Okay, here it is.  Do with it what you will.  

I am beginning to feel like Alice.  First I was an ex-member, then I was a member again, albeit with new journal, then I was an ex-member, then I couldn't log on because my password didn't match my user name when I had not changed it; two temp passwords, a name change AND a new journal later, I think I am back.  And I didn't even have any good drugs.  :(

I would appreciate someone else replying so I know that it all works, please?  Thank you.

I am having the hardest time choosing a new name for my journal.  It is a symptom of depression, I think.

We are having the only second sunny day this month, which is the primary cause of my down mood.  It just doesn't take very much at all to upset me and send me almost into tears.  I am thinking of going back on antidepressants, but don't want to give up the highs to lose the lows.  I like my occasional moments of euphoria.  There are other things going on in my life right now that are also stressing me out.

Thank you Sakina, Curlgirl, MichelleR and Bikerbraid for your kind messages.  I would appreciate if the old journals could be attached to this journal.

Will write more later, when I can.

I'm glad you've started a new journal!

I wish I could do something to cheer you up.  Can you exercise at home?  That's always a good mood lifter.  

Hang in there and be kind to yourself!!!

melusine wrote on Oct 19^th, 2009 at 7:15pm:

We are having the only second sunny day this month, which is the primary cause of my down mood.  It just doesn't take very much at all to upset me and send me almost into tears.  I am thinking of going back on antidepressants, but don't want to give up the highs to lose the lows.  I like my occasional moments of euphoria.  There are other things going on in my life right now that are also stressing me out.

I sympathize with not wanting to take antidepressants.  That is exactly the reason I stopped taking them when I was fighting depression a couple of years ago.  I realized I wasn't as stressed out at work and I liked that, but I didn't like that my positive emotions (love for family, having fun with friends, etc) were dulled as well.  

I agree with Sakina about exercise.  I don't know how bad the rain is, but could you take a walk?  Even if you wear galoshes and rain gear, getting some exercise and fresh air will help.  Heck, dance naked in the rain in your backyard!  Maybe if you can embrace the weather instead of yearning for sunny days you will feel better.  Sorry if that sounds stupid or condescending.  It has helped me, but once I wrote it, it sounded silly.  Anyway, I hope you start to feel better soon!

Tried a vinegar rinse for the first time today.  WOW!!!  I can't believe how full my hair is.  It's like a miracle.  How often can I do that?  I rinse my hair everyday, but only wash it once a week.

Bought a bone comb at Sally's Beauty Supply today, and the L'Oreal sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.  Looked at Ric's wooden combs and am thinking seriously about buying one.  If you have one, please tell me how you feel about it?  Is it worth the money?

Welcome to the world of journaling!

Vinegar - one of the wonder products of the world!  You can use the vinegar as often as you want.  It is probably most beneficial after shampooing, but there is no reason you couldn't do it more often than your shampoos.  If you do decide to use the rinse more often, you might want to add a light conditioning after the rinse.  Vinegar rinses, depending on the strength you use, can be a bit drying on the hair.  A bit of conditioner will help with that.

I am a proud owner of 2 Ric's combs.  I love them.  I also have a horn comb.   I like to use my horn comb on my damp hair (and dry the comb after use), but use the wood combs on my dry hair.  Wood and water are not a good combination.  You should also oil or wax a wood comb to prevent cracks and warping.

Congrats on starting your journal. :)

It depends on the hair type, but I find that doing vinegar rinses more often than once a week can be drying.

I have one of ric's combs and love it!  I don't use any other combs now-its so great!!!  Totally worth the $$-I told hubby it was the only thing I wanted for Christmas so I got mine as a gift.  Bonus!!!

Thank you all for your help.  Today is day 2 after the vinegar rinse and my hair is still full.  It's amazing.  Can't keep my hands away from it.  Bought my first scrunchies today and was surprised at how well they hold.  Also read the directions on how to use hairsticks and tried that and was surprised at how well that worked.   I think I am falling in love with my hair!

The bone comb is very nice.  I think I will use that quite a bit.  I am lusting after one of Ric's combs, so will probably succumb shortly.  The cherrywood, I think.

I must have always had it in the back of my mind to grow my hair out because I never threw away the leather hair buckles I bought when I was in my 20's.  BTW, I am 58 and teach college.

After reading all the discussion of hairspray, I think I will be cutting down on my usage.

When I bought my bone comb, I also bought Ion Effective Care Treatment.  The package said it is an intensive therapy protein fortifier and moinsurizer, containing Panthenol Provitamen B5 and hydrolyzed vegetable protein.  It's a 5-10 minute treatment.  Was wondering if anyone else was familiar with it.  I remember several years ago my friends and I used mayonnaise.  We applied it to dry hair under a plastic cap for 30 min., then washed it out.  It made the hair incredibly soft and shiny.

Congrats on your journal.  It looks like you're quickly finding out what works for you and I hope you'll stay encouraged to care for your hair.  

It is cold and raining here.  I hate this weather.  Last weekend was in the high 60s--sandals and short-sleeved shirts; Monday was in the 30s--back to boots and parkas.

I have been using mental imagery, visualizing my hair growing in healthy and strong.  I think it helps.  Tomorrow morning will wash it with the new sulfate-free shampoo and see how that works.

Tried the cold rinse and YIKES!  I am from further south than I am living now and can't stand being that cold.  My husband sets the thermostat at 65 at nite and the first thing I do when I get up is set it at least 70, and the bathroom is still chilly.  So the cold rinses will have to wait until July.

Can't wait for the weather to warm up.

I took for granted that keeping a visual image of how I wanted my figure to look would help when I was losing weight but I never thought of doing the same with my hair.  Will give it a try. :)

Hi, Drear, I've used mental imagery to help a dental implant heal, to get rid of what looked like a fungus infection on my finger, so I thought I would try it with my hair.  I am on the road at least an hour each day, so use that time to visualize.

Washed my hair with the L'Oreal sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner today.  Didn't lather as much as the Matrix and Garnier, but left my hair clean and soft and curly/wavy.  Only problem is that I don't like the smell.  BTW, it is 100% vegan, for those who are interested in Vegan products.

The sun is shining today and I am much happier.  Plus I washed my hair and am happy with the result.  After discovering this site, I am completely hair-obsessed.

Wore it down to school today, which I haven't done since late August, and startled some people.  :)

I'm so glad you've had good results with the ACV rinse!

It can take 2-4 weeks for your hair to adjust to sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.  Sorry you don't like the smell-maybe you can add some essential oils to it to improve the smell.

I'm one for visualizations, too.

Thanks, Sakina, I hadn't thought of essential oils.  Where would I find them?  At the end of the day, I am noticing that my hair didn't keep its curl as well as it usually does.  But I'll try the shampoo a few more times.  I will rinse my hair in the shower tomorrow and see how well it curls after that.

Wore my hair down to teach my night class tonite and one of my students walked in late and didn't recognize me.  Of course, it was warmer today, so I wore a skirt and pumps, rather than jeans and boots, which I have worn since the semester started in Jan., which might have contributed to his confusion.

It is a little disappointing that I always got compliments when I wore the Tony Ponies, but not when my real hair is down.  Maybe in a year, when it is 5 or more (I hope) inches longer than it is now.  Sigh.

When you measure the length of your hair, where do you measure from?  The front hairline?  My hair is layered, so my top measures about 13", but the longest layer hangs almost to bra strap level when I pull it straight.  So do I measure from the hairline to the end of the longest layer?

Welcome Melusine   8-)  I believe most of us here measure from the front hairline to the longest point (or layer).  

Yep, you're doing it right. :)

Thank you both.  I thought that was probably it, but wanted to be sure.

Re: adding essential oil to the sulfate-free shampoo.  I am an idiot; the stuff is in a tube.  ::)

I don't teach on Friday and my husband is at work, so it is laundry/indulge myself day.  The sun shining and the temp is 75. :)  I have all the windows open and it is wonderful.  It seems forever since the weather was this nice.  The bulbs I planted last fall are coming up: daffodils, Siberian iris, something red that I can't remember the name of, with tulips and large blue iris to follow.

Shampooed with L'Oreal sulfate-free this morning.  The smell isn't so bad the second time, so I suppose I'll get used to it.  Followed with white vinegar rinse and the ION deep conditioner for 5 minutes.  My hair looks really good: lots of curls and waves and very little frizz.  I am very pleased with it.  Had enough of the ION left to do another treatment, so sealed it in a sandwich bag.  Measured it this am before I shampooed and it comes in at 21".  Yay!  My hair hasn't been this long since I was 5 yrs. old.  It is growing quite nicely, so perhaps waist-length is possible.

My husband told me yesterday that he had read that sulfates are known to be skin irritants.

Ah, well, the washer is done, so I had better get busy.  

It is the end of the day.  It was beautiful all day.  The temp hit 81!  Not a high for this date, but very nice.  Had all the windows open and the ceiling fans running.  It was a day for sandals, tank top, and capris.  Thank you, my goddess, thank you.

Did five loads of laundry and did my nails--pale pink, a summer color.  Never did put on makeup.

Got some bad news today.  My husband had promised me that we would remodel the kitchen this year.  First he said March, so I had people in and got estimates, then he said July, then he said September, now he says not this year.  I knew this was going to happen.   >:(  He is great at making promises that never are fulfilled.  #@*!#!#!#*&*!!!!

So I called Ric's toll-free # and I am going to buy at least one comb from him, probably 2  -- one for the dressing table and one to carry with me.

At least my hair looked good all day.

Was out in the wind today.  Will see tomorrow if I have more split ends.  Didn't lose much of the curl, but I pulled it back with a scrunchie to keep it from tangling.

Found another comb at Sally's Beauty Supply that I can carry in my purse.  It is jilbere de Paris and the edges are almost unnoticeable.  Had been using brushes, but after reading everything you all had to say about brushes, realized that I do lose more hair when I brush, so I will go back to combs.

Called Ric's toll-free # on Fri.  Hope he calls me back this week.

One of the problems with my hair, besides being very fine, is that I have a cowlick just below the crown about 1" to the right of midline.  If I am not careful where my hair lies as it dries, I end up with a part all down the back of my head.  It's very annoying, and very obvious since I color my hair dark.

Now that I am using the L'Oreal sulfate-free, I am back to shampooing every 3rd or 4th day, with the vinegar rinse between the shampoo and conditioner.

My hair was very full this weekend, but that could have been because of the humidity.  

I'm glad the weather was nice on Fri, the rest of the weekend was really crappy--clouds and rain, and again today. So I indulged in shopping therapy and bought a new purse at TJ Maxx, only $30, that's not too bad.

Shampooed this AM, with a vinegar rinse before the conditioner.  Now that I am used to it, I really like the L'Oreal sulfate-free products.  My hair has never been this full.  Of course, it's never been this long, either.  Will try the Burt's Bees when I run out of the L'Oreal.  Will see my hairdresser on the 9th and wonder what she will say.

Bought 3 prs of hairsticks on EBay.  Got the first set today, came gift-wrapped in a beautiful box.  Can't wait to try them; of course, will have to wait a couple of days, 'til my hair is not quite so clean.

Have been wearing my hair down to work.  Most of my colleagues have seen it down in the past, altho' a couple of people looked surprised.  Tomorrow nite is chorale practice and they have never seen my hair down.  It will be interesting to hear what people say.  I am actually not anticipating favorable comments, but we'll see.

It has been raining and cloudy for the last 5 days, supposed to storm tonite and pour tomorrow and Friday, and be cloudy and icky all weekend.  I just want to crawl in a hole and pull it in after me. :(  My mother used to say that and I know what she means.  Have totally lost my appetite, even chocolate doesn't tempt me.  Oh, well, I need to lose about 30 lbs, so this is as good a way to get started as anything else.  Maybe tomorrow I'll feel like eating.

Wore my hair down to chorale last nite, and nobody said anything.  My depression and paranoia interprets that as their being too kind to say it looks bad.

I would do anything for just one day of sunshine and 70 degrees all day.

I don't quite wish to be dead, but it's a near-run thing.  All I really want to is go to sleep, but I have a nite class to teach, so will get papers and briefcase together, and trot off to class.  Being with my students usually puts me in a better mood.

Have been thinking seriously about going back on antidepressants.  Took them for about 2 yrs 10 yrs. ago.  Mybe I'll call my doctor tomorrow.

Whew! I'd trade weather with you in a heartbeat! It's going to be in the 70's for a week where I live. :P And summer is only 53 days away.

And don't worry about not getting showered with compliments by your adoring hair fans. ::) Believe it or not, some people may actually have more to worry about than what another person is doing with their hair. :o
   Just do what makes you happy. If you rely on other people's opinions for validation, you'll only end up disappointed.

This may not be of any comfort but we tend to be more aware of what we do, say and how we look than others are and we tend to be more critical of ourselves. :)

I tried to send you several PM's and it won't let me so I'll keep trying to respond...

Thank you, Sakina and Drear and Midnite Angel and Curlgirl.  I was having a very bad day, but am feeling much better today, in large part due to your responses.  We actually saw the sun for about 5 minutes, which helped, too.  Everybody ran to the big windows in the cafeteria to look.  :)  I am an SAD personality, inherited it from my mother and grandmother, and two weeks of cloud, wind, rain and 50 degrees really gets to me.  But tomorrow is May 1, and things will be better, I'm sure.

My comment about the chorale members was more related to my mental state than to my expectations, altho one of my students last nite walked into class, looked at me and said she liked my other hairstyle better.  I told her that I had not asked for her opinion, and it wouldn't be good idea to insult her teacher as that could affect her grade.  She's only 17 and hasn't learned yet that it's not a good idea to verbalize everything that crosses her mind.

Talked to Ric, the combmaker, this pm.  What a nice man!  I ordered a black cherry vest pocket comb; he said I would have it on Mon and I am excited!  Of course, that depends on who delivers my mail Mon.  If it's the regular mailwoman, I'll get it; if it's either of the substitutes, I may not see it until the end of the week.

I bought 3 pair of hairsticks on EBay and have been experimenting with them.  I am amazed at how well they hold!  What fun!  My husband said my hair looked very nice with the hairsticks.

Tomorrow I going to Fruitful Yield to pick up jojoba oil and will try that.  I'll let you know how that works.

Could only hope that the 17 year old smacks herself on the forehead or wishes she could kick herself for making that thoughttless rude comment! ::)
I think you'll like the jojoba oil.  It is light and with your hair type you'll only need a drop or two.

Woohoo - new stuff! :D That almost always helps boost any woman's mood. Good luck with the hairsticks!

And ughhh, teenagers. Most of them tend to be rude and idiotic by default, but that one was abusing the privilege. You had every right to check her - good for you. ;)

Thank you for your support.  I was surprised; most nite students are working adults trying to finish a degree, so they have had manners knocked into them by the working world.  :)

Bought the jojoba oil today at Fruitful Yield, will try it tonite and let you all know tomorrow.  Also bought vitamin D softgels on the advice of a woman I work with to help with my moods.  She said it worked wonders for her.  Was looking at all the organic shampoos and was surprised to see that they all contained sulfates.  

Our concert is a week from Sat.  Men wear tuxes and ladies wear long black skirts or black trousers and long-sleeve tops, black stockings and black low-heel shoes.  So, after my shower this a.m., I tried on all 4 prs of black pumps I owned to discover that none of them fit.  Then tried on all my dress shoes.  Only one pair still fit, so I have 8 prs. of shoes to donate.  I haven't worn dress shoes regularly in the last five years.  Then off to DSW to look for shoes that were dressy, comfortable and low-heeled.  To my surprise I found a pair that were perfectly comfortable.  Hallelujah!!!  I had decided that I would only spend an hour at DSW, and if I couldn't find anything, I was going to Nordstrom's, which would have been at least twice as expensive.  Also found a really cute pair of red ballet-slipper flats that I couldn't pass up.   I always have red shoes; it's amazing how many things they go with and how often I wear them.  I do have a long black skirt and tomorrow will to go a dancewear store and get a black leotard and I am good to go.

This morning was cloudy, but the sun did peep out this afternoon.  It's supposed to be partly sunny tomorrow and into next week until Thurs when it is supposed to rain again.  It is still isn't really warm, daytime in the 50s and nites down in the 40s or 30s.  Still using the heated mattress pad.

Well, off to oil my hair and bed.  I have been using visualization, telling my self firmly that my hair is long, strong, full, healthy and beautiful.  Seems to be working, along with taking better care of it.   ;)  Talk with you all tomorrow.

Just a quick note as I am in the middle of doing laundry.  Used just 2 drops of jojoba oil last nite since my hair is fine and as Curlgirl advised.  My hair looked a little like it need washing immediately after, but went to bed and it was all absorbed when I woke up this am.  I did shampoo this a.m. as we are going to a party tonite, and my hair is not as flyaway as it usually is when freshly shampooed.  Hmm.  Will do it again tonite and gradually figure out what is the best schedule for me.  Thank you all for your help and advice.  My hair has never looked better.

I can't believe I am up so early.  Actually I have been awake since 3am and up since 4:30am.  We went to a dinner party with friends last nite and the wine flowed freely.  I know that too much wine disturbs my sleep, for several reasons :), but it seems churlish to refuse when everyone else is imbibing.  Oh, well, it's Sunday and I can take a nap if I need to.

The last 2 times I shampooed, I used Matrix Amplify and Garnier.   I always like the effect of the Matrix, it leaves my hair very full, but the Garnier left my hair almost too soft.  I guess that is a result of the oil?  I'll keep doing it every nite for a few days and see what happens.  Every other day or twice a week may be better.  Or maybe it's the combination of oil and cones.  If that's the case, I'll keep the oil and drop the cones.  The next time I shampoo, I'll go back to the L'Oreal.

I have been thinking about not coloring my hair any more.  The only problem is that I have been coloring it considerably darker than it really is.  My natural color was mouse brown with ash tones.  And I do have some gray, which looks silver to me.  If my hair went all silver, I would like that.  I am wondering if the light brown would make my hair look thinner?  Plus, if I stop cold turkey, I'll look like a skunk for a long time.  I absolutely will not cut my hair just to get rid of the color.  It's just that at my age, having hair that is different colors at each end, seems too teen-age.

I'll talk to Kirstin and see what she thinks, but what do you all think?

I suggest trying cassia or amla to lift your natural color and condition.  Check it out here: www.hennacaravan.com

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but what do you all think?

Only since you asked, I think it's entirely up to you whether you want to continue colouring or not. My hair is also a sort of "mouse brown," which I've never been terribly fond of, so I'm actually looking forward to my first grey so I have a more valid reason to colour. ;D But that's me. If colouring really isn't your thing, you're not obligated by any means. It's your hair, your life, your choice...no one's holding a gun to your head.


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It's just that at my age, having hair that is different colors at each end, seems too teen-age.

Teenage, eh? I ran around with two tone hair for a year in my early 20's whilst trying to grow out a dark colour. I just couldn't justify shaving my head or shelling out $85 for a salon to ruin my hair with bleach. ::)


Quote:

but it seems churlish to refuse when everyone else is imbibing.

What about people who never drink? What about simply knowing your limits? What if you have to drive home?

Hi, Midnite Angel, re: the two-color hair, I am twice your age, and think it would look ridiculous at 58.  Although several years ago I saw a woman who was obviously growing her color out. Her hairdresser had styled her hair in a bubble of large curls and every curl was white edged in black.  It was breathtaking!

I know I shouldn't drink that much, but it's only 3 or 4 times a year, and my husband doesn't drink, so I don't have to worry about driving.

I was wondering if my hair would be healthier if I stopped coloring, but it isn't bad right now.  I condition regularly and use a deep conditioner about every 2 weeks.  I don't use anything mechanical.  I don't brush when it's wet.  It does have some shine and curl and a lot of body.  In a few years I will have to lighten my color, as my face ages.  Now it's so dark brown, it's almost black.  It was a little harsh when it was hanging in my face, but now that it's long enough to put behind my shoulders, the color is not so bad.

I tried the jojoba oil and apparently it's not for me.  By the third day, my hair was limp as a dishrag and had no curl.  I was only using a very small amount.  I had to lather 3 times this a.m. to get it out.  If I use it at all, it will just be the nite before I shampoo.  I'm glad I didn't buy the big bottle.  :)  Oh, well, live and learn.

Everything is blooming, and I have a post-nasal drip that would choke a horse, plus a headache.  It's time to double up on the allergy meds and add aspirin to the daily doseage.  Ahh, spring.  Or maybe I should say, ahh-choo, spring!  ;)

I do much better oiling the night before washing than oiling daily.

Do you have a netti pot?  I find them very helpful for sinus allergy problems.  Hope you feel better!

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Hi, Midnite Angel, re: the two-color hair, I am twice your age, and think it would look ridiculous at 58.  Although several years ago I saw a woman who was obviously growing her color out. Her hairdresser had styled her hair in a bubble of large curls and every curl was white edged in black.  It was breathtaking!

That does sound quite artistic. :)
Have you considered having a stylist blend the two colours while you're growing out so it looks like a more natural transition?


Quote:

I know I shouldn't drink that much, but it's only 3 or 4 times a year, and my husband doesn't drink, so I don't have to worry about driving.

Oh? Then I suppose it was "churlish" of him not to partake? ;D
I'm just teasin'.  ;)

Hi, Sakina, yes, I do have a netti pot, but I broke my nose in a car wreck when I was 17, so it only works on one side, which is, of course, not the side that gets stopped up.  But I will get it out and see if it helps.

Do you also use a deep conditioner? Or does the oil take the place of that?

On another subject, we need a smiley face that expresses exasperation.  None of these do, and it is an emotion I frequently experience.

Yes, Angel, I have considered having having the colors blended, and will talk to Kirstin about that next Sat.  I wonder what color that would be?  But I suspect she will tell me that my hair looks thicker if I keep it dark.  I remember I reading that somewhere a while back.

All our friends know that my husband never has and never will drink more than a sip to see what something tastes like.  He got really sick from drinking in college and decided then that he was never doing that again.  He has a touchy stomach and can't eat spicy foods, so I imagine he was really ill for 2 or 3 days.

My comb from Ric arrived today and it is lovely.  I will have to get a case for it so I can carry it in my purse and not damage it.

Ouch!  Poor nose.  Are you aware that a gram of vitamin C acts as a natural anti-histamine?  You can take several grams a day, you'll get diarrhea when you've taken your limit.  Just cut back until the diarrhea goes away.  I got off of prescription allergy meds 15 years ago with the C and cutting out cheese, raisins and mushrooms (mold allergy).

I do deep condition, and use shampoo, conditioner and stylers made for curly hair so they are all moisturizing.  I try to deep treat every week but don't always get it done.  I mostly put oil on my scalp as a massage the night before I plan on washing and put a little on the ends before braiding my pigtails for sleeping.

Cheese and mushrooms, huh?  Two foods that I really like.  I mean REALLY LIKE!  Sheesh!!  I quit a 2 pack-a-day cigarette habit cold turkey.  That's enough self-sacrifice for any lifetime.  (Imagine a highly indignant smiley face here.)  The vitamin C will bear looking into.  I guess I will add it to my collection of pills.  I have tried several prescription meds and am currently taking Zyrtec (generic) and Mucinex DM.  They seem to work as well as anything else right now.  The only thing that really was effective for me  was Triaminicin, which is no longer manufactured.

For those who are interested, InStyle has a special spring issue out focused on hair.  Lots of celebrity shots, and critiques of many products, some designer, some natural.  Oh, yes, one article stated that hair color, permanent or demi-permanent, does make the hair thicker because it swells the hair shaft, and is particularly effective on fine or gray hair.  Now there's a good reason to color your hair.

I checked out henna caravan.  Very interesting site; however, 12 hour applications????  Even if I put it on and went to bed, I don't sleep that long.  Plus, I am a restless sleeper (I keep turning over, trying to clear my head so I can breathe thru my nose), and would have to put on a shower cap and tie a ribbon under my chin to keep it on.  :)  

Well, if you don't have a mold allergy you can keep eating cheese and mushrooms!  I like them too, and they were hard to give up and after while I could eat them again in small amounts without triggering a sinus problem.

Wow!  Kudos to you for quitting smoking!  8-)

I use only cassia on my hair.  At first I left it on for 1 hour, the last time I left it on for 3 and got a really good result.  I had a shower cap on (I pay a hairdresser to apply the cassia-I have a lot of hair so this is easier for me), put a towel on the pillow and read a book and took a little nap before rinsing it out.  I don't know of anyone who leaves their henna on for 12 hours.  8 maybe.

I sleep with my head elevated when I'm having sinus issues.  Funny mental pic of you with a shower cap w/a ribbon tied under your chin.  ;D

Hey Sakina,please send your hairdresser over here to help me with my henna/idigo application,please!!  I totally relate to lota hair thing and having someone else apply it is half the battle!!

Ha!  Curlygirl64, I invite you to Arizona so you can enjoy the sun and warm weather.  Then I'd set you up with Leslie.


So, Melusine, how are you feeling?  I hope your sinus problems are gone!

I am feeling somewhat better; thank you for asking.  Started taking Emergen-C, which really does help and tastes good to boot.  Actually slept last nite, which I hadn't the last two nites.  Went to chorale practice last nite, but had to leave early.  Just felt lousy, and started sneezing and nose running, so decided to throw in the towel.  Came home and went to bed around 10pm.  Dug out the Netti pot and started using it again.  The problem is getting my head at just the correct angle due to having broken my nose years ago.  I'm afraid I'm going to drown before I figure that out.  :)  Bought some Werther's hard caramels for the cough.  One of my students turned me on to those last year when I had bronchitis.  She said they're fewer calories than Halls, taste better, and don't upset your stomach.  She was certainly right about the last two items.

This is so the wrong time for this.  Dress rehearsal is Fri nite and the concert is Sat nite.  I'll be damned if I miss it after rehearsing since January.  Between mega-doses of C and positive visualization, I am planning on making it.  I absolutely REFUSE to allow this to turn into a sinus infection or bronchitis or pneumonia.

As I do have a mold allergy, I guess I will cut out cheese and mushrooms for a while.  After all, there's always lobster and crab cakes and creme brulee.  ::)

On top of everything else, I came home Mon to ants all over the countertop.  I killed at least 40 of the little buggers.  So my Orkin man was here Tues, which doesn't help with the sinus problems, either.   Tom says they're coming indoors because we've had so much rain.  So he drilled holes in the kitchen and bathroom walls inside the cabinets and sprayed between the walls.   And it's supposed to rain tonite and for the next 2 days.  Yuck.  You know, it's pretty sad when you're on a first-nam basis with the exterminator.

Can I come to Arizona with Curlgirl64????

I'm glad you're feeling better!!!  While I was doing "The King and I" for 30 shows I kept a small altoid (or 2) tucked in my cheek to keep from coughing.  The stage was pretty dusty and when the fog machine went off during the ballet-I was singing the ballet, not dancing-it would set of a cascade of coughing.

If its any consolation, I have to monkey with my position with the netti pot if I do it when I'm congested.  

I do like your attitude about having to give up some favs-there are so many yummy foods in the world.  Plus, so much variety and high end restaurants in Chicago!

Sorry to hear about your ants!  There's a recipe in Valerie Wormwood's essential oils book...http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-Essential-Oils-Aromatherapy/dp/0931432820/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241658910&sr=8-1  I LOVE THIS BOOK!

Of course you can come, too!  Be prepared for triple digits...we don't have a pool but we do have AC!  We'll call it the Solar Therapy Retreat.

But all the hotels have pools, so the three of us can split the cost of a room and spend our day beside and in the pool.   :)

I've nearly stopped drinking all together and I won't be pressured or make apologies.  However, explaining that Asians often lack some enzyme to break down alcohol is usually enough to get most people to back off.  Good luck with rehearsals.

Hi, Drear, nice to hear from you.  Re, what that woman said to you a while back, I think I would have said something along the lines of "I may not be as white as you, but I certainly have better manners."   What is it that makes people think they can say things like that and get by with it?  Just remember that what goes around comes around and she'll get hers.  With luck, you'll be there to see it.  ;)

Re: drinking, I really only drink at parties 5 or 6 times a year.  It's just that one of our very good friends is a wine connoiseur (had to look that one up  :)) and judge, and serves the most delicious wines at his parties.

I feel much better today and it is looking good for the rehearsal and concert.  The congestion goes away for much of the day and the cough is settling down.  I guess the mega doses of C are working.

So, I guess I will go shopping for a black leotard or some kind of top tomorrow to wear with the black Indian gauze skirt.  I'm thinking a lightweight fitted sweater would be nice, and I would wear it more than a leotard.  I will wear or take the skirt with me so the blacks will harmonize.

Tonite I will oil my hair and shampoo tomorrow with the L'Oreal sulfate-free, followed by a vinegar rinse and deep conditioning.  I'm getting color on Sat.  I have noticed that with the wood comb, I don't lose as much hair.  It's really nice.  

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and I feel much, much better, almost back to normal.  Slept for 12 hrs. last nite, only woke up a couple of time to use the bathroom and get something to drink.  Have doubled the allergy & sinus meds until I am over this and they make me thirsty.

Tried on the long black silk cardigan with the black Indian rayon skirt and it looks very nice.  Very slimming, as the sweater is close-fitting and long, and both button down the front.  The skirt is full, but drapes nicely, just to my ankles.  I will leave the bottom 2 buttons on the sweater unbuttoned so it won't pull and the top 2 buttons unbuttoned because that's sexy.  :)  Shows off my jewelry, too.  We were told not wear sparkly jewelry, so I don't know what to wear, as I don't have anything else.  Probably the black baroque pearl enhancer with diamonds on the bale, on a 16" rope chain, with the 8mm black pearl studs, the diamond studs, and the black pearl ear cuff, also the black pearl bracelet.  Understated, but elegant, I think.  For shoes, either the black pumps or the black hi-heel platforms if the skirt is too long for the low-heel pumps.  Will put my hair up under my biggest Tony Pony.  Might as well look like a diva.  8-)

Oiled my hair with jojoba last nite, and shampooed with the L'Oreal sulfate-free, with a vinegar rinse.  Meant to do a deep conditioning, but forgot to take it into the shower with me, so that will wait until next weekend.  My hair looks really good, very full and curly on the ends with waves.  Tomorrow I get color and trim.

Well, I had better do my makeup and get ready for dress rehearsal tonite.

Dress rehearsal went well.  Sounded like a frog when I got up this am.  Couldn't talk well, but could sing and my voice got stronger as rehearsal went on.  I need to e-mail my voice teacher and tell her that I have mastered head voice.  :)  So, it looks like a go for tomorrow nite.

Wore my hair down since I washed it today, and one women asked if the curl was natural and seemed impressed that it was.  Does that count as a compliment?  I think I will count it as one.

Glad the dress rehersal went well.  Your outfit(costume?) sounds lovely.  Pics?  All the best for the show!

