Anyone for Coffee? (no boys allowed)

[Annamariah]

That's by far the most awesome thing I have ever seen!! That's not at all what our prom was like, but that's how I would have wanted it!

Where are you from Annamariah?? I need to move there ASAP!

Ah, I love formality!

Welcome to Finland then It really was a great day, I looked forward to it for YEARS and I had my dress designed before I even finished comprehensive school And the dance course was great fun, too. Three times a week 75 minutes of practising all those formal dances, I loved it.

[sprinks]

That looks really cool!


I'm trying to type this while wearing false nails, my mum did a test run with them this arvo, the ball is this coming Friday!! ! And I'll have to work while wearing these nails tomorrow

[Remarkable]

Oh,sprinks,I feel your pain!Well,keep us updated!

Girls,I have found my perfect match!Alas,he is just a character...

[Sapphire]

Three times a week 75 minutes of practising all those formal dances, I loved it.

First, thank you for those pictures and explaining it. We did not have a formal party either in our last year of high school, we did have much fun at our examination party though - but it was more like a "normal" party. We just went to a bar with a dance floor

Secondly, in high school I would have hated to learn those formal dances (not a great fan of rules ...) - but I do regret sometimes that I am not able to dance properly

Sprinks, as I have never had false nails I have no idea how it feels - I can imagine it is quite awkward though. Try not to break them

Remarkable, you do make me wonder what character

[Annamariah]

Girls,I have found my perfect match!Alas,he is just a character...

Every man I've ever loved has been a fictional character

I did get a chance to wear my fancy dress yesterday I went to this "Finnish Border Guard 90 years" party with my father, who works in the Coast Guard. I worked there in the headquartes too last summer, so I knew some of the people there and had more fun than my mother would have had if she went with my father instead (which she didn't want to do, so I got to go )

Too bad the photos my mother took before we left look quite horrible But if I can get any of them to look at least tolerable (I have to at least remove some red eyes, I look pretty scary), I might post it here

[sprinks]

I broke one of the nails at work . I was filing dvds! But mum glued it back on when I got home . They'll have to come off tonight, school doesn't allow them! (although we are allowed to get them done thursday and wear them through friday til the ball!) I got some fake nails for the ball and the tip of them looks really pretty, like pinks and golds... You'll all see pictures later

[*Classic*Charm*]

you're not allowed to have fake nails at school Sprinks? How come?

Every man I've ever loved has been a fictional character

I did get a chance to wear my fancy dress yesterday I went to this "Finnish Border Guard 90 years" party with my father, who works in the Coast Guard. I worked there in the headquartes too last summer, so I knew some of the people there and had more fun than my mother would have had if she went with my father instead (which she didn't want to do, so I got to go )

Too bad the photos my mother took before we left look quite horrible But if I can get any of them to look at least tolerable (I have to at least remove some red eyes, I look pretty scary), I might post it here

Please do! I want to see your pretty dress!

[Janine]

Every man I've ever loved has been a fictional character

I did get a chance to wear my fancy dress yesterday I went to this "Finnish Border Guard 90 years" party with my father, who works in the Coast Guard. I worked there in the headquartes too last summer, so I knew some of the people there and had more fun than my mother would have had if she went with my father instead (which she didn't want to do, so I got to go )

Too bad the photos my mother took before we left look quite horrible But if I can get any of them to look at least tolerable (I have to at least remove some red eyes, I look pretty scary), I might post it here

Annamariah, I had to do this with the eyes just recently; take out the 'red eye'; hope your program is better than mine. I had taken these photos of my grand-daughter who was 9 months old and just crawling. The thing is my son had given me this camera he no longer wanted and I used it for most. When I viewed them my little Brooke looked like an alien. Now my friend, Lily Adams, would like that, hehaha; but really it was quite scary. I reminded me of "Rosemary's Baby" at the end. Needless to say only a few good ones came out ok with that camera. I hope you can correct yours better than I was able to do mine. I would love to see your lovely dress. I bet you looked beautiful. The party sounds like great fun; so nice of your father taking you. I think my son will be this way with his daughter someday. That is really sweet and will be such a wonderful memory for you in the future.

why is is that every time I buy a pair of dress shoes they feel so comfortable when I try them on in the store but when I have to really walk around in them they kill my feet!!!

That has always been the same problem I have had, pussnboots. Let me ask you, do you think they shrink when you put them into your closet?

