AmyJo

Hello all! More snow last night and it was so pretty, but now it is melting so we have to enjoy it while we can. Mag, Sharon, I'm glad you both seem to be on the mend! Yes... The aftermath of a cold or flu, with the funky cough... So little joy in that and at least for me, the cough takes forever to shake. I hope you both will feel much better very soon. Michele one more week til the wedding, OMG!! Squeeeee!! Debra, I hope you are resting this weekend! Susan, we are thinking of you... Come back soon! Valerie, you are MIA girl, what is the story, come back soon! I'm really all tickled "pink" that we are all doing this challenge together... Or tickled red... Or white... Today I am burning a beloved white candle: Homeworx Winter Fireside - oh, so beautiful, but this one has had toppling wicks which drift around in the wax and then keel over wholesale while burning and extinguish themselves, a nifty little trick, so this has gone under a candle lamp. And melting: Wonderberry All the Diggity - pink sugar and blackberry, loveliness, and very pink. Enjoy the rest of the day all!!

(yes... Nowhere to go but up!! ) Cough drops... Yes... Well, I like Halls Mentholyptus in the Honey Lemon, or Ricola. I have had success with both of those so maybe they would help you too, here's hoping! The person below me has gotten separated from family in a large store.

Sharon, I'm so glad you are feeling better and forgive me for not sending well wishes last night! Well done on the pink wax! Yes we have to observe all the CLP guidelines at work as well and it was challenging a few years ago when all of the documentation changes came into force. Yes it did snow, not much but a covering, and it is beautiful. In honor of the snow I am burning: Homeworx Let It Snow, a blend of gala apple, pear, caramelized sugar, evergreen, and fresh mint leaf. So beautiful. This smells quite a bit like my beloved Colonial Candle melt Snow Day, the old formulation which is discontinued, so I am doubly glad for this candle as I was missing that scent! Stay warm everyone - Sharon and Maggie please get better soon!

(I'm so so sorry you are sick. Honestly, you just can't seem to catch a break... It's been tough for a long time my friend. Fingers crossed the tide will turn soon!!) I can't say I have tried an unusual color popcorn, although now that you say that I can't think of anything else and simply must find some. I've been popping the same boring generic brand from the little grocery near my hotel and I think packing peanuts would be an improvement. Let me know if that microwave version is good! The person below me eats lots of citrus when she is sick.

Mag I am so sorry that you've been sick! Also I I'm very sorry to hear of two of your DH's family passing away. Indeed a rough year so far. I am sending up prayers and sending you a big hug. Debra, please don't work yourself silly or you will be sick too!! I hope you are getting some rest! Michele, you must be so excited! And yes I love that L3 bakery sampler and it has just gotten stronger and stronger. I'm loving this wax challenge especially since all of us are doing it together. I melted quite a bit this week but the best one was: VRC Pink Grapefruit - So juicy and tangy and I simply will need to order more of this later in the year. I'm home and it's supposed to snow tonight...DH has a rehearsal this evening so I hope it holds off until he gets home. Sleep tight all and Maggie please feel better soon.

Hello everyone! Very busy work week. Very happy tonight because a friend and I just went to visit our colleague at the hospital. He is 73, was still working FT, and suffered a massive stroke on January 6th. Honestly he was doing so poorly, not responding, not speaking, and so on, so we were all fearful that he would be more or less a vegetable. So imagine our delight that he is now doing so much better, talking clearly, able to focus on our faces and have a relatively normal conversation. His left side is still paralyzed so he has a long road ahead. But it seems that he could have some decent quality of life after a long rehab. He told us how happy he is to have visitors and honestly the whole thing just made my week. I'm delighted that a bunch of us here are doing the red, pink, and white melting challenge!! I'm pretty happy with this because I love strawberry and a lot of these colors seem to have strawberry in them. What is everybody melting? Michele, your L3 sounds fabulous. I've been melting from her bakery sampler that we got last year and I'm really pleased, how about you? Sharon, that Darley Llama wax is so good, glad you had some in pink!! Well tonight it's: VRC Pink Grapefruit - this one takes the prize for the whole week. Fantastic, beautiful sweet tangy grapefruit, ooo la la, I adore this one. VRC Strawberry Preserves - also delicious BBW Fresh Cut Lilacs (white) -smells just like the huge lilac bush in our yard. Scentworx Sugar Cookie (white, scrumptious, and makes up for the next one). I would repurchase. Yum! Scentworx Frosted Berry (red) - so so disappointing. No scent at all and this is my third evening with it. I think they forgot the fragrance oil. This brand (from Kohl's) has been hit or miss. Sleep tight all. Going home tomorrow.

