Dimensional changes may occur

I was shopping for a new bathroom rug (the small kind that you put down in front of the tub) and reading care labels to make sure I could machine wash whichever one I purchased. I laughed out loud when I read, "Machine wash cold; Dry Flat. Dimensional changes may occur." OH! -- this thing is going to shrink! Too funny. Or, perhaps too sad -- do they think that they are pulling one over on the consumer? Can't anyone just be honest anymore?

Oh well. I'm in the midst of doing battle with a very ferocious head cold that's trying to turn into pneumonia. I've completely lost my voice and can only keep myself upright a few hours a day. I've still had to go in to work because it's been so busy; I feel terrible about having to give school tours in a hoarse whisper (and the coughing attack just as one family was leaving this morning was quite mortifying, but I think they still liked the school). Apparently the rabies vaccinations so over-taxed my immune system that I was an easy target for some nasty bug. I know I'll get through this but it's a little hard to see the light at the moment.

And Christmas. What about Christmas gift-making as a year-round activity? I look at my half-finished project from January and hope I can make amends this summer.