Yes, that must have been it, Omar. It was pixies playing tricks on us or else it was me who was somewhat "pixilated' after all the talking and trading ... LOL I have a question: someone brought a jar for the door prize table containing something brown that looked like preserves of some kind, but it had a picture of a cleaning woman on it. I asked the contributor and she told me that if was for cleaning your hands after gardening and contained brown sugar. I'm fascinated, but can't remember what else the cleaning compound contained. Anybody remember who brought it and what else it contained besides brown sugar? The dates for both SAPS next year will be announced by Lorelei soon ... :-)

I was reading about the BIG BURN of 1910 in Idaho where 3 million acres burned in 1 fire. It was the impetuous for the forestry Department to take on the fighting of fires as part of their mission. The riley fire in Northeast Texas has now burned 39000 acres. So many fires in North east Texas. Soxxx, stay safe. They are clustered all around you. How are you doing now?

Good job Karen! I tried to search for the very first segment, but it must be bumped off the site now. So this is only the story of Gomer and Margie, which have had quite the adventures of their own.

Good heavens, haven't we all learned to adapt! I have severe fibromyalgia and arthritis, as well as vitamin deficiencies that cause neuropathy in my fingers and feet, and had cataracts until last year. Part of my "coping" was to change from local doctors to making the 2 hour trek to Hershey Medical Center for specialized care. It's made a world of difference. Mega-doses of Vitamin D and B12 have my hands almost fully functional.. only the nodes on my knuckles remain from that. That means that crochet is out, knitting is limited (especially in cold weather or for long periods, and applique has to be fitted into days that my hands can tolerate using a needle. And a trigger point injection is helping me cope with the pain in my neck that has limited sitting at the machine. So far, nothing helps the back pain (had surgery 10 years ago, and symptoms are returning). I've found that the most important things to keep me functioning are having a variety of chairs & tables for different tasks. Whenever I try to do anything, the least "misalignment" can wreak havoc for days. It's always been tempting to just keep plugging along at either the sewing machine or the cutting table. Now I know I HAVE to alternate tasks, and do whatever I can from a recliner with my legs up, so I'm doing more applique. I also buy more notions/tools with ergonomic handles.. especially my seam ripper (for when I couldn't see very well!). And I'm using the knee lift on my presser foot more than I used to, now that the weather is cooling off and my hands are starting to hurt again. Another must have is a collection of warmers. I have a neck buddy and a set of footies that can be heated in the microwave. Then when the pain sets in, the heat can help keep me going. Next must is outstanding lighting. I didn't realize how tired I was when my vision was poor. And speaking of fatigue, changing tasks includes lying down at least once during the day, like it or not. I, too, cannot go to guilds because #1..Can't handle taking my machine, and #2.. they meet at night, and I don't do evening activities at all. So this site IS my guild! So far, NOTHING has stopped me from getting to the quilt/fabric shops to add to my stash! In fact, I think that my physical limitations have made me feel that I MUST keep adding fabric and patterns... saving up for the day when I can no longer do this without assistance (hoarding?). What a great topic! Prayers to everyone trying to live with these severe health challenges and kudos for finding ways to do it! Kay