The concert went very well.  Thank you for the good wishes, Curlgirl64.  No pics, I'm afraid.  I never think of that and never take any myself.  However, I will make a new dress for the concerts next year.  I had intended to do it for this concert, but didn't find a pattern I liked, and then I didn't feel well enough to sew.

One of the pieces we did was the debut of music written by the director.  He was very pleased with our performance of his piece, and after we sang it, he turned his back to the audience and laid his hands over his heart.  My husband said this chorale was a better group than the one I used to sing with.  It is a bigger group, about 50, with better singers--many are voice students or teach voice and/or music.

Saw the new Star Trek movie at the IMAX tonite.  Wow!  It was great!  Any other Trekkies out there?

Got color and trim yesterday, so my hair looks good and shiny.  My hairdresser was surprised at how long it was.  She told me that Bed Head was a new sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner that is also an amplifier.  I will look for that tomorrow.  Also saw an ad in either Glamour or Lucky for E-sen-cia, organic  products that are sulfate & paraban free, with no phthalates, propylene glycol and no articial colors.  Walgreens, Rite Aid, Kroger, among others, have full value rebate offers, so I will be trying these products also.  

Also saw an ad In Lucky for Global Goddess Coconut Amla revitalizing hair treatment.  Was going to try it until I saw the cost--$45.  A little rich for me.  Oh, well.

melusine wrote on May 11^th, 2009 at 2:37am:

Also saw an ad In Lucky for Global Goddess Coconut Amla revitalizing hair treatment.  Was going to try it until I saw the cost--$45.  A little rich for me.  Oh, well.

Wow that is alot!  I get my amla oil for $2 my coconut oil for about the same.  

Saw the new Star Trek movie at the IMAX tonite.  Wow!  It was great!  Any other Trekkies out there?

Here!  I am a Trekker! I cannot wait to see the new movie! :D

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Saw the new Star Trek movie at the IMAX tonite.  Wow!  It was great!  Any other Trekkies out there?

*raises hand* :D

Nimoy/Quinto. That's all I have to say. http://www.smilieshq.com/smilies/love0010.gif

Hope you enjoy it, Isabeau.

I agree with you, Angel, altho' I have always had a soft spot for Scotty.  Won't say anything more because I don't want to spoil it for anyone.  LL&P to you both.

Have been wearing my hair down most of the time.  I am afraid of putting too much tension on it with the Tony Ponys.  So far, there is no damage, from the hairpieces or the hairspray, but I will use them less often.

FYI, that $45 for the Global Goddess treatment was for a 6 oz. bottle!  :o

This is finals week, then summer school starts next week.  I have finals to give at 7:45am Tues and Thurs.  My students don't particularly like that time and neither do I.  I will teach one class on T/Th from 1-4:35pm, and have the rest of the week free.   :)

This coming weekend is the first weekend of the Renn Faire in St. Louis.  I will be working there for Pendragon Jewelers for 4 weekends.  Have to try on my garb and make sure the skirts still fit in the waist.  The bodices have more give because they lace, and the chemises are big anyway.  When I made the skirts, I cut the waistbands extra long, so all I will have to do is sew on another eye for the hook.  Then I will definitely start dieting.  ::)  I always drop 8-10 lbs in the summer anyway, so it shouldn't be a problem.  I hope the weather channel is wrong and it doesn't storm all weekend.  That would be a bummer.

My hair is behaving beautifully which it always does after color, and in the summer.  Was thinking of washing it tomorrow, but think I will wait and do it Wed. am, when I will have more time.

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I agree with you, Angel, altho' I have always had a soft spot for Scotty.  Won't say anything more because I don't want to spoil it for anyone.  LL&P to you both.

*flashes Vulcan sign...'cause I'm a geek like that*

Scottish accents can be sexy. ;)

It's always been about Spock for me though. Leonard Nimoy is the freakin' bomb.
Quinto...he's just delicous. ;D

Okay, in original Trek, I could never choose among Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Scotty. They were all sexy, in different ways.  In this movie, Spock is the only sexy one, Scotty is cute enough to eat, McCoy is just strange (too much curmudgeonly overacting for a man his obvious age), and Kirk is too......self-centered and teenage smart aleck.

Some bad news, my oldest kitty died last nite at 3am.  Kelly had been ill, but we thought she was getting better.  I knew when I got home that she wouldn't last the nite.  I cried myself to sleep and am still tearing up.  I miss her so dreadfully.  She was the most affectionate of the three.  She always sat in the front window waiting for us and greeted us at the top of the stairs.  We took er to bed with us last nite in her kitty cup between us, and left her curled up in it on the bed today.  When I got home, I wrapped her in 2 of my husband's old t-shirts with just her cute face and 2 front paws showing, and found a nice box to bury her in.  We buried her tonite after work and planted a double pink rose of sharon over the grave.  I had to open the box and stroke her head one last time before we put her in the ground.  This is the bad part of having pets.  I get so attached and it breaks my heart when they die.

I'm so so sorry for your loss.  She was a lucky kitty to live with such a loving mommy.  The rose sounds lovely, such a nice memorial.  We planted a lime tree for my Magus, who passed several years ago.

Reading your post made me cry.  (((hugs))) to you and yours.

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Okay, in original Trek, I could never choose among Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Scotty. They were all sexy, in different ways.

;D I never thought any of the original series guys were sexy. But Spock has to be the most iconic figure in ST history. He definitely stood out to me the most, as I'm sure he did to most kids of my generation. My dad even dressed as him one year for Halloween. ;D


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In this movie, Spock is the only sexy one,

I'd totally buy that. ;) ;D Zachary Quinto is the only reason I ever watch Heroes. ::)


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Scotty is cute enough to eat, McCoy is just strange (too much curmudgeonly overacting for a man his obvious age), and Kirk is too......self-centered and teenage smart aleck.

Some things never change. ::)

On a more sombre note, I'm so sorry about your Kelly cat. :'(
It's strange how they die just as they seem to be improving. That happened with my sister's cat too. :(
   But at least you got to be with her when she passed. With my cat, I wasn't so lucky...she died in the ER while I nervously awaited news of her condition. And in my bereavement, I forgot that I'd wanted to have her cremated, and buried her instead. :o Oops. :-[ My only consolation for that is that she's at least laying next to her son (my sister's cat) in my backyard and I can visit her anytime. God, she passed away 9 years ago and there's a lump in my throat even as I type this. Believe me, I know how difficult all of this is for you. :(


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This is the bad part of having pets. I get so attached and it breaks my heart when they die.

My dear, the whole point of having pets is to get attached. Of course it breaks your heart when they die - that happens with anything you're attached to, whether pets or people. They were part of your life, spirits that you loved, and that has an eternal impact.
   Losing them never gets easier...nor should it. If it does, there's something wrong.
A line from one of my favourite movies says, "the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them." I hope that fond memories of Kelly and the relationship that you had with her will be what endures...and I hope it will be a comfort to you in your grief. *hugs*

Thank you, Sakina and Midnite Angel, for your kind words.  It's a little better today, altho' I tear up at times.  Sitting down at the computer tonite, I remember lifting the blinds at the window over the desk, so she could get onto the window ledge and lie in the sun.  That was just a week ago.  Taylor and Cleo are more stand-offish, not as loving as she was.  I miss that the most.  It doesn't help that it is just over 2 yrs since we lost Frisbee, my grey tiger male.   He was one those very personable, affectionate cats, almost a dog, and he was my cat.  I had him for 17 yrs.  It also doesn't help that the weather is cloudy and rainy today, and it is finals week, so instead of teaching, I am watching my students take their tests, trying desperately to think of anything else so I won't break down in front of them.  Just one more test tomorrow, then I can let down my guard.

My husband had a dinner to attend and was getting home late tonite, so I went to WalMart and indulged in a little shopping therapy: Burt's Bees sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, 3 new bras, and material for 4 skirts and 1 bodice for the faire.  I just didn't want to come home and see that empty front window.

So tomorrow nite I leave for the St. Louis Faire.  Andi will drive down from Milwaukee, pick me up and we will drive to Springfield, IL, and spend the nite with my mom.  We will drive to St. Louis Fri am and set up the booth in the pm.  The Faire opens Sat.  TWC is predicting occasional showers and possible thunderstorms in St. Louis on Fri and Sat, but sun on Sun.  Outdoor theater is no fun in the rain, to put it lightly, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Today is much better; the sun is shining.  The rose of sharon is looking good; it's leaves are visibly bigger since Tues.  I hope the ground isn't too wet for it.  It is still squishy, but we watered it well when we planted it and there was a lot of rain last nite.

The house still feels oddly empty.  I just hope the other two cats become more social.

Gave the last final and turned in all the grades, so now I am free until Tuesday, when summer school starts.

I don't know whether the alarm didn't go off or I slept thru it, but I woke up barely in time to make it to school.  Didn't have time to rinse my hair, and am surprised at how good it looks: plenty of body, altho' most of the curl has fallen out.

Angel: re the men in OST, just think how intelligent, intense and driven they all were.  Now imagine that intelligence, intensity and drive focused on you.  Yeah!    ;)

I am home after 4 days in Mo. at the St. Louis Renn Faire.  The days were cool, Sat cloudy and Sun sunny, but never warm enough that I felt like abandoning my cloak.  Several folk camp on site and even those in RVs were complaining how cold it was Sat nite.   The women in the booth next to us have a permanent structure in progress, no roof yet and only two walls completed on the second story.  They live in no. Wisc., so spend 3 wks. camping on site in their uncompleted second story.  They were really cold.  Slept under every blanket they had and all their colthes.

Took the L'Oreal shampoo and conditioner and the damned tubes leaked.  Luckily I was smart enough to pack them in sealed plastic bags, but had a mess to clean up.  Twice.  Think I will rustle up my indignant consumer persona and write the company about their cheap packaging.  Next time I will pack the Burt's Bees.  It's in bottles and not likely to leak.

Had my hair braided in one of the fancy 'dos.  I won't do that again.  My hair is so fine that it packs down and I look almost bald on the sides; thank heavens it's dark.  She used those tiny rubber bands on the ends and they did snarl the ends a bit.   I had to be really careful undoing the braids to avoid tangles.  Live and learn.  It did feel good to have my hair securely up off my neck, but I will go back to lined snoods and hats.  It's better for my hair, and more becoming.

Forgot to say that I saw some lovely hair at the Faire.  One woman was walking away from me and the view was breathtaking:  wood-brown hair past her waist with a slight wave and some ringlets on the ends against a leaf green gown.  Sigh....

Your hair sounds so lovely.  Do you have a picture of it?  Preferably one in your Ren Faire outfit.  :) I love those costumes; they are so pretty.  

I loved the Star Trek movie too!  I disagree with you on Bones though; I loved him!  :)  

Sorry to hear about your kitty.  I know how much it hurts to lose a beloved pet.  I know she will live on fondly in your heart though.   *hugs*

Where did you get your lined snoods?

Thank you, Michelle, and hugs in return.  It has been a week, and I am getting used to not seeing her at the top of the stairs.

I make lined snoods, Sakina.  The fabric base is like a bag cap, with an opening in the back of the band, tied with ribbons for a custom fit.  I usually use a small, or monochromatic design calico that looks solid from a distance.  I hand-crochet the snoods, using old doily patterns and tack them to the base.  They can be solid-color, multi-shades of the same color, or ombre.  The effects are really  pretty.  I will have try to post some pictures.  The advantages of a lined snood are that it keeps your hair clean, and prevents it from tangling.  Last year, one girl at Bristol wore a crocheted snood with beads, and her hair was so entangled that it took three of us 30 min. to work the snood off and out of her hair.

I'd love to see some pics of your lined snoods!  I have 4 or 5 snoods from Lady MacSnood.  A few of them have beads/pearls and I have never gotten my hair caught in them.  Yikes!!!  That poor girl-lucky you were there to help.

Do you sell your snoods anywhere??

Yes, Sakina, I do sell my snoods.  $35 for unlined and $45 for lined.  As I said, I'll try to get some pictures up.  I know Lady MacSnood; she has a booth at St. Louis.  Very nice person.  She also makes hair sticks, and resells for Likely Lotus, among other garb vendors.  Likely Lotus makes very nice bodices with adjustable shoulders and steel boning.

The girl who got her hair tangled in the beaded snood had very curly hair, so that's probably why it snarled so badly.  

Oiled my hair last nite and shampooed and conditioned today with the Burt's Bees Pomegranite volumizing formula.  Did a vinegar rinse between the shampoo and conditioner.  My hair is soft, shiny, and full.  I really like the BB products.  Have discovered that I need to wait a week or so after I color to use the vinegar rinse.   It's too drying right after color.

Does anybody besides me love to wash her hair?  I look forward to shampooing.  It's relaxing and I love the way my hair looks when it's freshly shampooed.

I did e-mail L'Oreal about their tubes leaking and got a form reply today.  Whoopee.

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Does anybody besides me love to wash her hair?

For me, it's not so much the mechanical process of it, but the sensory experience. All the different textures, fragrances, etc. I wash my hair every day, so it's not a big nuance or revelation each time. Just time well spent on daily maintenance. ;)

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Does anybody besides me love to wash her hair?

Well, I certainly love it when it's newly washed.  I prefer my hair right before it's completely dry.  Don't know why.  I hate the feeling of an unwashed scalp.  This is the main reason why I keep my hair simple; I'd hate to spend time on a nice style and then have to take it out the next day because I can't stand it if I don't get my hair washed daily.

Angel: I agree with you, it's mostly the sensory experience:  the texture, fragrance, scalp massage, as well as my expectation of how my hair will feel and look.  I thought it was bad for your hair to shampoo every day.  My hairdresser told me years ago not to do it.

Today's weather is summer-like!  I have all the windows open and the ceiling fans going.  I live for summer!  Love the sun and the flowers and green grass and summer breezes, shorts, tank tops and sandals, the scent of sun screen, cookouts on the deck, drinking wine at the picnic table!!  Oh, bliss!!!

Today was a beautiful day.  Sunny all day, 80 degrees, gentle breeze.  All the bulbs I planted last fall are coming up and the iris are starting to bud.

Put my hair in a bun with a hairstick and it is staying very nicely.  If I were going to wear it up all day, I would put it in a loose pony first, then bun it.  If I put it in a pony first, it will leave a kink in my hair when I take it down.  If I just twist it up, then I will have curls, which I would rather have.

My hair seems to be growing nicely, and getting thicker, but I know that is because the shorter layers are finally getting longer.  The top measures almost 13 in. now.  I am using visualization, and think it is helping.

Tonite I will oil before I go to bed and tomorrow I will shampoo, vinegar rinse and deep condition.  Will use the Burt's Bees again, it smells wonderful.

I will be leaving for St. Louis around noon tomorrow and will be back around the same time on Monday.  Hope it is a better weekend than last week.  Andi's ex was giving her a hard time, and she was upset, which made the whole weekend tense.  I will be wearing blue this weekend.  Spent some time this evening trying on garb to make sure everything fit.

Have start to diet; fasted today, and haven't been hungry at all.  Took my vitamins, and made sure I stayed hydrated.   I will probably eat tomorrow, but will eat protein and vegetables, no carbs.  Yesterday was my last blast of comfort foods.  Now that the sun is shining and I am feeling happier, I will lose weight.  Would like to lose about 30 lbs.  After I get back from St. Louis, I will get out the weights and start working out again.

So I won't be writing again until Mon pm.

The long weekend at St. Louis Faire was interesting.  Weather was lovely Sat & Sun , but started raining with a thunderstorm at 3am Mon, woke me up.  Rain had petered out by the time we left for the site at 8am, but showers off and on all day, then started to rain in earnest about 5:30.  We started putting things away and closing up the tent, and I changed to street clothes to make the 1/4 mi. walk to get the van.  I was not going to walk down the hill in soaking wet ankle-length skirts.  I did wrap up in my hooded cloak and got to the van pretty dry.  Waited in the van for 20 min, waiting for the gates to open, so it was really pouring by the time I got on-site and we could load the van.  We had to yell at each other to hear over the pounding of the rain.  Outdoor theatre can be so much fun. ::)

Drove to Springfield, IL, about 100 mi, thru thunderstorms and hard rain.  Saw several accidents, and had to slow down to a crawl a couple of times because the rain was coming down so hard.  Left at 8am Tues so I could get home in time to teach my 1pm class.  Drove thru rain again, but not as much as Mon.  Skies were clear when I drove the 30 mi to Morris to class, but started to rain just as I left the building to come home.  So drove thru rain AGAIN and got home to find out the power was off and the garage door wouldn't open.   >:(  Hiked my books and briefcase up the front steps thru pouring rain, unlocked the door, and immediately got on the phone to ComEd to scream about the power loss.  I was FURIOUS!!!  That was the second time in 3 days and has been an ongoing problem every summer for the last 6 yrs.  I wish their customer service people would quit saying they understand.  Unless they have lived with the continuous power outages, they don't understand!

I hate this town, I hate Com Ed, I hate this weather!!!

My hair at least likes the weather.  Very full and very curly.  I have been using the Burt's Bees Volumizing shampoo and conditioner, along with jojoba oil treatments and vinegar rinses, and my hair is very happy.  I bought the deep conditioner yesterday and will try it tomorrow.

A woman at Faire told me I was beautiful.  How nice.  :)  That was on Mon when I was wearing my hair loose because it was too humid for putting it up under a snood and hat.

Oiled my hair last nite with jojoba and shampooed this am with Burt's Bees Pomegranate & Soy Very Volumizing Shampoo, which smells wonderful!  Good enough to eat.  Did a vinegar rinse, using distilled white vinegar, then used Burt's Bees Shea & Grapefruit Deep Conditioner.  Left my hair shiny and curly.  I really like the Burt's Bees line.  My hair is wavy/curly and very fine, and these products don't weigh it down at all.  I noticed yesterday that I was getting a little bit of breakage, but after the deep conditioner that seems to have stopped.

I look at the shine serums and frizz control products, but am afraid to try them because it doesn't take much to weigh my hair down.  If you have fine hair and have tried these products, I would be interested in your experience with them.  Thanks.

Hi, Melusine!  I also look at those products, but my hair does not like cones.  I keep my hair well moisturized to keep frizzies at bay.  I deep treat once a week (most of the time) and oil my scalp at least an hour before shampooing, if not overnight.  

Do you have a copy of this book?:

http://www.amazon.com/Curly-Girl-Lorraine-Massey/dp/0761123008/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243562164&sr=1-1

How you handle your curly hair when wet and as it drying contributes largely to frizz.

Thank you, Sakina, I will look for the book.

Let's see, I condition every time I shampoo, try to remember to deep condition every other shampoo. use jojoba oil the nite before I shampoo, use sulfate-free shampoo. blot my hair damp dry, never use heat,  comb it with a wide tooth comb, then scrunch to encourage the curls and waves.  I have accepted that it will frizz when the humidity is high, which is often in Chicago in the summer.  Besides, it makes my fine hair look thicker.  :)

Am back from St. Louis, this weekend the weather was almost perfect.  It did rain Fri nite, but cleared off by 10am Sat morning.  We were very busy Sat and Sun, had very good sales.

Andi found a tick on the back of her knee Fri nite and totally freaked out.  I tried to get it out, but had no tweezers, so we ended up in the emergency room.  While I waited for her, I was beginning to wonder if there was a full moon, because the waiting room was a complete zoo.  One lady was delusional (schizophrenic, I think) and giving her daughter, husband, the receptionist and all the nurses a fit.  Her daughter was trying to get her admitted, and momma was having nothing to do with that.  Apparently mom had stopped taking her meds.   Then there was the drunk, a woman about 60 who lay down on the floor right in front of the door, then kept getting up and running down the hall to the bathroom.  A young man came in and went to the desk, and when the receptionist asked the nature of his ailment, he replied that it was personal and he would rather tell the doctor.    :-?  While all this was going on, a very pregnant young woman was sitting on the other side of the room, holding 2 pillows.  I don't know if she was there for Lamaze class or to be admitted.  By the time we got back to the hotel room, I was ready for a Valium myself.

Only one more weekend of the St. Louis Faire, then Bristol Renn Faire starts the weekend after July 4 and runs for 9 weekends.

I am getting in the mood to sew again.  When I got home today, did 5 loads of laundry and worked on a bodice.  I sewed it about 2 yrs ago and if never has fit well.  I should have checked the critique of that pattern before I used it; it said that the pattern was a pain in the tookus to work with.  I had tried to alter it twice before, but never got it right.  This time I removed the decorative ribbon, opened the lining, removed all the boning, took in the front princess seams, cut the seam allowance smaller, and boned just the fronts with heavy-weight boning, and thank the Mother, it finally fits.

So now I have 2 more bodices to alter, and am planning to rebone all of my bodices with heavier boining, and about 8 skirts to make.  I think I can get all that done before Bristol opens.

Where is the Bristol Faire?

I wanna come to your house and make costumes!!!

Ticks can be scary so I think you did the only right thing.  I've heard that some burn them out.  *ouch!*  I couldn't allow anyone to do that. :o  

Hi, Sakina, Bristol is in WI, just over the border from IL.  If you have a sewing machine, bring it and I'll clear the dining room table and we can make garb together.  :) I've been doing it for about 5 years and have gotten pretty good at it.

Drear:  Thanks for the support.  Andi is on antibotics for the next 2 wks.  The emergency room doc said that virtually all ticks carry Lyme disease now.

I am teaching summer school, the short 6-wk semester, and have mid-terms to grade, so had better get to it.  The scantrons look good, so hopefully I won't have to curve the grades.   ::)

Hi!  Guess they've got some good cheese booths at Bristol.  Thanks for the offer...I think my machine is portable.  Yeah, I'd need a lot of help.  :-[

Have fun!!!

Hi, Sakina, the only cheese you can buy at Bristol is cheese fritters, which are cheese balls battered and deep fried.  They taste wonderful, but you know they are full of calories.   :(

Finally today is sunny.  The only day this week that we will have sun.  I hope summer is better than spring has been.

Sunny again today, but we set a record low temp last nite - 41 degrees.   If it doesn't get warm soon, I am moving south.  I was born in Springfield, IL, and I am used to sun-bathing in April, admittedly you had to find a sunny spot sheltered from the breeze, but I did it more than once.  I can't believe that the heat is still on in June and I don't like it one damned bit!  >:(  I want summer and I want it RIGHT NOW!!!!  I am not in a good mood.

Shampooed yesterday with Burt's Bees Volumizing shampoo and conditioner, with vinegar rinse, and jojoba treatment the nite before.  My hair really seems to like these products.  I will be getting color on Thurs, so will shampoo and deep condition tomorrow.  Went thru the bathroom and threw away old products that have been hanging around for years, in some cases.  I am now using only sulfate-free products, and my hair is stronger and fuller.  Thank you, everyone for what I have learned here.

Last weekend was the final weekend of the St. Louis Renaissance Faire.  It is always a happy/sad occasion.  We are glad that all the work is over, but sad to be leaving friends that we won't see until Sept.

So I am now in sewing mode.  Bought material for 3 new chemises, all of mine are at least 3 yrs. old.  Have decided to up my social status and bought embroidered fabrics.  After all, I work for the queen's jeweler.  Togay, I altered 3 skirts for Andi; tomorrow I will pre-wash some fabric and do some sewing for myself.   Haven't decided just what yet because I have so much on hand.  I do need 2 new bodices, so may work on those.

I love home sewn, knitted, etc. clothes.  Can't sew a button on to save my life.  Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration but it's not far off.

Renn garb is really easy -- no darts, zippers or buttons and almost everything is cut on the square.  Skirts, breeches and chemises are no problem.  Bodices and doublets require more fitting and angles, but still no darts.  They are much easier to do than comtemporary clothing.  I taught myself to sew, just buying easy Simplicity patterns and inexpensive fabric.   I have made wedding gowns and evening gowns and those are really fun to do, and not as difficult as you might think.  I've always thought it was like magic.  :) There's a swatch of fabric laying on the table, and 3 or 4 hours later, there is a beautiful dress or blouse!

If you think you would like to try it, get a medium-priced machine, a portable is fine, an easy pattern, and some pretty fabric and go for it.  Skirts are easy to start with.

Was cruising new member intros and found the web-site for Fia's hair system.  I always wondered what those codes meant, but not enough to ask.  :)  So now I know that I am a 2afii, and blissfully happy to know that.  I always thought that my hair was thin as well as fine, and was jealous of all of you with thick ponytails.  But now that my bangs are grown out enough to include, it measures average density.  Yay!!!  Now all I have to work on my self-consciousness about my hair.

My aunt is visiting my mom for the summer, and she has the same cowlick at back right of the crown that I do.

Got color Thurs nite after teaching my class and when I walked in, Kirstin looked at me and asked, "What on earth happened to your hair?"  I had shampooed that morning, and with the very high humidity, it had frizzed out to enormity.  After the color was done, she used a Redken curl activator that I really liked.  She said that Herbal Essence made one similar, so I bought it, but either I bought the wrong one, or it doesn't perform like the Redken does.  Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure I used the HE before and didn't like it then either.  So I guess I will visit Sally Beauty supply this pm and get the Redken.  Apparently my hair is just like the rest of me, just different enough from average, that the most available thing doesn't work for me.

Worked at Duckcon this weekend.  It's a SciFi convention in Naperville, IL.  Met some nice people, saw some wonderful, and some weird, costumes.  One guy had a South African tortoise, 5 yo, very people-oriented, and had constructed a discworld supported by 4 elephants on its back.  He had a quite a crowd following him and his tortoise.  How he got her (the tortoise is female and her name is Sheila) is another story.  He had found her by the side of a country road in Indiana, and knew enough to know both that she wasn't native to the area, and that she had been kept, and abandoned, i.e. "released into the wild," by humans.   >:(  That is so inhumane!  She would never survived the winter or been squashed by a car.  But now she is living with humans who know how to take care of her, and goes to sci-fi conventions.   :)  She moved really fast, so I asked how he got her to hold still when he installed the discworld on her shell.  He grinned and said he waited until she was really tired.   ::)

Bid on and won two lovely prints by Randolph Ryan in the silent auction.  One is a view of a sun-dappled valley with a castle atop a hill visible in the distance.  The other is of two corsairs sailing past a ruined castle on a cliff overlooking a river running thru a wooded area on a sunny day.  They make you feel that you could walk into them.  And since sunny days have been in very short supply this year, I had to have them.

Am doing laundry today, and it's time to do something about that, so I will sign off.

Forgot to say that I saw a man with the most beautiful hair, just past collar length, full, with a lot of body, the wave over one eye, dark seal brown.  He was about 30 and very good-looking.  When he walked up to booth, I said, "You have have gorgeous hair.  But I suppose you hear that all the time."  He smiled (very nice smile!) and said that he did.  So he shopped a little, didn't buy anything, but came back the next day and brought his sister and 2 friends, and they all bought something.  ;D  Giving people compliments generates results.   I always try to find something to compliment when I am talking with a person, esp. for the first time.  It makes people feel good.

My students did persuasive speeches today. I love teaching this particular class in the summer.  I teach it Tu & Th afternoons at the Grundy County Community Center and always get the most wonderful students--they study, do the homework, and try really hard.  It is a joy to teach a class like this.  This week and next are the last 2 weeks of class; it is the short 6-wk semester.  I will teach another 6-wk. class starting immediately after this one, then have about 2 wks. off before the fall semester starts.  the next 6-wk class will be M & W from 9am to 12:30pm.  I'll have to get up earlier, but at least it's at the North Campus which is only 10 min. away.

We are having a party on Sat. nite, so my husband vacuumed tonite.  I have to dust, so will do that tomorrow.

Made another chemise tonite of embroidered cotton gauze.  That gives me 3 new chemises, which I needed since it has been 2 or 3 yrs. since I made the last ones.   They are beginning to show the wear a little bit.

My hair is looking really good since I got color last week.  Will oil tonite and shampoo tomorrow.  I used the Herbal Essence curl mousse when I shampooed last and didn't like it, so rinsed the next two mornings.  The mousse seemed to be gone, but my hair didn't frizz, despite the humidity, so that seems to be the routine to follow.  Of course, I could have used too much, but it seems difficult to control how much comes out of the nozzle.  I'll have to experiment.  I didn't get the Redken, but may do that after I use all of the HE.

Make sure you do not do any hot oil treatments, it will lift color.

I want to see a pic of your new chemise!

I have a like/hate relationship with mousse.  I don't know if its because of living in the desert that gel or curl creme works better for me.  Of course, I go awhile without it and forget, then buy some mousse and just try to use it up.  I did better with the mousse when I lived in Michigan.

Hi, Sakina, thanks for the reminder about hot oil treatments, altho' I haven't used them so far.  I saw sweet almond oil in Wal-Mart today and thought about trying it.  Have you used it?  Of course, with the ant problem we are having, I'd probably wake up in the morning to find ants on my pillow, which would totally freak me out.  ::)  I would be out of the house so fast, you wouldn't see me for dust.

I used the mousse again this am, but a smaller amount and thinned a little with water.  Still not happy with it, so I guess I will look for gel or curl cream.

If I can figure out how to get the camera to take pictures, instead of showing me all the old ones, and how to upload to a host site, and how to find a host site   :-?, you will see pictures.   I was trying to take a picture of my hair yesterday, when the camera started showing me all the old onesand wouldn't take a picture.  Sometimes I really hate digital thingies.

Gave up on the Herbal Essence mousse and bought the Redken Crystal Curls defining shine gel today that Kirstin used on my hair.  It was $14 at Ulta for a 5-oz tube, but I had a $5 off coupon.  However, I would have paid full price without a blink for what it does for my hair.  The package blurb says it prevents frizz, defines curls, makes hair shiny and had "lasting curl memory."  It does all that, and smells scrumptious!!  I didn't have to rinse my hair every day, just put it up in high bun while I showered, then combed it out and it was still shiny and wavy/curly!  I think I'm in love!!!  I especially like the "moisture-rich...flexible control," meaning I can comb thru it and not damage my hair.  I would give up any number of things for this product.  Sometimes you do get what you pay for.  :)  Oh, bliss!  Thank you, thank you, whoever invented this fabulous product.

Wow!  With that glowing review, I may have to pick some up!  I need to go to Ulta anyway...so thanks for sharing!

When I first started to grow my hair long, I had color stripped twice and my hair was in scary shape.  At that time I used oil frequently.  I have used almond oil, and it is a good light oil.  I think my favorite is Camelia oil, which can get quite expensive.  I've moved away from regular oiling of my length-usually when I oil I do my scalp to moisturize and encourage growth with a massage.  Then I comb the oil through the length and leave it on for an hour or possibly overnight when I would do pigtail braids and wear a sleep cap to protect my silk pillow case.

Yuck, ants on your pillow!

