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

Segrass, congratulations on making it through everything physical and emotional that goes with aggressive treatment for breast cancer. It is worth it. My mother discovered breast cancer when I was 16 (1970) and she lived 12 years with lots of treatment. Treatment is much better now. Celebrate tonight with joy. I am shampooing carpets, cleaning like mad and cooking. Tomorrow I am having the first dinner party in the new kitchen. Actually, I have never given or attended a dinner party. It's nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time. Happy New Year, y'all Judy

I feel guilty that I"ve actually been having a mostly relaxing day while dh is slaving in the kitchen ALL day. He went to the grocery store early and while he was gone, I made marinara sauce for the ravioli mentioned above. I failed to mention that *his* tradition every year is to make chocolate chip pumpkin bread (old Ghirardelli recipe) for all our friends/neighbors/coworkers. He sometimes makes 40 loaves. Well, I thought he was done but nope, got home from the store and made two more batches. Then he started in on the filling for the ravioli. He made the meat ravioli first, finally took a break for dinner, and is now working on the cheese ravioli. Our 13 y/o has been a great helper. The other day, he decided that he wanted to bring pumpkin cheesecake to my parents' house for Christmas. My mom is already making dessert but he decided he wanted this as well so she didn't have to make an additional dessert. I warned him the cheesecake needs to be made ahead. He said he was going to make it tonight. Well, he's already said he will do it tomorrow. Yet I just realized now, at 9:30pm, that he still hasn't made the tiramisu for Christmas Eve dessert. His response - "I got it, I didn't forget. I'm making both tomorrow." Every year he does this. He takes on too much and then complains after the fact about how exhausted he is. I happily would have bought the tiramisu in Little Italy where it is fabulous. Nope, he needs to make it from scratch. I wouldn't care but he makes a disaster out of the kitchen for days on end b/c he doesn't clean up until the very end. I cannot STAND clutter so it makes me nuts that my kitchen is a mess with no end in sight. I couldn't even make dinner tonight b/c there was no room! We had to get take out. I suppose I shouldn't complain - it is nice that he loves to cook. I do as well, but I am much better at planning and timing (and cleaning up and starting fresh each day). I mentioned next year doing a sort of buffet spread of heavy appetizers instead of Christmas dinner (someone else here mentioned doing that this year, and since my mom has decided this is her last year of hosting, I thought that idea sounded good for next year). Of course, he made a face. But we host a sit-down dinner on Christmas Eve! And seriously, I'd like to actually enjoy Christmas not spend two days in a row feeding a formal sit down dinner to my family when HE is the only one who cares. My kids would happily graze all day.

@Flowers - I have a pagoda dogwood & a magnolia called yellow butterflies. They both are happy here. The magnolia is more tree like than shrub shaped. I bought it as a single trunk tree. I would have like one of the kousa dogwood trees, but I don't really have a spot for it. I purchased both as smaller plants, so they are just starting to get some size. I will take photos as they progress. @Diane - her illustrations are fantastic! It's very time consuming & tedious to do this type of work. Hope she really enjoys it. You are right about all the spring bloomers going so fast. But I think in my area where we have had 6 months of cold, the first buds & blooms of the season are magnificent! It's nice if a tree or shrub can give you the spring blooms, ornamental feature like berries and have fall colour. My serviceberry trees & dogwood do this. I would like to add a Red bud some day as well. Yesterday I found my first flower of the season! We went for a walk in the woods near us & we spotted these little blooms. The forest floor was covered in these popping up between all the leaves! I will post photos next.