That is so encouraging!

So far, only 3 of my nails are effected, but it's been so long since I remember NOT having a bad nail and athlete's foot, that I couldn't even tell you when that was.

I'm really looking forward to not having to think about it anymore.

I reached the end!!! I feel like I just crossed the tape at the NY Marathon or something.

So many hugs to everyone!

Maria, I echo what everyone else has said, and nod. I will also add one thing. My Mother remarried, and he died while I was in High School. He was an insomniac horny toad and she is very much not either of those. And there were times *I* was uncomfortable with their relationship. It was strange. When he died, Mom went into deep mouring. I would say she is just starting to break free from it now, and it's 30 years later! She kept all emotions/guilt/feelings/etc bottled up inside of her. So PLEASE! Vent! We are here for you. It will help you. And that's what friends are for, no?

Strix, deer jeebus, what a sickness! Glad you are on the mend. And very smart of you to take it easy so as to not relapse.

ImeN - two things. 1) On Saturday I have a guy cominig over who may just become my cleaning guy. He helps my neighbor out, and has been for dozen or so years from the sounds of it. Neighbor is very "he is very trustworthy, safe, and does a great job. He has my key, and I trust him with it...". And the few times I walked past his condo, and the drapes were open, yeah, the place is CLEAN. But It looks like neighbor isn't as much a clutter person as I am. Anyhow, my first time ever for having a cleaning person. Hopefully it's affordable! Neighbor says he pays about $60 for a once-a-month cleaning. Which is what I am wanting. Dusting, mopping, bathroom, and counters type of thing.

2) It looks like the dinner-for-6 matchmaker thing is back on. I have a 'date' on Friday. Three ladies, and two other guys. Little nervous. Little anxious. Not sure how dressed up to get.

OK, back to work. Crazy week. Load in for one show in the theater on the other side of campus. Plus load in for BIG show. Plus been helping a bit at M&C's place painting, and cooking for them a little bit. Spoons are running low. But thankfully, the temperature is starting to come back up. I **hate** cold weather! brrrrr. Kills my muscles.

One of my students came to class today with the flu. He said that the doctors said that he's not contagious anymore, but he still looked pretty sick.

I'm going to go see A Royal Affair tonight. It wouldn't be my first choice of movie, but I figure I ought to see whichever non-mainstream movies show out here that look even somewhat good, since there are so few that do play around here.

well ...

Bad News: I had my performance review today and my boss continues to hate me. Same complaints over and over. Complained that I don't update the website often enough, although the problem was I'd put a major announcement at the top and left it for a while ... she just didn't scroll down to see it. On the other hand, she managed to scroll down to find something non-major that had been hanging at the bottom of the page for a long time.

Good News: Tuesday I get a new boss. I've met him and like him. So ... yay?

Sounds like a win to me, Toddson

New boss! New boss! New boss!

Okay, Bitches, I need some shopping help. I want to buy a red or black or silver corset, and this is a good time of year for them. I'm looking for a bullshit corset, not serious business, up to $100 or so. Issues so far have been:

I really want dark red/crimson, not lipstick red.
I don't want lace anywhere near it.
I prefer something without a border.
It should be simple, like plain satin, or maybe a jacquard (I actually saw a black and white tapestry one I liked, but they didn't have my size)

I've tried Frederick's and Lane Bryant, any other ideas?

This is definitely much more lipstick than dark, but it is plain, laceless and borderless.

Red brocade underbust.

Dark red brocade overbust.

Meschantes has almost exactly what you're looking for, but the price is about twice what you hoped for.

I'll keep looking!

eta: From eBay, this looks a bit darker and a bit less lipstick.

OMG, I just went into a meeting with the publisher of the major free weekly newspaper here... I thought he might offer me the opportunity to write an occasional column in the print or online version, but HE OFFERED ME A COVER STORY about beer/new breweries in the city and state. I was stunned, and tried to play it cool, like this happens to me ALL THE TIME. ALL THE TIME I'M OFFERED THE CHANCE TO WRITE A COVER STORY FOR A MAJOR NEWS SOURCE.

The publisher said he loved my voice and writing style and the fact that I wouldn't need much copyediting.

In conclusion: OMGWTFBBQ POLAR BEARS COOLCOOLCOOL.

I have to be cool, though, so the other major paper in town doesn't scoop the idea a week ahead of time. So, BE COOL GUYS! Wait, it's me that's out of my mind with ALL THE FEELINGS. Sorry 'bout that.

Vortex, check out Timeless Trends. Their price range is about $100 for underbust. (I've heard Corset Story isn't great when it comes to shipping and returns, but I've never bought from them, so I don't know.)

t edit I have a Timeless Trends underbust, and it's well-made for an off-the rack corset. It has real steel bones, rather than plastic, which is fantastic. My experience is that their corsets are the best fit on women who have a traditional hourglass shape (or thereabouts), because they're off-the-rack and cut to one body shape (more or less).

t edit again Oh Lord, I want this silver and black one: [link] I have no business looking at corsets right now.