My nails are very weak; they curl and peel. They hold up better if they have polish on them to add some protection and strength. My SIL has a salon so I go there when I have time. I always let the tech choose a color for me so they can try out new colors they want to see. Something in the red range most of the time. My NY resolution is to get there more often to be pampered. Last time I went I got a facial and it was so lovely.

I don't wear polish on my fingernails because it's a fruitless endeavor-- but when I do pedis, I love beautiful reds. Chanel's got a new collection that was just released-- Paris Moscou, and the three colors are absolutely gorgeous, especially the red.

Those Chanels look gorgeous. Not $30 a pop gorgeous (especially considering that the Chanel formula is crap), but still beautiful.

I used to not be able to get polish to last more than a day. Now that I actually actively want to change my nails almost daily? I've figured out the secret behind a good, lasting mani. (For me, it's NailTek Foundation II with Orly Bonder over it, the polish, a regular top coat, and then a final layer of Poshe quick dry top coat. And I'm hard as hell on my nails.)

I think I brain-blocked on the stocking because we stopped doing stocking when I was in high school. We used stocking money to do angel tree kids every year and later for charitable donations in the people's names, so I am kinda out of practice.

Icy Hill

December 15, 2008, South Waterfront neighborhood, Portland, Oregon. Looking from our condo we can see cars attempting, and most failing, to climb up a hill to get out of the neighborhood. I decided to put together a montage of sliding cars. Portland had a recent snowfall and we are expecting more tomorrow.

The montage is sped up, with wacky Benny Hill music....

When I wear nail polish my hands always feel hot and sweaty. It's like the polish is suffocating my fingers. Pedicures don't have the same effect, so I'm more likely to get those.

Has part three been posted? 2008, the year in photographs (part 3 of 3)

My Little Yoda Pony! My Little Pony Continues to Find the Force - Kooky Star Wars Tribute

Gah! Still laughing about the icy hill -- the fact that no-one or -car was hurt makes it just that much more acceptably funny.

There were pig magnets on sale for 50 cents at Staples (where I got mac some erasers and a pencil sharpener). so I did treat myself. all treat, no guilt.

I second the balsa wood airplane rec. Much less pointy and weighty than paper. Plus, they sometimes fall apart when they hit something and then can be put back together for more. I loved them as a kid.

Oragami is awesome. Friends' kids have a really intricate design book [Harrier jet type stuff] and when I come over, they ask me to help them with the worst challenges. I've got the time and tenacity to figure out otherwise confusing directions and the kids love seeing the final results. Then I can teach them how to get past the directions that confused them before.

Huge fun for all.