:seeya: What's cooking today in the galley is..................... Tie dye! :cool: The Dude insists on getting tie dyed clothes for Christmas every year- even though the kids and I are a bit tired of doing it, he adores it- he wears tie dye from his undies and socks, to business shirts. He has jury duty today, so the kids and I will do that while he is gone. Tomorrow will be pie day.!:001_smile: Lots and lots of pies!

I'll play. Not in order of importance, necessarily, but here goes: Career: My (beginning) goal is to earn $1000. a month through my art. This will be two-fold: Create more workshops and teach several a quarter; and to be making art daily for the purpose of self-expression (art-journals, etc.), and for sale (screens, canvases, and wall-hangings, etc.). Some of the how-to's for this involve: getting my business license in January, applying specific marketing strategies, and creating samples/portfolios/proposals for the remaining workshop/classes that I want to teach. More how-tos are getting a camera, taking photos of finished work, and putting art up on Etsy (see computer goals below for more on this one). Another part of my income is that I am doing respite care again. So I really need to stay healthy in my mind and body in order to do it well. If I don't, it will end up just being stressful. On that note, we move on to health....... Self: Get to the Dr.'s and get some support for the various health issues that have been plaguing me this year, but that I have been ignoring. Continue to work on diet and exercise (I lost 30 lbs this year and have about 20 more to go.), and work on being joyful this year. Do this by practicing self-calming and meditation techniques, etc. For exercise, I have plans (and schedules and punch cards in my purse) for water aerobics and the gym at the local community center, as well as a walking buddy in Jean in Newcastle. I also would like to ban myself from eating out at junk food places- this has been what I do to escape in the past, and I'd like to replace it with more art, time by myself, and spiritual growth and meditation. Spiritual growth: Taking vacations by myself, daily journaling and blogging, and attending Unity at least 2 Sundays/month. Vacations: I took two vacations by myself this year- one to Dy's, and one to the Oregon Coast to help my sister when she was grieving the loss of her mother, and I had such a wonderful time- it was truly amazing to be on my own, and I really thrived from them. I have two trips to AL to see Dy scheduled, and I also want to visit my sister a few times as well. I also want to take more weekend trips with the family, and have a few ideas planned out for that, too. Organization/home: WTM Cassandra and I have another decluttering party scheduled for February. I hope to tackle the last few hot spots. I want to get to the place where I am taking care of the house in little bits every day. I will need a concrete plan for how to fit art, gardening, tidying, cooking, fitness, etc. into every day. The how-tos for this part are not clear to me yet- this one has really been eluding me. BUt I know I can figure it out. I also want to paint several rooms in the house. I HATE painting, and have been putting this off the entire 6 years we have lived here- this has GOT to be the year of paint! Blogging/technology: I haven't blogged regularly for some time. Part of this has been dealing with depression in the last year, but part of it is that I do not have a functioning computer of my own, and all I have for a camera is a point and shoot. Once I have these two things, it will make blogging easier- and more effective. I want to be using my blog to promote my art studio, and I need a good camera to take good-quality photos of art to put in etsy shop and on blog. Family: We are all still adjusting to the Dude traveling for work, and the kids doing online school instead of homeschooling. I need to find ways to parent that support these new things. Not sure if this makes sense written out, but I need to be focusing on my own life and career, and still be a good supportive mama to the teens. Mostly this will involve making sure they have a hearty breakfast, have good study habits, and that we still make time for trips to the zoo and the park, as well as lots of long conversations and our nightly read alound time. Sounds easy, but this adjustment really stressed all of us out this fall, and I want to work on it. Also would like to figure out ways to spend time alone with the Dude that wasn't just he and I going to the grocery store together- I love it that he is coming with me again, but would like to do dinner out, or a walk on the beach now and again. Other family stuff- Gramma: I do fairly well having grace with my Mama (demensia, blindness) while I am with her (3X week), but then am stressed afterwards. I still let the things she says (hurtful, but not intentional memory loss-related arguments, for example) get to me. My goal in this area is to be supportive and loving to her, and to encourage her to do the things that are hard for her (meeting new folks, learning new things, etc.) but that the Dr. tells us will strengthen her mind. I want to embrace my role as her caregiver with joy and will grace. I also want to be able to have better communication with my two sisters about Mama's care plans for the future (Dude and I want her to live with us, other sisters' want in home care or a nursing home.). I would like for us all to be on the same page when it comes to these plans by the end of the year. Not sure at all on the how-tos for this one! Lastly, I would love to feel like I was doing a bit of all of the above daily- that I could develop a type of lifestyle (like homeschooling was- not just something we did, but HOW we lived) where I didn't feel pressured or overwhelmed with expectations, but that I felt pleasantly exhausted and fulfilled every night when I fell into bed. The how-tos for this probably have to do with my attitude; and making choices to act versus to sit around and worry, which is my natural bent, lol. Whew! It is good to see it all in writing, but as I said, my natural inclination is to look at what I wrote and think it is impossible- when did I develop such a defeatist attitude?! When you have a lot on your plate, how do you look at it all positively?!

