We went out for dinner last night with the crew from the helpmeet's workplace. It was good fun; a nice bunch of people, lively conversation, and lots of laughs. I was ready for beddy-by-lo by the time we got home. So, over breakfast this morning the helpmeet confessed his stress level is increasing hugely with every day. I asked if it was about work? no, turns out he is freaked out that he hasn't gotten me one Christmas gift this year. I just laughed and said I hadn't done any shopping for him, either, adding that if he didn't FEEL like going shopping he didn't have to as far as I was concerned. The reality of our lives is that we have everything we could possibly need and a nice, relaxing morning with the pets and tree and a relaxed dinner would be just fine with me. I pointed out that we have a very large "gift" to the side of our home. "You wouldn't mind if there were no gifts under the tree?". NOPE. "I married the finest person I know.". SO DID I. Christmas should never be overrun by stress and unrealistic expectations. Bella and Kenzie are getting so BIG; they don't look like "toddlers" any more. Patty Play Pals "come to life"! Deanne, your photos are just wonderful. I am actually rather excited about getting a tripod and moving away from the "take aim and shoot" mindset. I can swing either Wednesday you mentioned. I will not, however, be doing any driving if the weather is inclement. Wendy, I thought of you as the snow overtook my area and I began to hear reports of dreadful driving conditions on the highways in your area! I can't even feature being stuck in your car for 5 hrs. trying to accomplish what should have been a "slow" commute. I do understand the concerns about allowing a kid to fall on his face academically. And I, too, am regularly shocked by disciplinary problems. But, when I was in school, there were still teachers that would hit a kid. The helpmeet received a ruler across the palms of his hands for being a jerk in class when he failed to "cease and desist". And a solid dose of shame and humiliation at the dinner table that night. Certainly I don't advocate corporal punishment, but it rather highlights the differences between the 50s, 60s, 70s, to present; and what does it all say about "family life" or the lack thereof? Dunno. I am concerned that we are working steadily toward raising another generation in constant need of praise and unable to endure the necessity of criticism and accountability. I know you understand that. People are so stupid and selfish about driving in the snow. No common sense, they don't accept that you have to slow down and you have to PAY ATTENTION and increase the amount of space required to react and avoid. I learned that one driving 40' buses. You can't stop or manoeuver quickly when driving a fully loaded bus, so learn to control the variables you can control. Last year, I had to go for a "mammygram" in a horrible snowstorm. I thought about cancelling, but went anyway (it was a "call back" for a suspicious area). On my way home I poked along at a blazing 25 mph, noting the large 4WD truck at a respectful distance behind me. I hit the gas to power through a plowed "wake" as I pulled into the little market. The truck followed me in. I got out and apologized to the guy in truck for being such a "nannah". He grinned and said, "you drive an appropriate speed for the conditions and your vehicle, you'll get where you want to go, don't apologize.". I'm fortunate that my "commute" occurs very early in the morning with minimal traffic! Eden, I'm glad your Mom got decent news. I don't blame her for going the extra distance and opting for radiation on the suspect area. Your sense of relief must be great. I can't wait to go back and click on the links for the trees and the arrangements when I have more time to really enjoy them. Yikes, I feel "really American" knowing the garage is probably bigger than your house... . No porta-potty, Sue, but if you're willing to wee-wee in the puckerbrush (or a pee-nut can) and use the "main house" facilities you're welcome to bunk up in the Salon for as long as you wish. No water view, either... unless, of course, you're willing to scale the roof on a clear winter's day. Sounds appealing, huh? As for "renting out"... we would enjoy "you guys", but most "tourists" would blanche at the way we live, here on the compound. :) I am so glad to see Katie in her jammies. But I DO want to see the zipper, too. I was surprised at how clean and neat the incision on Rex's leg was. I'm not sure why I thought it would be gorier than it was. He either removed one/two staples himself or they "blew out", but there is NO scar and I was also shocked to learn that many people never bring their dogs back to have them removed?! She looks so cute with her chicken. How many more weeks do you both have to endure