Heels are murder when you get older. I used to wear them when I was younger and then I made this bad mistake, buying a pair of black dress boots with slightly taller heels, than I had gotten used to in my later years. Ok, so about 3 or 4 yrs back, I went Christmas shopping in them - wrong thing to do! I was at one big mall store, but decided I had to venture into the mall to pick up a gift certificate for my daughter-in-law. I went the wrong direction, then met up with a friend and her daughter and they directed me to the other end of the mall. By the time I walked that distance and back to the anchor store, then to my car, I was nearly a cripple. Needless to say, I was in dire pain the next day and for weeks after. I had a less than perfect holiday that year due to my fashionable boots. I had bad sciatica running down one leg; very painful. In Jan and Feb, I had to go to physical therapy for 6 weeks; let's just say I haven't worn heels since. I may wear a little elevation, but not much. I am terrified of a relapse. It is ashame, because my boots are quite fashionable; they are not stiletto style, but I should have realized they were not for holiday shopping. So, beware all those who wear high heels. They might make your legs look great, but eventually the height will catch up with you and it is not worth the pain in the long run or the damage to your back.

[*Classic*Charm*]

Poor Janine! The things women do for nice shoes..

I pretty much only wear ballet flats, and heels when I'm going out, which are the two worst possible shoe choices for my crappy knees.

This year I bought new winter boots. I decided that a wedge heel would be perfectly appropriate for walking across campus in the snow. They're tall, black suede with a wedge heel, and I love them, and I paid too much for them. Sad note: the zipper on one of them broke yesterday

[Janine]

Annamariah, I agree with *Classic* that ball scene is just gorgeous. The dresses/gowns are wonderful and the guys look so classy. I am with her; wish I could move there; obviously, your country has a sense of style which is classic and lovely nowdays. I love formality, as well. I wondered what happened to that idea here in the USA. My prom was quite nice with gowns and we decorated the hall beautifully with a theme, very romantic; but we did no formal dancing like this. This is very beautiful indeed. It is like a big entertainment. Everyone must take formal dance lessons there. Am I correct?

Poor Janine! The things women do for nice shoes..

I pretty much only wear ballet flats, and heels when I'm going out, which are the two worst possible shoe choices for my crappy knees.

This year I bought new winter boots. I decided that a wedge heel would be perfectly appropriate for walking across campus in the snow. They're tall, black suede with a wedge heel, and I love them, and I paid too much for them. Sad note: the zipper on one of them broke yesterday

Now my feet are in worse shape than the time I had the painful leg; I have this painful bone-spur now. I will definitely have to have it operated on soon. It seems only flip-flops are tolerable at this point and if I walk all day in some clogs I own, I am ok while I am wearing them, but literally I can hardly walk (I limp) when I take them off...strange...yes, bring on the sympathy....poor, poor pitifully painful Janine. Actually, the sciatica attack was coming from my lower back; the cause of the sciatica was some 'old age' *winching* arthritis that got worse by walking in those silly heels; mine were kind of tall and wedgy, too. I love those boots; darn! Sorry about yours, *Classic*...how disappointing. Can you take them back or can you get them repaired at a shoe-maker/repair shop? We used to have one not far from my house and I understand it moved. I should go there myself to have some shoes resoled. I heard on TV this is the trend now; with the recession and funds tight, people are going for shoe and boot repair. I would think they could install a new zipper. Maybe the zipper saved you from leg injury, *Classic*.
My sciatica is pretty good now, but I have to sleep with my left leg propped up on a small pillow and my knee on another small one, which is comfortable but a bit of an annoyance. I have those ballet type shoes, too. I think they are cute and they are basically comfortable. I am down to about one pair, that does not rub my bone-spur. I guess that minor operation is in order soon like I said. eek. I have been putting it off. I guess I might be able to wear my tall boots if I wear them to some place I know I will walk very little and sit mostly. *Classic*, do you have painful knees? You're too young for ailments.

[*Classic*Charm*]

Now my feet are in worse shape than this; I have this painful bone-spur. I will definitely have to have it operated on soon. It seems only flip-flops are tolerable at this point and if I walk all day in some clogs I own I am ok while I am wearing them but literally I can hardly walk (I limp) when I take them off...strange...yes, bring on the sympathy....poor Janine. Actually, the sciatica attack was coming from my lower back - the cause of the sciatica was some arthritis that got worse by walking in those silly heels; mine were kind of tall and wedgy, too. I love those boots; darn! Sorry about yours. Can you take them back or can you get them repaired at a shoe repair shop? We used to have one not far from my house and I understand it moved. I should go there myself to have some shoes resoled. I heard on TV this is the trend now with the recession and funds tight - people are going for shoe and boot repair. I would think they could install a new zipper. Maybe the zipper saved you from leg injury, *Classic*.
My sciatica is pretty good now, but I have to sleep with my left leg propped up on a small pillow and my knee on another small one, which is comfortable but a bit of an annoyance. I have those ballet type shoes, too. I think they are cute and they are basically comfortable. I am down to about one pair, that does not rub my bone-spur. I guess that minor operation is in order soon like I said. eek. I have been putting it off. I guess I might be able to wear my tall boots if I wear them to some place I know I will walk very little and sit mostly. *Classic*, do you have painful knees? You're too young for ailments.