It has rained quite a bit and the ants are showing up in the bathroom and kitchen again.  I will put out new traps.  I haven't really had ants on my pillow, but will put off the sweet almond oil until winter, I think.

I realized that when I went to the hairdresser and my hair was so wild, I had used the L'Oreal sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.  It does seem to make my hair frizzier than the Burt's Bees, even tho' it is supposed to be moisturizing, so I won't buy that again.  However, I did try something new that my hairdresser recommended: BedHead Superstar Sulfate-Free for Thick Massive Hair.  Am very impressed with it.  My hair is very full and curly, but not frizzy.  It is somewhat pricey--$14.95 for an 8.45-oz tube of shampoo at Meijer.  I like that the conditioner comes in a smaller portion; I never use as much of it as I do shampoo.

Have realized that I like my hair better without leave-ins.  So, will save those for really humid days.  Or after using the L'Oreal products.  Used the Crystal Curl yesterday, and think I used too much.  I'll have to ask Kirstin how much to use.  The package blurb doesn't say.  So shampooed again today to get it all out

Which brings me to another thought.  Am almost out of make-up base and was thinking of trying L'Oreal.  Hmm.  If my hair doesn't like it,  I bet my skin won't like it either.  ;)

Am doing laundry today and will do some sewing this pm.

We had a party Sat. nite, a cookout/potluck.  The weather was good, thank the goddess.  We had quite a storm Fri.  I thought we were going to lose big branches from the trees in the back yard, but didn't.  A friend had a tree come down and take out his deck, and a big willow tree came down a few blocks away.

Spent yesterday doing nothing, watching movies and reading the paper.  After the major pre-party house cleaning, I was tired.

Well, the dryer is buzzing, so off I go to hang up shirts.  Later.

Well, laundry is done, except for the sheets waiting in the dryer to be folded.

Spent the pm working on a bodice I made a couple of years ago.  Replace the lightweight boning in the front with heavier boning, put peplums at the waist as I hadn't done that when I made it (the pattern didn't call for them), and made modesty panels for each side (it's a side-lacer).  Am very pleased with the way it looks now.  I hadn't worn it last year, partly because I gained weight and didn't like the gaps on the sides.

I have material for 3 more bodices, which I will make with patterns I have drafted from previous bodices that I bought, and for at least 9 more skirts.  I will have to find another closet for all my garb.   :-?  As it is, I have pretty much given up one closet to garb.  I have been cleaning out clothes that I haven't worn in several years, and will have to work harder at that.  :(  We just have to move to a house with more closets.  :)

Washed my hair yesterday with the BedHead, rinsed it this am in the shower and it is still full and curly.

*sigh!*  If I lived near you, I'd employ you to make five tulle crinoline petticoats, circle skirts and maybe a shirt waist dress for a long term project.  Oh, and some Swirl style wraps *dreams on*.

Hi, Drear, If you lived near me, I would be glad to sew for you, and would teach you, too, if you wanted to learn.

Investigated my stash of fabric, looking for dark green moire satin, which I thought I had more of (I didn't), but found lots more projects.  I really went crazy last year.  That's 2 more bodices, and 3 or 4 more skirts.  The green satin was to re-do a bodice I made 4 yrs. ago as part of a court set that is now too small.  I did find dark green cotton velveteen, so will salvage the satin from the old bodice to embellish the shoulder rolls.  Have decided to change the ribbons, too.  The old ribbon was a light blue/green paisley, which really limited what I could wear with the outfit.  The new ribbon is a metallic with forest green, fuschia and wine against a black background.  Much more in the color palette I usually wear.  I salvaged it from the green corduroy bodice I re-did last week.   :)

I'm all about re-using and re-doing my garb.  I'd say that it saves money, except that it doesn't stop me from buying new stuff. too. ::)  No wonder my husband sometimes complains about my shopping at the fabric store.  ;D

Started the green velveteen bodice and all is going well.  Have the bodice pieces put together and the lining pieces together, and bodice and lining pinned together.  Will sew them together, put the shoulder rolls on, put boning and grommets in tomorrow and it will be done!  Then will take the old ribbon off the skirt and put on the new ribbon and braid and the whole set will be done.  Then I will make at least one skirt.

Will oil my hair before I go to bed and shampoo tomorrow.  It's time for deep conditioning, so will use the Burt's Bees shampoo and deep conditioner.

Am very pleased with how my hair has been behaving and looking.

It's almost 3am here.  I am going to bed.

He shouldn't complain about you shopping at the fabric store.  He should just be darned proud that his wife posesses a skill that is quickly being lost.  I really would enjoy learning to sew.  I did take a sewing class and bought the book they recommended but I just don't learn practical skills well in a class environment.  Failed cooking and typing too but do those things just fine now.  There's just something about home sewn and home knitted stuff I've only come to appreciate with maturing.  

Hi, Drear, you don't know how much of a fabric stash I have.   ::)  Neither does he.  He only knows about the fabric laying on the dining room table, as I start laying out and cutting things.

The bodice took longer than I expected.  Of course, I could have gotten out of bed earlier, too.  I didn't start working on it until after 1pm.  The shoulder rolls were the problem.  I decided to stuff them with old nylons, since I had cleaned out my collection a few weeks ago.  That did not work.  To get the proper fullness, I had to stuff them so full that I couldn't machine-sew them on to the shoulder straps.  Tried hand-sewing, but didn't like the effect.  So took out all the stuffing, sewed them closed and ran a gathering thread along the seam.  Then I could machine-sew them on, so I have sleeve caps, rather than shoulder rolls, which look just fine.  Part of the problem was that I appliqued material, ribbon and braid to the velveteen, and I think that made the material too bulky.

It sounds so simple here, but it was frustrating, and took considerable thought and time, and several attempts to get it right.

Shampooed with Burt's Bees Volumizing and deep conditioned today and my hair looks fabulous!

Am going home to Springfield to spend the weekend with my mom, aunts, sister, and nieces.  Will leave tomorrow after I teach my class and won't be home until late Sun.

I am back.  Had a good time on the weekend, shopping, visiting, playing cards.  The weather was sunny every day, almost too much so; the heat index Sat was 103.

Will oil my hair tonite and shampoo and deep condition tomorrow.  Found some Goldman Shine and Vitality Leave-in Volume Spray at a discounter, so will try that tomorrow.

Have been very pleased with how my hair is behaving.  But then, I always like how it behaves in the summer.  It seems to be really growing right now, about 1/2" a month, even with a mini-trim each month.  I am still lusting after waist-length hair, but will just have to wait and see.  

Glad you're back and had a good time!
Isn't nice when you have hair growth and your hair  is behaving the way want? :)

Hi, Curlgirl, yes. that is very nice.  My hair has been growing continuously since I decided to grow it out, and I am very pleased with that.  It has always grown fast.  When I wore it very short that was really a problem.  I have always wished it would grow twice as thick, and would settle for half as fast.  :)
Oiled last nite, shampooed with Burt's Bees Volumizing shampoo, did a vinegar rinse, and finished with Burt's Bees deep conditioner.  Then applied the Goldman Shine and Vitality spray.  My hair seems curlier and fuller and shinier.  I think I like it better than the Redken gel because I can comb my hair with no breakage.   With my hair being so fine, the gels and mousses are too heavy, unless I am really sparing with the application.

I think I like the Burt's Bees best of the 3 sulfate-free shampoos I have tried.  I liked the effect of the BedHead, but my hair seemed really dirty on the third day, and I don't like to shampoo oftener than that.  I am going to get the L'Oreal deep conditioner and see if BedHead makes a deep conditioner, too, as I like to use matching products when I shampoo.   They are designed to work together, so it just makes sense.

Weather is really crappy today.  Cloudy and not over 70.  That really depresses me.  I like summer.  I want sun and temps of at least 80.   We have had maybe 5 days of summer weather so far this year.   I hate living in this climate.  

Sunny and 110+ here.

I've never tried Burt's Bees shampoo or conditioner.  Have you ever tried a curl creme?  They can be very light weight.

Can I come live with you??  :-?

I visited AZ in July several yrs. ago and thought it was fascinating.  I don't know if I would miss grass and trees, but I absolutely wouldn't miss cloudy days.  Wish I could have stayed longer.

We are having really crappy weather.  20 to 30 degrees below normal, clouds and some rain.  I hate it.  I miss summer like I used to have in Springfield, which pretty much has the same weather as St. Louis--hot and humid.  I can cope with that; I lived with it for 38 yrs.  I can't cope with this.  It really puts me in a bad mood.  I want sun, soon and lots of it.  >:(

Shampooed yesterday and used Goldman's Shine and Vitality spray and think I really like it.  Rinsed my hair in the shower this am, and it still looks full and curls nicely.  I probably could have skipped rinsing, but the cats kept waking me up last nite, and I didn't have the energy to put it up before I got in the shower.

Am sewing a new bodice this pm.  Coming along just fine, except that I sewed the linings for the peplums wrong sides together.   ::)  Took me about 30 sec. to calculate that it would take less time just to cut new pieces, which I did.   Oh, well.

Sounds good!  Thank God for seam rippers when you need them!  I've been caught between a rock and a hard place when it came to either ripping something out or just cutting a new piece.

Thank God for seam rippers when you need them!

You're not kidding.  I buy them 3 and 4 at a time.  They're like needles, if you have only one, it will break when you are on a sewing streak late at nite and the stores are closed.  I just bought 2 packages of denim needles for the machine.  I was down to one in the machine and one in the drawer, so judged it to be time.  I had jammed a needle in the machine the day before and had to cut it with pliers and take the machine apart to get it out.  That isn't the first time that has happened.  Renn garb requires a heavy needle, the fabrics are heavy and you are sewing anywhere from 2 to 6 or 8 lyers at a time.

The bodice is finished except for putting in the grommets and sewing tape over the edges of the sleeve caps.  Will do that tomorrow, then decide what I will do next.

Rearranged my closets today to make room for more garb.  Counted up all the material I have on hand and it comes to 4 more bodices, 1 chemise, and 13 skirts.  ::)  Sacre bleu!!  I must have been crazy last year.

I miss seam rippers and I don't know why I haven't done anything to rectify the situation.  There are so many little details in different garments I could quickly do with seam rippers, thread and hand needle.

Will you post photos of your sewings when you're done?  I've been lurking on some other ladies sewing photos and it's just incredible what women of all ages can make.  I had two friends in pre-school who were already sewing all their own clothes.  I wish my mother had taught me.  

Pics,please!
Just curious,Melusine,what kind of sewing machine do you have/use?
I change my needles after each project or if a project has two different fabrics being used that need two different needles,I change accordingly.  
When things are settled here,I will post pics of the three tunics I made. I didn't follow the pattern or fabrics as per the instructions,but am pleased with the outcome for all three.  I never made a shirt of any kind before so this was fun and a learning experience!

I will try to get pics, as soon as I figure out the camera.  It just hasn't had made my priority list, but it will.  :)

I use a Husqavarna Huskystar 207. It is a portable, and, I think, next to the smallest machine they make.  I really like it.  Before I used Kenmores and Singers, but like it better than either of them.  However, if and when I replace it, I will buy a Pfaff.  My sis-in-law has one and it is wonderful!  I used it 2 yrs ago when I made the Shakespeare in Love Elizabeth gown for her and was very impressed with it.  Runs very quietly and smoothly, purrs like a cat, and feels very powerful.  My sis has the top-of-the-line Pfaff that is computerized and does embroidery!   Hmm...think what I could do with cuffs and collars with that?  ;D  Oh, yeah!!  I may to get one of those sooner than I planned.   But before that, I need a bigger sewing area to have room for 2 machines.

I go back and forth between denim and sharp needles--denims for skirts and bodices and sharps for chemises.   I use needles until they break, which they do, long before they get dull or start snagging things.  Sewing over pins and working with boning doesn't do much for the life of a needle. ::)

You know, Drear, I pretty much taught myself.  My mom sewed when we were kids, but didn't teach us, in particular.  I started out with Simplicity Easy patterns and inexpensive fabric and went on from there.  I never did master making pants or trousers to fit.  That is hard to do, but I've made skirts, dresses, blouses, evening and wedding gowns, as well as Renn garb.

It has been one really awful day.  One hour of sun, and that is all I have seen all week.

Running errands this pm, a local cop pulled me over because he said I ran a stop sign, which I did not.  Okay, it may have been a rolling stop, but I didn't go thru it at full speed.   He gave me a warning ticket.  With all the gang and drug problems in this town, why does he have time to give out warning tickets??

Then later I was waiting to make a right turn out of a parking lot into traffic, when the woman behind me started honking!  I nearly got out of the car to ask her what her problem was.  Instead, I frowned at her in the rearview mirror, and gave her the famous one-finger salute.  When we got into traffic and she sailed past me, I saluted her again.  :)  Sometimes, I wonder what is in some people's heads.   :-?

Okay, just venting makes me feel better.

Went to WalMart and bought the L'Oreal deep conditioner and Smooth Frizz-Free Serum.  Tomorrow would be shampoo day, but we are going to a party Sat. nite, so I will wait 'til Sat. to shampoo and condition and try the serum.

Sorry your day was so crappy!  (((hugs)))

Thank you, Sakina.  Hugs to you, too.  

*Hugs*  It's so frustrating when you're accused of doing something you don't think you did and that lady.....well, we don't know what kind of a day she had.

My mother sewed my sister's and my clothes when we were young,too!  She still has her Singer in the walnut table case after alll these years.  She did not teach me to sew either.  I'm self taught except for a 6 week Home Economics period in 7th grade.  That was 30 years ago!  I had a Singer,still do, but don't use it.  My honey bought me a Brother  and a Brother Serger a year ago and there has been no stopping me since!!!!
I'd like to make all of my own clothes in time when I'm more proficient.  
(((Hugs))) to you,have a better day!

(((hugs))) Some drivers are such twits!  My dad was a truck driver and my boyfriend is tow truck driver.  So you can imagen how they would tell them off. LOL!!  My fav is the "two finger" salute threw the sunroof!  lol!!

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Running errands this pm, a local cop pulled me over because he said I ran a stop sign, which I did not.  Okay, it may have been a rolling stop, but I didn't go thru it at full speed.   He gave me a warning ticket.  With all the gang and drug problems in this town, why does he have time to give out warning tickets??

Gah! That's happened to me before and I got way worse than a warning ticket! >:( Cops in my town are complete arses and will harass innocent people while someone else gets robbed 2 feet away. Oy. http://www.smilieshq.com/smilies/mad0090.gif


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Then later I was waiting to make a right turn out of a parking lot into traffic, when the woman behind me started honking!  I nearly got out of the car to ask her what her problem was.  Instead, I frowned at her in the rearview mirror, and gave her the famous one-finger salute.  When we got into traffic and she sailed past me, I saluted her again. :)

;D

Thank you, Sakina, Curlgirl, Drear, Isabeau and Mindnite Angel.  And hugs to you all.  I really needed all the virtual hugs yesterday.  It just wasn't a good day.  Being pulled over by a cop just does something to your day, doesn't it?  :(

What is the two fingered salute, Angel?  I am always up for learning a new, rude gesture.  ;D

Today is better.  The sun is shining at least part of the time, and I am feeling more cheerful.  My husband only worked 1/2 day, so we went to Red Lobster for lunch, which was very nice.  I love their cheese biscuits.  I could make a meal out of those.

I finished the flowered bodice, sewed tape over the edges of the sleeve caps, and put in the grommets.  It is easier to finish the bodice completely and apply the shoulder rolls or sleeve caps, then finish the raw edges, than it is to enclose them in the shoulder seam.  It's just too many thicknesses of material and too constricted an area.

I have laid out a red and gold brocade-ish fabric to cut.  It isn't bright red, more a brick with old gold flowers and vines incorporated into the design.  Really pretty.  I will make the shoulder rolls in black velvet.  It will be very striking.  I will have to wait to finish it until the grommets I ordered from Greenberg & Hammer arrive.  I used almost all that I had on the flowered bodice.

Today would have been shampoo day, but since we are going to a party tomorrow nite, I decided to wait until tomorrow.  Surprisingly, my hair looks pretty good.   Must be due to all the haircare expertise I learned here.  :)

Whoops, the salute question was for Isabeau, not Angel.  Sorry.

I loooove Red Lobster's cheese biscuits!!!  Now I'm totally craving them!!!

Your new bodice colors sound great!  I love black and deep reds, usually with silver.  However, old gold w/brick sounds very period appropriate!  Will you wear it with a black velvet skirt?

melusine wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2009 at 6:16pm:

Whoops, the salute question was for Isabeau, not Angel.  Sorry.

Heheh!  The two finger salute is very popular in England.  First finger and middle finger held up with the palm facing you.  Just as rude as the one finger bird! Ah the things one learns on Canada... ;D

Hi, Sakina, I will wear it with a black skirt, but not velvet.  It isn't washable.  :)  Also with wine, and old gold overskirts, probably with homespun plaid and/or striped underskirts.  Homespun, after it is washed, looks like lightweight wool, so is period appropriate.  I make most of my skirts interchangeable to be worn as over- or underskirts, so many combinations are possible.  I usually use a lightweight cotton/poly blend for skirts because it can be so hot and humid here in July and August.  Or it can rain, which mandates that skirts be washable.  I had a beautiful blue silk skirt that got stained when I got caught in a heavy rain.  It was ruined.  I've still got it; I think I can salvage enough material to make a hat.

So, Isabeau, what do the two fingers stand for?   :-?  My imagination is running wild.   ::)

I cut out the new bodice and got all the preliminary sewing done.  I just have to turn everything and press it, then do the assembly.

Well, I guess I will oil my hair, then go to bed.

I've never seen homespun.  Is it cotton?  I'm allergic to wool so can only wear it if its lined.  I made a blue heather cloak that is wool with a black satin lining.  I think that's the most layers I've ever sewn together at one time!  Sorry about your silk skirt, what a bummer!!!  

Do you use a babyloc?

I'm really looking forward to seeing some pics of your garb!!!

Homespun is cotton.  Hmm....it looks sort of gauzy, but is not see-thru, and after washing it is very soft.  It is always a simple plaid or stripe and the colors are usually muted.  It looks like the fabrics women made at home 150 yrs. ago.

I use a Husqvarna Huskystar 207.  It is not a serger.  I actually don't like sergers.  If you ever have to alter a garment, it is impossible if it was sewn on a serger.

Shampooed with Burt's Bees shampoo and conditioner, with vinegar rinse between, and used Goldwell Definition Shine and Vitality leave in.  I found it at TJ Maxx and it is a totally new product to me, too.  It is a salon product.   Anyway, my hair is curly, has some lift and shine, and minimal frizz, considering it has been drizzling all day.

Was going to wear white capris and a green summer top with fluttery sleeves, but it is so chilly, I am re-thinking that wardrobe choice.

This is miserable weather for July 4th.

My siamese cat yowled all nite.  I have no idea that her problem is.  I slept in the guest room where the window fan is because it drowned her out and my husband wouldn't let me put her downstairs in the laundry room.  He had finally had enough at 5am, so put her in the downstairs bathroom with food, water and her box.   :)

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This is miserable weather for July 4th.

Aw!  I would've traded with you.  There's even someone or some people having a BBQ party on my street.

The miserable weather cleared up about 6pm and we actually saw some sun!  For the first time in a week.  But thank you, Curlgirl, for the offer of trading.  

Went to a very nice party on the 22nd floor of a condo building overlooking Navy Pier.  Bob has a large outdoor terrace, so we all went out on the terrace to watch the fireworks.  Lots of nice people, some from outside the USA, fabulous appetizers, very good meal, delicious wines, nice conversation.  I wore the long black Indian rayon skirt that buttons up the front with tiny buttons, a black long-sleeved T, and the new top I bought last weekend, and hi-heel sandals.

Shampooed in the am with Burt's Bee's volumizing shampoo, vinegar rinse, conditioner, followed by Goldwell's Definition.  Thought my hair looked pretty good, altho' one woman there had beautiful, thick BSL hair that made me a little envious.  However, I was better dressed, had a better figure, and was a better conversationalist.    8-)  So there.   ::)

Found some soft claw clips that don't have exposed springs, Goody is the mfr and I got them at Meijer.  Went there to buy birthday cards for my hubby, tomorrow is his big day, he will be 54, 3.5 yrs younger than me.

Made lasagna today, after sleeping until noon.  Cleo behaved last nite and didn't yowl all nite, so I guess whatever was bothering her is over.

Today was another beautiful day.  I am so glad to finally have good weather.   :)  It is wonderful.  Thank you, my goddess, thank you.

My students did their first speeches today.  Nobody failed and most were pretty good.  I graded them as soon as I got home and posted the grades on-line.  The class is shaping up well and most students are relaxing as they realize that as long as they do the work, they will do well in this class.  There is nothing mysterious about it; I tell them just exactly what I want them to do; and give them examples to go by.

My hair is looking good.  I will oil tonite and use the L'Oreal tomorrow.  I bought the deep conditioner and anti-frizz serum, so will try that and see if my hair is bushy.  Am due for color, so will get that Thurs.

I am over the envy of the woman with the thick beautiful hair.  Sigh.  My fine hair will never look like that.

I am over the envy of the woman with the thick beautiful hair.  Sigh.  My fine hair will never look like that.

Me too.  I have always had thin hair but it has thinned out even more after years of coloring and flatironing it when I worked as a beauty advisor for Shopper Drugmart. At least we do not have to struggle with tons of unruly hair! http://freesmileyface.net/smiley/Manga/japanese-057.gif  Iknewl a girl in highschool who had very thick curly red hair and if she did not oil and twist it back each morning she would look like Carrot Top on dope! :P

At least we do not have to struggle with tons of unruly hair!

That is true, and my hair air-dries in just a little over an hour even at this length thanks to waves and curls.

Did laundry yesterday and am redoing part of it because I left it in the basket on the dining table to fold this am and one of the cats peed in it.   >:(  I know better, but am always hoping that it won't happen.

Shampooed with L'Oreal moisturizing, then vinegar rinse, followed by deep conditioner, and one drop of Smooth Frizz-Free Serum.  It does suppress the frizzies somewhat and does not weigh my hair down.  So all is good today.

Carrot Top on dope.  ;D  The image certainly is arresting.  

Oooh, bad kitties!  I had a cat once that would do that.  

melusine wrote on Jul 7^th, 2009 at 12:53am:

Today was another beautiful day.  I am so glad to finally have good weather.   :)  It is wonderful.  Thank you, my goddess, thank you. My students did their first speeches today.  Nobody failed and most were pretty good.  I graded them as soon as I got home and posted the grades on-line.  The class is shaping up well and most students are relaxing as they realize that as long as they do the work, they will do well in this class.  There is nothing mysterious about it; I tell them just exactly what I want them to do; and give them examples to go by. My hair is looking good.  I will oil tonite and use the L'Oreal tomorrow.  I bought the deep conditioner and anti-frizz serum, so will try that and see if my hair is bushy.  Am due for color, so will get that Thurs. I am over the envy of the woman with the thick beautiful hair.  Sigh.  My fine hair will never look like that.

Do you teach that terrifying subject called speech?!  First I tried to argue my way out of speech and debate or whatever it was called.  I finally got my way partially by being allowed to take a speech class for second language students.  That's the most rewarding class I've ever taken. :)  We did more oral presentations in all subjects in the schools I've attended here in Denmark than we did in high school or comm.coll. in CA.

Yes, Michelle, bad kitty, indeed.  :)  It was really my fault.  I know she will pee on the clean clothes in the laundry basket if I leave it out overnite.  At least, it was only underwear, and I could easily re-wash it.  And you can bet that I folded it all and put it away as soon as it was out of the dryer this time.  ;D

Drear:  Yes, I teach speech.  It as actually a combination course in communication theory and public speaking.  My degrees are in Communication Theory, which is what I really prefer to teach, but I always end up teaching public speaking.  It's better than teaching English, which I have taught, no papers to grade.  :)

Tried to put my hair up in a high pony tail yesterday, but had little wispy curls sticking out of the sides, so tried smoothing them down with a little Lubriderm hand cream.  Ha!  They just stuck out like little wet springs, right above my ears.  (We need an emoticon expressing exasperation!)  For being baby fine, my hair definitely has a mind of its own.  The only process that tames it is pinning it flat while it is drying and lots of hairspray.

The Lubriderm was interesting.  My hair absorbed it and was not at all greasy.  Hmmm....methinks there are possibilities here.

Tomorrow I am getting color.  I was thinking about oiling tonite, but probably should not.

When I get down about 4200 characters remaining, the window keeps jumping up and down, like every time I hit a key.  Is that happening to anyone else?

I finished the brick red bodice, grommets and everything.  The only problem is that I am not sure it goes with the skirt I wanted to wear it with.  So I am pre-washing black, brown, old gold, and dark olive green material to make skirts tomorrow.  I know the black and old gold will coordinate; I think the brown will coordinate; I'm not sure about the dark olive green, but I meant that color to go with a different skirt, so it won't matter.

Friday I will be at Bristol helping get the store ready for the season, which opens this weekend.  I am staying at a motel with a friend, rather than driving back and forth.  It's more than an hour from home to the faire.  I am looking forward to it, but am not too hopeful about the weather.  It drizzled and rained all day here, and thunderstorms are predicted for Fri, with rain on Sat, but Sun is supposed to be nice.  We'll see what happens.

Do you scotchgard your garb?  Just wondering...

No, I never have used it.  Have you?  How does it affect the fabrics and trims?  I use a lot of braid and ribbon.

Got my hair colored today and a very light trim.  Looks pretty good right now.

Made a black skirt and have the gold skirt in process.  Pleated the black skirt and didn't do a very good job, but the waistband will be hidden under the peplums of the bodice, so I am not too concerned.  Tried a different way of gathering the gold skirt (zigzag over heavy thread) and wasn't really pleased with how that turned out either, but again, the peplums of the bodice will hide it, so it doesn't matter.

This will probably be my last entry until Sun. nite or Mon, as I will be at Bristol for the opening weekend.  I just hope it doesn't rain.

Have fun!  

Thank you, Michelle.

There are storms on the way, the sky is dark grey and I can hear thunder.  If it rains all weekend, I am not going to Bristol.  The Faire is no fun in the rain.

Right now I would like to crawl into a hole and pull it in after me.  I can't take much more of this awful, awful weather.  It rains or is grey most of the time.   I need sun desperately.  There aren't enough anti-depressants in the world to make me smile.  A week of this brings me to tears, a month leaves me contemplating slitting my wrists.   This is worst summer I have ever seen.

Okay, I am back from Bristol, and it was wonderful!  I stepped onto the grounds Sat @ 9am and just stood there and breathed.  It was like coming home.  I was very happy to be there.  Saw many friends that I only see at Faire, lots of hugs and kisses.  The weather was good both days, alth' hot on Sat. and I think I lost 5 pounds from sweating, altho' all the gentlemen say that a man sweats, a lady glows.

It is amazing how much better everyone looks in Renn garb, including the men  We dress so casually.  I really get tired of it.  Last year, I heard one woman say if she could wear her bodices to work, she would be married by now.  :)

Didn't wash my hair until Sun nite, before I left the hotel.  Couldn't stand driving home without taking a shower.  Didn't oil the nite before, partly because I had just gotten color and partly because it was very late and I forgot.  Had been partying with friends.   ;)  Those who saw my hair down, commented on how long it had gotten and how much they liked it.  Yay!!

I am beginning to wonder if I am bipolar, since I was so down Fri am.  But the weather was really bad, had been for a while and I do have SAD.

So glad the weather cooperated for your weekend!  

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Last year, I heard one woman say if she could wear her bodices to work, she would be married by now. :)

;D Actually, I'm planning to make the corset acceptable office attire...not that I have my eye on anyone at work! :P

MIchelle:  Thank you very much.

Angel:  You go, girl!!!

It has been several days since I wrote.  With Bristol opening and 25 students in my current class, I am pretty busy.  Plus, I sit down at the computer and draw a total blank.

Shampooed this AM with the BedHead volumizing.  Really does give body and volume, but I have to shampoo every other day.

Wore one of my new bodices that I copied and was very pleased with it.  The heavy-weight cable straps do very well for boning, and are less expensive.  Have got to shorten my bloomers.  They keep tangling my skirts between my knees.  I think if I shorten them to just above the knee, that should solve the problem.

Well, have midterm exams to grade, so had better get to it.  More later.

Apologies if you've already answered this question; but what do you teach?   :)

Hi, Trisha, I teach communication theory and public speaking for a community college.  I am adjunct faculty and also tutor in the Speaking Center.

I have had a very busy day.  Made 2 open-front skirts for Andi.  It is all machine sewing and since she likes elastic waistbands and I do narrow machine-sewn hems because she isn't too careful with her garb, they only take about 90 min. to do.  Also repaired 2 pr. of bloomers for her; she had split the crotch seams.  I think the bloomers are too small for her and that is why the seams split.  Put a gusset in one pr, which should help them fit better, but couldn't find any fabric to go with the fabric in the other pair, so just sewed them up and reinforced the seams with cotton twill tape.  It would have been nice if she had washed them before giving them to me.  Phew.

Then made a new skirt for myself.  Pink plaid homespun with a small glittery fuschia stripe in the plaid.  Just gives the fabric a little sparkle when the sun hits it.  Will wear it with a dark green split skirt garded and bordered with black corduroy embroidered with flowers and vines in shades of pink and rose.  There is a matching bodice in the embroidered corduroy.  The chemise is white with black embroidered stripes.  I think it will be smashing.

I did shorten all 3 pair of pantaloons to just above the knee and edged them with very pretty point lace that looks handmade altho' it is polyester and made in China.  At least is machine washable and dryable.  My skirts do look fuller with pantaloons beneath them, which I like.  Working in the store, I can't wear hoops, so anything that makes the skirts look fuller I like.  Except for bum rolls.  They make me look like I have a shelf in back.

Will shampoo and condition tomorrow before I drive up to Bristol.

Temps are supposed to be in the 70s, so should be nice weekend.

The outfit does sound smashing!!
Enjoy the weekend! :)

I've been thinking of making a pair of bloomers off and on for a couple of years now--just haven't totally made up my mind to do it.  But I'm wondering...could I simply use the pattern for a pair of elastic waist shorts and stick some loose fitting elastic in the leg hems?  --Do you think that would work?

Hi Trisha, sorry to be so long replying.  Got back from Bristol late last nite, then taught this am and this is the first time I have sat down at the computer.

Yes, that pattern should work just fine.  However, if you are wearing 2 or more skirts and a hoop, historically accurate pantaloons (i.e., no crotch seam) might be more convenient.  It's difficult to hold up 2 voluminous skirts and a hoop and pull down elastic waist bloomers.  Pulling them up again is even more fun.  You need a third hand  ;D  Or an assistant.  No wonder court ladies had maids.