NyQuil...I haven't but I know people who swear by it! I seem to feel medicine very strongly so I am afraid to take anything... But with a fever I would take it. I hope you feel better soon. The person below me likes air-popped popcorn.

Hello hello all and I hope everyone is well! Mag I'm sorry you don't feel well! Noooo! I'd better type fast before that NyQuil takes hold... For the melting challenge, for once the instructions are easy... Just melt red, pink, or white wax for the month of February in honor of Valentine's Day. That's it! I'm posting mine on Instagram with the hashtag #februarymeltingchallenge, but so far I seem to be the only one doing that, lol! I know three YouTubers who are also doing this challenge but they're not posting their pictures. Crickets again! But that's okay and those of us from CF can do whatever we want, right? The main thing is that this helps us get through our stash and have some fun in the process. Michele, I love the sound of that pink wax from VCS! Even though her wax takes a long time to cure, I think she has such beautiful scents and I love the background smell of her wax. You must be getting very excited for your daughter's wedding. I can't wait to hear all about it! Debra, I agree with Maggie, that black and Tiffany blue sounds amazing! And I agree with all of you that black has become an elegant choice at just about any function. That is a big change from when we were little and I think it's a good one. How was the Puppy Bowl? We were so tired yesterday that we didn't watch any of it but I did watch some of the commercials this morning. How is your work project going? The young octopus is absolutely beautiful and I just hope she is happy because to me that exhibit seems kind of small. I think I told this story before, but the octopus at the aquarium in Hawaii when we lived there took apart her drain and disappeared into the ocean. I was very happy about that. They are very smart creatures, and I know they are ambassadors for their species when they are in captivity, but I always feel bad for them. Sharon I hope all is well! And Susan, if you are reading this, please know that we are thinking about you and that we miss you. Valerie, you have been MIA for a long time and you are sorely missed! Come back, come back! Well I'm back on the road and I brought a bunch of red, pink, and white wax with me. I must admit to a bit of speed melting where everything gets 2 hours and then I change it. There is just too much to get through. CFTKR Strawberry Musk - in a gorgeous flower shape... Beautiful as all of Carol's wax is. CYS Strawberry Marshmallow - this is really good wax and smells beautiful. If I ever learn how to order properly after this wax ban,I would like to get a few more pieces from this vendor, without ordering her entire catalog. That's it for now! Have a good night all!

(LOLOL I think you really have made a dent!!) Yes I love festivals! There are a few around here.... Many local Firemen's Festivals... Sauerkraut Festival... Taste of Cincinnati (many local restaurants take to the streets)... Oktoberfest...Bunbury Music Festival... Opera in the Park... My son took me to that last one for Mother's Day in 2016. The person below me would like to buy a new area rug for one of her rooms.

Maggie, I adore this month's title! I also had forgotten it was Leap Year! Well we went to the Aquarium yesterday and it was packed, lots of families, which is good to see, but it was difficult to move. The nice thing about season passes is when it's like that, you can just check out a few favorites and head out the door. The newer, younger octopus seems to be doing better than its predecessor, moving about the tank. They had named this one Davy Jones and it turns out that she is a female. Davi! Well, I've started this month's Red, Pink and White Challenge (and I hope you ladies will join in!): VRC Peppermint Fluff Ava's Belle (fresh picked strawberry, lemon curd) - tart and juicy BBW Rose Water Meringue - a sweet rose and vanilla - there are no words, so fabulous. Happy Groundhog Day all!

Ooooh yes Mag, do join in, others if you want to also, it'll be much more fun to do together. I just heard about it from a friend on YouTube. The idea came from another gal, @prettypolkadots on YouTube, who I don't know yet and she doesn't seem to be posting it on IG, but I'm going to post mine and credit her so I can stay accountable. I like this one because it is ready to grab those colors and move forward!

(I see we are of a mind on the group dinners ) Yes I do and it is Jo. My father's middle name was Joseph so I think that was the origin. I like it although Amy Jo sounds like I just arrived from Petticoat Junction. (I'm pretty sure I know your whole name but weren't there two middle names? Or am I making that up?) The person below me can see a dent in her wax stash from one year ago.

