Thanks, Laura. She called tonight, not to ask about the move or to see how we're doing, but to continue to yell about stuff that happened a quarter of a century ago. which she does every few months or so. Everytime I have any contact with her I'm amazed that she managed to have the incredible and well adjusted son that I love. I try not to complain about her here, because it feels like I'm betraying TCG in some way, but tonight was too much

Only a quarter of a century ago? My mom goes back to stuff that happened as far back as the '30s.

I ampro kid in the thread- we have Spent this weekend seeing our oldest nephew graduate and playing with our youngest nephew ( who is three)

happy birthdays and MA~~~

Cindy and sj, how frustrating!

Ok. I need help from the hivemind, and I need you to be brutally honest with me.

Pretend you're a friend of mine who's kind of borderline gothy. You haven't seen me much in the last five years, but you invited me to your wedding last September. I come back for it and leave you a card saying I'm making you a quilt.

Almost a year later, you see me in person and I give you this: [link] You hate me or love me?

Here's a close-up of some of the fabrics: [link]

It's just. so. bright. I love it, but I'm not sure it's them. And I've put a lot of work into it, but I hate to give them something that they'd hate when I still have time that I could possibly make a different quilt, then give this to someone else.

Thoughts?

The quilt is lovely. My neighbor made Scott and me a crazy quilt, with colors that really weren't us, but we adored it, and adored all the love that went into it. In my opinion, it's an heirloom sort of gift, anyhow. I mean it's wonderful to use, but it's also wonderful just to have.

Give her the quilt and let it go.

You could always embroider a few bats on it.

Does she love you already? I'm guessing so.

I don't think the quilt is gothy or bordeline gothy--I'd never ever buy it from the store. But if someone I loved gave it to me, it'd be a whole different thing.

So decide if a labour of vw's love is gift enough--and a well done labour at that. If it is, you're golden. If you want to get her the thing that's so totally her, you may have missed your mark.

I just don't think it's the only mark in town.

I'd never ever buy it from the store

Oh, how I love this kind of honesty! :)

Thanks, guys.

The doors are going to have red doorknobs. I'm hoping that helps a bit too. I'm going to put them on tomorrow. I'll also be machine quilting around the houses, which might help break things up.

vw, what everyone else said.

Cindy, sorry about the staple injury and the ER disaster.

sj, sometimes, it helps to vent a little.

My new tattoo.

I survived the bachelorette party. Spent a load of money. It was sort of low-key for that sort of thing but I think my sister was happy. We have a spa date on Thursday, manis and pedis scheduled for Friday and the rehearsal and dinner Friday night. Then the wedding on Saturday. I'm excited for her but I'll be glad when it's over.

Cass!! I need advice!

Or really, anyone:

My coworker and I will be in Portland Monday through Thursday nights, and we need nice places to eat dinner! We'll be on an expense account, though not a *huge* one (no shrift-ian Charlie Trotter dinners, but generally cost is not a worry). So, dinner suggestions?

The only other preference would be near our hotel...not that I know where that is (it's the "Hotel Vintage Plaza" on 422 Broadway?), since we won't have a rental car. (We can and will take taxis but hugely out of the way might be stretching it)