frenchtoast

A reminder to please not speculate about suicide. Thanks!

I guess they actually wanted their product to sell.

That's enough beating of the horse and interrogations of each other. You have all agreed to disagree and are now moving past the discussion of married couples having friends. It's gone past civil discourse into sniping back and forth.

Of course we can talk books here! Just wanted to point other areas of this pretty terrific site. Even as a mod, I don't see all the forums. But I was pretty sure there was a Book area. I was reading the Last Kingdom series. I was borrowing from the library and got the ebooks for Christmas. As much as I like real books I don't have the room for books right now. So, library and ebooks for me. All of which is to say I've enjoyed the Last Kingdom series. Not great literature but a fun read nonetheless.

Normally we have a small little thing, because it's usually the weekend closest to my birthday. Not so much this year, and we don't have any plans this year. We'll probably watch the game and have some snicks snacks but no big shebang.

In case you were interested, here is the Book forum from PTV. But no, there is no rule. Feel free to discuss books here, this is the place for it!

I know I'd need something stronger if my 10 year old were home all day playing her harmonica. I am deeply grateful that the music teacher in her school is so involved and inspiring to the kids, it makes a huge difference. But why, whyyyy, WHYYY did he make a harmonica club??? Also for this scenario: Mom...it's a snow day!!! YAYAYAYAY!!!!! Can we go outside and play??!!! Of course, because it's good to go outside and get some fresh air. 15 minutes they're back inside. MOOOOM!!! Can you help us make a snowman?! Nope because I'm 41 and I realized at your age that playing in the snow is cold and wet. 20 minutes later they come back in, ask for help making hot chocolate. An hour later this repeats. Sometimes the kids can be great and cooperative, but after a day of games and shit, you need a few bottles of wine.

Thanks everyone for the warm wishes--makes my day!! And those dealing with family, all the best. It's never easy. Come and vent anytime.

^^Exactly this HFC. Though I must credit hubby and kids--they have tried. Last year was the big 40 and it was the Superbowl. Which is awesome and hubby had tried to get some friends up and visit but with the weather and health it didn't happen. And I didn't get a cake. But I'm ALWAYS the organizer and baker of yummy cakes, so it's hard for me to loosen the reins. But, seriously, all I want is to stay in my pjs all day to watch my favorite movies and a birthday cake. And I got my cake, an evening early because we met up with my mom. And he tried to do something nice and I ruined it by opening my big mouth and telling a friend I was trying to see if we could go see Cabaret. Which turned into, "I already bought the tickets. Happy Birthday! Early!" I'm really terrible.

Happy Birthday! I almost always request ice cream cake. And since my birthday has tended to be around the Super Bowl, a family member would make home made ice cream cake. We have not seen them the past few years at Super Bowl as her spouse has been ill. I have not seen a cake. I'm hoping the kids get it tomorrow because it would be awkward to buy my own cake. I will do it because I have no shame. It would just be nice if I didn't have to.

I haven't heard of this, but I've been waking up around 1ish and then 4ish and then the stupid dogs wander the room at 5ish and then the alarm goes off at six, even though I'm up. On the flip side, I'm ready for bed at 10ish and I can fall back asleep at the 1ish wake up. It's that 4ish one that is killing me lately. Thankfully, I'm a stay at home parent, so I can doze off after lunch and it's fine. My kids are old enough now that they have to learn to do some chores--vacuuming, laundry etc so that they are actually functioning adults in 10 years so even I don't get something done, I have the kids (learn how to) do it. I have found that when I exercise regularly I sleep better and I don't get the lunchtime doldrums. It's weird, but I'll have energy during the day and come bedtime I'm asleep and stay asleep. I also don't get the raging munchies. Since my jeans are starting to not fit and the dress I wore to see Cabaret last night in Providence was awfully tight, I need to get back into that routine. But not this weekend--it's my birthday Monday and I want to eat my cake.

I am quite impressed with that handwriting. I might be able to write like that if I took the time. (Who am I kidding? I couldn't) I hope he wasn't teased for having handwriting like that. Because it's good! It's legible, clear, and neatly spaced. The words....uh....I'm wondering if they just aren't exposed to different literature to get an idea that that is a bit...over the top.

While much of the current discussion(s) is (are) interesting, it would be hard to know this is the Jill and Derrick topic from them. Please talk about the Seewalds in their topic and JB and Michelle in theirs. Otherwise, it gets very confusing where to post stuff. A quick, "Taking/replying to this to xxx topic" works great.

Somehow we've wandered far off the path of Jana, Josiah and Jinger. And JD, too. Let's steer away from political/abortion etc talk and slide back to the topic.

We were thankfully spared--only about 5-6 inches by me. Yay! It's gotta be tough for DC/VA/WV/MD--even with all the snow moving equipment, it takes a lot of time to move that much snow.

Man, I never understood the AT-ATs because they seem so unstable and yet sometimes so difficult to take out. It was great to see Leia even if the cynic in me is saying it's to tie into The Force Awakens. That's ok, it works. It shows that she's been the compassionate, smart, capable and caring person for a long time. As great as Rey is, I identify more with Leia and I'd rather my kids see her as someone to emulate and be inspired by. She tries to help others, thinks on her feet, and is calm in the face of danger. Love her.

Folks, a friendly reminder: it's ok to disagree, it's ok to see things/people/situations differently. Consensus and agreement are not required. What is required is to Be Civil. It's starting to get a tad, smidge, teensy bit heated in here and it's starting to feel like the discussion is going in circles. It feels like everyone has had their say and maybe it would be best to move on. Also, it's best to not bring up discussions that are happening on Facebook and other places on the Internet. It adds nothing to conversation and it seems to accuse posters here of "thinking wrong" which is definitely not cool. Thanks!

I like to get out during a storm to get some of it, but when the wind is like this it does feel pointless. But, with that much snow, it does help to do it in bits. The snowblower only reaches so high. I live in MA, but right outside Providence RI, so quite southern MA and we're getting a bit of snow. But after last year, this is manageable. The wind has been whipping since this morning. I'm just glad it was on a Saturday so they won't miss school. Undoubtedly the kids will have snow days, it's just nice to miss having one this time.

As a dog owner I was wondering if that would be a safe way to handle a cat. Even most dogs would be all, "Please stop. I hate this." Tom Wopat wasn't the mastermind, I was shocked! He was the nearly unrecognizable guest star. (Yes, there were others, but I did eventually recognize him whereas I am not familiar with the others) Is it wrong that I like Marcus's hair? It was a bit surprising that they dropped the ball on Sherlock paying his "consultants". That's how Joan found out about Moran--the Irregular came to the Brownstone for payment. I liked it better when Joan's hanging around the house clothes weren't all matchy-matchy and nice looking. That cozy dark red sweater, terry shorts and a t-shirt made her quite relatable. And I was glad that it wasn't Fiona who concocted the plan. Greed is a far more believable reason.

As a way to clarify, please note that episode topics are based on UK airdates and will contain episode information. If you are waiting to watch in the US, this means there will be spoilers. There is a new handy little Topic Prefix Unaired in USA that helps alert US viewers so UK viewers feel free to post the episode topics with that prefix using the episode format. In the character and other non-episode topics, as a courtesy to the US viewers, please spoiler bar episode specific information. Feel free to PM me or any mod with any questions. Enjoy!

There is a lovely compilation of sentiments upon hearing of his passing on Slate. Frankly, his music wasn't my cup of tea, but I still appreciated what he brought. These are my two favorites: From Guillermo del Toro: From Carrie Brownstein: