Yes, Marian! I have had a terrible time getting this site to load over the past few days. I've gotten "page cannot be displayed" many times and simply haven't had the time to wait around to try again. We received a dusting of snow last night (2-3") and it's really windy today. A harbinger of the arctic blast destined to arrive for the coming week, no doubt. In preparation, we allowed the stove to get cold and removed the accumulated ashes. I uncovered an abandonned mouse nest in the woodpile this morning. I haven't decided if they were brave or really stupid to attempt it, or if they were part of the string of dead mice that appeared next to the door some weeks ago... . Ei., good luck with the job hunt. It's been a long time since I've interviewed for a position that wasn't directly related to my skill/trade, but I do recall vividly being asked this question: "Soo... tell me about yourself"! So there are "gaps" in your "work history"? So what? it's what you did with that time that really counts. And there's nothing wrong with simply saying, "I don't know how to do that yet. I can learn.". Don't let an interviewer intimidate you; remember, you're interviewing them, too! Reapply for the position that has already seen two casualties. The worst they'll say to you is, "No." and they've already done that. The position remains unfilled, too! :) Martie, there are basically 3 types of foam. There is the "usual" kind found in sofa cushions. It varies in density, and it will absorb water since it's basically a sponge available in different densities. There is "reticulated" foam. This has a very "open" structure and if your pour water on top of it it will run right through it (ideal for outdoor furniture). Lastly, there is "closed cell foam". This is very dense (it floats) and resists water infiltration to the cells (they're "closed"). This is a standard for quality cockpit cushions on boats, and also in life jackets. Its structure makes it very dense, therefore, "harder" to sit on; it lacks "squishibility". It's harder to make covers for too. I kicked my weekend off with an early Friday morning doctor's app't., the routine kind to which we all so look forward. ;) Next week it's mammogram time, and an eye exam. The "middle age" thing is starting to manifest itself with my vision. My "burgundy" blaze is shrinking, but it still looks sort of silly... my "dumb badge" ; We enjoyed a late lunch and matinee yesterday. We saw "Dreamgirls" and it was the first time I've ever experienced "stadium seating" (it was nice!). We weren't that impressed by the movie, though. There were some very good performances and costumes, but we agreed there was nothing in the characters' personalities that made either of us really "care about them". We found the movie "long". And the music so-so. The jewel though, was a DVD purchase: "Little Miss Sunshine"!! We laughed and laughed through that one. Marian: it's a GREAT story about family with some frank language about sex and drugs. I think you would enjoy it. It's very, very funny. I am not wild about Magenta, but I have a tree peony that has pretty flowers about that color. My picture files are such a mess I'll never find it. Your lovely combinations, though, have me thinking about it differently. I have to say, I'm rather enjoying the winter, I was sorry the snow fell at night. The house is warm, filled with light from sunup to sundown, and its nice to "have it back". It's 11 AM and I'm still in my jammies and about to start the laundry. There isn't anything else I "have to get done before I start..." . I'm not freaked about by a messy desk, any more. I'm thinking it will be fun to clean it up! It's been a long time since I've felt that way and that's why I empathize with those experiencing "confinement" of any sort.

Annie, I realized this weekend that I do a lot of squatting while I help the kids. This motivates me to do even more. Bpathome, I am going to start planks this week! Strolling is still exercise. ANY movement, no matter how small, counts. It all counts. Sounds like a really fun walk! Lizbeth, I am sorry you needed surgery! It's OK if you missed some time-- what is always important is that you are back. To me, this is a learning process. I know what you mean about mornings. I try to go on automatic and just get it up and do it without thinking. Gibby, woo hoo!!! How did the weekend go? Amj, glad you are feeling better. What a great support your DH will be! My husband has no interest in exercise. Blfenton, I love how you incorporate exercise so regularly. I definitely see this as investment, as you said. I think, for a long time, I thought of it as vanity, or someone bossing me around about what I "should" be doing, but being 40, I see what a long road lies ahead (or short one!) if I don't take care of little problems NOW. Gscience, that's great that you already have a routine! RE: the fruit/veg, I am trying to get more in by eating some every other time I eat. Are you going to be done soon with the school yr, or teach during the summer term, too?

Thanks you two for taking time to help me. I will definitely ask someone to post pics from PA once I have the room all done, furniture in and accessorized. I really don't want to do the entire room in castle stone..just here & there to give the illusion. Just fear doing all stone in this small room would be overpowering. That's why I want the base color (the stones color) to be pleasing to the eye and yet a hint of pink in it to go w/the room. Leaning towards a plain soft shell pink or pink tinged cream color and stencil a pretty rambling medallion (in 14k gold paint),for the chandy to be placed in the center. I've painted the furniture in a real pretty cream which I edged in a soft pink and washed a soft lavender on the filigree wooden appliques for the hutch, vanity, nightstands and the ornate handles on the dresser. Then accented the edges w/the 14k gold paint pen. I know me...if I do the sky, I'll want to take the blocks up to 1' from the ceiling and paint sky on the ceiling and the top 1' of the walls, Then add the tiny 'topper' stones all along the top edge of the 'castle'. Not sure I want that look or to commit to all of that extra detail work.

Here are my last tips for this first week of November. The tips y'all have shared are just great. Thanks for contributing. This tip for storing berries is wonderful. When get home from the grocery store, immediately rinse blueberries, strawberries and raspberries in hot water, drain and put in a glass jar when dry. Instead of a 24 hour life they can go almost a week with their flavor, texture and appearance intact. They'll keep as long as a week; it's amazing, but they last. Harold McGee To keep grapes juicy, plump, and tasty for at least twice as long do the following: As soon as you get them home from the store remove them all from the stems, wash thoroughly, and seal in a plastic container. The grapes will last for several weeks without any loss of taste or texture. Silpat Cooking Mat -use it for forming dough on, instead of a floured counter or a bread board. As long as you handle the dough with oiled hands, no bench flour is necessary and clean-up is q & e. -pour that holiday peanut brittle on it and it doesn't stick. Great for making small rounds of peanut brittle. -line a jelly roll pan with a Silpat and bake meatballs or sausage balls on it. The grease wipes off and the meatballs don't stick. Take an ear of corn and stick it into the hole of a Bundt pan, then slice the corn off into the pan. Never put tomatoes in the same drawer with your other produce. It gives off a gas that makes produce ripen too fast. If you use non-stick frying pans, never use Pam type sprays on them. The propellent eats into the coatings and ruins them. Instead, add a drop of oil and use a brush to spread it around. Microwave sliced fresh mushrooms on paper towels just until they give up their water then squeeze them just a little. Then fry them in butter and they brown nicely and quickly without that moisture you always get in the frying pan. Whenever you need oat flour, you can make your own by blending oatmeal into a fine powder in your blender or food processor. It takes approximately 1-1/2 c. of oatmeal to make about 1-cup oat flour. After buttering the bread for grilled cheese sandwiches, press the buttered side into some grated parmigiano or pecorino before grilling. It totally adds to the texture and flavor. Crispy cheesy salty bread. If you want the yolks of your deviled eggs to be perfectly centered, stir the pot a few times in the first moments they are beginning to simmer. Purchase a whole bone-in rib roast when it goes on sale the day after Thanksgiving for an obscenely cheap price. Then it can be butchered into a Christmas rib roast, several steaks, have bones for beef stock, and scraps for grinding meat. Greens - The grit problem was brilliantly solved by the Mississippi Delta Chinese families. Put greens of any kind into a net bag like stockings are washed in and put it in the washing machine for a quick rinse in cold water and a spin. Works great.