I am shedding quite a bit.  I think it is my normal spring shed, just delayed because of the late spring.  I suspect that my hair has entered a resting stage.  I measured and was surprised to see no growth at all.  Of course, I was jumping the gun.  I'll wait until Aug 1 and see what it looks like then.  I hope it's just a resting stage; I really want longer than 23 in.  I know I should have done this years ago, when I was younger, but will still be disappointed if I can't have more length than this. :(

I am pre-washing all the homespun I bought last year.  Would like to get a couple of skirts made, but have some repair work to do for people I work with at the shop.  I get paid in jewelry.  :)  That's fun.

The weather was beautiful on the weekend.  Sunny and in the 70s.

Wore the chemise with the black embroidery and got many compliments.  Yay!!  I knew that would be a hit.

melusine wrote on Jul 21^st, 2009 at 11:40am:

Wore the chemise with the black embroidery and got many compliments.

Pictures, please!!!

ditto!

When the class I am teaching now is over, I will get some pictures on-line.  I have to figure out how to do it, as I am newbie in that area, and with Faire in full swing and all the sewing I want to do, it sort of takes a back seat.

Made an alternating navy and wine narrow stripe on dark oatmeal homespun skirt yesterday and a navy and white small windowpane plaid homespun today.  Have decided to put narrow machine-sewn hems in these skirts because the 2" hems keep catching on the buttons of my boots since I am not wearing hoops.  So now I have to re-do the hems in all the skirts I made last year.  (Sigh) Fortunately, it doesn't take long.

Ants have reappeared in the bathroom, so I put out new traps today.  We'll see if that works.  I yearn to live in a high-rise.  :)  I don't think ants climb that high.  And skunks definitely don't.  Now that's food for thought.

It appears that the leave-ins I have been trying to tame the frizzies are causing the breakage I have been noticing.  Mousse, gel or serum: they all cause breakage.  I looked at the ingredients on the two serums I have tried and both have denatured alcohol, which I had read was a no-no.

So hair care is now: condition and rinse every morning, shampoo every 3rd or 4th day, only use the vinegar rinse every 2nd or 3rd shampoo.  The daily conditioning does tame the frizzies to a degree.

I think my hair has stopped growing.  I hope 23" is not terminal length, altho it is an attractive length for me, I really did want waist-length hair.  Sigh.

On a good note, a male friend said that without his glasses, he always recognized me because I had a lot of long, dark hair.   :)  Yay!!

Bristol was interesting last weekend.  Business was really slow Sat, but quite brisk on Sun.  Weather was good both days, we had a tiny sprinkle on Sun and ended the day with a rainbow!!  I bought a necklace and pin from a woman who does fimo clay.  The brooch is a portrait of Princess Elizabeth.  I also had two new ear cuffs made with Swarovski crystals and bought one with a goldstone bead.  I have ordered a goblet that looks like a tree from Hearthstone Arts, as well as a bodice cooler, both of which I will pick up next weekend.

Sounds like Bristol was a good thing for you! ;)

A bodice cooler??   :-?

A bodice cooler is a cone-shaped piece of glass or pottery aboput 5" long that is filled with ice and slid down the front of the bodice between the breasts.  It will cool your core temp a good 10 degrees.  You just have to remember not to bend over as the ice melts.   ;D  I have watered my skirts, my boots, the jewelry and the counters.  Gentlemen find them fascinating and you make friends with the bartenders really fast.  ;)

My students did persuasive speeches today and I could see a real improvement from the first speeches they did.  It's amazing how much better they get in only 5 weeks.  Of course, the book shows them just exactly what to do, and I go over it with them and try to give them in-class time to practice.  We were a little short on in-class practice time this semester because it was a big class.

Shampooed my hair today and used the L'Oreal.  Came out pretty nice, not frizzy.

Redid all the hems on my skirts last week, didn't take long at all. About 20-30 min. per skirt.  Mon. pm after I got home from school, altered the bodice I made last week.  Took about 3 hrs.  When I tried it on for sizing, I forgot that my skirts would push it higher, so adjusted the shoulders incorrectly.  The straps kept falling off my shoulders and it was too wide across the top back.  So out came the seam ripper.  Removed the shoulder rolls and the bias tape I sew over the raw edges, opened the shoulder seams completely, and about 2" in the center of the back neck seam, and opened the lining seam from side seam to side seam.  Turned it inside out as much as possible and sewed long darts as close to the waist seam as I could in both the lining and the right side, then sewed the back neck seam and turned it right side out.  Sewed the right sides of the shoulder straps together, then hand-sewed the lining seams, reattached the shoulder rolls and hand-sewed the bias tape and the lining.

Yesterday I cut out a new bodice which I hope to make tomorrow.  Have to do some repair work, and grade speeches, so may or may not have time for the bodice.

melusine wrote on Jul 29^th, 2009 at 3:04pm:

A bodice cooler is a cone-shaped piece of glass or pottery aboput 5" long that is filled with ice and slid down the front of the bodice between the breasts.  It will cool your core temp a good 10 degrees.  You just have to remember not to bend over as the ice melts.   ;D  I have watered my skirts, my boots, the jewelry and the counters.  Gentlemen find them fascinating and you make friends with the bartenders really fast.  ;)

Very cool!  (literally   ;D   )  I figured it was something like what you described.  Now, did women back in the day really wear those or is this a new invention?  Either way, it's tres smart!

It is a modern invention.  England in 16C was in the grip of a minor Ice Age, and the Thames even froze solid one winter, so the ladies then had no need of bodice coolers.  I don't know who came up with idea.  I have one in blown glass in shades of red, pink and purple, and the new one will be hand-thrown pottery in shades of blue and green.  Mike told me last weekend that his daughter came into his studio and asked him why he was making pottery penises.   ;D

Just got up from a nap.  Have had a raging sore throat since Mon am.  It may or may not be followed by a head cold, depending on which version of the virus I got.  Between teaching summer school and going to Bristol every weekend, I had no chance of escaping this.  My husband says it is going around at work.  Was really bad on Mon and Tues, had to take aspirin every 4 hrs so I could swallow.  The soreness started subsiding yesterday and I hope will be gone tomorrow.  Have been feeling more and more tired as the week went on, so gave in and went to bed at 3:30.  If the doorbell hadn't rung, I would still be asleep.

Since I have been rinsing and conditioning daily, my hair has been calmer, despite the humidity.  I guess that was the key.  I am using a bodifying conditioner, which leaves my hair full, and not greasy.  I am still concerned about the no growth, but will discipline myself not to measure again at least until September.  On good note, the shedding is slowing down and almost stopped.

On rereading this, I am really obsessing about my hair.

Okay, I caved and measured.  Still at 23".  Arrgh!!!  But my hair is behaving better now that I am rinsing and conditioning every day.  Still have some breakage, but the shedding seems to have slowed down.  If it isn't measurably better next week,  I will do a mayonnaise treatment.

Have been franticly busy.  This is the last week of the class I am teaching now.  So have speeches and finals to grade and all the paperwork from the one student who waited until the last minute to turn in everything.  I will not give him full credit, so I don't know if he will pass or not.  He needs to learn the lesson that things are due when they are due, but if I fail him, he might be in my fall class again.   :-/  Hmmm.....I will just add the numbers and see where he falls.

Bristol was pretty nice last weekend -- good weather, but I still had the sore throat on Sat.  Finally it went away Sun, which was good because we were very busy.  It was the first good sales day we have had this season.

Have not been happy with my garb.  Working in the store, I don't get a chance to wear my Court garb, and haven't been really pleased with my merchant garb.  Figured out on the way home Sun nite that it's because I don't like tucking up my overskirt.   Eureka!!  So will put center slits in all the overskirts and things should be good again.  Read in someone's blog that she puts her underskirts on grosgrain ribbon waistbands to reduce the bulk.  That sounds like a really good idea, so will try that.  I  didn't do it before because I switched skirts a lot, but have been making some skirts specifically for underskirts, so it would work for those.  Have also decided to redo the sleeves on the chemises I made.  I just put elastic in the wrists, but found some really good lace that looks handmade so will move the elastic up 1" and sew the lace on the ruffles.   I always have to wear things a few times before I know if they are comfortable and if I like them.

Okay.  Grading is all done.  (Large sigh of relief.)  In a class of 21, 7 A's, 9 B's, and 2 C's.  I can never remember whether plural letters take the apostrophe before the "s", but it looks right, so I'll go with it.

Now I can sew!!  ;D  Last nite put center slits in all my merchant skirts.  Bound the edges with double-fold bias tape to stiffen them and give them some weight.  Also am replacing the waistbands on my underskirts with grosgrain ribbon.  Did 2 of them and they are so much more comfortable.

Had an appointment with my stylist tonite, but her boy is in the hospital, so put it off 'til next week.  Since my hair isn't growing anyway, it isn't like I need color or a trim.  Asked the other stylist about that and she said that it often happens in the summer, and is often the result of a change in medication or diet.  Now that I think about it, I always lose my appetite in the summer, and haven't been eating as much, so I hope that is the cause.

Hmmm....does that mean that I have to choose between being slim and having good hair???  Bummer.  :-/

Quote:

Hmmm....does that mean that I have to choose between being slim and having good hair???  Bummer.

That's a tough one. :-/  But if you're only having problems in the summer, I wouldn't worry about it. :)  

I,too experience a loss of appetite in the summer and when the season's are about to change.  Not so with the growth,but I shed more in the summer. :(

Thank you both for the reassurance.  I needed that.  It's nice to have friends who share my concern for hair.  Love this salon and all the people in it!  :)

You're welcome. :)  It is nice to have a place to visit with other people who share the same hair values. :D

We love ya too, Mel. ;)

Ditto! :)

Quote:

Hmmm....does that mean that I have to choose between being slim and having good hair???  Bummer

.

I find that to be a difficult balance too.  I don't have an answer.  My hair's in better condition than it's been for a long while but I've also gained a few unwanted lbs.  I'm trying to tell myself that if I eat healthy and varied and just the amount of food someone of my height and built needs to stay within a healthy weight range, then I shouldn't worry about not getting enough of something.  

Got beck from Bristol this am.  The weather was awful.  Woke up Sat am to pouring rain, fortunately I had packed a big plastic dry-cleaning bag, so put all my garb in that, my hat in another plastic bag, put on my boots and went in in mundane clothes.  The humidity was at least 100%.  It rained all morning, then the sun came out and the heat and humidity went to the moon.  Temps in the high 80's with 95% humidity.  By the time I got back to the hotel, all I could think of was a cold shower.  I mean a COLD shower.

Sun was no better.  I started the day not feeling well from the day before.  It was unbearable well before noon.  Temps in the high 80's with high humidity and a strong south wind that was scorching.  I got a big dill pickle about 11am and ate that to make sure my blood chemistry stayed normal.   Later in the pm I went to the Friends of Faire garden to use the privy, get ice for my bodice chiller and some Gatorade.  Sat down with a friend who said I didn't look good at all (didn't feel good, either), so she fanned me for 10 min. while I drank the Gatorade.   Rain was  threatening, and we had a downpour later while I was out of the shop on a shopping break, so took refuge in the FoF garden just in time.  Thought I was going to be sick or pass out before the day was thru.

When I got back to the hotel and undressed, discovered I had a bad heat rash around my waist and "down south."  I could barely walk.  Was exhausted.  Took a cool shower, annointed my rash with vitamin E cream, then called my husband to tell him I wouldn't be home until this am.  Was just too tired to do the 2-hr drive.  Not to mention that the only clothing that didn't hurt was my nightgown and I wasn't really enthusiastic about driving home in that.  About 10pm there was another storm.  I could not have driven in that without being in danger of wrecking the car.

I hope next weekend is better.   Since we have had such a cool summer, this sudden heat was really dangerous.   I saw the medics take several people off-site in their little medical cart

:obe careful with that humidity and heat!!  It's no joke!  Can you wear one of the neck cooling bandanas?  The coolness is right on the carotid arteries so it helps tremendously.  You can make your own,too.  The cooling gels cn be found in a nursery,you just add one teaspoon to the bandana before you sew it up.  Too much and your seams will rip open from the expansion of the gel crystals.  There is a pattern and info at Sewing.com for all info on it.  If ya can't find it,p/m me and I'll help look.

Curlgirl64 wrote on Aug 11^th, 2009 at 8:23am:

:obe careful with that humidity and heat!!  It's no joke!  Can you wear one of the neck cooling bandanas?  The coolness is right on the carotid arteries so it helps tremendously.  You can make your own,too.  The cooling gels cn be found in a nursery,you just add one teaspoon to the bandana before you sew it up.  Too much and your seams will rip open from the expansion of the gel crystals.  There is a pattern and info at Sewing.com for all info on it.  If ya can't find it,p/m me and I'll help look.

I have one of these neck/gel things and they are great! A total life saver!

Thank you both.  It was the first bad weekend and, I hope, the only one.  We usually get just one really hot weekend, and coming after a very cool summer, it really hit some people hard.

A bodice chiller lowers your core temperature about 10 degrees, as long as it is kept full of ice.  The big dill pickles fix your blood chemistry by resupplying potassion and sodium you lose in sweating, as well as liquid.  Staying hydrated and not drinking anything alcoholic is another tactic for avoiding heat stroke.  I could stay in the shade, altho' it was hot in the shop with the lights on the jewelry.  We did keep them turned off most of the day to keep the temperature down.  I used my pewter mug, so when filled with ice and placed against my wrists and temples, it really helped cool me down.  We do have electric fans running to keep the air moving, which helps.

Next weekend is supposed to be better.

Already sounds like you know what to do! ;)

Well, I am back.  Have been very occupied.  Last week, we went to Galena, Ill. for a mini-vacation.  Lovely resort town in northwestern Ill, just off the Mississippi.  We stayed in a bed and breakfast, in a cabin.  We were there last Dec, when it sleeted and snowed all the time we were there.  The breakfasts were fabulous, the surrounding countryside is glorious.  Saw hawks, humingbirds, finches, cardinal, and blue jays.  Our cabin was 750 sq. ft. with a hot tub in the corner.  We shopped in the town both days and ate out for lunch and dinner.  Haven't had the courage to weigh myself.  :)

Week before last, my mom and aunt drove up to spend 4 days with me.  We shopped all day and played canasta in the evenings.  It was a lot of fun.  My mom is 78 and my aunt is 86, but you'd never know it.  They both look and think at least 10 yrs. younger.

After the last weekend I wrote about at Bristol, the next weekend was hot, too.  Had heat rash again, burt not as bad,so I did drive home Sun nite.  Invested in Gold Bond powder on the advice of my FoF friends, who said it was the best thing for chafing.

This weekend was cooler and we were very busy.  Lots of customers and lots of sales.

My hair seems to be behaving better.  The shedding seems to be slowing down.  Have been rinsing and conditioning every day.  Will measure at the end of this month and see where I am.

School starts tomorrow.  I am teaching an 8am class, so will sign off.  I am NOT a morning person.  ::)

Have a great day at school :)

Thank you, Isabelle.  It was a very good day.  I have 2 classes of 22 each that meet at 8am and 9:35 am.  They all seem like good kids and one student is back in my class after dropping out last semester.  I always take that as a compliment, as he could have taken someone else's class.

Tonite I will go to the first Chorale rehearsal.  That will be fun.  I do love to sing.

Sounds like you had a really nice stay.  I hope this class job works out for you.  

Just got back from teaching the second day of classes.  Kids are loosening up and contributing more, so things are going well.  The only thing I was dissatisfied with was that someone had rearranged the desks in the room I teach in at 8am.  That annoys me.  >:( Now I will never learn the students' names because they were in different seats.  

Granted, I have only been a teacher's assistant, but as far as learning the students' names, it might help to look at who raises their hand or says "here" during roll call.

It helps to try and memorize what they look like, how they typically dress, or to isolate a specific feature...ie. that's the girl with the beautiful, long, blonde hair, that's the skater kid with the glasses, etc. etc. That way you have a visual to associate with a name.

Also, if someone has a name that's difficult for you to pronounce, remember what they look like while you're asking them, and write their name down phonetically somewhere if you have to. You will most likely not forget after that. ;)

Lastly, you should make a conscious effort to say the student's name when calling on them instead of just saying, "yes" or "you." That will definitely help when many students raise their hands or talk simultaneously. If you can't remember, they'll remind you, but eventually you'll be on more familiar terms. HTH

Okay, I am back.

Thanks, Angel, for the suggestions.  I do all those things, and call the roll every day for the first 2 or 3 weeks, being sure to look at every face.

Measured my hair yesterday and still at 23".  Have been eating better, and taking vitamins, and using only sulfate-free shampoos.  Have tried conditioning every day, oiling, and cut down on the vinegar rinses, and still no growth.  I am not happy at all with the way my hair looks and is behaving right now, so have been putting it up under the Tony Pony pieces.  To hell with it.  If I didn't know that it looks like hell short, I would cut it.

Bristol is over and I don't know how I feel about it.  It was a lot of work, since I worked 10-hr days every day of the last 9 weekends, but I miss all the people I didn't get to talk with as much as I would have liked to.  One of the oldest participants and a friend to all died Mon am, which made the last day somewhat surreal.

My hair is behaving somewhat better.  I have gone back to vinegar rinses and oiling, and stopped conditioning every day.  It is long enough for a decent ponytail, now that the top layers are growing out and doesn't look too bad.  The problem is that now that the top is long (14") I have to be careful of the cowlick at the right crown.  If it doesn't lay just right when drying, it looks like a small bald spot.

I have been wearing the Tony Ponys because of the cowlick, but will see my stylist and ask her about what to do on Sat.

Have really missed you all.

I'm sorry your friend died, Melusine.

How are your classes going?

I'm sorry your friend passed.  
We've missed you,too!

I am sorry to hear about the death of your friend.
I missed you too!

Aww, Mel...sorry about your friend. :(

Thank you Sakina, Curlgirl, Isabelle and Angel. Uncle Ho will be sorely missed.  He was a longtime member of FoF (Friends of Faire) and one of the founders, so to speak.  All the FoF member were teary-eyed on Mon.  He had a heart transplant about 9 mos. ago and was doing really well until 4 wks ago, when he picked up a drug-resistant infection that his doctors coudln't pinpoint.  I saw Sheila (his wife) on Sun (she was at Faire for a couple of hours, not garbed) and could see in her eyes that he was dying.

My classes are going fine.  The students are making their first speeches this week and doing surprising well.

Washed my hair this morning and thought that it seemed longer, so measured and it was!!  Only 1/4", but that is a good sign.  And a great relief.  Waist-length is still a possibility!  I threw out the L'Oreal shampoo and conditioner; my hair wasn't liking it all.  The Burt's Bees seems to be the best product and my hair behaves well with it--lots of body and curl.  So that it what I will stick with.

Saw my hairdresser yesterday for color and trim.  Asked her about the cowlick and she said that it is a natural part and since my hair is fine, it might be weighty enough now to always fall in that part.  So she layered the back a little, and my hair is looking better.  Of course, it always looks better just after I get it colored.

Hi, Melusine.  I'm glad your new trim is working for you.  My hubby has a lot of cowlicks.  I'm getting a little layering in the back on Wednesday.  I hope it makes my hair look better!

How's the choir rehearsals going?

Hi, Sakina, choir rehearsals are going well.  I missed last week because after 3 10-hr. days on my feet at Bristol, I couldn't do a 15-hr. day at school.  So I taught my classes and did my hours in lab, then went home and took a long nap.

Tonite was rehearsal nite again, and it went well.  Even Messiah made sense, with all the trills.

It's late and I am going to bed.  Write more tomorrow.

I forgot.  How did your audition go?  I am all agog with curiosity.

My audition is this coming Saturday, the 19th.

I'm sorry about your friend's passing.  I'm glad to read that classes are going well.  I don't know what your hair color(s) look like now.  Could it just be the contrast between hair and scalp?  If it didn't look really unnatural and unflattering in contrast to the rest of my hair, I'd definitely want a lighter top.  I don't know if I'm too old for this but I try to hide my parting with ½ updos and alice bands if I want my hair down.

Hi, Drear, my hair is very dark brown, so it probably is the contrast.  But I still don't like it.  If it really doesn't look good, I put it up, sometimes with a claw clip and sometimes with a Tony Pony.

So tomorrow after classes, I leave for St. Louis to work the weekend at Pirate Fest.  It is only for this weekend, so that will be a lot of work to set up the big tent, set up all the tables and arrange all the jewelry, then take it all down and load the van Sun nite.  I am not looking forward to that part of it.

Just finished decorating a black felt pirate hat.  Sewed wine bias tape aroung the brim and antique gold braid next to that on the underside of the brim.  Then I pinned up the brim on the left with a pirate ship pin and a red ostrich plume.  With a red snood and red crystal slave drape earrings, it will look quite pirate-y.  Will tell you all about it on Mon.

Will think good thoughts for you, Sakina, on Sat.  Break a leg!

I am back from St. Louis, which was good on Sat, we had good sales, and good weather.  I wore the new black suede bodice I bought the last day of Bristol with the wine damask panel tied on to cover the lacing, a wine skirt with gilded ribbon outlining the plum unwaled corduroy border and guards, and an ivory chemise with gilded black ribbon ruching the length of the full sleeves.  It all looked good with the pirate hat and a red snood.  Sun we were rained out.  The site has a stream running through and it flooded after heavy rains in the early am.  We couldn't get in to the site to tear down until the pm.  It looks like we won't do Pirate Fest next year.  Altho' sales were good, it's a lot of work for one day's sales, and when you take into consideration gas and the driving time.....

My hair has been behaving better since I got color and cut a week ago Sat.  Today it curled very nicely all by itself.  Of course, it has been pretty humid.  I shampooed yesterday in the am, and by the time I got to school, I looked like a demented dandelion.  ;D
So put it up with a claw clip.  We'll see how it looks tomorrow.

Fri I leave for Rock Island, IL to work at Four Kingdoms.  It's a small fair that runs only one weekend, so will be a new experience.  It's supposed to rain off & on on Fri and Sat, but will be clear on Sun.  Of course, any weather person who is really honest will tell you that any forecast looking further ahead than 4 hrs. is guessing.   ::)

Well, I am back.  Four Kingdoms was a bust.  A small fair, very nice people, but may not happen next year.  Our sales were really bad, so we won't be back.  Just before the fair, I re-sprained my left foot and ankle, and had a really bad time.  Wore my ren boots and that was a mistake.  Could barely walk by Sun nite.  Tomorrow I leave for Stronghold, a weekend fair in Oregon, IL north and west of here.  It is supposed to be chilly, so will take my flannel petticoat and cloak.  I have a pair of very lightweight maryjanes that I can wear with socks, so will take those and hope for the best.

My hair has been behaving well.  I am back to using the Burt's Bees Volumizing products with vinegar rinses.  When I started shedding so much in the summer, I panicked and stopped using the vinegar rinses and switched to the L'Oreal moisturizing products.  Left my hair limp.  I won't make that mistake again.

Life has been very problematic lately.  On the way home from 4 Kingdoms,  I was really tired, but wanted to fill the tank before I got home so I wouldn't have to do it in the am on my way to teach my classes.  Ran into a high curb and blew a tire and ruined the rim.  $1100 later I have the car back, but the mechanic says there is a little noise that may indicate the bearing is going.   I have a huge bruise on my left leg, which isn't helping the swelling around the foot and ankle.  On Tues I was changing my password on the college computer system, when I hit a wrong key and got locked out of the system.  Today I lost my cell phone, but very furtunately found it where I had left it on a desk in the Speaking Center.  So maybe things are looking up.  I absolutely wouldn't have wanted to tell my husband I lost the phone after the car expense.  ::)

(((hugs)))

Wow.  That sounds like the crappiest week ever!

Arnica gel will heal bruises really fast and take the pain away.  Where's the chivalrous men?  Surely someone has a horse they can give you a ride on to and from your shop! Huzzah!

Feel better soon!

What a week!  I hope things really will look up from here.

Aw,feel better!!  That sounded like a week you wished didn't happen!

Thank you, Sakina, Curlgirl and Drear.  The week is over, thank heaven.  It ended with a weekend at Stronghold Renaissance Faire in Oregon, IL.  I was working for Pendragon.  Drove thru rain to get there and it rained off & on all Fri pm, so Andi & I checked into the hotel and went out to dinner.  Got up really early and got to the site by 7am to set up the tent and displays.  Started raining again at 10am and rained all damned day.  We had little streams running thru our tent.  And it was COLD. We were freezing.  Had to keep putting stuff out and bringing it in, had to change the tablecloths and some of the displays.  The gates shut at 4pm and we closed up everything and went back to the hotel for warm DRY clothes.  Then out to dinner for big steaks and drinks.

Sunday was better--sunny most of the day, altho' still chilly.  I wore jeans, kneesocks and gym shoes under my skirts for warmth.  Had to wear the gym shoes as the shoes I wore Sat were ruined.  They were absolutely soaked and the soles came apart when they dried.  Discovered when I got to my car that I had lost my bodice knife.  That irritated me.  This is the second one I've lost.

My hair has been behaving quite well.  I am back to using the Burt's Bees volumizing shampoo and conditioner, with jojoba oil the night before and vinegar rinse.  It seems thicker, and curlier and doesn't part so easily over my cowlick.  So, I like it again.  I wasn;'t liking my hair at all this summer, but realize now that it was my own fault.  I panicked over how much I was shedding and totally changed my hair care routine--conditioner every day, no vinegar, and moisturizing shampoo, which left my hair limp and did nothing for the shedding. ::)  That's a lesson learned.

How's your shedding now?  I don't know if I've noticed a change.  I'm not conscious of it now.  Just normal loss but still short sticking ends. :(  Hmm...you ladies are making me curious about these Burt's Bees products.  My dad can buy them at fx. Target for me.  He knows of their lipbalms, but I worry about the shipping cost.  Well, he's gonna start by sending me their lipbalms.  That's a start. ;D

I just saw on the index page that it said that Mel was an "ex-member"?!??!??!  Everything ok?

I don't know why it says "ex-member".  We had an issue with that awhile back, though I don't know what the solution is.

Melusine, what's a bodice knife???

Hi, I have not quit Longlocks!  I don't know why I got listed as an ex-member.   :-?  It just happened last week.  I had to re-register and used all the same info as the first time.  Thanks for asking, Michelle.

My mother-in-law died last Thurs. and I just got back from Philadelphia.  We flew Fri. to meet with the family and make some decisions, sign paperwork, start cleaning the apartment and things like that.  Her ashes will be interred at Arlington along with her husband's and we must wait for Arlington to notify us when that will be.  She was 93, and had been slipping mentally for the last year, then had a fall, and a mini-stroke, we think.  She just slipped away last Thurs pm.  We knew she was failing, but didn't espect it quite so soon.

Sakina, a bodice knife is a small knife that is carried in the bodice.  Many are functional: i.e., have sharpened blades, and are sheathed and carried against the skin, with just the tip of the grip showing.  Some are decorative, but not functional, so are not sheathed and often have flowers or figures rather than a traditional grip.  The first one I lost last year was brass and had a rose instead of a grip; the one I lost last Sun, was a good knife with a leather sheath.  I am really perturbed about that.  It will cost me a pretty penny to replace it.

Drear: My shedding stopped about 5 wks. ago.  I always shed in the spring, it was just late this year, I think because we had such a late, cold spring.  It usually lasts for 4 or 5 wks.

Now that I think about it, getting de-listed irritates me somewhat.  >:(  I lost all my correspondence, and I don't like being "Amethyst" again.

BTW, my sprain is getting better.  I have been trying on my shoes and boots and finally found a pair of boots I can wear that support my foot and ankle, don't hurt, and look much better than my old gym shoes.  :)  Things are looking up.

I'm glad you haven't quit LongLocks!  

I'm sorry for your loss.  

Sorry about your bodice knives, they sound really cool.  Could you recommend a site for me to check one out-a functional one?  I understand they'd serve as a weapon, but would you also use one to eat with?

I'm glad you're healing, and that you've got footwear that works for you.

My costume will be Italian renaissance, scoop necked and an Empire waist with a solid dress or split to show the underskirt.  May not have a petticoat.  Do you make your own split bloomers?   Talk last Wednesday is my color might now be blue.  Ahhh!  I think I will buy some windwalker boots, but won't get them in time to wear for much of the season.  What color are yours?  How many buttons?

Take care!

Hi, Sakina, I am sorry, but I don't know any sites to buy knives.  You might check the various renfaire sites for lists of vendors and their links.  I always buy mine in person.  I think you could use one for eating.  Small knives were a pretty versatile item, according to what I've read.

I do make my own split bloomers because I have never found anyone selling them at faires.  The style is 18C, not 16C, but so convenient.  McCalls and Simplicity both had patterns.

My Windwalker boots are 3-button and wine with a leaf design in navy blue.  Mary told me that taller boots would be really hot, and Bristol can be in the 90's with high humidity in Aug., altho' that didn't happen this year.  I bought them 3 yrs ago, I think, and they look just as good as new when I clean them up.

I was shocked too when I saw you listed as an Ex-member.  I'm glad you're not gone.  Sorry about your loss.  Hope things keep looking up.

Oh Mel, I'm so sorry to hear about your MIL.  It's good to hear that your ankle is getting better though, and I'm glad you're still here!

Thank you, Drear and Michelle.  It's nice to know that you all care.
 
On another note, could my listing in Journals be changed from ex-member to whatever is appropriate?  Thanks.

I think you have to start another Journal,but anything on the old one will not be lost.

It's been so long since I started this journal, I don't remember how to do it.  Hints????

I'll get back to ya tomorrow with details!

I am really feeling unwanted being listed as an "ex-member" in the "Started by" column next to my journal.  I am having enough of a problem dealing with the coldest, darkest, wettest October in this area in 113 years.  You only have to tell me to go away once.  Are you seriously telling me that no one can fix that?

(((hugs)))  I'm sorry you're feeling that way.  I personally do not know how to fix it.  If you want to start a new journal you can at the thread page, on the right hand corner where it says "start new topic".

Don't go away!!

Do you have one of the natural light lamps?  Stay warm, OK?

Melusine,
You are not unwanted.  We love to have you here.  Unfortunately the software that is used to manage this forum has limited utilities for us to use to fix things that have gone astray.  I'm not sure what happened that would have set you to the status of ex-member.  This sometimes happens when we are doing a membership cleanup of inactive members.  If a member is deleted, they can re-register using the same name, but the posts that were made under the original user ID will remain with the ex-member notation.  We don't have any way to change that.

You could start a new journal and we could move all your posts from the original into the new journal.  That way you at least would not have the ex-member notation on the name of your journal.  

I hope this helps explain things a bit.

robin

Mel,I just sent you a p/m,please read.