Hi Nicole, It is standard operating procedure to do the quilting first, but with a piece this small, you will probably be okay if you want to do the knots last- there just might be some shifting (which is why you do the quilting first- it keeps the fabric layers from shifting, or bunching, etc.). It is such a small piece, though, you should be okay doing the knotting last- just know you are going against the quilting grain, as it were.:001_smile: Oh- and I owe you a phone call! I have been meaning to call you for a couple of weeks and life keeps lifing me!

Yes! That is exactly why I don't do it. Thanks for the checking from the outside tip- that will make it much easier for me. Yay!

Nope. My Mama is 77, and blind, but even if she could see, I doubt she would text. She barely used email or her cell phone when she had them. OTOH, my almost 60 yr old sister is learning how to text, and I am thankful for that.

I am feeling so much better now. Thanks! I just ran into dh in the hallway, and he asked where I had been. I told him I was hiding from him, and that I was sorry I had washed his key. He laughed and said it was his fault, and he was sorry for fussing. But I think I WILL start checking his pockets, just to be on the safe side. He works so hard, and I know he comes home just exhausted and forgets to check. I think it can be something else I do for him to show him that I love him.

Thanks! I am staying completely out of his way, and so far, his fussing hasn't been directly to me. But thanks for the support!

Thanks for this perspective. The jeans were in the laundry basket, so I don't feel as bad, but I may start checking them anyhow.

Do you go through your husband's pockets when you do the wash? I don't do the teens' laundry, only the Dude's and my own. I am not a pocket-turner, never have been. I have always expected him to go through his pockets when he takes the pants off- that's what I do. Am I a lazy, bad laundress? Should I ALWAYS go through his pockets no matter what? I ask because I accidentally washed his electronic car key thingy this morning. He is very mad- stomping around the house, and fussing. I think he is mostly mad at himself, but it makes me wonder- am I a bad wifey in this area? Is it wrong to expect a grown man to be responsible enough to empty his own pockets? I seriously doubt that he checks mine when he ocassionally does the laundry. I have washed coins, and an occasional watch, but this may be expensive if he has to replace it. So- do you empty your Man's pockets when you wash his clothes?

Yeah, I was wondering about the Maugham books, too. They looked good to me. I think I would like a new poll for Feb, maybe with a Maugham book or two on the list. I haven't read him, but not sure I will if it isn't a book group book, kwim?

Okey dokey. I followed all your links (thanks for those!) and checked them all out and voted for 3 that I liked.

Yes, it will have only been 10 months. I am so happy about it, too. As I mentioned before, it was really important to me to get to see baby J before he wasn't a baby anymore- he was 5 weeks old when I went before, and I can't wait to see him, and all of them. About y/our birthday..... I was thinking about a tattoo, at first. How 'bout that?? :D Maybe when I get back, or before I go, we could meet up in Bellingham for a birthday lunch and window shopping. I have still never been there. What would make it the perfect birthday for you?? Is there something you have always wanted to do?

So, do you remember that old commercial...... "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful...." well, don't hate me because I get to see Dy....;) I am so blessed that my Dude has 50,000 miles to use up! We are actually planning 2 visits this year- this one over my birthday, and another one in September so I can help her with canning. I feel so very blessed. Dy has the sweetest babies in the whole state of AL. It was very important to me to get to see the littlest mouse before he turns a year old, and our sweet baby Girl will be just three, so she will still be cuddly, too. I am so funny- there is no way I would ever want to have another baby, but I sure love being a Nanny, and snuggling and cuddling other folks babies!! And to be able to do art with all her big boys- that was so much fun last spring, I can't wait to do it again! And to be able to meet some more WTMamas would just add to the experience.

Cool! I will pm everyone when I have details. Happy suggested eating out at a nearby restaraunt- maybe we can all meet up! I would love to meet all of you.

I remember when Jeffrey did his library visits. How very cool is this!! What a wonderfully exciting trip this will be!

I am so very blessed- my Dude just booked me a flight to Alabama to visit our beloved Dy for my birthday. I get to go for two whole weeks this time! I will be coming home on the 4th of March, and have a 6 hour layover in DFW airport. Anyone want to meet me at the airport and have a late lunch and a visit? When Amy in Orlando was in Seattle the last time, I met her at our airport, and we had a delightful 4 hour visit. I'd love to chat with any WTMamas from Texas! Send me a PM and let me know if you'd like to meet up, and I can give you my times, etc- other than Robin in Texas, I am not sure who all is there, or how close they are to the airport, so let me know if this is a possibility!

Okay, I guess I am naive too, cuz I have no idea to what you are referring.:001_huh:

I am severely allergic to citrus oils and cinnamon oil, on my skin. I have had the same experience. I just avoid those oils and use lavender and patchoulli oils instead.

I'd send it. To keep up as much normalcy for them as possible. How heart-breaking that any parent have to go through this. Thinking good thoughts for your friend and her family.