Steph, how long after you switched to a gluten-free diet did you feel like it was really a noticeable difference?

Well, my biggest symptoms when I eat gluten were/are big-time bloating and gassiness, and some crampy pains. So really, I noticed a difference within a few days. It's probably more accurate to say that as long as I don't eat gluten, my belly is fine, but if I do eat some I notice symptoms within a few hours.

Steph! How was the dress-up-as-a-Goth party?

It was fun! As it turns out, the reason for the goth theme was because it was a surprise birthday party for one of our friends -- she and her husband are somewhat gothy. Their house is decorated more or less Average Suburban, but there are little touches here and there that made me giggle in delight. Like their skull-and-crossbones doormat, which was a design I had never seen before: [link] In their basement, which is sort of TV room/bar/whatnot, they have several candleholders that are glass globes held in a skeleton hand. Stuff like that.

I didn't get any pictures of us, but our friends did, so when they send us some, I'll post them. Although by the time we got around to taking pictures, I had taken off my corset because I ated too much apple crisp.

You guys are my social support, right?

Yes!

As it turns out, the reason for the goth theme was because it was a surprise birthday party for one of our friends -- she and her husband are somewhat gothy.

I am delighted by the reasoning for the thematic dress now. Glad you had fun.

As it turns out, the reason for the goth theme was because it was a surprise birthday party for one of our friends -- she and her husband are somewhat gothy.

I am delighted by the reasoning for the thematic dress now.

The birthday surprise-ee was just thrilled by my blood spatter manicure, BTW.

And ~ma for Tzepesh. He's a lovely, sweet boy and I look forward to him feeling better. I hope the vet has some useful suggestions to get some delicious, nutritious food in his belleh.

The birthday surprise-ee was just thrilled by my blood spatter manicure, BTW.

Oh, awesome. It looks so cool. Very visually striking.

Did you do the glitter red on top? I kept looking at Jilli's nails and thinking that, just maybe, I should try that manicure too.

Did you do the glitter red on top?

I do not have a glitter red. While I generally make sure my toenails are painted in warm weather months, since I wear sandals/open-toe shoes 99% of the time, I almost never paint my fingernails because (1) am lazy; (2) am prone to start picking and chipping at the polish within 18 hours; (3) am lazy.

Although now I kind of want glitter red for my toesies.

Although now I kind of want glitter red for my toesies.

China Glaze Ruby Pumps. Trust me. Lubu Heels if you want a black base with red glitter. Both and a coat of Lubu with Ruby over it, if you want to splurge. Totally rocks.

t marking post, emphatically

I hate the part of a severe thunderstorm/tornado watch when I'm trying to decide if I should bed down in the hall.

Haven't gotten to that one yet, I think it's a little too depressing for what I need right now. Turns out I'm in the mood for Kylie!!! Man, she really has the best dance music.

She really does. She's had quite the career. The singles off Sia's album sound perkier than her previous stuff, but I don't know how that carries through to the rest of the album. (I quite like the sound of her previous album, "Some People Have Real Problems", especially "Soon We'll Be Found" - actually pretty optimistic, the music notwithstanding.)