Aw Mel, don't say that!  Sounds like you are having a rough time.  We love you!  *hugs*

Mel,
p/m me when you get a chance, Thanks

Hi, Curlgirl, I would love to send you a PM, but I can't.  I see that I am back to being an ex-member again, not to mention that when I tried to log-in this pm, I got a notice that my password and user name didn't match.  So now I have a string of random letters as a password, that I will NEVER be able to remember and considering the way way things have been going, I don't dare try to change it.  WHAT the h--- is going on?  I am verging on p----- off!  

Okay.  I am sort of simmered down.  I will try to change that stupid password to something that makes sense to me and I MIGHT be able to remember.  Wish me luck.

Okay. It worked and I am in.  So do I have to change my user name too to get rid of that ex-member designation?

How about Capitalzing the whole name?

I am looking at the last two posts and the ex-member notation is gone.  Are there problems with the software?

It's a possability that there is a glitch.  As long as it's gone,good!!! I'm thinking to move your old journal onto your new one.  Makes it easier to look back and reference stuff when you're looking at it.

So this is my third journal.  The journey has been very long and strange, a la Alice, and I haven't even had any good drugs.  :-?

I am feeling much better.  I think the depression was because of exhaustion and too much time out in the cold rain.  I am thinking that I will not work for Pendragon next year.  I miss seeing my friends and just wandering around faire.  I don't think the pass and free parking is worth it.  I worked every weekend from the second weekend of July until 2 weeks ago while teaching all summer and into the start of the fall semester which is really busy.

Not to mention not having time to post here or read your posts.  I have missed you all!

We spent this weekend in Springfield with my mom for her birthday.  We drove down Fri nite, leaving after 8pm and the weather was really strange.  Very low clouds, some rain and it was pitchblack in places.  A couple of times we could see no cars in either direction and it was really weird!!

My hair is behaving well and seems to be thicker.  The top is finally getting long enough to add to the volume.  I have found a new style:  It requires a large scrunchy, one hairstick and one of those little circle of curls on a elastic band that you can get at the drugstore for $5.  Make a ponytail with a big scrunchy, and when you pull the hair thru the scrunchy the last time, don't pull it all the way thru, leaving a loop of hair.  I twist the loop once and bring it around and over the top of the scrunchy, ending with the "eye" of the loop at a 10:00 position.  Insert a hairstick thru the "eye" and under the scrunchy, stopping just as it comes out the opposite side of the pony.  Loop the little curly piece under the hairstick. Slide it down to and over the pony/bun, then insert the hairstick all the way thru the pony and over the elastic of the curly piece, until it is properly positioned.  You end up with a bun surrounded by curls, held in place with the hairstick.  I have fine hair that really packs down when I bun it and doesn't hold hairsticks well. This is really cute, very secure, and makes a small bun look bigger.  I have very dark brown hair and use a black scrunchy, but I guess you could use a color if you wanted more ooomph.

I'm so glad you're feeling better Mel.  Your hair trick sounds really cute!

Glad you're feeling better.  You've had an awful lot going on.  I hope the load gets lighter.

So this is the new software.  Interesting.  Seems slower but that could be because it is pouring rain here and my equipment and software could be slow.

Speaking of rain, I have been running around in it all day.  I am thinking that the Sahara desert sounds very attractive.

Thank you, Michelle and Drear, for the kind words.  Life has been very hectic for the last several months and there have been some devastating events.  I think I will take it slower for a while.  Quite a while.  No more working at the renn faires.  I just want to dress up and party with my friends and see the shows.

Now my husband is sick.  He has a very bad cold with a high fever.  I hope it is not H1N1.  He is sleeping in the guest room.  He didn't go to work Wed or today and probably will not work tomorrow either.  I sincerely hope I do not catch it from him.  I am taking Emergen-C morning and night, washing my hands religiously and trying to refrain from touching my face.  Several of my students have been ill, 8 were missing from one class today. H1N1 is ravaging the dorms.

Washed my hair with Burt's Bees Volumizing with vinegar rinse yesterday and it looked really good.  Today not so good, but it is very humid which makes my hair collapse, so I put it up with a Tony Pony curly ponytail.  Tomorrow I will do my "bun surrounded by curls" style.  I think it is the updo I like the best right now.

We were supposed to go to a costume party Sat. nite, but it looks like I will be going by myself.  I hope it doesn't rain as I am wearing renn garb and hate long skirts in the rain.  We are supposed to have my birthday party a week from Sat, Nov. 7, which is my birthday, but that remains to be seen.  He may not be well enough and I could be sick by then, too.  If he is not well to help prepare for the party, I will cancel it because I will be damned if I am going to do it with no help.  Once is enough for that, especially as he is one who likes to give parties, not me.

Anyway, it's really nice to be back.  I have missed you all.

Sorry your husband is sick!  I had some nasty bug myself and it took me a month to get over it.  Who knows if it was H1N1, but it has been pretty prevalent here in north Texas.  If he has a fever for 3 days, or if it gets up to about 102, take him to the doctor!  Also, it seems like a lot of the H1N1 deaths have been caused by secondary pneumonia, so if he has any trouble breathing he should go right away.  Hope he feels better soon and you don't get it as well!

Thank you, Michelle, you are a sweetie.  He is feeling better today, altho' he did not go to work, which is just as well.  He works in downtown Chicago and has an hour drive (at least) each way.  He said he was still feeling really tired and a little lightheaded.  He had a fever yesterday, but not today, and his appetite is back, so he is on the mend.  He did go on-line to his office computer for a couple of hours.  So far, I seem to have escaped it, but am keeping my fingers crossed.

I have been playing with Renn garb all day.  Went thru all my bodices and weeded out those that didn't fit or I wasn't really pleased with (some were sewing experiments that didn't turn out quite as well as I had hoped).  Will donate them to the theatre department at my college. Have been repairing and altering others--shortening and/or lengthening straps as needed, making new straps and modesty panels, re-binding edges, reboning, etc.  It was fun to try on all the stuff I wasn't able to wear the last 2 yrs because I was working.

Tomorrow is the costume party and I just have to decide what to wear.  I am leaning towards a blue and gold skirt and bodice with a plum underskirt and an embroidered white chemise.  I don't know if my husband will go or not.

Well, I think it is bedtime.  Goodnight, all.

Went to the party by myself.  Hubby didn't feel well enough to go.  It was okay, lots of kids having a great time, but I was kind of bored.  Then a couple arrived about 10pm, and the talk turned to religion, which bores me to screaming, especially since I practice Wicca, and certainly can't say that among a group seriously discussing Christianity.

Finished the new straps and modesty panels for the bodice that goes with blue and gold skirt.  It has guards and borders of a paisley corduroy in shades of blue from navy to blue gray, with plum and gold, and the bodice matches the guards and borders.  Turned out very well.

Would have shampooed today as I normally shampoo every third day, but my hair didn't look bad, so will do it tomorrow.  I think because I have a humidifier in the bedroom, my hair behaves better longer.

My husband says he now feels like he is getting a cold.  I will keep taking Emergen-C morning and nite and hope for the best.  I have added at least one cup of tea with honey to that regimen.  Between that and my usual vitamins and reasonable health precautions, I should be okay.

Sounds like you're prepared if a cold tries to attack you!  Glad you're feeling ok.   
The bodice sounds nice!

I hope hubbies feeling better soon :)  I am wiccan too and hate those seroms (((hugs)))  There are many different ways up the mountain.  We all take our own path...just some talk too much about it! lol!!!

I hope your hubby's recovery is speedy.

Isabelle and Drear:  My husband now thinks he is getting a cold.  He caught this at work and it lasts about 2 or 3 weeks, extreme fatigue, general body aches, headache and cough for 5-7 days, then a cold for another week or so.  He is going to work tomorrow, and I will keep an ear out for bronchitis.  Thank you for your kind thoughts.

Curlgirl:  The bodice I made about 4 yrs ago and is now 2 sizes too small.  ::)  Since I had the good sense to make it a side-lacer, with longer straps and modesty panels, I can still wear it.

Spent today working on other bodices.  Reboned one with sturdier boning and moved the straps so they wouldn't keep falling off my shoulders, lengthened the straps on another, and took up the shoulders on a third.  I am not sure about that one.  It tended to wrinkle at the waist, which I interpreted as being too long, and the shoulders had always been a little big, but now think I may have taken too much out.  At least, the wrinkle around the waist is much minimized, but it seems tight under the arms.  Sigh.  I will have to take the lining loose at the waist and make the armholes deeper, if it is.  It feels a little snug, but I won't know until I wear it if it needs altered again.

It is really nice to have time to do my own sewing.  I am having fun designing and redesigning.  Have got lots of projects in mind.  Wil keep you all posted.

On another note, I have checked the box indicating that I want to be notified or replies, but am not getting e-mails.  Anyone else have that problem?

Isabelle wrote on Nov 1^st, 2009 at 3:25am:

I hope hubbies feeling better soon :)  I am wiccan too and hate those seroms (((hugs)))  There are many different ways up the mountain.  We all take our own path...just some talk too much about it! lol!!!

...and judge too much! ::)  I'm not wiccan, but I haven't been quite sold on Christianity either. In a family like mine, that sort of revelation creates lot's of concern...and gossip. ::)

Hope your husband feels better soon. :)

Mel, I have wondered if you practiced Wicca as I thought I had seen your screen name before in my own explorations.  I don't practice Wicca but my spiritual leanings run to paganism.   :)

Hi, Michelle, I have been a solitary for 20 yrs.  Occasionally I go to rituals, but haven't found a group near me that I am comfortable with.

My husband is back at work, but still feeling tired.  We were going to have party this Sat for my birthday, but postponed it.  Now it looks like it will be the first weekend in Dec.

I found 1 skirt and bodice set, and 6 other bodices that I donated to the theater dept.  The director is fitting the madrigal singers with costumes, so these will come in handy, I am sure.

Just got back from Chorale rehearsal.  This is my second semester singing with the college chorale.  We are doing Messiah, among other selections.  The concert will be about 2 hrs. long.  I sing soprano.  If you want to see an interesting interpretation of Messiah, search for "Silent Monks singing Halleluia" on YouTube.  It is hilarious!

Put my hair up in the bun with curls today.  I really like that style.  It stays very securely and is very gentle on my hair.  No hairpins, just a scrunchie and hairstick.

Happy Birthday!!!

Sorry you have to postpone your party.  That's a bummer!

Ooh, I love to sing madrigals!!  That costume department is very lucky!!!

I love to sing madrigals too!  I sang tenor with the boys in high school choir since there were too many girls and not enough boys in our tiny school.  Then in college my voice teacher got it in her head that I was a soprano...I never was comfortable singing that high - it hurt!  Anyhoo, I miss being in a choir. 

We sure are a bunch of musical gals on this site.  Wouldn't it be neat if we could all get together?

I haven't sung choir since elementary school, but I do remember my teacher making sure I knew that I wasn't very good at it.  :P
So now I mostly stick with instruments. We should all get together and make the long-haired ensemble. 

Hope your husband feels better soon, and here's wishing you Happy Birthday cheer, as well.  ;)

Thank you, Sakina and KNS, for the birthday wishes.  We are putting the party off until 12/12, and I plan to have the tree and all the decorations up by then.  So it should be quite festive.

I sang in my high school chorus, second soprano, because the director needed a strong voice there.  There were 2 competing firsts, so I didn't have a chance.  My range then was 3 octaves.  Didn't sing for several years after that, mostly due to lack of opportunity, and I had also started smoking.  I quit in 1988 (cold turkey!) while I was writing my master's thesis, then started singing again with a chorus while I was living in Iowa City working on a Ph.D.  Got to sing first soprano and do solos then.  Didn't finish the Ph.D. because you can't do a divorce at the same time.  So now I sing first with the JJC Chorale although I have lost the top 2 notes of my range, due to lack of practice, I hope.  I haven't gotten the courage to audition for a solo yet.  Will wait until next year, I think.  So, yes, we should put together a long-haired ensemble.  :)

Wore my hair up with a Tony Pony today, the short curly piece on the can-do combs.  It makes a cluster of short curls on the back of the head.  Will shampoo tomorrow, so must be sure to oil tonite.

Happy Birthday!!  I think it's the 7th,correct?

Happy Birthday Mel!

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So, yes, we should put together a long-haired ensemble. :)

;D Former choir girl here too. First soprano, 4 octaves, whistle register into baritone, yada yada. Is there room for one more?

Congrats on quitting cold turkey. That's really amazing. So many try and almost as many fail. Good on ya, love. :)

Thank you, Curlgirl and Michelle for the birthday wishes.  Yes, it is the seventh, so tomorrow is the big day.  Getting good wishes from all of you makes up for having to put off the party.  :)

Angel, of course, there's room for one more.  Glad to have you.  Should we wear our hair loose for concerts, or in fabulous updos?  We can wear red and call ourselves The Rapunzel Chorus!  ;)

When people tell me I should give up this or that, like sugar or chocolate, I tell them I quit a 2 pack/day habit cold turkey and that's enough self-sacrifice for one lifetime.  ::)

Shampooed and conditioned with Garnier Fructis Curl and Shine with vinegar rinse today.  My hair is full and slightly curly, but feels a little dry.  I will wait and see how it does over the next two days.  GF isn't sulfate-free and I hadn't used it for several months, but had almost full bottles, so thought I would try it.  I had just bought it when I found Longlocks and decided to go sulfate-free.  Isn't that always the way things happen?  ::)Fortunately, GF at Walmart isn't expensive, so I won't feel too bad pouring it down the drain.

Speaking of WalMart, the one closest to me is under construction and is being turned into a SuperWalMart.  I am not pleased.  There was a little parking lot on the side of the store where I always parked because I could get into the store without getting blown to bits on a windy day, and it is often windy here.  So when they are done, that parking lot will be gone and I will have to park out front and brave the elements.  At least the store will be on a north-south axis, so the prevailing west winds won't be turned into a gale blowing past the store front, which is the case with the other store close to me.  It is oriented on an east-west axis, you can never get closer to the door than 50 ft., and the wind just shrieks past the doors.

I give my husband all of my shampoo and conditioner and styling product cast offs.

I so relate to you quiting cold turkey!!  I just passed my 25 year anniversary of being smoke-free.  I like you quit cold turkey.  Started when I was 10  years old :o ::) and quit when I was 22.  One of the best things I ever did for myself.

melusine wrote on Nov 6^th, 2009 at 7:06pm:

When people tell me I should give up this or that, like sugar or chocolate, I tell them I quit a 2 pack/day habit cold turkey and that's enough self-sacrifice for one lifetime.  ::)

*Cheer*  I agree!   ;D  Give up chocolate!?  Perish the thought!

My husband gave up smoking a few years ago.  He'd just had his wisdom teeth out and was told by the dentist he couldn't smoke for two weeks.  He wanted patches to get him through and I ever so gently suggested that if he was going to stop for two weeks and go through with using the patches and everything that he might as well not start back up again.  So that's how he quit. 

Kudos to you guys for being able to do it cold turkey!

Hah! You best not be taking my chocolate away from me! I've never personally smoked, but my sister and best friend did. Best friend tried quitting several times, and had to have doctor prescribed drugs in the end to fully quit. She's much happier now.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday, even if you had to postpone your party! Hope your husband is feeling better, too.

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When people tell me I should give up this or that, like sugar or chocolate, I tell them I quit a 2 pack/day habit cold turkey and that's enough self-sacrifice for one lifetime. ::)

You go girl. And happy b-day!

Thank you all for the birthday wishes.  You are really sweet.

My husband took me to Allgauer's at the Hilton for dinner.  With a coupon, of course, as it is a pricey restaurant.  We split a crab cake appetizer, which was within a hair of being as good as what you can get on the east coast.  I had a fabulous salad with bleu cheese dressing, a 10-oz medium rare filet with herbed mashed potoatoes, and creme brulee for dessert.  And I splurged and ordered a vodka collins.  The effect of that was interesting as I had taken my allergy meds about 2 hrs. before dinner.  Came home, went to bed at 9:30 and slept until noon today.

It has been a beautiful weekend.  Sun every day and temps in the high 60s and 72 today!  We have the windows open for fresh air. Apparently we had November's weather in October and are now getting October's weather in November.  Actually it was sunny pretty much all of last week.

Had a handyman working in the house last week.  He re-plumbed the toilet in the downstairs bath. The valve was corroded shut and it wouldn't flush.  He re-installed the rod in the entry closet and hung the folding door that fell down, regrouted the tile floor in the entry, and replaced the molding at the top of the stairs that my husband dragged off getting the tree downstairs last Christmas.  He re-caulked around the tub in the main floor bath and got the light over the kitchen sink working again.  It is nice to have all those things fixed, but I am used to a having lot of time to myself.  Having someone strange in the house, especially early in the am makes me cranky.

Will oil my hair tonite and shampoo tomorrow with the Burt's Bees.  It behaves better with Burts, I think.  After using the Garnier Fructis, it is both flyaway and limp.  So down the drain it goes.  I would offer it to my husband, but since it is for curly hair, he won't touch it.

Your birthday dinner sounds scrumptious!!!

Mu husband doesn't care what shampoo or conditioner he uses, just as long as he has some.

That sounded like a lovely birthday dinner! Just reading what you ate made me hungry.  :D

And I completely agree about having strangers going bump in the morning. I hate it when strangers are futzing around in my house and I can't see what they are doing. I'd probably sit there and watch him the entire time.  ;D

Do you have a guest bathroom? That's where I usually put the unwanted shampoo and conditioner.  ;)

I didn't think of putting it in the guest bathroom.  I have a basket of toiletries in the guest bedroom--sample shampoos and conditioners, tooth brushes, toothpaste, hand cream, moisturizers, all the things I often forget when I travel.  :)

I am afraid to get on the scale, as I think I have gained back at least 5 of the 20 lbs. I lost last spring.

Shampooed and conditioned yesterday with Burt's Bees volumizing formula with vinegar rinse in between and I can't believe how much better my hair looked and felt.

Mon nite we went to a wine tasting with 2 couples we know and afterwards to dinner.  That was very expensive.  I expected it, as one of the wives spends $ like there is no tomorrow.  She is a dear friend but I am sometimes uncomfortable with not being able to return her generosity.

Shampooed this am with my usual: Burt's Bees Volumizing with vinegar rinse.  Actually remembered to oil last nite, which I have been forgetting lately.  Was supposed to get color and trim on Sat but had to cancel and will have to reschedule the reschedule for next Sat. because I will be busy then, too.  I can't go 6 wks between colorings.  I will look like a skunk with a blond streak.  :)

Speaking of hair   ::), since last July the top and sides of my hair have grown about 3"  but there is no increase in overall length.  I will have to ask Kirstin (my hairdresser) if she is trimming the back shorter and letting the back and sides catch up. If she is, that is okay with me, although I don't recall having that conversation.

I looked at the sock bun video and it looks interesting.  I think I will try that, but am not sure how it will work since my hair is very fine.  I am not sure it will cover the sock.  If you have tried it with fine hair, I would appreciate your telling me how it worked.

Spent the weekend working for Pendragon at WindyCon, a science fiction convention.  This year's theme was Steampunk.  Saw some lovely Victorian dresses and met some very nice people.

Weather has turned cold and cloudy and is supposed to rain off and on thru Thursday.

melusine, I haven't tried the sock bun video version yet, but I'm willing to bet that if you have decent length hair, the extra wraps around the sock as per the video instructions will adequately cover the entire sock.
If it doesn't, you could always try lining the sock in a color that matches your hair, or using a colored hair donut.

Hi, KNS, I think you are right.  I'm sure my husband has an orphan black dress sock that I can use.

My husband is in the hospital.  Woke me up a 3am because he was so dizzy he couldn't stand up.  Took him to the nearest hospital and spent 6 hrs. there because our doctor had left the practice and we didn't know who the new doctor was, so had to wait until the office opened at 8:30 to find out.  Finally got the doctor, who wanted him admitted, but to a different hospital.  So off he went by ambulance, while I went home to sleep for a few hours.  I was just too tired to drive to the other hospital, then home again.  So far he has had 3 anti-vertigo meds, and none of them are effective.  The only thing that helps is valium which puts him to sleep. I went to the hospital for a couple of hours this evening and he said he will see a neurologist tomorrow.  The diagnosis is benign vertigo.  Which is good, but something has to stop it.  He can't even sit up without the room spinning.

I am going to bed.  Will write more later.

I really feel with you and your husband and I hope that he soon receives the help/treatment needed for this.   

Yeesh. Hope your husband gets better soon. :(

Poor hubby!  I hope they find an appropriate treatment for him.

Please take care of yourself, too!!!

Poor thing!  I hope he starts to feel better soon. 

Oh,poor thing!  I hope your husband gets a fast acting medicine to help him!  Hopefully the hospital will be able to get him back on his feet w/o the spinning very soon.
Hope you're ok and are getting the needed rest and sleep.

Thank you, Curlgirl, Michelle, Sakina, Angel and Drear.  It has been a harrowing three days.  He is home now with 6 different meds and a lot less dizziness.  The diagnosis is viral infection of the inner ear, so Physical Therapy gave him some exercises to relieve the pressure in his ear.  George, a friend of ours, had something similar a couple of years ago and ended up deaf in one ear.  2 of the meds are for high blood pressure, as his initial pressure when he got to the first hospital was 176/120, which is stroke range.

I had expected him home tomorrow, but he threw some kind of fit about a blood sample this am, so the hospital released him.  Of course, this is my busiest day of the week, when I leave at 7am, teach until 4pm, come home for a nap, then go back to teach my nite class, getting home at 10:30pm.  He called me at 8:10am to say he was being released.  I was teaching class, so told him to call George to drive him home, as I couldn't cancel classes again.  Got home at 4:45pm to find that they hadn't bothered to get the prescriptions filled on the way home, so I had to do it, instead of getting the nap I sorely needed.  I was very tired and really angry.  Right now I am flying on sugar and caffeine, so will probably get to bed in a couple of hours.

I am really furious with his boss who came to work very ill with the same virus and a fever and infected several people, including my husband.  If he says one censorious word, he will have me to deal with and neither one of us will be happy.  >:(

We were supposed to go home to my mom's for Thanksgiving and I had told him to tell his boss that I was insisting that he have Friday off.  Now, I don't know what will happen.  I suspect that I am not going to be happy with whatever that turns out to be.

I hope all turns out well.  Fingers crossed!

It's sad how behavior, like showing up sick to work, is seen positively as "dedication" or what-not, when all it does is aid the spread of disease!  >:(
Hope your husband feels better soon, and that you and he get that needed vacation time.

I agree. I think it's irresponsible to go to work when you are sick with a condition that could spread to others. >:(  Hope things turn around for your husband...and you.

I hope he continues to recover.  Don't get me started on work martyrs!  I'm so fed of the ones at hub's work.  They not only infect their colleagues but the families of the colleagues.

Thank you, Drear, La Diosa, KNS and Curlgirl.  He is feeling much better.  The dizziness is pretty much gone except he says the world pulls to the right or left, much like a car that is out of alignment.  He figured out the blood pressure meds were what was making him woozy, so will take them at nite instead of in the morning.  He is planning on going to work tomorrow.  I don't think he needs to work the whole day, with 2 hrs. of driving.  I don't think he is well enough for that.

At this time, we are planning on going to Springfield for Thanksgiving.  I told him I wanted to be on the road no later than 6pm.  His boss will be in tomorrow and is planning on working Friday.  If my husband isn't home by 6 or tells me that he is going to work on Friday, I am leaving without him.  I am thoroughly ticked off with whole situation.

Have been wearing my hair up with the scrunchy, circle of fake curls and hairstick and gotten many compliments on it.  It is really secure, comfortable, and easy on my hair.  So, I guess that is my hairstyle of choice for the next few months, until I get tired of it or my hair grows, whichever comes first.  I have given up measuring.  The top and sides are growing, but there is no growth in overall length.  That is something else I am not happy about.

It has rained all day and it is 40 degrees.  I loathe this kind of weather with every fiber of my being.

Okay, enough kvetching.  I wish you all Happy Thanksgiving.

I am writing from my mom's home on her laptop.  The flat keyboard is strange to me, so this may be a short entry.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  My husband did get home when he promised and we left about 6:30.  He was too tired to drive, so I did, which was no problem as I like to drive at nite.  We got to my mom's about 10:30.

My sister cooked the turkey at her house in her big roaster, made the candied sweet potatoes and noodles, and brought the cranberry jelly.  Mom and A. Norma and I did the mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, rolls and gravy.  My brother-in-law's son and his girlfriend brought the desserts--pumpkin pie and fresh strawberries split and filled with a cream cheese/sugar and pecan filling that was scrumptious.  I looked at all the food and said we should have invited 8 more people, as we certainly had enough to feed all of them.

Today mom and A. Norma and I went to my stepsister's in Decatur for another Thanksgiving dinner.  Got to see all my step-siblings and two of their children.  It was very nice.  I only see them a couple of times a year.  My step-sister and her husband bought a new house, which they are remodeling, on Lake Decatur, so we went to see the new house.  I can't believe that Kitty had all of us over for dinner and she is moving in less than a month, most of her household is in boxes, and she is supervising the remodeling of the new house, all while working full-time.  She is braver than I am.

The weather has been nice and mostly sunny, if somewhat cold.  We drove down in rain but drove out of it about 30 min. from Spfld.

Tomorrow we will go to see the Christmas Tree Show at the Ill. State Fairgrounds.  It will be fun to see what the designers have come up with this year.  Last year it was exploding trees, with all kind of plumes and tinsel and whatnot spraying out of the tops of the trees.  The year before it was upside down trees.  So maybe sideways trees this year??? :-?

My husband is feeling much better, altho' he still has a little wooziness in the morning, mostly.  My sister has tried several blood pressure meds (she can't take any of them as she is violently allergic to the base compound) and says his wooziness may be caused by the med.  So I told him he should call his Dr. Mon. and ask about changing the med.  I would do it for him, if I could, but I am pretty sure his Dr. won't talk to me.

Hmm, this keyboard is really easy to use.  A laptop may be in my future.

Anyway, I hope everyone has had a nice holiday and if you shopped today, I hope you got everything you wanted at a really great sale price. :)

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which was no problem as I like to drive at nite.

Me too! Love it, love it, love it. :D The later, the better.


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It will be fun to see what the designers have come up with this year.  Last year it was exploding trees, with all kind of plumes and tinsel and whatnot spraying out of the tops of the trees.  The year before it was upside down trees.  So maybe sideways trees this year??? :-?

Exploding trees?? :o ;D Sister, the only way to compete with that is...um...combustible trees! Whooosh! http://www.smilieshq.com/smilies/jumping0039.gif http://www.smilieshq.com/smilies/jumping0040.gif http://www.smilieshq.com/smilies/jumping0039.gif http://www.smilieshq.com/smilies/jumping0040.gif
Maybe not, but have fun at the fair anyway. Good to hear from you, Mel. ;)

I'm glad your husband is feeling better.  Have fun at the tree show!

Angel, the trees didn't actually explode, they just looked like an explosion frozen in mid-burst, with plumes and greenery and all kinds of decorative stuff sticking artfully out of the top of the tree.  The show was somewhat subdued this year in comparison with last year.  The newest idea was trees decorated in black and gold with white lights.  Very striking! 

We left at 2pm and drove back.  I drove 2/3 of the way, then we stopped at That Fifties Place, a fifties themed diner and truck stop for an early dinner.  The food is very good and not expensive.  My hubby drove the rest of the way.

He is still having some light-headedness from time to time, but the vertigo and nausea seems to be gone.  He has been very fortunate.  I have heard of people who have had vertigo for weeks and months that is not responsive to medication.

All in all, it was a nice weekend.  And I didn't put on too much weight as I can still get my rings off easily.   ::)

My mom and my aunt were very complimentary about my new hairstyle.

Have to find something to wear for the chorale concert in 2 wks.  The "uniform" is all black, long sleeves and long skirts or pants, no glitter.  I have 3 or 4 yds of black lace that I made up in a circle skirt when I was belly dancing that I think I can remake into a lined skirt.  All I have to do is get the lining and possibly some lace to edge it if it comes up too short.  Tea length will be okay, I am sure.  Then all I have to do is find a top to wear with it.  I have seen some very pretty blouses and lace-trimmed tees that would look nice with a lace skirt.  So sewing and shopping will be the order of business for the next few days.

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The newest idea was trees decorated in black and gold with white lights.  Very striking!

Sounds beautiful!

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Angel, the trees didn't actually explode, they just looked like an explosion frozen in mid-burst, with plumes and greenery and all kinds of decorative stuff sticking artfully out of the top of the tree.

Another casualty of my (somewhat warped) sense of humour. ::)


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The newest idea was trees decorated in black and gold with white lights.  Very striking!

Sounds like they're trying to breathe new life into the old "Christmas in the city" thing. Usually it's black, silver & white. With lots of bling. ;)

I didn't realize how long it has been since I have written.

My husband is much better, only occasional occurences of lightheadness if he turns too fast, especially if he is tired.

This is the last week of classes and finals are next week, then I have 3 wks. off.  Halleluia!!!  It has been a hard semester, with everything that has occurred.  Not to mention that we have had over $6,000 in unexpected expenses since Sept.  I certainly hope next year is better.  The latest is the insurance co. denying a claim we were told by the dentist would be paid.

My hair is growing again!  I thought it seemed longer so measured and have gained 1/2" in overall length.  Have been wearing it up for the last 2 wks., which protects the ends and it has gotten cold, so I think it's a combination of the 2 events.  I was really worried that I had reached terminal length at 2".  And disappointed.

Hope all is well with everyone and I have missed you all.

I'm glad it sounds like your husband continues to feel increasingly better.  I hope it continues in that direction.  I hate it when I have to borrow hub's laptop on weekends. 

I just reread my last post and should have said terminal length at 23".  Jeez.

Hee hee, I was wondering what the real number was.  I hope your terminal length is way past 23".

Thank you, Sakina.  I hope so, too.

It has been a very busy weekend.  Fri nite we went to the Madrigal Concert, which was quite good.  Sat pm went to the International Gem and Jewelry Show where my hubby bought me a pair of large (8mm) light mint green flourite studs to go with the pendant I already had.  The studs are quite a bit lighter than the pendant, so I may trade them in on a larger, darker pair at the spring show.  Sat nite we drove downtown (Chicago) to a friend's 22nd floor condo overlooking Lake Michigan to meet them for dinner to celebrate his b'day.  Went to Father and Son Pizza which was terrfic.  Sun pm was my Chorale concert which went beautifully.  We did the 1st 1/2 of Messiah with accompanying strings, horns and tympani.  It was stupendous!  My husband said the tickets at $5 were a bargain.

