I started with Halloween in June - the little mouse witch ornaments only need their eyes painted and then they can be spray sealed.  The cats with pumpkins are well under way.  The mouse scarecrows have barely been touched.  Since I have my paints & brushes out, I started on an Easter bunny ornament.  On my painting list are Christmas ornaments, a Mrs. Claus figure and a tall standing Santa with his list.  There are also ornaments that need a paint touch-up due to chipping - OK some suffered more than chipping - there was an incident a few years ago where I knocked a tray of fully painted ornaments and they flew into the metal base of my sewing chair  - several reindeer lost their heads.  I need to spray seal the pink Christmas village that I painted last year and get the fake snow on the roofs.  On my sewing list are Christmas tree skirts, table runners, and printed panels for wallhangings(Christmas & Halloween).  Looking at my list of stuff to do, I'm going to be working like one of Santa's elves.

Oh, I don't envy you, Catllar.  But remember the 20 foot rule - if it can't be noticed from 20 feet away, while they're dancing, all is good.

I thought I should update on how DD1 is doing.  She started making real progress in January.  She's gone to the uni ballet class - only doing about half.  She said it felt weird and good at the same time after so long without being able to move.  I finally got to bring her home last weekend and she's back at work in an office full time - she's home until school starts in September.  She only needs to be at the clinic every other week.

She's doing well emotionally now.  Just like last time, she's planning on grabbing every opportunity that she can.  She's now thinking that she'll do an honours dance degree as she'll only need to add 1 extra course to her last 2 years & possibly adding a labour studies minor.  There is an internship in the works.  And she's thinking of going to Europe next summer for a dance intensive.

I've been busy offline this holiday season.  She was very happy with her gifts. 

Missie, dance can definitely be hazardous as dancers advance.  This is her third dance related concussion - the first 2 weren't serious.  The first she was kicked in the head with a tap shoe (steel taps) during recital (a full audience).  She stood up and kept dancing.  The second she hit her head on the floor when she pushed off the floor from a laying position and didn't catch herself as she came back down.

Roger, she got herself a fitbit alta.  Unfortunately, even with keeping a tight check on her heart rate, she made herself really ill for 3 days after she went to the gym for some light exercise.  My instincts tell me that this is going to be a longer recovery than her last one which took 4 months. 

Well, in true the show must go on style, I need suggestions for what to sew for my "broken" dancer, DD1.  My initial plans were to make up several pieces - shorts, pants, leotards, tops - out of several lovely coordinating lycras.  Back in October, she and another dancer collided in rehearsal - head to head - and knocked themselves out.  Both girls had to withdraw from classes at university and DD1 won't be returning for the spring semester (I don't think the other girl will be returning either).  She has compression of the cervical spine, constant nausea & motion sickness (her balance is off), noise sensitivity and minor vision issues.  She is supposed to exercise but not raise her heart rate above 100 bpm & they're concerned about her low blood pressure (which we've known about for a decade).  Today's visit to the concussion clinic brought the recognition of cognitive issues as well.  She looks fine but she can't really do much - she's too sick to go to the club or bar with her friends - the lights & noise make her symptoms worse.  Truth be told, I really have no idea when she will be able to return to her life or dance.  I don't want to make her feel worse by gifting her something that she can't use and will only remind her of what she is missing.

Christmas pajamas are already underway.  But honestly, I'm confused as to what else to make for her.

I recently inherited my Mom's oak filing cabinet - it's 2 drawers high but double width.  It holds everything but my children's patterns (stored in a large plastic bin) and my Jalie patterns (in magazine holders).  It has made a definite improvement to the room.  But I need more bookcases.

Oh Catllar, what is wrong with some people?  She's thrown off by a small white bow on the back of her skirt?  I'm just contrary but next time I might be tempted to bring her a massive white bow to stick to her skirt.  Then, she should be distracted by it.  This problem requires more wine - and  .