My goodness, I've stopped whinging about my lot after reading your posts. I'm waiting for probable surgery on my cervical spine in the next month or so, and am having to spend a lot of time in bed, till I get my neck "fixed". Afterwardss will be a bit of a haul too, but hopefully mine is fixable and this is only a temporary set back for a few months. So my heart really goes out to those others of you who are having to cope with long term illness and health issues. I'm just so fortunate to have no little kids at home, and a semi-retired DH who is really helpful. I've proven just how much can get done in little bites of time, and I've become an opportunist .. because I only can do about 15 mintues walking about, I don't let an opportunity pass to pick up something on the way, to put something back etc. or give something a quick swipe as I go by. Being decluttered and simplified is just the hugest help in coping with a household and health problems, I've found. Some of the suggestions I've found to be helpful in dealing with things like this. Have easy to put on clothes. For me, because it's my neck, they said to get button up shirts, because you can't raise you arms just after surgery, but for you Bronwynsmom, I imagine it would need to be the opposite....anything without buttons and closures... just slip on loose clothes that don't need adjusting, and aren't hard to pull on and aren't tight and don't need to be adjusted, etc. I keep a stack of little hand towels and wipes beside my bed for quick clean ups, and because I can't bend my head much, I actually use them as "bibs" LOL. Because i'm likely to be in a neck brace for a while, there are lots of spills and dribbles when you eat apparently. Yay, what fun. But for hands? Would it be easier to use a spoon or cup to hold.. like a soup mug etc, rather than knife and fork. Our crock pot has been invaluable while I've been like this... DH is no cook, and I can't stand up for long to chop, so between us, we just throw lots of vegies, beans, tomatoes, pasta, herbs steak etc into the crock pot, and we're having healthy food that mightn't be always cordon bleu, but it's tasty and good for us. Do you have a crock pot? Easy to make, all in one dish, eat with a spoon, or dilute to make it into soups if you have to. ANd we've proven that even a domestically challenged DH can throw things into a crockpot. And I've been buying frozen bags of pre-chopped vegies to save chopping. I keep a fold up carry box on the bed, because of practically living in it lately, and I just do a quick tidy up of all the bits and pieces...books, pens, dvd's, cds, hot packs, medications, water bottles..etc. It's all easily accessible and keeps the bed looking neat, with all my bits coralled. Another suggestion is to have an easily operated cd player, for if you feel really lousy and can't do much, just listening to audio books can keep your mind occupied while you rest. Have someone take your pain killers or medication for the day, if you will need it, out of the child proof bottles and into a container that you don't have to unscrew lids etc. Do you have a fan heater, Bronwynsmom? Just thinking of you trying to towel yourself dry after a shower.. easier to stand in front of a blow heater and air dry than wield a towel one handed. And I'd make sure I had a drink bottle with a lid and straw, for if your hands are weakish, to save spills, and having to grab with two hands. Is someone able to drive you to your PT, if you DH is away? Another thought... slip on slides or shoes. You won't want to be pulling on boots, straps and sandal buckles, or tying laces. Ok, I feel better already about being stuck here lying down, because I can use my hands... (hmm that's why I'm on here all the time lately, because the laptop is my sanity saver). Will you be able to use a mouse, or hold a book? Once before when I had back surgery and was stuck in bed for ages, I used a recipe book holder, to hold books as I was reading them. Saved holding them up all the time, and all I had to do was turn a page when I needed to. Just thinking that might save your hands too. Also, I told DH and DS to start using my fairly simple "house control journal". It's a moderated Flylady kind of thing, that I hardly use much anymore but it gives them a guide at least of what to do next. I've also tried to keep the office work and accounts etc right up to date, while I still can. Nothing like having peace of mind about finances and paperwork while you're trying to cope with surgery etc, especially if you're unable to write. I intend to book myself in for weekly massages after surgery.... I couldn't cope with them just now but I figure that because I haven't been able to exercise much, and won't for a while, that a massage will get the blood flowing and keep me feeling pampered. Also, what about a pedicure and manicure before your surgery. A bit of pampering you won't be able to do for yourself after for a while? Easy to do hairstyle. I have long hair, and thought it would pay to get it short for neck surgery. I'm so glad that I read someone's advice to keep it long, because at least you can get it up off your neck out of the way of stitches and collar etc. Short hair just sticks around your neck. I wouldn't have thought of that even. So thinking of your hands. Do you have an easily done hairstyle? Sorry, these are probably funny ideas, and I don't know your situation enough to know how limited you will be, but it's been on my own mind a lot to prepare myself for being handicapped for a couple of months, so i'm just throwing out ideas that people have shared with me. And hugs to all you people out there who have to deal with these things full time, especially anyone without supportive family and friends.

Thanks for weighing on graywings! Well, that's two in agreement. It's funny--I was expecting more 'debate', as I've seen in other of the forums. :-) I might cross-post to the Paint forum to see if anyone who hangs out there and not on Porches would not concur. (I always learn a lot from the discussions) graywings, have you posted that question to the Paint forum? That "dry time" rings a bell--that I've seen it discussed before. I tend to think like you do, that the manufacturers' want to be conservative. They don't want you suing if it peels and asking them to pay for a new paint job. --Lee

I had looked for it earlier too...strange things are happening here....scarey!! I always double the recipe...everyone loves them and they keep 'forever'! Butter Brickle Biscotti 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 3 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 package (7-1/2 or 8 ounces) English toffee bits or almond brickle chips Directions In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in toffee bits. Divide dough in half. On a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, shape each portion into a 10-in. x 2-1/2-in. rectangle. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board; cut diagonally with a serrated knife into 1/2-in. slices. Place slices cut side down on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 20-24 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container. Yield: about 2-1/2 dozen.

Jeanne, Thank you so much for the fantastic package! I love the recipes, Pumpkin dip and pineapple cheese ball. The card you made is so adorable! I love the little turtle on the front. I love the seeds that you send habanero and slow bolt cilantro and sharpies pens!! Love love! The cute little bag you made with candies is so cute. Super package!! I love it all! Thank you, Amy. I will try and post a picture soon