Good morning all and Happy February! I have no idea where that week went, but here it is Saturday again and a new month and whooosh. Maggie, I'm glad that your DH finally got in to see the GP and I hope he has promising news. I see that you and Michele have seen Little Women and soon it will be my turn. I'm not sure I can drag DH to that one and my friend Diane didn't like the book from childhood so it may be a solo venture. When, IDK. How was the Calypso Orchid? Michele, I think black is always elegant, pictures of your dress please. The excitement must be building for the wedding!! Debra, I'm sorry you are having to work long hours, ugh!! No melting time? This is not reasonable at all! *will carry protest signs if needed* I love anything L3 Willow Grass so I hope you enjoyed that one. Susan, if you read this, I miss you. It is not the same here without you. Please come back when you are ready. Are you ready yet? Sending you a big hug. Well I'm following a new melting challenge that I saw on YouTube, which is to melt red, pink or white wax during February in honor of Valentine's Day. I have a frightening amount of wax in these colors, but if I can get through even one-third of it, it will make a dent. Yikes! Yesterday's wax was so gorgeous that I have to report it here: The Bathing Garden Ginger Orange Peppercorn - oh, this has to be an all-time favorite. The combination is irresistible and was it ever strong after one year of curing. And today it's: L3 Strawberry White Cake - I've never met a white cake I didn't like and this one is just so juicy and strong. Homeworx Limoncello Cupcake candle - first half was glorious, second half utter frustration - gorgeous scent but puny wicks to the point of distraction - I keep cotton balling and it keeps drowning and arghhhhhh. It smells divine. Have a good day everybody!

(Destashed is given or sold. I guess there are destash groups on FB but since I don't have FB I don't know how they work.) I wear jewelry maybe twice a year, lol. I like it but I can't wear it at work and then I forget I even have any. The person below me both loves and hates group dinners.

(Wow... It took me a couple of days... Bu I listened to the Tedeschi Trucks Band and love, love, love. I found them doing Angel From Montgomery and their version blew me away! We should go hear them sometime!) Redecorate every year... I wish! I enjoy decorating but that takes some cash! I will tell you this... I am bored to tears with my teal color scheme... The person below me has destashed some wax at least once.

Hello everybody! I'm sorry I missed a couple of days... I don't know where the weekend went. Today was travel day again so it's like a merry-go-round.... First of all, Susan, we understand, and please do whatever you need to do to take care of yourself... But you will be sorely missed and I hope you will be back soon. You're part of the fabric around here and we love you too! Maggie, I am sorry you had a day where nothing went right. Hopefully that means there's nowhere to go but up tomorrow. And I love the smell of radiant red maple. I hope your DH is feeling better these days. Debra, I'm so glad kitty is speaking to you again! It seems with cats, forgiveness is possible, but it does take time. I love the "Mum" candle story! Michele, I believe your older daughter's wedding is approaching, isn't it? Is everyone in full swing? Details please! Valerie, please give us an update on your husband! How is he doing? Sharon, how are things in Wales? From what I've been reading, all of us on both sides of the pond seem to have dreary, rainy weather right now. Well today it was.. The Melting Duck Naughty Noel, a gift from a dear CF pal, and the notes are strawberry, peppermint, and VBN. Such a beautiful scent and so strong! Also it came in dear little duck shapes which are hard for me to actually put into the melter... But I managed. I hope everyone has a beautiful night.

Well, we used to, but after awhile Clemmie ignored it and so we gave it to the neighbor. The person below me has a favorite new musical group.

Valerie I'm so sorry to hear that your husband isn't feeling well and that you don't know why yet. Sending you a big hug. Michele, good to see you, glad the PT is helping so much! Maggie, good to see you, and since it was so cold this week, I hope the children weren't going too stir crazy! Goodnight all. I am home and so happy about that.

(Smells Like Nirvana!! I didn't even know that one existed until today, LOLOL!) A fruit a day is absolutely in my game plan.... It's usually more like 6 fruits, lol... It's free on WW Freestyle, so I can have my fill. The best are the bags of little clementines....I go through quite a few of those when I am trying not to eat chocolate chip cookies. The person below me likes to eat a vegetable every day.

Good morning ladies! Maggie, good for you, you hadn't ordered in a long time and you seem much more able than I to place a couple of orders and not end up ordering from all the other vendors as well!! I'm happy to hear about the great CFOW performance! *Temptation* Debra... Two months, well done, well done!!! And you didn't substitute something else, as I have with candles?? I stand in admiration! I'm so glad Kitty is eating well.. Sorry you have to return to the vet, but it's for the best. I must say that I am mightily impressed with CYS, and their solid lotions are traveling with me all the time (especially Lime Neroli, ohhhh so gorgeous, isn't that your custom??). I should add that as I look through the (still huge) wax stash, I notice that there is no Bunny Hop from Ava's Country Cupboard. This is a sad state of affairs, as that was my very most favorite Easter fragrance from last year. I am not wanting for fruity scents, but that one was something special. I'm sure the cute name has nothing to do with my attraction. I could be enticed into breaking the wax ban for that one. However, that could be a dangerous thing... I don't want Bunny Hop to be the gateway drug that sends me down another ordering rabbit hole... I don't see that blend on her website right now anyway. Perhaps I will forget about it. Yes. So today it's: VRC American Pie - strawberry rhubarb pie, blueberry cobbler, and banana cream pie - there are no words. It's just so juicy and strong and making me very hungry. Enjoy your Thursday all!