So, on the way home, I stopped at a gas station to fill up the car, and was waiting my turn at the pump, when the car on the other side of the pump backed up and turned to leave, and backed right into the side of my car!!  And left!!!  :o  I called the police and reported a hit and run and gave them his license #.  The cop said they had had at least 20 hit-and-runs on Sat and Sun.  I am waiting to hear if they found the car.  I still can't believe it.  :-?  The cop said that my insurance would cover the repair, but that will make my rate go up.  I want the s---head who hit me  to pay for it.

Have discovered that diluting the Burts Bees conditioner leaves my hair fuller and curlier.  It is really thick and I couldn't squeeze the last of it out of the bottle, so filled it 1/2 full with water and shook it up so I wouldn't waste any of it.  Used the diluted conditioner and was really pleased with how my hair looked.  So, what a nice money-saver to discover.  It won't, however, cover the cost of repairing the car.

melusine wrote on Dec 14^th, 2009 at 6:52pm:

So, on the way home, I stopped at a gas station to fill up the car, and was waiting my turn at the pump, when the car on the other side of the pump backed up and turned to leave, and backed right into the side of my car!!  And left!!!  :o  I called the police and reported a hit and run and gave them his license #.  The cop said they had had at least 20 hit-and-runs on Sat and Sun.  I am waiting to hear if they found the car.  I still can't believe it.  :-?  The cop said that my insurance would cover the repair, but that will make my rate go up.  I want the s---head who hit me  to pay for it.

Ooh, doesn't that just make you steam?  Sorry to hear about that jerk!  At least you got his license plate.  Surely the cops can track him down?  What a way to end a nice weekend.

Arg, wtf?! So sorry about your car, Mel. Nail that guy's arse to the wall! >:(

So sorry about your car experience.  Unfortunately, sometimes people suck.  Hopefully, the police will find the person and they will pay for the damage.


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So, what a nice money-saver to discover.  It won't, however, cover the cost of repairing the car.

No, it won't cover the repair costs, but at least it's a positive discovery.

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Sat pm went to the International Gem and Jewelry Show

 

Serious envy!


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So, on the way home, I stopped at a gas station to fill up the car, and was waiting my turn at the pump, when the car on the other side of the pump backed up and turned to leave, and backed right into the side of my car!!  And left!!!

The cheek of some people!  I'm speechless!!! 

Hmm.
I think it depends on the type of insurance you have, but many insurance companies will cover all damages done to your car that was "parked". So, parking lots, your drive way, etc. So long as your car was off or not moving, you're usually entitled.

My sister got hit in a parking lot and was freaking out about it, but when she contacted her insurance, it turns out that it was completely covered and it didn't raise her rate, since she was not at fault.

Hope the police find the guy, though!

Thank you, KNS, Angel, Michelle, Drear and La Diosa.  I was really steamed, but when I got home today there was a phone message from Allstate Ins.  I called them back, and they will accept full responsibility and pay for the repairs and a rental car!  :)  I guess the police must have caught the person who ran into me, or they wouldn't know who to call.  Sometimes life is fair, isn't it?  That's the first good news I have had in while.

Yea,life can be fair sometimes. :)

melusine wrote on Dec 15^th, 2009 at 9:46pm:

That's the first good news I have had in while.

Awesome!

Finally some good news!

Okay, the guy who hit me is from S. Carolina.  I got a completed copy of the accident report from the police on Thurs.  My car goes in to be repaired on Mon.  I have had a rental car since Wed.  Apparently the ins. co. thought the door was going to fall off my car.  So the guy from Enterprise picked me up Wed am in a Ford Focus and said that was the car they had for me.  I told him in no uncertain terms that I wasn't driving that piece of s---!  I ended up taking it for the day while he looked for a better car for me.  I called the ins. co. and told them that I couldn't drive it because I had lower back problems (which I do) and couldn't get the seat comfortable.  So they said they would upgrade me to a full-size car.  I returned it at 5pm the same day and had the choice of a Pontiac Vibe or a Mitsubishi Galant.  I took the Vibe but told them to keep looking and get me an Impala, which is what I own.  The Vibe was give-me-a-ticket red and cute and had all the bells and whistles, including OnStar, but felt tinny and had a rough ride.  So Thurs I called about 4pm and was told they had a silver Impala.  I told them I would be there in 10 min. to pick it up.  I am now driving a 2009 silver Impala LT.  It is very nice, 5 yrs newer than mine and one step up.  I want to keep it.  :)

I think the man who backed into me has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident, so he will have come back for a trial, and I may have to testify.

Got my hair colored and trimmed today.  When I measured yesterday it was 23.5.  It is growing again.  What a relief.

Well,it's finally about time the "authorities" and the supposed "Powers That Be" are making people accountable for their actions!!!  I am still  amazed at people's gall or whatever you want to call it, when they leave the scene of an accident or shruck their responsibilities.  They either think that's ok or acceptable. >:( 
If there is a trial, the judge should throw the book at him!  I'm really sick and tired of people thinking it's ok to either walk away or throw up their hands and say,"it wasn't me".
Ok,off my soapbox now.....  Glad you have some growth! ;)  Maybe it was a rest period. :-/

Nice to hear from you, Curlgirl.  And I agree with your soapbox stand.  I wouldn't dream of leaving without a word after being involved in an accident.  I just know I would end up in jail over it.  ::)

Has been a very busy day--did 4 loads of laundry and made 10.5 dozen pizzelle.  They are for Christmas presents for my in-laws.  They found out several years ago that I could make them, so that is what they all want for Christmas.  Will box and mail them tomorrow.  I know that they may not get there on time, but I am more than a little perturbed with them all and don't really care.  Have received only 1 card from that side of the family and my oldest SIL told my husband last Fri that they were donating to a charity in our name for our present this year.  :-? That isn't the sort of decision that you make unilaterally.  And springing it on us the week before Christmas is totally thoughtless.  I also think it is chintzy.  My husband thinks I am being selfish and immature.  I really don't give a damn what he thinks.  Christmas has always been my favorite holiday and I like giving and getting presents.  I suspect that she is still too upset by her mother's death to do the whole holiday thing, but she should have told us that.

None of the decorations are up, including the tree.  He brought everything upstairs Sun.  I will try to do some of it tomorrow and Wed.  We leave Thurs. to go to my mom's.  I suspect that the bulk of the decorating will happen after we get back.  :)  I always leave it up until the end of Feb. anyway.

LOL, I dontated to the ASPCA in my cats names...but they're cats.  I don't know if I'd like it if someone did that to me on Christmas.  I guess it depends on the charity. :-/

Anyway, I'm glad that the guy who hit your car will be held accountable and that you have the Impala that you want to drive around in. :)

We got back from my mom's Sun nite to be greeted by my Siamese cat in a really weird state.  I stayed up all nite Sun with her as I thought we were going to lose her.  She is getting better, drinking and peeing, and no longer acting as if she has gone blind or walking in circles, but is not eating, so will go to the vet tomorrow.  We think she chewed on the artificial Christmas tree.

Christmas at my mom's was good.  Everyone liked their presents and I liked mine.  Gave my husband first day covers and stamp sheets, which he was really pleased with.  Gave my mom a three-strand necklace of brown, tan and ivory beads with matching earrings, which I made.  (I design and make jewelry, among other things.)  My sis and I traded gift cards from JoAnn Fabrics, as usual.  Gave my BIL a gift card from Denny's as I know they eat out frequently.  Gave my nieces and their husbands checks and real pearl bracelets with 14K clasps for the girls.  My mom gave me, among other things, a beautiful blue v-neck cashmere sweater and a kabuki style jacket in burnout velvet and chiffon in shades of wine and green.  Will look smashing with a black turtleneck and jeans cuffed over boots.  8-)  She gave my husband a $100 gift card and $25 certificate from Lettuce Entertain You.  She gave me a check and I picked up the card here as there are no LEY restaurants in Spfld.  Dinner was great and we ate like pigs.  The only bad thing was discovering at noon that her sump pump had quit and there was water in the basement.  We moved the fragile things to the other side of the basement, swept out as much water as we could.  My stepbrother and his son came over the next day and installed a new pump.

We rec'd an Olive Garden gift card from my other SIL and that is the only gift from his side of the family, other than the charitable donation in our name from his other sister.  My husband finally told me that it was her suggestiond and he agreed to it.  As for the nieces and nephews--nada, not a phone call, not even a card.  I am disappointed and angry.  >:(  After I baked 11 doz. pizzelles, which they have assured me for the last few years they wanted, and packed them up after making a trip to the PO to get those prepaid boxes, then a trip to the drug store to get tape, then back to the PO to mail them.  There will be no presents from me next year and if he goes there, he goes by himself.

I will say that after going to my mom's I finally have the holiday spirit and will decorate the tree and do everything I didn't done before Christmas this week, starting after getting back from the vet's.  I usually leave the decorations up until the end of Feb, so I might as well go ahead and to it.  Living in the north, Jan and Feb are the darkest, coldest, dreariest days of the year and I like the gorgeous Christmas decorations.  I always used to take them down New Year's Day because my mom always did, and hated it.  About 5 yrs ago I decided not to do that and left the decorations up until I got tired of them, which was well after Valentine's Day.  So now we have mid-Feb dinner party with the Christmas decorations up and serve Thanksgiving dinner because my husband's employer gives everyone a 12-15 lb. turkey for Christmas and we are never home then.  Our friends look forward to this party and invitations are prized.

Hope everyone had a Merry Chirstmas and I wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!!

We went to a local golf clubhouse party.  Dinner was superb, people were nice and it was fun.  Went with friends of ours and shared a table with another couple.  Danced a few dances, but the dance floor was very small, so we danced in the hall, and were applauded by the people in the bar!  :) I guess those dance lessons paid off.  I wore a long black lace over gray satin mermaid-style skirt, black jersey dolman-sleeved top gathered to a wide hipband, black stockings and pumps.  Put my hair up with my biggest, curliest Tony Pony and wore ropes of black pearls.  Did my make-up just a little more dramatic than normal, with a slightly smoky eye.  I thought I looked pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.  ;)

My Siamese is much better and has put back on most of the weight she lost.  She may weigh as much as 2.75 lbs.  :)  She's always been a small cat, and they do get skinnier as they get older (she's 15 yo, I think).  At her heaviest she was only 5 lbs.  I think she had a small stroke.  When we came home on Sun nite, she was walking in circles, and would get stuck facing into a corner and couldn't get out.  I was up all nite with her and really thought we were going to lose her.  Spent most of Mon and Tues with her on my lap. I called the vet on Tues to make an appt. for Wed, but she started eating again Tues nite, so I called early Wed am and cancelled the appt.  We are watching her, but she seems stable for now.  About 2 wks ago, she suddenly became a lap cat, which she has never been.  Unless she was on our bed, you couldn't touch her, and picking her up was totally out of the question.  The vet told us last summer that she had high blood pressure, and gave us some really tiny pills, which we were supposed to cut in 4 pieces  :-? and give to her.  She struggled so hard, I had visions of her having a heart attack and dying in my hands, so that didn't happen.

Anyway, I hope 2010 is a better year for everybody.  Goddess knows that from Sept on, my life has been dramatic, to say the least.  2010 has to be better.

I'm glad your kitty is better.  Her behavior sounds scary-poor kitty!!

Sounds like you were the belle of the ball!  How fun.

I agree, 2010 must be better than 2009.  Ugh, what a year!!!

Sounds like you had a great time at your party!  How very nice! :)

Glad to know that your cat is getting better.  2.75lbs for an adult cat, wow!  I just weighed my cat today and she's 13.4lbs and my other is 9lbs and I think that she looks tiny.

Does your cat look like a kitten?  I'd love to have a cat that was perpetually the size of a kitten as I love kittens so much.  They're too cute, but grow up too fast. :-[

Hi, everyone, sorry to be away so long.  I was on the computer 3 days ago and started seeing flashing lights in the upper right quadrant of my field of vision, so have left it alone until today.  My mom has migraines, and I know that vision disturbances like I had are symoptomatic for migraine.  I did have a small headache coming on after that, so took aspirin.

My siamese is just really skinny, la diosa, she doesn't look like a kitten.  I think she looks a feline version of the dwarfs whose physiques are in perfect proportion.  I can't think of the name for that condition.

Anyway, thank you both, sakina and diosa, for your concern.

The Christmas tree is finally up and fully decorated.  It looks really good.  I have a revolving tree stand, thanks to my sister, who gave it to me for Christmas 2 yrs. ago.  After my husband being so sick in Dec, I finally have time and energy to finish the holiday decorations.  I always leave them up until well into Feb, so I am enjoying finally getting it done.

I also cleaned out the refrigerator of things that had been in there too long, and cleaned all of my sewing impedimenta off the dining room table.  Tomorrow I will set up my lighted ceramic village and it will be done.  I will enjoy it all for a few weeks, then put it all away until next year.

Oh, yes, I reorganized all the decorations and their storage containers and was able to throw away several boxes.  I meant to do that last year, but that didn't happen because we were out of town for 10 days, visiting my in-laws.

I am enjoying the snow.  It puts me in the holiday spirit.  I have always said, if we have to endure winter, then let's have WINTER, meaning snow and ice and zero temperatures.  I don't like wimpy winters, like we had last year.  I want it cold enough that I don't feel ridiculous wearing fur.  Otherwise, let's just forget it completely and have summer.  :)

Forgot to say that I have the equivalent of new boots!  My mom gave me her Dan Post cowboy boots that my step-father bought for her about 12 yrs. ago. They had 3" heels and she could never wear them for long, so they are pratically brand new.  I had to have them stretched because I have really high arches and couldn't get them on, and just before Christmas, I had heels made shorter by 3/8 of an inch.  Wow!!  You wouldn't believe what a difference that fraction of an inch makes.  They are really comfortable and look very good.  I really like them.  Especially since the alterations only cost me $26 and to buy them new would be at least $300.   ;)

Very cool! 8-)

Cowboy boots are very cool. I used to wist after them while living in TX. Not so much now that I'm up north!  :)

My siamese had another episode yesterday.  Her pupils are very dilated and I don't think she can see.  I have an appt with the vet for Fri.

School started this week and I have 3 classes of very nice people.  It looks like it's going to be a good semester.  I put in my syllabus that all work written outside of class had to be typed, and any paper that had more than 10 errors of any kind would get a zero.  Last semester students were turning in stuff that wasn't even spell-checked.

Choral practice started tonite.  We are doing opera selections from Carmen and Candide, among other selections.  The director played some of the CD that was recorded of our concert, and I was impressed.  We sounded really good.  :)

I hope your kitty is going to be alright!

I'm praying for you and your kitty!!!  I hope she'll be OK.

How fun your choir selections sound!  I got to sing in the chorus of Carmen with the Grand Rapids Opera a long time ago.  Carmen is one of my favorites.  I'm not so familiar with Candide.  Lucky duck!!

Catching up
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Anyway, I hope 2010 is a better year for everybody.  Goddess knows that from Sept on, my life has been dramatic, to say the least.  2010 has to be better.

I hope so too!  I've felt that way since August 08'.  Not to outdo you.  I genuinely hope 2010 will be better for everyone.

We are back from the vet.  Cleo stayed overnite.  She has detached retinas in both eyes, and the beginning of kidney failure.  We have to infuse 2 ml of ringer's lactate under her skin every day and give her a pill to counter a high phosporus level.  Based on what I have seen with other friends' cats, this should give her 6-18 months free of pain.

You and Cleo have been on my mind yesterday and today!  Wow, I'm surprised at the diagnosis.  I hope she's comfortable.  Does she have some vision left at this time?

I'm sorry she's so ill.  (((Hugs))) to you, Melusine!

Sorry about your kitty! 

Ugh, my sympathies for the diagnosis. I've had to care for a cat with kidney failure before and it's no picnic. :P

I'm sorry your kitty is not feeling well!  :'(

Aw,poor puss! :(  I was hoping things would be ok!  My thoughts and prayers are with you and her.

Last nite Cleo got tangled up in some electrical cords and strangled herself trying to get out.  My husband got her out, but she broke her neck struggling, we think.  She was moving her legs, but couldn't get up or vocalize.  He is on his way to the vet's office with her now, and I am very sure that this can't be fixed.  I couldn't go; it's too soon after losing Kelly.

I can't stop crying.

OMG! :o I'm praying for her!

Oh, Melusine, I'm so sorry.  How awful.  It makes me cry to know how sad you are.  I pray that she's pain free.  (((hugs)))

Wow, I'm so sorry about this.

Thank you for your concern, Sakina, Diosa and Curlgirl.  The vet said that she had hyperextended her neck and head trying get out of the tangle of cords and caused a brainstem injury.  She wasn't in pain, he said, altho'her larynx was broken.

I am pretty much over the tears now.  Last I just couldn't stop crying most of the nite, and again this morning.

The house seems so silent and empty with Kelly and Cleo gone.  The remaining cat  (Taylor) hides all the time.  I miss my affectinate kitties.

Aww, Mel. I'm sorry hon. :(

Oh gosh. I'm so so sorry. My thoughts are with you and poor Cleo.   :'(

How awful.  I'm sorry.

How awful!  I am so sorry for your loss. :'(  I hope you heal quickly.  I know it's painful.  I too, would be crying and upset.

I am so sorry Mel  :( :'(

Sorry to hear about your kitties Mel.  I would be devastated too, if anything happened to mine. 

You are all such wonderful people.  Thank you, Angel, Kitten, Drear, Curlgirl, Isabelle and Michelle.  It was a hideous weekend, and filled with tears, but I am recovering.  I am trying to concentrate on remembering how she looked cuddling in my arms and purring, rather than how she looked at the end.  I have commended her little spirit to the loving care of the goddess.  Taylor, my remaining cat, has been coming out of hiding more and actually letting me pet him, so he may turn out to be friendlier than he has been.  I am pretty sure that in a month or so, I will start looking for another younger cat, a very affectionate one that likes to cuddle.

Being back to school and with my students has been a help and tonite was chorale practice, which gave me something else to think about.  The director played a couple of tracks of the cd of the Christmas concert we did and I was really impressed with how well we sounded.  I also had to finish up a sewing commission, which gave me something else to think about.

I am thinking about starting a silver charm bracelet with the names of all my pets engraved on round silver charms.  So far that would be Corky, Blackie, Ayesha (the dogs, 2 cocker spaniels and a German shepherd), and Frisbee, Kelly, Cleopatra and Taylor, the cats. 

Awww I love the idea of the bracelet :)   Mine would include the cats: Puss, Bo, Choo choo and Patches, Dogs: Schatze (bird dog) and Baron (German Sheppard), Bunnicula my bunny and Jim my Horse (Percherone/Draft), Plus my 100+ Budgies! I have been wanting to make a photo montage over the years, maybe one day. :)

I think the bracelet is a wonderful idea!

Ditto on the bracelet!

Didn't realize that I had been off-line so long.  Have been really busy with the start of the new semester and chorale rehearsals.  Not to mention having the stomach flu last week.   :(  Haven't been that sick since I had food poisoning several years ago and had a relapse yesterday, but think I am over it now.  Was out of town last weekend at Indianapolis for a Mensa Regional Gathering.  Was good to see old friends and learned to play double-deck cancellation Hearts.  Went to Bead Palace in Greenwood, a suburb of Indy and bought 3 strings of pearls, Swarovski crystals in crimson, sapphire, emerald, lavendar and rose pink, and two kinds of Bali silver beads.

Finally got all the Christmas decorations up after the New Year and they will stay up most of this month.  :)  Our Thanksgiving dinner/Christmas/Valentine's Day party will be the 13th.  It has become a tradition among our friends.  My husband gets a frozen turkey from his employer every year; they give one to every employee.  I think it's a nice tiouch.  We are never home for Thanskgiving or Christmas, and it's too much just for the 2 of us, so we invite friends to share the feast.  The first year, Cherie said it's the first time she had had Thanksgiving dinner without a family squabble.  (My exes were like that, a holiday dinner could never pass without a major blowup.)

That's all for now.  Will write more later.

I hope you're over your stomach flu.  I gave up on family holiday dinners because of the drama.  Suffered it this year but it wasn't too bad. 

The Thanksgiving/Christmas/Valentine's Day dinner sounds like a marvelous idea.   :) 

I hope you're over your stomach flu!

I agree that Christmas/NewYears/Valentines feast sounds lovely. I hear that that weekend is also the Chinese New Year, so maybe you could toss in a few dumplings to celebrate that, too!  :)

Thank you, Drear, Trisha and KNS, yes, I am finally over the flu, my appetite is back to normal and I can even eat peppers again!  Yay!  Although, I do have start dieting.  I drank hot tea with honey and sugar while I was sick, so didn't lose any weight.

Went to a Superbowl party today.  Just 5 of us getting together to watch the game.  The guys and I were the only ones really interested in the game; the other 2 women just wanted to see the commercials.  It was a good game today.  The teams were pretty evenly matched and the play was interesting.  I did get the giggles watching Manning vivibly sulking on the bench after the Saints intercepted a pass.  I guess men never get over sulking.  As for the commercials, they weren't as good as what I have seen in the past, but I remember reading earlier this year that several companies pulled their ads because of the economy.

I have stopped oiling my hair.  Even jojoba seems too heavy for my fine hair.  My hair also seems to have stopped growing again, but that could be because I was sick.

I have changed my password because I think my husband has been reading my posts.  I don't think I want him reading what I write here.  I want it to be just between us girls.

One of the women at the party today is our real estate agent, as well as a friend.  I was talking to her about the possibility of moving, but she says at least a year, more probably 2 until the market settles.  We had planned on remodeling the kitchen, but that didn't happen.  Janet said just to reface the cabinets and replace the countertop; we would also have to replace the sink (previous owners used the cheapest stainless steel available) the faucet which is beginning to leak, and the vent hood which is original to the house and at least 30 yrs. old, I am sure.  All of that culd done for about $2500, but I am not happy about spending any money at all on the kitchen unless I can address the major problems like the blind cabinet, the sink not centered under the window and the skimpy excuse for a pantry. I am sure that is equivalent to cutting off my nose to spite my face, but if I can't have what I want, I don't want to spend a damn penny on it.  :)

Had a day off today.  The college had a "teacher's day" for employees and faculty, but since I am adjunct, I didn't go.  I don't get paid for going, so I don't.

Am back to making jewelry again.  It is good to play with beads and design.  Re-designed some pieces I had previously done, which is always fun.  We went to Bead Palace in Greenwood while we were in Indiana and looking at all their stock always gets me inspired.

Shampooed, VR'd and conditioned my hair today and it is looking pretty good.  Have been wondering if using the VR every time I shampoo is too much.  I think I will leave it out the next couple of times I shampoo and see what happens.  I only shampoo every 3 or 4 days, depending on the season and whether I have been wearing it loose or up.  Have been wearing it up most of the time as it seems to grow better.  I figure that's because I mess with it less.  When  I put it up in the am, it stays up until I  take it down just before I go to bed.  Am still using the Burt's Bees volumising line and like it very much.  It has the shortest list of ingredients I've seen, so figure that's a good thing.

Was supposed to get color and trim next Sat., but my hairdresser had her gall bladder removed and had to stay off her feet for 2 wks.  Since I color it darker, the grow-out isn't too obvious, but I will be looking forward being dark brunette again by a week from now.  :)

Wow! It has been a long time since I've been here.  Have been very busy with school and chorale and voice lessons and feeling somewhat stressed with the overlong winter.  We didn't get our usual Jan. thaw and have had quite a lot of snow, altho' no below zero temps, which I should be thankful for.  However........

Have discovered heat treatments with conditioner.  My regular hairdresser was out with GB surgery so the other one did my color and she suggested I try it.  What it does for my hair is wonderful!  After shampooing, I apply a deep conditioner, cover it with a plastic cap, and wrap my head in a warm damp towel (heat a wet bath towel in the microwave for 2 min) for 20-30 minutes, then rinse.  My hair is fuller, bouncier, curlier and wavier.  Have been doing it once a week, usually on Sat. am.  That's right up there with vinegar rinses.

I am still at 24" so I guess this is terminal length for me, which shouldn't be a surprise since my hair is very fine.  It is somewhat disappointing.

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I am still at 24" so I guess this is terminal length for me, which shouldn't be a surprise since my hair is very fine.  It is somewhat disappointing

Could be a plateau.  Glad you found something else that's good for your hair.

If it is a plateau, it's been 9 months.  Oh, well.

I tried to post yesterday, but kept getting knocked off-line.  Has nothing to do with Longlocks; it was my computer and service.

Good news about my hair:  it is growing again!!  I measured a couple of days ago and have gained .5" in overall length.  I hadn't gained any length since last July.  The top and side layers had been growing, but not the back.  I asked my hair dresser if she was cutting the back shorter, but she said she wasn't, and I was pretty sure before I asked that she wasn't.  I can see what she is cutting off.  I guess it was just a plateau, although a bloody long one.  I have been doing deep conditioning treatments with heat and, since I had the flu 2 mos. ago, cutting down on the diet soda and drinking a lot more water.  I don't think those two things caused my hair to grow, but I am sure they didn't hurt.

I have been very busy, taking voice lessons and learning new songs.  I participated in a performance class 2 wks ago and my teacher said I was much improved and wants me to perform in a recital in 3 wks.  I'm thinking about it.  It would be me, the accompanist and the grand piano alone on the stage.  I find that a little imitmidating.

Have also been crocheting a lot, making snoods for sale at Bristol Renn Faire.  I've been selling snoods at Faire for 2 yrs.  Last year wasn't very good, but sales were down at all retailers.  Hope this year is better.

I will try to post more regularly.  Part of the reason I wasn't posting was that I was so disappointed with my lack of growth and it didn't feel good to read about everyone else's lengthening locks.

Have decided not to do the recital.  It is on a Wed. morning, and after teaching a nite class on Mon, and being on campus from 7:30am to 10PM on Tues, I am just too tired.  Not to mention that Tues evening is Chorale rehearsal and my voice is tired on Wed, too.  Perhaps, I will do one in the fall semester.

Did a cholestrol heat treatment today and am not sure about the results.  It left my hair prone to tangles and full of static, although it also gave it a lot of body.  Perhaps I didn't rinse it well enough, but I stood in the shower and rinsed for 5 minutes.  I've got enough left to try it one more time.  I'll be sure to really rinse it and see what happens.

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Have decided not to do the recital.  It is on a Wed. morning, and after teaching a nite class on Mon, and being on campus from 7:30am to 10PM on Tues, I am just too tired.  Not to mention that Tues evening is Chorale rehearsal and my voice is tired on Wed, too.  Perhaps, I will do one in the fall semester.

Good you're listening to yourself.  I admirer that you're able to do all the things you do though. 

Thank you, Drear.

Couldn't stand the tangles and static, so shampooed and conditioned this am with vinegar rinse.  The static and tangles are pretty much gone, but my hair is almost limp.  I'm due for color on Sat, so that is normal.  So, I guess I'll wear it up with a Tony Pony tomorrow.

After my hair being limp on Tues, on Wed, after rinsing in the shower, it was fine.  Today started with it down, but put in up in a claw clip, after I got to school.  Still having problems with the ends tangling, so tonite I oiled the ends, which I haven't done in weeks.  That really helped the tangles.

Was watching QVC tonite and saw WEN hair products.  Has anyone tried them?  It isn't really a shampoo, more of a conditioning treatment, but you aren't supposed to need shampoo if you use this system.  I am tempted to try it, but at $50, that's quite an investment.  One comment that caught my attention was that protein conditioning treatments feel good at first, but dry your hair in the long term.  That may be the problem with the cholesterol treatment I tried.  I won't do that again any time soon.

I think he has an infomercial where you can get smaller sizes for $30 :-/, not sure on the price,but it's less expensive than QVC.
I was tempted too, but funds are needed to be spent elsewhere right now!

Thanks, Curlgirl, but I think I will take a pass for now.  I am really satisfied with what I am using now, but we all wonder if a different product will give us glorious hair, dont' we.

Got my hair colored and trimmed Sat.  Kirsten said the ends were somewhat dry, but that could be from wearing my hair down most of the time and friction on coats, etc.  I told her I had tried the cholestrol treatment and she said that is one of the worst things for fine, wavy hair.  She asked where I had gotten the idea and I couldn't squeal on Debbie, so I just said I read about it and thought I'd try it.  So I will wait 'til the weekend, then do a deep conditioning treatment and hope that helps.  I had quit oiling my hair because it felt too heavy, but have gone back to oiling just the ends the nite before I shampoo.  At least it makes it easier to comb.

Now that the top has grown out, my hair looks and feels thicker and most of the time I am very happy with it.

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Thanks, Curlgirl, but I think I will take a pass for now.  I am really satisfied with what I am using now, but we all wonder if a different product will give us glorious hair, dont' we

Yes it seems like we're all looking for that golden....or the holy grail of hair care and hair beautifier.

It's all a part of the journey! ;)

Nice to hear from you both, Curlgirl and Drear.

Last nite I was visiting some webpages featuring women with really long hair (JJs longhair-60" and a link on her page to woman with 9' of hair!!) and feeling so envious.  I was thinking what I would give up for waist-length, thick hair.  I would give up sex; I would be willing to live in this house, which I really want to be out of; I would even give up chocolate.  I wouldn't care if it took all day to dry; I just want it.  I am really sick of hearing women with long, thick hair complaining about how long it takes to dry.  Just shut up and count your blessings.

I have been at 24-25 in. since last July and very disappointed that I don't have any more length than that.  I had really hoped that my hair would grow longer than that.

I agree.  I keep having to cut my hair because my right side is shorter than my left.  My hair would be so much longer if that weren't the case.  I'm with you, as long as it's healthy, it can take forever to dry or whatever.  I just want long thick hair.

Don't give up, Melusine!!  You just might be having a long resting period!

Thank you, Curlgirl and Goddysey, I was just feeling sorry for myself.  I am at that time of year when I shed prodigiously, at least it seems that way to me, and have to keep reminding myself not to panic.  Last year I did panic and started slathering it with oil, and conditioning every day, which just made it limp.

My hair is layered, and the top and sides are growing quite nicely, but I am just not gaining any overall length.  Sigh.

I teach communication theory and realize that the women complaining about how long it takes to dry their hair are reverse bragging; i.e., it would be rude and conceited to talk about how beautiful their hair is, so they complain about it, instead.  Either communication scenario accomplishes the same thing: getting people to look at and admire their hair.

melusine wrote on Apr 19^th, 2010 at 6:41pm:

Nice to hear from you both, Curlgirl and Drear. Last nite I was visiting some webpages featuring women with really long hair (JJs longhair-60" and a link on her page to woman with 9' of hair!!) and feeling so envious.  I was thinking what I would give up for waist-length, thick hair.  I would give up sex; I would be willing to live in this house, which I really want to be out of; I would even give up chocolate.  I wouldn't care if it took all day to dry; I just want it.  I am really sick of hearing women with long, thick hair complaining about how long it takes to dry.  Just shut up and count your blessings. I have been at 24-25 in. since last July and very disappointed that I don't have any more length than that.  I had really hoped that my hair would grow longer than that.

