vw, that sounds like the Dr. Suess version of your paper.

I'm punchy enough that I want to have one of the subheads for the article I'm writing for a very sedate and stodgy magazine to be "You don't have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows."

Hec - So, I guess the Jesus look is over for Damon, eh? Or did he get a special clause in his contract?

If Randy Johnson and Jason Giambi had to clean up, then Damon certainly will. Remember the last time he had short hair and was clean shaven he played for the A's and had the worst year of his career.

Go with it, Ginger. My father, a stodgy civil engineer writing for an even stodgier civil engineering journal once titled an article (in the Latin) "We Came, We Saw, We Dug." It was so unusual to see him make a joke, and in his work, that I fell off my chair laughing. The point being, you'll make someone's day with a good laugh.

I know Hec, I know.....

Did you see that Dotel also signed with the Yanks?

eta - my occasionally frustrating contract manager (one of the ones being a PIA about my promotion) just brought in burbon balls and other assorted cookies. The day is looking up.

I have seven more concepts to write about. And I have to get in the shower and go to work. Oh, how I don't want to go to work! But the Chancellor is coming in for a meeting today, and we all have to be there. What a dumb day he picked.

Beverly, I've never used a sugar scrub. How does one use them? Do you just moisten skin, scrub on the scrub, and rinse off? Is it for exfoliation? Can you eat it?

Yes, yes, and well, it won't kill you.

Well, Brenda's right. In fact on the tags I made I included the info "All food-grade ingredients." If you're into sugar and olive oil, have at it.

I have serious sensitivity to most of the ingredients cosmetic companies use--chief among them being lanolin, which is one of the best emollients for humans, all-natural, and one which most crunchy granola lines (Bert's Bees, frex) use. I had such a terrible time one winter that all I used on my very dry skin was mayonaise, crisco, and olive oil. I still use only olive oil based soaps, as it's the one thing that won't trigger my sensitivities.

Erin makes a butt polish that has some sugar in it, and is also vanilla scented, as I recall. But I think hers uses your favorite hand cream as a base. I could be wrong.

I sit on the edge of the tub and take about a teaspoon of scrub and gently rub it into the dry places on my feet and ankles, then smooth the residue up my calves to my knees. I may take another fingertip full to use on the knees. If you're gentle, the sugar isn't very abrasive, and the oil lubricates immediately. Sometimes I apply before a shower, and then have to moisturize after, but if I just do the feet, I'll rinse and pat dry, and the oil stays on and soaks in. Whatever feels the best for you.

Stephanie, I'm glad you reached Florida safely, and that Joe's folks are enjoying Ellie. You enjoy the warmth!

Go you on the paper, vw!

(((Bitches))) Gotta run. Digging my dirty house out for visitors tomorrow, in between (TMI) hacking up lovely green phlegm by the cupful other stuff.

Beverly, have you looked at Lush's various vegan moisturizers? They wouldn't have lanolin.

Trudy, I can't get past the front door of Lush--I have a paroxysm of sneezing and my ability to smell shuts down. I'd order online, but I would like to smell what I'm buying before I pay those prices. Not that their products aren't worth every penny, but besides, making my own is fun!

The small amount of alcohol in the extracts apparently acts as a preservative, because one batch of scrub I made more than a year ago is still perfectly fresh--the bits that are left in the corners of the jar, that is.

Katie Bee: I'm completely appalled. I don't even understand these people. Please, post your reply letter here so we can join in your scathing mockery.

{{Beverly}} Feel better, chica!

DO NOT. You've just extended the happy feeling your best friend gets from having people say Happy Birthday for a week! GO YOU!

Well, this is my friend who has been feeling lonely and abandoned and having a really tough year, and everyone else also forgot her birthday and I didn't even remember it to call and leave a message or a dumb email card or anything. I really screwed up big time.