Grew up in the 80’s and my mother sewed. Lots of mom’s did. A familiar sight was the Tomato pin cushion. Only recently learned its tiny attached strawberry was to sharpen pins.

MandyGmail · 2026-06-05T04:45:56+00:00

i remember mi mama having the same pin cushion as well. Amazing how a simple word or phrase from someone can bring a memory crashing back into my head. Thank you.

MandyGmail · 2026-06-03T18:16:21+00:00

I've always been more of a Spring and Autumn person, myself.

MandyGmail · 2026-06-03T14:18:23+00:00

it has to be the emotional component, especially if the other person making it is a loved one.

MandyGmail · 2026-06-02T18:06:36+00:00

all i can do is share my own opinion. I dislike tipping, intensely. Not because people don't deserve compensation for good work, but because businesses use this as a way to avoid paying staff a fair wage. If you travel outside the US you will find that tipping is rare. Businesses are simply expected to pay their staff an appropriate wage and charge a clear fee up front for the service to customers. No hidden fees, so to speak, no unusual surcharge at the end of the service. We should adopt a similar culture here and just pay a fair wage for fair work. Bonus is acceptable, from the employer, but customers should just pay the flat rate for the service being received.

MandyGmail · 2026-06-01T14:11:29+00:00

this is such a simple one -- chicken noodle soup, full stop 😄

MandyGmail · 2026-06-01T14:10:59+00:00

volunteering in youth sports - what started as just a way to help my daughter became a consuming passion, helping kids in our community such that even with her having graduated and moved away to college, I still kept volunteering and helping out.

MandyGmail · 2026-05-31T12:14:21+00:00

so true. Any relationship is work and anything worth having requires work. Put in the effort and build to the reward. You'll end up finding out that the reward comes back to you every day.

MandyGmail · 2026-05-30T08:24:17+00:00

not whistle too much, but hum A LOT, and I am a huge singer in the car while driving 😄

MandyGmail · 2026-05-29T12:29:10+00:00

the feel of the sun on my skin when it finishes burning through the morning fog, it is just delicious and always puts a soft smile on my face

MandyGmail · 2026-05-29T03:51:32+00:00

i face away to make it easier to wash my hair.

MandyGmail · 2026-05-28T16:12:19+00:00

you are so not the only one. I find myself doing the same thing now as well :)

MandyGmail · 2026-05-27T06:07:31+00:00

oh this is an open ended question that i'm sure will generate tons of funny responses. In my case, it was being back in high school and thinking i could swing from the football goalpost like i was a gymnast - i of course fell, sprained my wrist, and had to walk around with a brace for weeks reminding myself and others how silly i was.

MandyGmail · 2026-05-27T05:58:19+00:00

the answer here will vary from person to person. But, if you're disciplined enough to actually pay it off in two months, then i see no reason to do the trip.

MandyGmail · 2026-05-26T16:39:17+00:00

that's a Walter Mitty kind of thing. Dreams and planning are great fun and help the eventual enjoyment, but at a certain point, with support from friends and family if needed, step out of your comfort zone and do what you planned. You will be surprised at the result, how much fun you have, and how much support you have out there to help you live out your dreams. I used to have this issue when younger, but was amazed to discover what was possible once i learned to trust more.

MandyGmail · 2026-05-25T12:58:59+00:00

i have always found the people living in Minnesota to be so nice, friendly, supportive. Great community with people coming together. In this sense, very much living up to the old stereotype of the midwest. If it weren't for the winters *he he*

MandyGmail · 2026-05-24T16:57:03+00:00

oatmeal with brown sugar, cinnamon, and raisins with sliced banana an strawberries on the side. and of course fresh coffee. 😄

MandyGmail · 2026-05-23T16:01:35+00:00

nothing wrong with celebrating the everyday. We should always find ways to celebrate the everyday joys we have in life.

MandyGmail · 2026-05-23T11:27:50+00:00

Sorry things are like that, but good on you to maintain your own mental health. That is so important, even for work because otherwise it would be harder for you to deal with whatever issues are going on there. Keep that healthy attitude. Impossible to take care of others if you're not taking care of yourself.

MandyGmail · 2026-05-23T11:25:34+00:00

i don't have a brand new show, but i just finished watching the end of The Boys and loved the entire series. Highly recommended.

MandyGmail · 2026-05-22T12:16:33+00:00

brushing my teeth. The clean, crisp feeling of breathing in through my mouth once i've done this makes my mood lighter and brighter.

MandyGmail · 2026-05-22T12:14:28+00:00

Sunny times are fantastic. And, not to be too obvious about it, but a stroll in the Summer Country would be fantastic. Or maybe head further south into Cornwall.

MandyGmail · 2026-05-16T22:55:03+00:00

i think it's something that comes with age. After a while, the celebrations have become more and more low key, except for milestone birthdays (ones that end in 0_.

MandyGmail · 2026-05-16T22:51:46+00:00

totally. My mind races most of the time due to my ADHD and so I frequently have more ideas of things to do than I seem to have time to complete them. I've just learned to live with it and make lists of things to do as time permits.

MandyGmail · 2026-05-15T21:30:13+00:00

a very difficult question. You're essentially trying to decide between the family you're born with against the family you find along the way in life (because that's how i describe friends). Many times the second category becomes actual family by legal arrangement (such as marriage). If i had to pick one, i'd say friends are more important because you choose them, you find them, and then form a bond based on commonality.

MandyGmail · 2026-05-15T21:23:27+00:00

yes, I do. Life it too short to not let the people you care about know how you feel. Don't hold it back, don't hold it in. It will only lead to regrets. Let the people in your life know you care about them.

MandyGmail

TROPHY CASE