Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 00:57:47 -0800 (PST) From: P. Griffiths Hi all, I'm sitting in bed, doing some email and updating my cybermouse joke squad website while the wind howls outside and rain pours on the roof and over the gutters in buckets and torrents. The rain I don't mind, but the wind makes my skin crawl. Last night's storm caused a power outage... thankfully just an hour and a half long. I've been having some scatterbrained, brain foggy days where I get easily distracted and have trouble keeping focused enough to get much of anything done. :-[ I have to keep reminding myself to stay focused and finish whatever it is I am doing. Otherwise I'll have six things started andnothing finished.. which is not a good thing when one is trying to get a cake baked. I did manage to get a chocolate cake baked and Don managed to eat it ;-] I'm glad to be doing well enough to do a bit of baking, even if it is a struggle mentally to do so. I am hoping to have the unpacking finished before Christmas. I'll need to have it done just to find the Christmas stuff :-{ I managed another two boxes today. I'm trying to do at least one box a day. I've found my paints and brushes so i can paint some baskets up to hold yuletide goodies. My kids have agreed that the theme of this years gifts is to be consumables.. things to eat and drink, tobacco.. home baking and things that would not normally be bought like special pickles and other treats. They want baskets of treats.. and I'm happy to be able to paint baskets and bake cakes and cookies to fill them. The biggest gift for the family is this home we are in. :-} I'm glad I found my cookbooks :-) Friends, Family.. home made gifts. and the strength to bake, craft, and enjoy the company of friends and family. I may crash again at any time.. I know this. So I'm not pushing myself too hard.. when my body feels like my energy plug has been pulled I stop whatever I am doing and rest. when my body says "feed me now" I eat something then and don't put it off. When pain flares, I take something instead of trying to tough it out. i am trying to take care of my body instead of my ususal trying to push it as far as I can. I still may crash in spite of it.. but for now I can putter on. Friends and family.. without you I would not have survived this past summer. huggs Phyllis --