confinement before embarking on PT? It's good to hear more of a chirp in your posts, Cynthia. :) Marian, LOL about "varmints". My sentiments exactly. Rex went mental this morning and sure enough, it was Foxy Loxy blatting his/her presence to the dawn world. Had the helpmeet not been home I'd have turned him loose. Foxy Loxies and "rats with long legs" are one of the reasons we have "thatfooldog". We have coyotes in this area, too, but they seem to be more common in the more open, less densely populated parts of town. Great shots. My "germamiums" gave up the ghost and there is no live plant material in the house right now. I think I'll have to get a Christmas cactus. Any other recommendations for something "bullet-proof" for a sunny location with a woodstove? I have laughed about Patty Play Pal and other fond remembrances. My favorite was RoseAnn Whitey (I named her). It was one of those rocking horses with springs attached to the supporting frame. I LOVED that thing. I would get it rockin' and rollin' and later, Mum confided she was frequently concerned I'd fall off. A harbinger of my penchant for fast ponies and horses in later years. Did any of you receive a tangerine or an orange in the toe of Christmas stocking? That was biggie in our home... along with walnuts (the nutcracker was on the floor under the stockings, next to the fireplace tools). Jerri, I completely understand wanting a "change". I'm not interested in something completely different as much as I'm interested in paving the way for a smooth transition to something that challenges me more and indulges a penchant for "pretty" and "beautiful". I'm a bit of a "nervous Nellie" when it comes to "job security"; to that end, we live "closer to the bone" than many would find comfortable. And whenever I've needed a change I've had the next "gig" lined up. I actually contemplated nursing for a brief period after Mum's surgery (Stoma/Wound Care; I have all the core science classes behind me, would require about a semester+a class/two to meet the requirements for the BS, and would face the clinicals). I think you should think about it carefully; work up a PLAN and revisit it periodically. I'm not saying "don't", I'm simply saying, put the plan together and look at it carefully over the course of time. You're a smaHt cookie and you'll make a good choice. It's important to be happy with what you do for work. I love to sew, and I have that going for me. What really remains for ME is how to use the skill I love to do things that "jazz" me and make me smile when I've finished the project. I'm thinking of you these days. I understand the thoughts that cross your mind every so often and at inopportune times. I lived in Virginia for one year. I LOVED it. I loved the climate and I loved that the streets weren't filled with faces that looked just like mine (white). My community is homogenous, and frankly, I don't think much about it day to day until I read a post like 'bug's. And then I am reminded of how insular my life's experience has been with the exception of that one year. Yet it hasn't made me fearful, mistrustful... rather, it makes me rather sad. Rather like going through life never savoring the full variety of "taste". I have to get moving on the day's chores, you guys.

Wanted to second happyladi's Crizal recommendation. Best AR coating I've ever had! I always get AR for two reasons: so there is no reflection bouncing off my eyes if someone is looking at me. And looking outward at night especially, no light bouncing around. Takes the fuzzy halo off car headlights, etc. I used to get tiny wispy scratches almost precisely at the 1 year mark, and it was a rapid descent from there, so bad it was impossible to see through the swirls. (It was like the darn things were designed to disintegrate as soon as the warranty was up.) When my clinic offered the much pricier Crizal I tried it out of sheer frustration. And it comes with a 2 year warranty. With my current lenses it's going on 18 months and zero annoying scratches. (Rinsing under water is part of my twice daily face cleansing routine. Major lens mileage. It's those 'grab the shirttail' wipes that are damaging.) Now, a story about older women, eyeglasses and color. There is a gentleman that works in the optical department at my clinic. He dresses like a Brit going to tea with the Queen. Impeccable. So dapper and so adept at helping women pick frames, I adore him. (Plus he calls me 'darlin', gets me every time. ;) So anyway, last time I went for a plastic frame, haven't worn those since the 80's but the size and shape were perfect and they were oh so comfortable. Then chose the light golden brown tortoise shell. A good neutral. Being half blind is a real disadvantage trying on frames. My gentleman consultant is my best judge in all things eyeglass related, even beating