I wanted to give an update, and thank everyone again for their thoughts and prayers for my mom. She seems to have done a full recovery. I call her the energizer bunny, she just keeps going, and going.... If you could all see how utterly frail she is, you could really appreciate that! Anyway, she seems none the worse for wear, and I expect her to see her 92nd birthday in April. ;) I would have posted sooner, but a week ago this last Monday, my best friend (the one I mentioned in this thread) called to say her oldest son was at the ER. He had passed away suddenly at the young age of 39. So needless to say, my life was put on hold til a couple days ago. I have not seen my sister much, which has been good. Some of the things I got out of this thread, and in particular the Gray Rock link, will follow. I highly recommend reading the comments at the end of that article, I got as much out of them (and am still reading) as I did the actual article. This is what I have come away with so far. 1. One reason I have responded to my sister in the past when I shouldn't have, has been pride. She has always lorded over me, in my mothers own words. And I suppose a certain part of me just doesn't want to let her have the last word. I'm not some dumb little sister, though she can often treat me as such. And has for most of my life. So, there's one thing I have recognized, admitted, and need to work on. 2. There is a part of her that appears totally normal. So much so, that I find it really hard not to hold her to the same rules that every one else has to follow. She can definitely discern right and wrong at times, and she can realize there are consequences to actions. Which is why I didn't just give her the silver. I wanted her to understand she had given them away. That she can't go through life throwing temper tantrums one minute and then be sorry and expect to be bailed out of whatever mess she made during previous said temper tantrum. Whether it was wrong or right what I did doesn't matter now, it's over. But she did contact me after the fact and ask if she could have one of two certain spoons. These were not with the set, and I had repeatedly offered her one at the time but she had declined. She acknowledged that I was not bound to give them to her, and if I chose not to she would understand. So see, she does "get" stuff. And for the record, I did give her one, and the one I thought she'd like most. She seemed really happy, as it was a really neat spoon. 3. Part of my problem is, I wear my heart on my sleeve. That only sets me up for more trouble and confrontations. I am not used to having to guard my words. This is something that is going to take some work, I am an open person by nature. So it's a real mental exercise to calculate my words. I'm working on it. But it doesn't help that she picks up on my "quietness"....... I don't know that all this will work quite like it did for others, but I definitely got some help out of it. See, she wants a relationship with me to some degree, so I don't see her just going away after she gets" bored". Maybe more so in anger or frustration because she will sense I don't really want to be her "friend". Which I hate. I don't want to hurt her feelings, but it almost seems inevitable. I love her, and desperately wish we could have had a real relationship. But, that was not to be. Thank you again for all your thoughts and suggestions and links and prayers and well wishes. It never ceases to amaze me how caring some people can be to a complete stranger. :)

girl wonder, some books I've found useful and enjoyed: Interior Design Master Class: 100 Lessons from America's Finest Designers on the Art of Decoration by Carl Dellatore: "Creating a library-worthy resource on design, the volume’s editor, Carl Dellatore, recruited one hundred top American interior designers to contribute essays on a particular aspect of design, interspersed with examples of their work. Useful for both aficionados and professionals, the volume reveals the meticulous and often heady process that goes into creating great interiors." There's a very good good write-up and interview with the author at the design blog Quintessence. Habitat: The Field Guide to Decorating by decorator Lauren Liess (who is basically self-taught, which is why she calls herself a decorator rather than an interior designer), who has a great blog (not updated much anymore) where she has explained her choices and decisions. Mary Gilliatt's Interior Design Course by Mary Gilliatt Domino: The Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home That Makes You Happy by Deborah Needleman The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well by Deborah Needleman A few of the interior design books I've picked up in the past few years, which gave me a greater sense of appreciation for what interior designers and decorators do: The Interior Design Reference & Specification Book: Everything Interior Designers Need to Know Every Dayby Linda O'Shea, Chris Grimley, Mimi Love Interior Design Course: Principles, Practices, and Techniques for the Aspiring Designer by Tomris Tangaz Some earlier helpful threads in the GardenWeb Home Decorating forum: Where to go for "Home Decorating 101"? What's your favorite Interior Design Book?

Perfect example of the art and frustrations of parsing kids' taste in literature. Oddly, I remember being "forced" to read some books in third grade for a book report, and I really didn't want to. They were biographies and I couldn't imagine how Ralph Bunche and Galileo could have had interesting lives, (I know!). I learned the lesson of stretching myself when it came to reading, and picking "outside the box" books and giving them a chance. Also not judging a book by its cover, since Ralph Bunche in a grey suit didn't convey the amazing achievements of the man, and nothing says, "dead boring old guy" like a painting of Galileo. I became a fan of both men though, after reading the books. I scratch my head when I think of some of my choices back then, I was all over the board. Still am I guess.

There was a national trend amongst the hipsters for "fancy toast". Usually avocado or some other veg spread, decorated by little bits that look like the bottom of the salad bowl after the leaves are gone. :) I've eaten some. Not bad, but you have to come from a cooking deprived household to think it's special. I have Nancy Silverton's book, which is interesting, but not really for beginners. Considering your relationship with baking in general, I wouldn't recommend it, though if you follow exactly without any deviation you could succeed. When I was starting, I used Local Breads by Daniel Leader, but it's more about European style bakery baking than what you're probably looking for, and it's full of errata. You can find lists of errors and corrections online, but then you have to amend the book. It's also not one I'd recommend for you. Most of my bread books, of which I have many, are very particular to the author and not really meant to be baked from like a Betty Crocker cookbook. I get your desire. Someone may know of a good one for what you're asking. I haven't seen one. I know you don't want to live online, but maybe you could do your research and print out the bits you need? Try Sourdough.com and Breadtopia.com and don't go any farther before you already have some success under your hands.