I'm with you -- as someone who now has thin hair I also want them to shut up.  And I think you're right about reverse bragging.  I still want them to shut up, though.   ;D

Did a deep conditioning treatment on Fri and am very happy with the results.  My hair is full and wavy, and has body.  Of course, it is starting to get humid, which makes my hair bushy, but I don't care: it looks fuller.  The shedding seems to be diminishing, too.  It seemed to be a shorter period this year.  I hope that portends more growth.  We'll see.

Shampooed this am.  Only the 2nd day after I shampooed last, but my hair was just limp when I got up.  Normally I shampoo every 3rd or 4th day and rinse my hair in the shower in the am.

Our first concert is Sat nite at St. Timothy's Church.  We are doing Carmen, the whole thing, and a few other pieces.  The director had a thing for minor chords when he picked out this music.  We had the first dress rehearsal last nite with the Chamber Singers, the second piano and the clarinets.  It went pretty well, but some of us think we need at least 2 or 3 more rehearsals before taking it out in public.

My voice teacher has offered me a chance to participate in the recital for her private students.  I will probably do it.  I think.  I have until Tues to make up my mind.

Do it!  Do it!  Do it!!

I signed up to do the recital.  Gulp.  However, I did the song in a performance class today and got compliments, so it should go okay.

We did the first concert at a church last Sat and it went wonderfully.  The acoustics there were superb.  The director was very pleased.  The second  concert will be next Sat in the school theater.  The acoustics aren't as good, but I hope it goes well.

I am thinking about taking voice lessons with another teacher during the summer.  I have the name of a woman who one of the choir members is taking lessons with and she is very pleased, so I might do it.

My hair has been behaving well.  The sides and top have grown out enough that my hair seems thicker.  I actually have a pretty full pony tail, when I put it up.  I have been wearing it down most of the time.  When it gets hot here, I will put it up most of the time because I can't stand having it on my neck when it is really hot.

Still using the Burt's Bees and happy with it.  Have been doing deep conditioniny treatments every 2 wks. and have gone back to oiling the ends the nite before I shampoo.  I have been wondering about some kind of leave-in treatment, but my hair is so fine, I am afraid anything I put on it would weigh it down.  At least it is shiny and seems healthy.

Well, the semester is over, thank heaven.  Just finals next week and getting grades submitted.  I talked with the woman who schedules class and won't have a nite class next fall, which should help.  It wasn't bad when I was teaching on Wed nite, because I didn't have to be there until 1pm, and on Thurs I was thru at 4pm altho' I had to be there at 7:30am.  Teaching on Mon nite, followed by a 15-hr. day on Tues, starting at 7:30am, just wore me out.  By Thurs, I was almost a zombie.

The weather has been really nice, cool nites and sunny days.  We actually had spring, which is a rarity in Chicago.  We usually have winter, late winter, late,late winter, cold rain all April, 2 days of Spring sometime in May, then 90 degrees with 90% humidity until Sept.  It has been a pleasure.

I am wondering where everyone is.  Godyssey and Drear seem to be on vacation, I guess.  I keep hoping that my husband will keep a job long enough to earn more than 2 weeks vacation per year.   ::)  I am not counting on it, however.

It is cloudy and chilly today.  We are having April's weather in May.  Typical Chicago.  It's supposed to be rainy all week.  Very depressing.

We did the last concert on Sat nite.  Got a standing ovation, which is the first in my memory, altho' I have only been singing with the chorale for 3 semesters.  I  asked some other members who have been singing longer than I have and they said it was a first for them, too.

Did a deep conditioning treatment on Sun.  Am still shedding, but I refuse to worry about it.  This is normal for me in the spring, and the ups and downs of the temps have something to do with it, I am sure.

Saw an ad for Kronos products, does anybody know anything about them?  They had an offer for a free trial of all the products, just $4.50 shipping and I am tempted to try them.

I am wondering if everyone is mad at me for something.  Haven't heard from anyone in quite a while. 

Kronos...the only thing I could tell you about them is that they're insanely expensive. :o And the conditioners are smaller than the shampoos. What's with that? :-?

It's great to hear that it went so well with the chorale and that your hair's well behaved. :)

Nope, no one's mad at you,Mel!
Glad the chorale went well.
It's very chilly here in NY,too!  Frost in May,wtf????? >:(

Thank you, Curlgirl, Drear and Angel.  I really was feeling a little lost.  I think it's the rotten weather.  We're having rain and 40 or 50 degrees and that is really chilly.  I did a pedicure (Dutch tulip by OPI, the loveliest red), got to wear sandals one day, and have been back in boots ever since.  When it's less than 50 degrees when I am leaving at 7am, I am certainly not wearing sandals.  At least the polish won't chip, so I might get an extra week out of it.

Have been making jewelry again.  I am doing necklaces with offset centerpieces that really look sharp.  One is a single strand going down to a large flat oval agate bead, then 2 strands coming from the bead to the opposite end of the necklace.  The big bead is shades of green with a red/orange vein.  I used green aventurine, peridot and carnelian beads with it and the whole thing really looks sharp.

I am doing a recital on Fri nite.  I will sing A Memory by Rudolph Ganz.  It isn't a long piece, but pretty nice.  I am not particularly enamored of it, but it suits my voice.  So I will be on stage no more than 5 minutes total.  My voice teacher suggested it, and I told it was against my better judgement, but I would do it.  So wish me luck!

Much luck! ;)

I'm very, very proud of you for doing the recital!!!

The recital is over and went very well.  The little girl sitting next to me said I had a pretty voice and I got compliments from a few others, including my voice teacher's husband, a musician himself.  Of course, I don't remember a thing about it.  But it was fun and I will do it again.  I never in all my days pictured myself singing on a stage, just me and the piano, in front of an audience.  I think I am stunned.  I want to do it again!

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I never in all my days pictured myself singing on a stage, just me and the piano, in front of an audience.  I think I am stunned.  I want to do it again!

Heh heh, yep. That's how it goes. Pretty soon you'll be sauntering onstage like it's nothing, knowing and owning the routine. Or not. Whichever. ::) Congrats, Mel.

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But it was fun and I will do it again.  I never in all my days pictured myself singing on a stage, just me and the piano, in front of an audience.  I think I am stunned.  I want to do it again!

*Clap, clap!*  It's great you feel that way.  When someone has an experience like yours that's so positive and confidence boosting I just feel so happy even though we've never met. :)

Thank you, Angel and Drear, for the props.  I really liked your comment, Angel, made me grin.

Speaking of the recital, I woke up that morning with a little bit of a sore throat, but it went away.  Felt okay Sat, not so good Sun, but was going to the International Gem & Jewelry Show, so took some aspirin and felt ok.  (Bought 3 lines of emerald beads for multi-strand necklace; it will be gorgeous!).

Woke up Mon with a sore throat and cold.  The first day of the summer semester.  I teach from 9-12:45am, have Lab from 2-5pm, and teach again from 6:15 to 10pm.  Was exhausted when I got home and felt like hell.  Tues had to cancel Lab in the am, but managed to teach my 1-4:30 class.  Wed taught the 9am class, came home and lay down to take a nap, but woke up an hour later choking on the post-nasal drip.  Managed to teach my nite class, but let them go early because I couldn't stop sneezing.  Called the dr. this am and have an appt for tomorrow as the virus has mutated into a bacterial infection and hasn't yet decided whether to attack my sinuses or bronchal tubes.  My money is on bronchitis.  Taught my 1pm satellite class and stopped at the main campus on the way home to file a grade change.  My throat is really sore and I expect I will have laryngitis by tomorrow.

I am exhausted and going to bed.  More later, when I feel better.

Sorry to hear you're so sick.  I hope you get better soon!

*Ough!*  And at this time of the year...I hope you're on top soon.

Ick. Feel better soon. :(

A good sore throat remedy for singers is gargling warm water with sea salt. You'll also probably want to keep cough drops handy for when you have to teach.

Thank you, Sakina, Angel and Drear, for the (metaphorical) tea and sympathy.  I am feeling somewhat better.  Saw the doc, actually the physician's assistant, today and bronchitis it is.  I am on antibiotics for the next 10 days, and am trying a new cough suppressant.  She said it doesn't work for everyone, but might for me.  I think it does help; I don't seem to be coughing as much or as hard.

Feel better soon! :)

Finally feeling better, altho' still very tired and coughing somewhat.  I can't believe that I taught all my classes last week, comparing how I feel now to how I felt last week.  I was a mess.  I only get these respiratory things about once a year, on average.  Last time was a year ago Jan.  Fortunately I have been going to the same medical practice for about 10 yrs, so it's all in my records and they don't argue with me when I say I have an infection.  The PA said I was very healthy, despite the infection.  I told her I would probably die of a heart attack or stroke sometime in my 80s or 90s if I follow the rest of my family.  My mom is going on 80, looks 15 yrs younger  and is still active and driving, altho she scares me sometimes.  She just replaced her garage door because she backed into it.  Knowing her, she put the car in reverse and tromped on the gas.  When my sister told me what she had done, I almost fell off the chair laughing.  I could just picture the size of dent in the door.  Anyway her oldest sister is 88 and healthy as a horse, so I guess there is hope for me.

I'm glad you're feeling better. I know the value of using a medical practice where they know you well. 

Well, I am still coughing, but it is a dry cough, mostly irritation, I think.  I take the last of the antibiotics tomorrow, and hope I will not feel so tired after that is done.  I was thinking that when I was younger and had one of these really bad respiratory infections, I would feel really awful for a week, then all of a sudden, it was over and I felt fine.  Now it takes a couple of weeks of gradually getting better, if not 3 or 4, until I feel fine.  However, when I was younger I would stay bed for at least five days, now I keep going to work until I absolutely can't get out of bed.  The day this hit me was the first day of classes for the summer semester, and I couldn't not be there.  And it was a 14-hr. day, which didn't help matters.

Got my hair trimmed and colored today.  My hairdresser said to stop using the claw clips as I am getting some breakage in the center back.  Shit.  If it's convenient, it's bad for my hair.  I will either have to shampoo more often, or wear it up and use hairspray.  Damned if I do and damned if I don't.

My hair was 25" before I got it trimmed, now it's back to 24.5.  My spring shed was prodigious.  My husband thinks it was because I was so sick.  My hair still looks as full as normal, but I have tons of new growth coming in, varying from 4" to .5".  It makes ringlets around my hair line, so if I want to put my hair up I have to clip my hair flat to my scalp while it dries, and plaster them with hairspray to get them to lay down.  I mean they stick out like little springs, and since my hair is fine, very skinny springs.  :)  I look like a being from outer space.  It's good that visible hairpins are trendy right now.

I was watching tv late last nite and saw an informercial about Wen products.  It looked interesting.  Has anyone tried them? 

Well, we are back.  We left Wed. afternoon to drive to Annapolis for his mother's interment at Arlington National Cemetery.  His dad's ashes are interred there, so Kay was interred with him.  We drove to Toledo, OH on Wed, and from there to Annapolis on Thurs.  Got in about 6pm and went to his sister's house for dinner and to see everybody.  We actually stay in the guesthouse of the Bay side property belonging to friends of his sister and her husband.  It's really cute, furnished with 19C antiques and has a view of the water.  The ceremony was at 9:30am Fri and was very nice.  Weather was gorgeous, sunny, altho' humid and got to 90 degrees later that day.  Visited with family and we all went to dinner Fri nite.  Got up Sat am and were on the road about 10am, got to Toledo about 8pm.  Left at 11am Sun and got home about 3pm.  I did most of the driving on the way home since my husband picked up the same virus I had 3 wks using the computer provided by the hotel and was sicker than a dog.  He didn't work today, but is feeling better and wil go to work tomorrow.

Right now I am so furious with his boss I could kill him.  Will was supposed to get away early and we had planned to be on the road by 4pm.  His boss dreamed up a project and told Will it had to be done by Fri so he could see on Mon.  The asshole is on vacation this week and won't be back in the office until next Mon.  When Will explained why he needed to leave early, his boss said, "Oh, yeah, you're doing that Arlington thing."  :o

When he told me that, I was instantly furious.  If that man had been in front of me, I would have killed him.  >:(  I didn't realize until yesterday that what infuriated me was not the unfairness and insensitivity of the remark, but the disrespect of Will, his mother, his father and all the heroes and veterans buried at Arlington.  What a complete and total asshole.  I sincerely hope that something horrible happens to him.  If I have anything to do with it, something will, as I sincerely and deliberately cursed him.

The reason we drove is because Will is still not over the viral inner ear infection he had in November and until the dizzy spells are gone, he can't fly.  And his boss is the cause of the inner ear problems as he came to work very sick with flu and infected at least 6 people, my husband being one of them.  The flu led to the inner ear infection.  So while we were in Toledo, he used the hotel computer to check on the project his boss dreamed up and picked up a virus from the keyboard, which is also his boss's fault.  It has been many years since I have hated anyone as much as I hate his boss right now.

I am finally over the bronchitis and coughing and have my singing voice back after 3 wks.  So I guess I will call and schedule voice lessons for the rest of the summer.

Shampooed my hair in Annapolis and it looked beautiful.  The water there is so soft.  I am thinking of putting in a water softener.  I think I will price them later this week.

I'm sorry for the loss of your M-I-L.  Wow-your husband's boss really sucks.  How frustrating!

I'm glad you're feeling well enough to sing again.  I'm starting back up with lessons myself.

I put a filter on my shower head, which helps a ton.  I find that the water softeners that use salt dry my skin out really bad.

Your husband's boss lacks an empathy and sensitivity gene!

I'm sorry for yours and your husband's loss.  What a lovely place you got to stay in though.

My condolenses to you and your husband.
Your hubby's boss needs a course on sensitivity,tact,compassion and a few other qualities necessary to be considered human!  What a loser!

Thank you, Curlgirl, Sakina and Drear.  I am still simmering with rage.  I would like to gut that man with a dull knife and wrap his intestines around his neck to strangle him.  Hanging, drawing and quartering sounds good, too.  You should never enrage a Scorpio with a taste for horror movies.   ::)

So I have started singing again.  Right now I am learning Time to Say Goodbye, in Italian.  Apparently I am going to learn most of Sarah Brightman's music.  I like almost everything she does, and she sings in my range.  I get enraptured by one song and play it over and over until I learn it.  I have to buy the sheet music, so will probably do that Thurs or Fri.

You forgot tar and feather!

Yay singing!!  I've never sung a Sarah Brightman song.  I'll check her out on youtube.  I know I've seen her on PBS, but can't think of a specific song or sound.  Enjoy!

Time to Say Goodbye sung by Andrea Bucelli and Sarah Brightman is one of my all time favorite songs!!!  Both are excellent artists!

My sympathies on the passing of your MIL, dear.  I have a grandfather buried at Arlington; hope to visit him one day.  A plague upon your husband's boss!  What an uncouth jacka$$.   >:(   

Thank you Sakina, Curlgirl and Trisha.  Sorry I haven't been on-line, but am frantically busy.  Teaching 3 classes; norm is 2.  This is the first short summer semester, 6 wks instead of 15.  I have a ton of paperwork to grade in a much shorter time frame.  In spring semester I was working 15-hr Mondays with chorale practice on Tues nites, and was looking forward to having nites off.  The Fri before this semester started, the secretary called me and asked if I would the nite class as the person who was supposed to teach it, couldn't.  So instead of working 15-hr Mondays and Tues nites, I am working 14-hr Mondays and Wed. nites.  :-?  Let's see, I went into teaching so I could have summers off????  Only 1 more week, then I will be teaching one class that meets Mon and Wed ams.

Have been wearing my hair in a coiled bun.  Looks pretty nice, if I do say so.  I center part it and sweep it back over my ears, then make a low bun.  Sometimes I pull out the ringlets over my ears and let them dangle.  Have been attempting a braid and now that my layers are pretty much grown out, it makes a decent braid.  May try braiding it with ribbons and see how that looks.

More later. My hubby is home

That sounds like a really soft and romantic hairstyle.  It's good that you've found something that works for you with all that stress. 

Thank you, Drear.  It is fortunate that my hair is wavy/curly so the coiled bun works really well.  The only thing I worry about is that my hair is so fine that I have to use bobby pins.  I hope they aren't damaging my hair.  I have some leather barrettes that have the sticks that go thru the holes.  I have had them for at least 20 yrs.  Some bamboo ones, too.  I have been wearing those, too.  I have to pin my hair and put the barrette over the pins, to keep it from slipping.  I will see my hairdresser next Sat, and will ask her about it.

Saw Letters from Juliet tonite.  It was very good and I recommend it.  Of course, with Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero, I was pretty sure it wouldn't be a bad movie.

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Saw Letters from Juliet tonite.  It was very good and I recommend it.  Of course, with Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero, I was pretty sure it wouldn't be a bad movie.

Sounds good with her in it.  I don't know him.

Franco Nero is Italian and about the same age as Redgrave.  About 30 yrs. ago he was every woman's heartthrob, and for an older man, he is still very attractive.

Have been using the Burt's Bees conditioner full-strength because I thought my ends looked a little dry, but it is making my hair limp, so diluted it half & half tonite.  We'll see if that solves the problem.  Dealing with fine hair is difficult.  It is wavy/curly and humidity makes it frizzy, but too much humidity makes it limp.  I will get color on Sat, so that should put some body back in.

We are having thunder and lightening, but the storms are moving north and south of us.  Drove to school in the rain today and drove home tonite under a towering black cloud with lightening flickering behind and thru it.  I love a good storm.  It is so exhilirating!  Where we live seems to be in a weather dead spot, we never get a good rocking thunderstorm.  I miss them.

I am in the throes of finals for the 1st short summer semester.  The paperwork is snowballing.  I have to turn in grades on Fri and start the second short semester next Mon.  Thank heaven I am only teaching one class that meets twice a week.

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We are having thunder and lightening, but the storms are moving north and south of us.  Drove to school in the rain today and drove home tonite under a towering black cloud with lightening flickering behind and thru it.

Oh my God, that sounds awesome! :D Storms are some of my favourite things in the world.

And Franco Nero is Vanessa Redgrave's husband.

No wonder they looked so in love and good together.  ::)

The first summer session is over, thank you, goddess.  I took on an extra class and tutored in the Speaking Lab 2 afternoons a week.  So that was 3 classes (2 is the norm) and tutoring.  It wasn't any easier than the spring semester.  Instead of 15-hr. Mondays and Tues nite classes, I had 14-hr. Mondays and Wed nite classes.  But now I am teaching only 1 class that meets Mon and Wed ams, so things are much less hectic.

I am in the middle of 6 days off and it is heavenly.  The school is closed on Mon for the holiday, so I have from Wed to Wed off. 

Got my hair colored a week ago and it has much more body.  Diluted the Burts Bees conditioner to 50% with water because it was leaving my hair limp.  The regular conditioner is about the same consistency as the deep conditioner.  Haven't checked the ingredients, but I bet they are almost the same.

Have seen How to Train Your Dragon 5 times.  What a good movie!  Altho' it is an animated feature, the dialogue and movement are so spot on, you forget you are watching animated figures.  Was going to buy the DVD for my husband's birthday (7/6) but it isn't out yet.  We have never gone to a movie more than once, but this one is really exceptional.

Am reading the Diana Gabaldon Outlander series for the 3rd time.  I really like the way she writes.

So having more time off, I will be able to post more.

I'm glad to see you're having some time to yourself, you deserve it.

I am back to teaching after 6 days off.  The students did their self-intro speeches today and I was bored.  The speeches weren't that good and their delivery really needs work.  Maybe I am just a little burned out.  :-/

So I did nothing but read while I was on vacation, so to speak.  Finshed all 7 of the Outlander series and have started reading Lord John and the Private Matter.  Very good so far.

The Renn Faire starts this coming weekend.  Tried on some garb and I can tell that I am about 10 lbs. heavier than last year, but hopefully will lose that during faire.  Went to JoAnne Fabrics and spent $70 on fabric to make a new court set, 2 prs. of drawers and black material to edge the hem of a skirt.  Guess I had better get busy sewing.  Am going to sew extra eyes on the skirt bands to give an extra inch of ease.  I can get them hooked, but they are really tight.  Thank the goddess, when I made these skirts last year, I did cut the waistbands extra long.   ::)

Huzzah, Renn Faire!  Will you be working at the jewelry booth again, my lady?  I'm still waiting to see pics of your garb!!!

All I was told in speech was to try to stay within the 2 mins.  space alloted for each speech.  That's so tough!  I love speaking! :D 

Yes, Sakina, I am working for Pendragon, but only part time this year, just 4 hrs most days.  Last weekend was nice altho' hot.  I wore court garb both days with a hoop.  It wasn't too bad.  I took my bodice chiller, but didn't need to use it.  This weekend temps will be near 90 with thunderstorms predicted for Sun.  So Sat I will wear something fancy, but lightweight, with a hoop skirt and Sun I will wear something that can get wet without ruining it.  And I will take my bodice chiller.

I ordered 2 new chillers, one in red and one in blue to match my gowns, and I left the black and gold chiller to have the lip gilded.  I spend $250 on Sat.  Picked up my new royal blue silk hat which Pam at La Paloma made for me out of the royal blue silk skirt that got ruined in the rain 2 yrs. ago.  Bought a new bodice from Felix Needleworthy in black and gold brocade to wear with a red linen skirt trimmed in black velvet with black and gold ribbon and black braid.  The underskirt is black damask in the Waverly Capulet pattern.  The overskirt is done, I just need to get the trim on it.  Had intended to wear it this weekend, but it will be too hot on Sat and too wet on Sun for velvet.  So maybe next weekend.

Am sewing like a fiend now that Faire is here.  Have several alterations and 3 new gowns to make, and I also need to replace some bloomers and chemises that have seen a lot of wear, not to mention sewing for other people, too.  So far, I have replaced the ribbon on the green moire court gown, made the black damask underskirt and pink moire taffeta underskirts.

Next week, I will sew for other people and I hope to get a couple of things done for me, too.   First and foremost, the red linen skirt, then I hope to transfer the embroidered black corduroy trim from the old green skirt to the new green and black striped skirt and take apart the matching bodice (which is too small) to make a matching front panel for the black suede Elizabeth bodice.  That would be nice for the 3rd weekend, if it isn't too hot and doesn't rain.

Last weekend it rained both days, altho' not until the end of the day, which did, however, put a damper on last-minute shoppers.  I hate when it rains on the weekends.  And it seems to do that here more often than not.

Cool!  I bought two bodice chillers.  I have an opportunity to audition for Royal Court this year.  I think I'd enjoy it more than the tilt yard-more interaction w/patrons.

Your garb sounds so beautiful-I'm glad you give good descriptions since I still haven't seen any pictures. 

Do you have any recommendations for a water resistant cloak fabric, or would you use Scotchgard?  I hope it rains less on the weekends during the run of the Faire for you!

I know I haven't posted pictures.  Sorry.  I still haven't taken the time to put a new battery in my camera and figure out how to post the pictures.  One of these days.

Scotchgard works pretty well unless you get a really heavy rain.  Or you can use lighweight canvas, if you can find a pretty and appropriate pattern.  A tightly woven wool is also good, but none of these will work as well as a rubber cape in a downpour.  The primary thing is to be sure to take the colored feathers out of your hat if you get caught in the rain.  The dye will run like mad if it gets wet.

So far we are 1 for 4 for rainless days.  It's a bummer, but at least we haven't been flooded out yet, which happened 2 yrs ago on a Sun.  The Sanitation truck came in on Mon to clean the privies and got stuck in the mud.  Then a tow truck came in to retrieve the San truck and it got stuck in the mud.  So they called the elephant trainers who brought the elephants to pull the trucks out.  It was all captured on film and posted to the Renn site.   

I know I'm being annoying about the pictures.  I really, very badly want to see them.  I just know I'm missing out on something beautiful!

Hmm, I'll have to check into the canvas idea.  Thanks.

Wow-elephants rescue trucks.  Awesome!!

Well, it was the 3rd weekend of Faire and FINALLY weather that wasn't hotter then hell and humid as a wet sponge.  I really do dislike the weather here.  It is too cold, too hot, too windy or too humid 90% of the time.

Yesterday I couldn't get to Faire because of the flooding in Chicago.  All but 2 of the interstates were under water.  I called Tim (I work for him in the early pms) and told him I wasn't coming up because it was pouring rain and I didn't want to do the 65-mi. drive in a rainstorm, plus if it was going to rain up there, he wouldn't need me anyway.  He said the skies were blue and it looked like a lovely day.  So I said okay that was better then sitting home watching it rain.  So I got dressed, loaded the car and left.  It took me 1.5 hrs to drive 19 mi. because of the rain and the traffic jam caused by water overflowing the expressway.  All cars were forced to exit, altho' the semis could get thru.  Where we were forced to exit was onto another expressway that could get me back home in 15 min.  And it started to rain again, so I just went home.

Today was much better.  I thought attendance would be higher, considering that many people simply couldn't get to Bristol on Sat, but it wasn't very crowded.

Oh, yes, I found out on Fri that our next-door neighbors are moving to Texas and haven't sold their house.  So either I will have renters next to me (with 5 bedrooms and a pool, I can just imagine who will rent the house) or a foreclosure sitting vacant.  Neither possibility pleases me at all.

Quel horreur, what a day! :o

Thank you, Angel,  I agree, what a horrible day.  Yesterday I was depressed because of the weather, I think.  It is either very hot and humid or it rains.  I am sick of it.

Only one more week of summer school, then I get 2 wks off.  I have to read the new book and get my lessons and Powerpoint shows done in the next 3 wks.  Knowing me, I will probably wait until the last day or 2 to do it.

Have been sewing like a fiend.  Last week made a chemise and skirt for Anya (Tim's girlfiend).  Have to make the overskirt and deliver it on Sat.  I am charging her $130 to do that.  Am re-hooping a hoopskirt for another friend and will charge her $40 for that.  So I should get close to $300 in cash this weekend.  Which is good as I will be spending about $150 on 2 new bodice chillers and 2 fancy cups, and a new front piece for my suede bodice.

I salvaged the fancy trimming off 2 old skirts and will be making 2 new court skirts.  I had bodices to match, but they are too small, so salvaged the material and will make front pieces for the suede bodice next week, after I get a good look at the one I am having made and can copy it.  Chortle, chortle.  ::)  I am so glad I can sew.

Have been sewing all day.  Got the navy blue overskirt made for Anya.  That went fast, only took 2 & 1/2 hrs. All machine sewing, and the only piece I cut was 6" off the end of the yardage for the waistband and back placket.

Put the boning in the hoopskirt.  Couldn't get the steel hooping I used to buy as the place where I bought it in the past can't get it any more, so bought a cheap hoopskirt on eBay and scavenged the steel hoops out of it.  So my friend now will have a 5 hoop skirt that won't collapse under the heaviest skirts.

Finished my new skirt and it is gorgeous!  The fabric is dark blue with alternating matte and shiny 1/2" stripes running vertically and has a paisley (blues, wine/pink and gold) corduroy edging down the front slit edges and around the hem.  I covered the seam with a wide black ribbon embroidered in blue and lavendar flowers with gold filigree.  (Actually I salvaged the paisley corduroy edging off an old skirt that was wearing thin; it was just broadcloth.)  I will wear it with a rose pink moire taffeta underskirt and a black suede Elizabeth bodice with blue jacquard stomacher.  I have more of the paisley and will make a new stomacher for the bodice out of it.

Next week, I will make the green and black striped overskirt with the embroidered black corduroy edging, also salvaged from an old skirt.  That one should go faster since I now know what I am doing.  I have enough of that corduroy, too, to make a stomacher for the suede bodice.

I think I am now thru with sewing for others for this season.  I always say I will do it, but don't really enjoy it because they either don't want or cannot afford the really beautiful things I can do.  I would have charged at least $450 for the blue skirt I described above with a matching bodice.

I love creating beautiful garb; it makes me blissfully happy.  :)

I'm so happy for you that you can sew.  You can certainly be proud.

Thank you, Drear.  Wore the blue skirt on Sat with the black suede Elizabeth bodice with a dark blue stomacher, and my blue silk tall hat.  Got many compliments.  Sun wasn't so good.  Got mud on my green moire taffeta overskirt in the parking lot, dropped salad oil on the gold silk underskirt and discovered in the pm that green braid (made in China) on the skirt was coming apart.  I was furious!  So have spent 3 hrs. this pm taking the braid off and will replace it with gold ribbon.

I am so sick of shoddy products made in China.  I am making a point of not buying anything made in China, unless I have absolutely no other choice.

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I am so sick of shoddy products made in China.  I am making a point of not buying anything made in China, unless I have absolutely no other choice.

What a disappointing and frustrating experience.  I have to admit that I don't look at where children's clothes are produced but other than that I do try to buy things that are produced closer to home because it's my experience that the quality is better.

Okay, summer school is over and I have 2 weeks off before the fall semester starts.  Whoopee.  I could certainly use more than 2 weeks.  This is the last summer I will teach both summer sessions.  I told my husband last week that next year, I will only teach the first summer session; I am taking the second session off.  I need the time to recoup for the fall semester which is always grueling.  Besides I want the time to concentrate on Faire while I am still young enough to enjoy it.

The green and black striped skirt is done and it is smashing!  The 1" stripes are picked out with a deep fuschia very small stripe that looks like a line of stitching.  The front guards and hem guard are black corduroy embroidered with flowers and vines in colors of pink, varying from the palest to deep fuschia.  The ribbon covering the seam between the guards and the skirt fabric is black with fushia flowers and gold vines.  I will wear it with a fuschia raw silk underskirt, a gold and black bodice, and white chemise with black embroidered sleeves.  I just need to hem the underskirt.

At least we should have decent weather this coming weekend, altho' it will be hot and humid on Sun.  As long as it doesn't rain, I will be happy.

It sounds lovely!  Pics?

You deserve some time off.  Yes, pics please.

After Faire is over and I have more time to fool with the camera, I will try to post some pics.  The only problem is that my husband will have to take the pictures and he isn't very good at it.

Finished another court set.  This one is blue diamonds running vertically, with alternating flat and textured surfaces with small red flowers at the intersections.  The front and hem guards are wine corduroy with blue/lavendar/gold flowered ribbon.  The matching bodice has wine corduroy shoulder puffs with ribbon stripe overlays.  I tried it on yesterday and it is breathtaking!  And it should be.  The fabric was an absolute bitch to work with.  The threads for the flowers were carried loose across the back of the fabric like Fair Isle knitting, which is very authentic, I am sure,  :P but caught on everything.  It took 2 days to get the skirt done, which is partly my fault because I forgot to check the direction of weave on the corduroy and got half the hem guard on upside down, so had to take whole thing off, reassemble it and re-apply it.  Part of the ribbon was some I had salvaged off an old skirt, and it shredded when I tried to remove it, so had to replace about 4 yds of ribbon, too. 

