When I had my huge big-D Depression in college, I ate almost constantly -- 3 meals plus popcorn, cheddar scones slathered in butter, jumbo candy bars and entire boxes of cookies as daily snacks -- and lost weight; in the last few years, big-D Depression has led to listless to no eating and no weight loss.

I'm completely awed, and somewhat frightened, by Laura's diet.

Would like my clothes to fit, please. They're pretty and I can't afford new ones.

Not that the cause of my "This" is similar, but This. Almost nothing fits, both because of a smallish but persistent baby belly (not likely to go away anytime soon with the stress-eating I've been doing) and because everything has shifted. The only vintage dress I have that still fits is a drop-waist early '30s crepe dress. The '50s hourglass dresses? No way. The modern pencil skirts? Ha ha! The button-up blouses and tank and wrap tops? BWAH! I have two pairs of stretch leggings, a spring/summer dress, and four tops that still work (plus two other dresses that kinda work but I can't nurse or pump in them), no way to pay for any more new stuff, and no idea what my body's going to ultimately look like anyhow.

However, in yaygood news, thanks to my angel boss, we now have a digital camera! And as thrilled as I am about being able to document Matilda's growth minute-by-minute, I'm almost as thrilled about being able to photograph and list the vintage dresses on eBay.

Speaking of which, if a minor thread hijack is permissible -- after a couple of years of scouting and buying vintage dresses on eBay I have a rough idea of what's good in a listing and what will just make buyers go @@ and leave:

• A good picture of the dress in decent light, with a picture of any detail work
  *As many measurements as possible - boobs, waist, hips, skirt length and possibly shoulders
  *A picture of any flaws or damage
  *Info on the label or designer if I can dig it up
  *Giving at least the correct decade for the dress
  *Spelling it all more or less correctly and not saying "GR8 dress! lOOk!!!" in my title or description

Am I missing anything? Measurements I didn't think of? Details in the pictures? Other info?

Skipping lots to say that my heat is finally back on!

I'm eating more now that I'm not leaving the house with the kids. This is bad. I weigh more than I've weighed in ages (even at the tail end of being pregnant). I'd say I've put on 15lbs. since we brought Olivia home and that is very, very bad.

It can't be helping my back issues any.

I'm watching Santa Claus is Coming to Town and recording it for Owen. He's got no clue about Santa yet.

Brenda, we'll have bail money ready!

Crap, I'm now salivating over teapots online. I usually just make mine by the mug with my kettle.

There is a Backyardigans episode about a tea party and Owen can now say, "pip, pip, cheerio!"

When I had my first big depression, I ate nothing but nutrigrain bars and snapple, because that was what I had in my dormroom and I refused to leave. Now I just snack constantly to deal with depression, stress, boredom, etc.

Yay, for heat, Anne!

Skipping lots to say that my heat is finally back on!

Yay!!!!!

My heat, however, is no where to be found. I have electricity, but I have steam heat. With no heat actually coming out right now. It's cold in here.

I'm glad you have heat (finally!) Anne.

I just realized how apt the current thread title is (for me, personally).

Moooooom, Vortex gave us meara. Give her a cookie!

I think I will! I like making cookies. Especially around the holidays.

Today, for the first time in I can't remember when, I woke up pain free

Awesome, Deena!

Did we know that erinaceous is on Rachael Ray right now?

WHAT!? Dude. Someone should YouTube that shit.

It seems EVOO is going to be added to the next edition of the dictionary.

NOOOOOO! Surely you jest. EW!

Trader Joe's Southwest Salsa (with Jicama) is so yummy

Ooh, salsa with jicama? That sounds yummy!

As in cleaning type fasting. Only consuming my mixture of water, maple syrup, lemon, and cayenne pepper.

Good god. I can't even imagine! Eeek!

Sadly, I eat when I'm sad. And when I'm happy. And, you know, the rest of the time.

Cause food is, y'know, yummy! I've always thought, though that if I could just go cold turkey, it would be easier. To be hardcore. But you can't coldturkey food like you can cigs or booze or whatever. You still have to eat. For the rest of your life. So compromises start slipping in....and even if you're good for a while, eventually, it all goes to hell.

Cashmere, did you get a new appointment, yet? How are you doing, today?

I made a cranberry salsa with jicama for Thanksgiving!

and then we totally forgot to eat it.

I'm doing ok now--with the aid of some flexeril, Cindy. Today was rough. Christopher's dealing with a complete fuckus at work (not his fault but he took the job and it's his responsibility now so he's getting roasted). Which means he's put in two 12 hour days this week (since he's taking Thursday off to stay with the kids for my gyno appointment and he's flying out Friday morning).

He got home and I climbed into a hot bath and cried for about 15 minutes. Then I promptly drugged myself up and am now pretty looped.

I'm set for Friday for the injections--bring on the needles in my spine! A coworker of Christopher is driving me (her sitter, who was the person who watched Owen this summer) is watching the kids.