You poor thing! You just can't catch a break, can you? For all the crap you've weathered Janine, I can't even begin to fathom the good things that must be coming your way!

Somehow I doubt the break saved me from injury. I wore them through the heavy snow this winter with no problems. I'm sure my grandmother will be able to put a new zipper in. She is a seamstress after all and has done work on suede riding equipment for me in the past.

I ended up wearing my favourite flats instead, so of course I slipped in the mud and got them all disgusting. Yesterday was a charming day

Yes, Janine I do have painful knees (not at the moment though!). I have patella-femoral syndrome, which basically means that my quad muscles aren't strong enough to support all the weight and pressure on my knees, so they get sore. I also have arthritis running in my family (my mother limps when it rains, and my older brother has his knees operated on when he was 20) which has already started taking effect (they get swollen when it rains or there are drastic changes in the weather). Riding horses doesn't really help the situation either...

[Sapphire]

Hmm... reading the above I think I might start listening to my mother. She is telling me I should by decent shoes or will destroy my back/knees. Somehow I never thought she could be serious I guess I am still in the "no way a parent can be right" phase

Sorry to hear about your boots-experience Janine. I hope an operation will not be too much of a bother and help you walk again.

And *Classic*Charm* - I hope your grandma can fix the boots. They sound comfy
Keep strong.

For the daily amount of coffee:

[sprinks]

Yes, Janine I do have painful knees (not at the moment though!). I have patella-femoral syndrome, which basically means that my quad muscles aren't strong enough to support all the weight and pressure on my knees, so they get sore. I also have arthritis running in my family (my mother limps when it rains, and my older brother has his knees operated on when he was 20) which has already started taking effect (they get swollen when it rains or there are drastic changes in the weather). Riding horses doesn't really help the situation either...

So much pain being mentioned lately! I hope all you lovely ladies start feeling good soon!
A part of my joint condition means bad knee problems, I had 2 lateral retinacular releases because of patella-femoral problems. My physio would always tell me about how the pain I feel in my knees just from walking is equivalent to what a marathon runner feels after a long marathon, or a football player after a long, hard game. I used to have to have acupuncture after the ops just for my knees, trying to get the outside muscles to loosen up. (When I first started physio when I was 13, the inside muscles of my knees would have been dead and useless in a few weeks, I got in just in time!). So although I don't know your exact pain, I sympathise! *hugs for you all*

you're not allowed to have fake nails at school Sprinks? How come?

We're not allowed false nails, unnatural hair colours (and when it is a natural hair colour you can only have one colour, with few highlights), we can't wear our hair down or have a long fringe, any hair clips must be the colour of our hair, we can't have overly braided hair (plaits are fine, braids aren't.), we can't wear any jewelry other than one pair of plain sleepers or studs or a plain chain with a cross on it or a watch, we're actually meant to have height restrictions on our heels on our shoes (which are to be black lace-up shoes only), we can't wear makeup of any sort apart from clear lip gloss/balm, and we can have clear nailpolish and that is it.

They like to crush and stifle our creativity .

I go to a private school, ergo massive reputation to uphold. In winter we are always to be wearing our blazer to and from school, and if a student is caught at the shops or anything, after school, with their shirt out, tie undone, anything like that, they are given detention. However there is one school that actually does have punishments for students that wear their socks too low.

[*Classic*Charm*]

We're not allowed false nails, unnatural hair colours (and when it is a natural hair colour you can only have one colour, with few highlights), we can't wear our hair down or have a long fringe, any hair clips must be the colour of our hair, we can't have overly braided hair (plaits are fine, braids aren't.), we can't wear any jewelry other than one pair of plain sleepers or studs or a plain chain with a cross on it or a watch, we're actually meant to have height restrictions on our heels on our shoes (which are to be black lace-up shoes only), we can't wear makeup of any sort apart from clear lip gloss/balm, and we can have clear nailpolish and that is it.

They like to crush and stifle our creativity .

I go to a private school, ergo massive reputation to uphold. In winter we are always to be wearing our blazer to and from school, and if a student is caught at the shops or anything, after school, with their shirt out, tie undone, anything like that, they are given detention. However there is one school that actually does have punishments for students that wear their socks too low.

You poor thing

[1n50mn14]

Sprinks-y, I went to a school sort of like that for a bit. In case you can't guess, it didn't last long That is absolutely terrible, though!