Started another set today--wide stripes of wine fading to light red, and plum/purple, alternating with narrower stripes of beige and old gold on a classic flower and vine jacquard.  The front and hem guards are plum velveteen.  I have to get the ribbon, haven't found anything yet that I like. It will have a bodice to match with sleeve puffs of the plum velveteen, overlaid with ribbon stripes when I get it.  The underskirt is a flower and vine pattern on a red/bronze poly/silk that changes color.  This one will be really striking.  And the fabric is much easier to work with, too, being mostly cotton.

I bought the fabric for all of these last year but couldn't finish them because I couldn't get what I needed.  The JoAnne superstore nearest me closed and they quit stocking the regular store because they were moving it to larger quarters.

Saw the doctor yesterday.  I have a yeast infection around my mouth.  Have had it before, but it is really bad this time.  The doctor prescribed two ointments--anti-fungal and strong cortico-steriod-- and says it will take about a week to clear.  She is scheduling me for blood tests as she thinks I may have pernicious anemia, which wouldn't surprise me, as my mom has it.

I can handle the big crises very well, but it is the little things that drive me batty.  This infection; last week I reinjured the old sprain in my left foot and ankle while wearing hi heel sandals; and about 3 mos ago I stubbed my toes on the right foot and probably cracked a metatarsal, at least, as it still hurts.  So now all I can wear comfortably are my really decrepit gym shoes or the custom-made Windwalker mocassins that I wear with my garb.  And we are going to big party on Sat for the big Air and Water Show at our friend's Mag Mile condo and I can't wear either of those.  We'll see what I can walk comfortably in on Sat.  I really would rather be at Faire.

Just realized that I haven't written much about hair lately.  I am still coloring it once every 4 weeks,  it seems to have reached terminal length at about 24", I am still using Burt's Bees volumizing shampoo and conditioner with deep conditioning treatments about every 2 wks.  I shampoo, vinegar rinse and condition about every 3 or 4 days.  Oh, yes, I did buy another comb from Ric so I have one to leave on my dressing table and one to carry with me, as I kept leaving the first comb on the table and finding myself without a comb when I needed one.

Glad you go another one of Ric's combs.  He's really the best at what he does!
Sorry you're having some health issues :(.  With the meds. the doc gave you, you should be fine in a jiffy!
Could it be that you broke a toe instead of a metatarsal?  Toes are easier to break than you'd imagine!!

Hi, Curlgirl, I probably did break the second toe; it certainly was an interesting shade of purple, but didn't hurt as much as I thought a broken bone should.  Certainly not as much as I remember my cracked rib hurting when I was 16.

Went to the JoAnne Superstore that is about 40 min. away early today and spent $57 on ribbon.  Found a nice ribbon for the striped skirt and bodice, and bought more of the ribbon I will use for another skirt and bodice.  I have 3.5 yrds of it already, just have to salvage it off the old skirt it is on.

Have been going thru my stash of material and sorting things out and throwing some things away.  I always save leftover fabric if the pieces are fairly large (more than 10" sq.), in case I need it or can use it for something else.  It's amazing what I found.  Gives me all kind of ideas.  Boy, am I going to be in trouble.   ::)

You and me both! ;D
It seems both of us were shopping today!   I on the other hand did my shopping on line. 
My Native American flute arrived today!!   :)  I decided to make a flute bag to protect it.  I have the fleece,the zipper and the outer fabric, but I needed webbing for the strap, D rings and some swivel clips.   Got a flute stand and yarn,too!

Curlgirl, I am very happy your flute arrived.  Are you musical yet?  What can you play?  I have been singing at Faire.  The young man who is our hawker (a lawyer) loves my voice and keeps asking me to come out and sing while he is hawking, so I did Pie Jesu and the italian version of the theme to Titanic.  It's fun!

Sat we went to our friend's condo (22nd fl, overlooking Lake Machigan) for the Chicago Air and Water show.  There was a big party on the rooftop deck, catered Caribbean food and music.  Everything was delicious and the service was excellent.  We had a front row seat on the air show, and the Blue Angels flew right over us and did all their tricks right in front of us.  It was fabulous!  The weather was good--sun and a nice breeze.  His condo overlooks Navy Pier, so we stayed for dinner and about 8 members of his gourmet group showed up.  We stayed for the Navy Pier fireworks, and got home about 11:30.  It was the best 4th of July party I've been to.   ;)

Bob was looking rather frail.  He had pancreatitis and damn near died.  He lost 40 lbs.  He is recovering, but slowly.  He is a wine judge and now cannot drink anything alcoholic, for at least a year, and maybe never.  He is on a very restricted diet.  At least he is still with us, for which we are thankful.  Linda, his wife, looked tired, so I and 2 other women tried to help her as much as we could. She said that Bob was so down, she wanted to do the party to cheer him up.

Sun went to Faire, but was really tired.  Wore the blue diamond dress and got many compliments, though.  When I got home, my feet really hurt.  Standing on the concrete deck Sat didn't help my sprain and I wore ballet flats, which didn't give me much support.  My foot was really swollen, and I had to use an Ace bandage and ice packs to get the swelling down enough to get my boot on Sun am.  Then I worked 3 hrs. longer than normal, standing most of the time, and I could barely walk when I got home.  Went to bed at 9:30 and slept until 9 this am.  Am doing laundry, and the drier alarm is going off, so will sign off and fold laundry.

I'm so happy you're singing @ Faire!  Look up Lasciatemi morire by Claudio Monteverdi.  I recommend this one:
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/28-Italian-Songs-Arias-of-the-17th-18th-Centuries-Medium-High-Book-CD-Package/18432324
There's also a version that's cheaper w/o the CD.  This is my favorite arrangement of this piece.  There are others out there, and you can listen to them on youtube, but I don't think its as pretty and has no runs to show off the voice. 

Looks like I'm going to be in the Royal Court this coming season.  What is the average amount of fabric you buy for your skirts?  I don't know the silhouette yet, but it will be Elizabethan.

I hope your foot heals quickly!!

Nope, not playing the flute yet!:(  I'm waiting to talk to the flutemaker's wife.  She had asked me to call her when the flute came so she could give me all the fundamentals on it.  Can't get a hold of her  :-?.  When I bought the paste for flutes on e-bay, she sent me a note.  She said she'd call me tomorrow,so we shall see.   I'm very anxious to start!!!!!!!!

Ah, Pie Jesu...one of my faves. :)

Thank you, Sakina, I will look that up.

For skirts, I usually buy 4 yds. of 54 wide, 5 if I am going to make a matching bodice.  If you are buying home dec fabric, the pattern usually runs the length of the fabric, so you will have to cut panels and seam them.  If the pattern repeat is obvious, you may need extra yardage to match the pattern all the way around the skirt.  If you are planning on front and hem guards, you can get by with about a yard less.  Lately I have been making my skirts about 130" around the hem.  And since I am using heavier fabrics I am using shaped panels rather than the full width of the fabric.  It reduces bulk around the waist.  If I am putting ribbon down the front and around the hem, I buy 7 yds, which leaves me about 24" to trim the shoulder rolls on the bodice.

I hope that helps.

Pie Jesu is one my faves, too, Angel.  The arrangement I am singing is the one Sarah Brightman sang on the Symphony CD.

Now this week, I have to learn the Ave Maria.  I never thought I would say this, but fortunately, I had 3 yrs of Latin in high school and was a cradle Catholic when the Mass was still in Latin, so it comes easily to me and I pretty much remember the translation.  When the Church abandoned the Latin Mass and all the beautiful music and went to guitar masses, that was the beginning of my disillusionment.

Went to the fabric store today and bought unwaled corduroy in "Medieval blue" to do a hem guard on the dark blue jacquard skirt that got ruined in the rain & mud 2 yrs ago.  I let the mud dry and brushed it out, but it was ground in and left the hem pretty frayed.  I have worn the skirt a couple of times since then, and it isn't obvious to anyone else, but I know it's there and will only get worse with time and wearing.  Couldn't get the ribbon I used when I made the skirt, but found another that blends very well.

Also bought a crimson Waverly jacquard 100% cotton that will be bordered with black corduroy embroidered with rose buds and green leaves.  Will use the same corduroy for a matching bodice.  The ribbon I found is fabulous!  About 2" wide with decorative panels in crimson and white edged with gold bordered with tiny leaves and floral vines in gold and pale green.  I have been looking at that ribbon for at least a year.

Also bought a 1-yd remnant of a fleur-de-lis repeating design in greens and reds on an old gold background that will make a lovely bodice that should go with several pieces I have.  I will be in big trouble when my husband gets this bill.  It was over $100 even after the coupons and I realized on the way home I forgot to get thread and hem tape.   :-/  Oh, well.

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Pie Jesu is one my faves, too, Angel.  The arrangement I am singing is the one Sarah Brightman sang on the Symphony CD.

Good arrangement. Very powerful as a duet, although I think you must mean the Classics compilation. ;)

Will you be doing her (shortened) version of Ave Maria as well? I drove through a lightning storm in the midwest while that was playing once. Spectacular! :)

Hi, Angel, it's on the Live in Austria CD, I just called it the wrong name.  I will be doing the shortened Ave Maria, as I don't have time to get the longer one learned.  I may not even get the shorter version down before Sat.

Went to the dinner meeting before the new semester, which starts next week, complete with new book, which I haven't even cracked.  It is a very small book, so I imagine I can get thru it in a couple of hours.  I will have to make up my own tests again, as this book doesn't include a test bank.  Yuck!  I am so not ready for the new semester.  I taught 3 classes and kept the speaking Center open during the first 6 wk. session, which is more than double time, as it as much work as I normally do in 18 wks.  So going into it already tired, I was really drained, when it was done.  Then the 2nd 6-wk session started the following Monday and the class I had, except for 8 people, was very reluctant to do any of the paperwork correctly.  So I had last week and this week off before the Fall semester starts.

Next year I will not teach both summer sessions.  It is too tiring.  My husband has accepted that I am not going to do it, without any argument.

Tomorrow, I get color and a tiny trim.  Sigh.  Maybe I am anemic and getting that fixed may make my hair grow.  :-?  Well, I can hope.

Okay, the striped (red, wine, and plum stripes on golden beige) dress is done.  Finished it last nite, tried it on, and didn't really like it.  Was wearing a white chemise and the gold flowered underskirt.  Just didn't look right.  Early this am (8:00) I looked over my fabrics and saw that tapestry remnant (7/8 yd. of 54" wide )with the flower and vase design in old gold, red, wine and khakhi green and had a brainstorm.  Laid it down with the striped skirt and it was perfect!!  Didn't have enough length for a skirt panel, so back to JoAnne and got a khakhi green wide wale corduroy for a hem guard and a black and gold ribbon with flowers and vines to border the corduroy.  Used 1/2 of the tapestry for the front panel of the underskirt, finished the underskirt with bronze taffeta, and still have enough tapestry left for a bodice, when I get around to it.  Tried it on tonite with a natural muslin chemise with black and gold ribbon running down the gathered sleeves and it is fabulous!! :)

Part of the problem is that I was working with a different colorway than I usually use, and it took me a while to figure it out.  I prefer deep tones of wine, blue and green, or pink- or blue-based pastels, which are better for my skin tones.  This dress is more earth toned, but since it includes red and wine I can wear it without looking like I should have been buried yesterday.  I will wear a wine snood with a russet jacquard hunter's hat with red, green and brown feathers, and the jewelry will be a large cabochon rutile quartz ring, matching larger pendant with a bright yellow citrine, large pear-shape yellow topaz earrings.  I think I will visit the amber dealer and see if I can find a nice yellow amber bracelet to complete the set.

Now, if it just doesn't rain :P, I will have a good day.

Can't wait to see pics! :)  The dress sounds fabulous!

Thank you, Curlgirl.  I wore it Sat and got many compliments.  One woman said it made me look 20 lbs. thinner.  :)  The bodice is very lightweight and I should have interlined it with canvas, but didn't do it, so it fits very closely.

Sun wore the red linen skirt with black corduroy trim and black and gold flowered ribbon, and the black suede Elizabeth bodice with the stomacher that matched the skirt.  Looked very good, altho' the combination of suede bodice and stomacher does make my waist bigger.

Today started making a crimson skirt with black embroidered cord trim.  Got the skirt pieces cut and seamed and the hem guard seamed.  Tomorrow will apply the hem guard, the front guards, and the ribbon, pleat the skirt to the waistband and hem it, then start on the bodice, which will be of the embroidered corduroy, with crimson shoulder rolls trimmed with the ribbon.  Have to get canvas to interline the bodice as the corduroy is very lightweight.

Have a new kitty!  Black with grey eyes, eight wks. old, cute as a button.  He (I think it's a he) goes to the vet tomorrow for his first shots, and I will find out the gender.  Got him yesterday from a former student.  Have been playing with him quite a bit, hoping to tire him out so he will sleep at nite, since he is sleeping on the bed with us.  My older cat, Taylor, sniffs at him, but doesn't have much to do with him, altho' he did swipe at him with a paw.  And the little one did hiss at Taylor.  So we will see what happens.

Congrats on the kitty!!  He or she sounds gorgeous!!!  Pics? :)

Yay!  New kitty!!!  Does it have a name yet?

New kitty's official name is Shadow, altho' I alternate with Snickelfritz, Squeaky and Little Shit, depending on what he has been doing.  He went to the vet yesterday for bloodwork, and first distemper shot.  He weighs 2.2 lbs, is healthy and has fleas.  So I have to stuff pills down his throat today and tomorrow.  The vet tech gave him the first pill.  I got the pill down him today; we'll see how he does tomorrow.  He was chasing our older and much bigger cat down the hall and around the kitchen tonite.  Don't know what brought that on.

Started voice lessons on Mon.  My teacher has recommended a new book, focusing on music appropriate to the Renaissance.

Speaking of that, this weekend is the last for Bristol.  And at last, we will have nice weather--not hot, humid or raining.  I am looking forward to a pleasant weekend and the chance to wear my really good stuff.  Have been sewing like crazy, but you all know that.  Made a new pair of pantaloons tonite, white muslin with cherry ribbons and Venice lace.  Realized that I had only 2 pair that fit and this is a 3-day weekend.  I could go without, but would rather not and I will be too tired Sat and Sun nites to wash a pair for Mon.  I salvaged the lace off an old pair, it was too expensive to throw away and still in good shape.

Tomorrow's plan is to do repair and remodeling on 3 skirts.  One needs a hem guard and lengthening, another needs a new waistband, the third needs a hem guard.  After that, I may make a pair of black pantaloons with red ribbons and black Venice lace.  Or not, I may use that fabric for a black chemise, which was my original intent when I purchased it.  Batiste is really a little lightweight for pantaloons, but will make a nice chemise.

I made a list of all the garb maintenance and creation work I have on hand, and it is enough to keep me busy for a couple of months; that makes me blissfully happy.

Sounds like the kitty may have some itchies!! :(  Glad the pills worked so far.  Hopefully there are none fleas for the humans :o!
Just curious, what make and model sewing machine do you have?

Shadow. Dig it. 8-)

Cats do earn themselves some interesting nicknames, don't they? I call the 2 cats that I watch while housesitting Psycho Kitty and Satan. Their owners get a kick out of it.

The tabby that lives with us is called everything from Rodent to Scouse B@$+@rd to "Gangsta Kitteh - raaaised on tha streetz!" ;D

Anyway good luck with the little guy & have fun at the faire.

Hi, Curlgirl, we never saw any fleas.  He hasn't been scratching and he has been hanging out under the bed with Taylor, who also is not scratching.  So, maybe it was all over with before we got him.

I use the second from the bottom Husqvarna portable.  I bought it probably 8 yrs. ago and have beaten the **** out of it--broken needles, jammed needles to the point that I had to cut them and pull them out with pliers.  Right now it is sounding noisy, so I will oil it and talk nice to it and hope it continues to sew nicely.  Had to adjust the bobbin tension 2 wks. ago.  I am trying to not sew over pins, or at least slow down when I get to a pin.  I expect some time in the next 2 yrs, it will burn up the motor or explode or something and I will replace it with a Pfaff.  I used my sister-in-law's and it is wonderful.  Of course, I don't think she abuses it like I abuse mine.   ::)

Thank you, Angel, for the good wishes.  We finally did have good weather--not hot or humid or raining and had a record gate on Sun.  Close to 15,000, I think.  Haven't see the grounds that crowded in the last 3 yrs.  I worked 7 hrs on Sat and Sun, and 5.5 hrs. on Mon, but did get to walk around and say goodby to the people I won't see until next year.

I spent over $300 this weekend.  Ordered 2 custom stomachers ($55 ea. plus shpg) for the suede bodice, sleeves for the black and gold bodice ($130) and a new goblet in gold and black with a golden scorpion on one side and a silver crab on the other side, mine and my husband's astrological signs ($75).  Then, disaster struck when I got home.  Getting out of the car, my basket caught on something and turned over and my custom goblet with my family coats of arms fell out and broke on the garage floor.   Needless to say, my response to that was very profane.  So I will have to replace that, too.   I am sure Mike will give me a break, but it will be at least $50, I think.

Anyway, came home with $200 in cash, and 2 checks totaling over $60, so I am not going to worry about what I spent. At least not until the bill comes in. ;)

I was going to sew, but at this time, that obviously isn't going to happen.  I am doing laundry, which would have been done on Mon, but I was at Faire.

So....things to be thankful for:  I scored a parking place in J lot, closest to my bldg, which is a protestant miracle; when I walked up to the elevator the doors opened and it was going my direction; and it is a beautiful day!

I can't believe how silent the board is.  Where is everybody?

I have been sewing like crazy, repairing, altering, and creating new garb.

I miss hearing from you all.

We're here! 
I think with school starting at different times in different locations, those who have kids are busy with getting supplies,getting kids back into "school mode",etc.  Probably when everyone gets back into a routine;things will start to hum again ;)! 

New kitty, yaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!   :D 
If Shadow is at least 4 weeks old and weighs over 2 lbs, I recommend using Capstar to get rid of the fleas.  This stuff is downright amazing.  All it takes (usually) is one pill.

http://www.capstar.novartis.us/dogsAndCats/dogsAndCats.htm

Sorry about the shattered goblet; bet it was pretty.   :(

Nice to hear from you both, Curlgirl and Trisha.

Shadow is fine and flealess.  The vet gave me pills for him, and I think it was Capstar (he weighed 2.2 lbs.)  Actually we never saw any fleas.  Speaking of him, he is lurking behind the printer, waiting for a chance to pounce on the keyboard.

The goblet was my favorite.  I e-mailed Mike and should have a new one the first weekend in October, when I will be at Stronghold.  It will be black with gold wash, the Ryan shield in red with 3 black gryphons and the Sevier shield in blue with a white buck standing facing left in 3/4 profile, one on each side of the cup.  I will really be glad to have it back.  Last time I had it made in red, but thought black w/gold wash would be a better contrast, plus it will go with whatever garb I am wearing.

I have started wearing my hair up again.  Usually in the caught-up pony with a ring of fake curls and hairstick.  Have been thinking about wearing my Tony Pony pieces.  Tomorrow have a hair appt for color and dusting.

Tomorrow night we are having a cookout.  I have been picking up and cleaning yesterday and today.  Put away all my jewelry that has been laying on the dressers, my dressing table, and desk, some of it for months.  I really do have too much jewelry.  Some day we will have a house with enough rooms that I can have a bigger dressing room (my current room is effectively 9x8) with cabinets and shelves for jewelry and shoes and sweaters and purses and garb, and NOT double as my craft room.  I cleared all my fabrics, patterns and cutting board off the dining room table and organized it all, cleaned out and bagged much of the scrap fabric for donation.  There is some good stuff in that bag, good quilt scraps, some velvets and corduroys and 4 yds of rose home dec fabric that I bought for a project, then found something better.  I organized the remaining fabric into piles for bodices (material, canvas interlining and lining), chemise and pantaloon fabrics, skirt lengths, assorted laces, fabrics for facing waistbands, and scraps suitable for decorating bodices (shoulder rolls, insets).

The 3 skirts I need to alter/mend are on pants hangers with the mending fabric hanging over the bar, any ribbon or hemming tape in a plastic grocery bag hung over the hook and notes pinned on detailing what I need to do or listing any additional materials needed.

Sometimes I am so organized I amaze myself.  To be honest, it keeps me from buying things twice because I can't find or don't remember buying it in the first place.  ::)

My husband is going to be unhappy when he gets my charge card bill.  I spent $135 at the fabric store on Wed., I think.  Had bought some lovely ribbon for a skirt, but decided it didn't really work, so put it aside.  Found the perfect fabric for the ribbon, so bought it and corduroy for the guards.  Also bought black and gold ribbon for the black damask skirt to match the gold and black bodice.  Finally found corduroy in the right shade of brown to lenthen a skirt I shortened 2 yrs ago, and ribbon to cover the seam.

I realized that I am emotional shopper and this was in response to getting a summons for jury duty, which will totally f---up my semester if I actually have to serve on a jury.  I absolutely do NOT want to do this.  Plus I won't get paid for my tutoring time in the lab and the $10/day the county pays doesn't come anywhere near what I am paid.

That really stinks about jury duty!  Maybe they can call you to do it at a different time?

Bleh jury duty. :P

Odds are they won't waste more than one day of your life so try to stay positive...or something.

Thanks, Angel and Curlgirl.  I am trying not to think about it.  I expect to be bored out of my tree.  I have to report at 8:45 am on Mon and will be there all day.  After that if I don't get picked for a jury, I have to call in every day before 5:30pm, I think, to see if they want me.  It just totally f----s up my work.  I have to line up people to cover my classes, just in case.  The 2 later classes are covered, but the 8am class is a problem, or so the dept chair said.  I tried to talk with him today, but got very short shrift.  Apparently it is my job to find people to cover my classes, altho' he told me 2 yrs. ago that the dept would help with that.  When I got hold of the class spreadsheet, I found 5 possible subs, and left messages for 2.

It hasn't been a good day.  Found out 5 min. into my 8am class that the file with all the powerpoint shows had disappeared from my desktop.  Fortunately I am smart and function well in a crisis situation:  After giving the test, I covered the high points in the book and pulled out an activity that kept the class involved and interested.  Of course, I was madder than hell afterwards.  The conversation with the chair didn't help.  To be fair, I could say that the dept. sec'y is on vacation this week and he is coping with her absence, but I don't feel like being fair.  I am just totally p----- off about the whole thing.  So tomorrow, I will call IT again and see if they found the file.

I need a vacation.  I only had 2 wks this summer after teaching a summer class that was lazy and not very bright.  Getting them to do the work was  like pulling hen's teeth.  My husband refuses to understand that teaching can be very tiring.

Speaking of him, after all the work in cleaning the house for the party, he is already slobbing it up again.  Sometimes he really annoys me.

I just got a notice, too.  Mine's for late October. I hope I don't have to go!

I hope you get your vacation!  You deserve it!!

I had to laugh after reading about your husband.  Mine sometimes really annoys me, too.

Take care of yourself!  Sounds to me like some pampering is in order.

I totallly hear ya on the husband situation!  Mine will say how nice the kitchen is cleaned, but then he's dumping his dish mess on the counter after he eats!! >:( ::) Men!

Thank you, Curlgirl and Sakina.  I am not thinking about J. D. until I have to.  I will take a big book and bottle of water.

I did nothing but read this weekend.  I had intended to go to the Minnesota Faire, but let my husband talk me out of going.  Of course, it was cloudy and sprinkled here, while it was sunny in Minneapolis.  We are planning on going to Stronghold, in north central IL this coming weekend and rain is predicted.  >:(  Expletive,@#*!^#*!!!, expletive!!!!

I am praying for good weather.  I would offer my first born, if I had one, of either sex, for a guarantee of sunshine.  Last year it poured rain on Sat, my shoes were ruined and I had to pitch them, then was so cold on Sun that most of us wore jeans and kneesocks under our skirts.  I had sprained my ankle a couple of weeks before, and after Andi loaded the truck, there was no room for me, so she left and I had to walk a 1/2 mile to my car because the shuttles were no longer running.  And I lost my bodice knife.  It was a terrible weekend.  By the time I got home, my ankle was so swollen I couldn't wear shoes.  So I went to work on Mon and Tues in bedroom slippers.

I am back in my cowboy boots.  The swelling from the last time I turned my ankle  ::) is finally down.  (You'd think I would know better than to wear platform hi-heel sandals, wouldn't you?)  I had the boots re-soled this spring and the bootmakers did a wonderful job.  Plus, there were some oilspots on the toe of the right boot, and they were gone when I got the boots back.  Yayy!!!

Well, the dryer buzzer is going off, so I will sign off, too.

I'm really glad your foot is better.  Just in time for crap weather!  (Meaning IL winter)

I'll pray for good weather for you this weekend.  For me, this weekend is the cast picnic.  We meet the newbies and walk the site.  Oh, yeah, it will be between 97 degrees and 102.  Happy Fall!?

Sakina, take a sunshade and a fan, drink lots of water, and have dill pickles on hand.  My thoughts will be with you.

I checked the weather for this weekend in Oregon, IL and TWC predicts 20% chance of showers on Sat and temps in the lower-mid 60's, 10% chance of showers on Sun and temps in high 50's.  I think I will take my flannel petticoat and a cloak.  :)

Have not done any sewing for 2 wks since we cleaned the house for the last party.  My b'day party is coming up Nov 6 and I am loth to get all the materials out and set up the ironing board in the living room again.  Of course, I could just get out what I am working on, rather then all of it.  Decisions, decisions.

Quote:

I checked the weather for this weekend in Oregon, IL and TWC predicts 20% chance of showers on Sat and temps in the lower-mid 60's, 10% chance of showers on Sun and temps in high 50's.  I think I will take my flannel petticoat and a cloak. :)

Oh my, that sounds lovely. You really should post a few pix. :)

Hi, everyone.  I am back after jury duty.  After spending several hours finding people to cover my classes and putting in writing everything that needed to be done and copying all the paperwork that needed to be completed, I spent 2 days sitting in the jury room.  I wasn't totally bored-- took a book and found a group to have lunch with.  They gave us 2 hrs for lunch, which was about 30 min. too long.  There were 3 tvs in the room; the center one had the business channel with audio, in which 75% of the room wasn't interested, the other 2 had sub-titles--one was Jerry Springer and the other was soaps.  It was, however, a colossal waste of my time and energy.

So came back to work today to find that one student plagiarized his speech, another student was disruptive during speeches, and one didn't like the sub and stomped out the room.  Tomorrow will not be pleasant for any of those three.

Stronghold was very nice, altho' chilly.  I bought a pair of fingerless gloves on Sun because my hands were so cold.  They were crocheted and too chunky for my taste, so this week I have knitted 2 pairs, after teaching myself to use double-pointed needles.  They wrok up really fast, even with fine yarn, so will make some more.

Have been wearing my hair up most of the time.  The last time I saw my hairdresser she said my hair is growing.  I have a lot of new hair coming in, but haven't gained very much length.  The longest layer is barely BSL, which is, however, the longest it has ever been.  So maybe I will get an increase in length in the next few months.

Welcome back!  Good thing you brought that book!

Naughty students.  What tortures do you have planned for them??  Something wicked?

Any chance you would make a pair of those gloves for me in hunter green or black?  I'd gladly pay you Tuesday for a pair of gloves today...

Good news from your hairdresser!  Whatever you are doing is working.  Congratulations on your hair being the longest its has ever been!

Okay, I have been busy.  One of the subs who took 2 of my classes really graded the speeches very harshly, so I have to figure out what to do to make the grades like I would have done.  Yesterday, made up the midterm exam, which I will give tomorrow to the morning classes and Thurs to my weekly class.

Have been sewing.  Lengthened 3 skirts I had shortened when I stopped wearing a hoop because I was working full-time at the faire.  Now that I am wearing hoops again, I needed skirts longer so used hem guards in velveteen or corduroy to do the job.  One skirt didn't need shortened, but the hem was frayed from brushing out clay mud, so cut it off and put on a velveteen hem guard.  Started a new bodice last nite in a golden brown unwaled corduroy.  It will replace a side-laced bodice that I made 3 yrs ago and never particularly liked.  When you are dressing yourself, front-lacing is the way to go.  It matches the hem guard I put on one of the skirts I lengthened, and I think the finished skirt and bodice will be quite striking.

Will try to post more regularly.  I really miss talking with you all, and even if I don't have time to post, I enjoy reading what you all have posted.

Don't worry Mel, when you have time to post we're always here! ;)

Dear goddess!  What a day!!  I must have looked particularly appoachable because people just wouldn't leave me alone.  At least, my students did well on the exam, I think.  I ran the Scantrons, and the grades on that portion of the test were between 64% and 98%, which is pretty good.  I just have to grade the essays, which I don't feel like doing.  I had supper in the cafeteria (is that how you spell that word?  It doesn't look right), and this kid, who I barely know, sat down at my table and spent 30 min. telling my about his war gaming.  Like I cared.  So I made the excuse that I needed to go to the office, and the admin. asst., who I do like, started showing me pictures of her son and grandson.  I will admit that the kid is cute and her son is outstandingly handsome, but.....words fail me here, which is a damn good thing.

Tonite at Chorale practice, the director reminded us that we were supposed to do 2 free concerts on Dec. 4 & 5.  I was instantly furious.  I had forgotten about these and wanted to go to a small Renn Faire on that weekend.  It would be a lot more fun that doing volunteer concerts.  I would see all my Renn friends and get to wear lovely garb.  Right now, I would love to be throwing glass objects at the steel front door, but will substitute a couple glasses of wine for that activity.  Much less work to clean up and cheaper.  Of course, I am on my second large glass and it isn't doing much for my typing ability.  ::)  It's just that I am so disappointed.  I was really looking forward to that Faire.  I haven't decided what to do.  I really want to go to the Faire.

I need a month off.  I just want to sew.  I want to creat lovely garments.  I get so much satisfaction from that.

I am really feeling pressured.  My husband refuses to understand.  He thinks that because I have 2 part time jobs, adjunct faculty and Speaking Lab tutor, my jobs are easier.  Teaching is as much performance as anything alse, and that is tiring.

I guess I will stop typing.  It is taking more time to correct my typos, which are pretty amusing, than it takes to do a sentence.  Here's to wine as the anodyne to most pain.

(((hugs))) Oh, Melusine.  I really hope you get to go to your Renn Faire.  It sounds to me like you could use some friend time and to do something you enjoy.

Yes!  Teaching is very tiring!!  I hope your wine gets you through tonight and tomorrow is a brighter day, one without unwanted attentions.

Huzzah!

I really hope you get to go the the Renn Faire!  Phooey on that director!  What does he know about Renn Faires anyway!