(I would be eating every bite of your homemade French Toast!!) Yes I do like Weird Al! I especially liked "Eat It" many moons ago. The person below me has a favorite tool to scrape ice from the windshield.

Good morning all, It's 15F this morning, so glad I brought my long johns. It's a long walk from the parking lot at work with the wind howling, so you can bet I will be bundled up like the Michelin Man. Speaking of frigid days, in DC I saw all the forsythia bushes in bloom from the last weeks of warm weather but yikes, it was too early! Now here we are with frozen temps... The weather is so mixed up. Maggie, I love your new avatar, very pretty and cheerful! I hope your DH is feeling better and that the kids won't be too restless on these frigid days. How is the CFOW throwing for you? I saw on IG that she has some beautiful new chunks...I must move away from the computer... The one bad thing with this small hotel room is that I can't melt as much. I have one scent shot going this morning and it's very strong: Kae's Scented Melts in White Clouds, a laundry scent with florals and woods, very clean and fresh. Her wax performs beautifully in my house and maybe someday I will actually melt all of it. Last night I lit a candle which previously had no scent, and was about a third of the way down...i was ready to give up on it, but my goodness, it came to life and made up for lost time: BBW Beachscape - fresh sea breeze, cotton, lotus flower. Very refreshing. Have a fine day everyone!

Hello dear everyone, I hope everyone is staying warm! Very cold both in Ohio and in West Virginia. It is indeed quiet... I haven't been keeping up and I don't know where the days are going. Michele, I am so happy that your knee is doing well and that the physical therapy is helping so much! Also Luke's Diner is one of my very favorite coffee scents! Debra, I'm glad that kitty is recuperating pretty well. Yes, it does seem that dogs and cats manage to eat even when they have lost many teeth. You are such a good mom to your cats! The L3 sounds spectacular (as always). I am so tired of traveling but thankfully the work is always interesting. The ladies at the hotel are so sweet and they let me leave a bag here over the weekends. They were always upgrading me to a much larger room but I was afraid in there because it had three doors, so I'm back to my tiny room and much more comfortable. Well tonight it has been Rose scents and I'm enjoying them very much: Cheryl's Rose Jammin' - a dupe of Lush 's Rose Jam, which is kind of a rose and lemony mix - spectacular and a gift from a sweet CF pal - thank you, I love this! BBW Rose Water Meringue - there are no words. As much as I complain about BBW and their endless wick problems, the soot, the duds...but then they go and make this....OMG. The most creamy, sweet vanilla-y, dreamy Rose fragrance I can imagine, just beautiful and I may have bought a backup. Fabulous. Going to bed... Got up at 3 to catch the early flight... Falling asleep in the chair. Sleep tight all!!

Well, I don't think this is really hidden from all of you, but I like to play the guitar and sing. The person below me likes to make French toast.

Good morning all! This month is just flying away from me... Work has really ramped up again. I'm so, so grateful that tomorrow is a holiday! Miss Maggie, I also loved that BH&G Berry Pumpkin! It was nice and strong in the living room, too. I'm sorry the kids were so full of energy the other day - and I think you're right, kids need outside time, and frankly we adults do too! Sharon, you made me laugh...sometimes I bring a melter home from a trip and then I can't remember which scent has hardened in it, especially if it's a tealight and the scent is gone... Great mysteries... Debra, how is kitty following the dental surgery? Michele, how is the knee? Susan, I hope you are well... Is your client's hip healed now? Valerie, how are your daughters doing? Hi CC, nice to "meet" you! Well this morning it was: Waxmosphere Jasmine Showers - a Lush dupe of Flying Fox - and the 1-oz scent shot absolutely filled my house in no time at all. I love this vendor, and I do love Jasmine scents. I have been making good progress on the wax melts and had emptied two Sterilite drawers, so I decided to consolidate the wax hidden in the rest of the house - all the Walmart wax was in two tubs under the bed, and all the wax gifts from my dear friends were in another cabinet in my office. So now the the Sterilite drawers are all full again, but all the wax is in one place in my closet. I guess that's good, but now I feel like I haven't really made any headway. Surprisingly, I'm making good progress through the candles. The whole thing is hopeless when you get right down to it. But I do love it! Stay well all and stay warm! The temperature has plunged here in Ohio, and even some snow flew this morning, always a good thing.