out my brutally honest sister. He liked the frames very much but was "eh" over the color I had chosen. So safe and predictable. I needed an updated spare pair. He said "Here darlin', try these." He nudged me to the same frame in amethyst. Now I happen to love amethyst & purples, but for glasses sitting on my face my inner voice said "Uh, no way, dapper dude". Once they lined up the possibles on their camera machine, I became a little more receptive. Still had doubts because those machines are helpful but they make driver's license photos look like a pro studio job. Decided it was time to shake things up and go for it. Once my glasses came in the difference was amazing. You know the eye shadow palettes recommended for certain eye colors? Purples are often recommended for hazel eyes. The amethyst somehow plays off and really emphasizes the gold in my hazel eyes and absolutely brightened both my eyes & complexion. Heck, my cheeks even look rosier. Still pushing out of my comfort zone some, they were going to be my 'fun' pair when going out, etc. Well, my gentleman friend nailed it again. Wore the neutral, no one close to me noticed. The first time I wore the amethyst a girl at the insurance office was helping me and during a moment on hold she suddenly complimented the color. And the compliments kept coming, even 18 months later. (That never happens.) Usually where people are standing around killing time; grocery store checkout, in line at the bank. Always women, surprisingly often much younger women. I stopped to visit my cousin and the only change since our last visit several months prior was my highlights (too subtle to notice) and the frames. She was looking at me and said "Something is different." She paused, squinted, and said "Hey, did you get botox, you look younger". Nope and cool :) I don't even know where the safe neutral pair is, think in the console of my car. The amethyst are my everyday pair. Moral of this story is once you get the right frame size & shape for you face, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and go for color! It might just surprise you :)

The good news: the small boutique eyeglass place was happy to make a temporary fix to my glasses (where the mall places were unwilling!). This bought me some time.. the bad news: I need the extra time because the frames Ichose aren't going to work for me. They don't fit on my narrow bridge well.. which makes them sit very low on my face. They are already a very large frame and they just didnt look right. Also, I intentionally wore colors other than black when I tried them on this time because I was wearing all black when I previously tried them on. I was not as enamored with black when I wasn't wearing it. I am somewhat back at square one. I did find two frames I liked on but both had something working against it. Tiffany glasses really seemed to fit me well. Quite a few styles look nice on but they were all styles with a tiffany blue stem. I am not sure how I feel about the tiffany blue-- I do like the color but I am not sure I will like them in a professional setting.. and I am concerned they are too young. I DO love the havana tortoise which is very dark and not all that busy. Unfortunately, the store didnt have many styles that use the havana on the stem as well as the eye pieces. Next weekend I am going to take a sister and niece with me to look at them again. I am starting to consider getting two pairs. The styles I am looking at are much less expensive than some of the other offerings.. and considering I am in a bad place when one breaks, it seems smart to have a backup. Here's a Tiffany style I am liked.. what do you think? Do the T blue stems look too young?

RN, They aren't narrower through the bridge, comparing them to my "regular" eyeglasses, but the nose bridge piece extends a little bit further, so there's more of the piece to sit on your nose. It's hard to explain, but if a store near you sells the same style in regular and Asian Fit, try them both on and see if you notice a difference in how they sit on your nose. Of course, either way, the optician should be ensuring the ends of the arms of your glasses have a slight bend downward around your ear, which is done for the fitting, to ensure they'll stay on better. Also, if your hinges have become loose and there's too much play in the arms, of course they'll be prone to sliding down. But if even brand new glasses fitted for you don't stay up well, you may find it resolved by the Asian Fit ones. The optician told me that he often recommends them to anyone who complains that no plastic frame glasses sit properly on their nose. My daughter got Versace Asian Fit glasses as they also fit her better than the Versace regular. http://www.smartbuyglasses.com/designer-eyeglasses/Versace/Versace-VE3205BA-Asian-Fit-GB1-261658.html