THE SPOON THEORY EXPLAINED: For when I say I am running out of spoons, or that I am at Spoon Level whatever... http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf

"...the difference in being sick and being healthy is having to make choices or to consciously think about things when the rest of the world doesn’t have to. The healthy have the luxury of a life without choices, a gift most people take for granted. Most people start the day with unlimited amount of possibilities, and energy to do whatever they desire, especially young people. For the most part, they do not need to worry about the effects of their actions. So for my explanation, I used spoons to convey this point. I wanted something for her to actually hold, for me to then take away, since most people who get sick feel a “loss” of a life they once knew. If I was in control of taking away the spoons, then she would know what it feels like to have someone or something else, in this case Lupus, being in control."

"“I have learned to live life with an extra spoon in my pocket, in reserve. You need to always be prepared”"© 2003 by Christine Miserandino Butyoudontlooksick.com


"Why did you choose that username please?"

Why cookwitch? My friend ingenue_the said, years ago, that my cooking was magic, as it always made her feel better when she was sad or ill or unhappy, and so she bought me a beautiful book called The Kitchen Witch's Cookbook. When I first got online I wantd to use 'kitchenwitch' as my username, but AOL only allowed certain length usernames, so I had to shorten it to 'cookwitch'. It just stuck!

___________________________________________________

This is me:

This journal is (well, should be, if I've done it right) Friends Only. There is a public post that you can comment on if you wish to be added. Just introduce yourself and tell me how you found me and why you want to be added.

How To Get Along With Me. Really, it's a useful list.

If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I don't like expectations or pressure.

I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this.

Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit.

Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally.

Ask me questions to help me get clear.

Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery.

Hug me, show physical affection. It reassures me faster than anything else.

I like a good discussion but not a confrontation.

I HATE ARGUMENTS. I will leave very fast and go away somewhere until you find me and tell me it's safe to come back.

Let me know you like what I've done or said.

Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life.

* * * * * * * *

Cookwitch is a generally fairly peace-loving, easy going kind of a person. Don't piss her off though, there's a Greek Cypriot temper simmering in there!

She loves people, all kinds of people but doesn't suffer fools or bigots or simpering females. If you don't want (or can't be bothered) to make the effort to even try to help yourself, this is not the person to run to. WARNING: She loses patience very fast indeed. People have been ejected from her front door as a result of this lack of patience.

Her bark is generally worse than her bite, unless you ask nicely.

She has many romantic loves in her life. One husband - silenttex and one boyfriend - d_floorlandmine.

If you should cause them trouble or pain or disrespect them in any way in front of her you will find out why her temper is usually sat on and kept in check. Cookwitch does not tolerate her loved ones being hurt at all. This is when her bite becomes real and not in a good way.

Diagnosed with MS in 1996 but so far this hasn't made much difference to her except in one or two very personal ways which is annoying. Disabled enough to be in pain but not enough to warrant an Orange Badge. Meh.

Gemini and thus changeable, you may not always follow her logic or thought patterns - that's okay, she has trouble too.

Cookwitch suffers from terminal guilt at times and absolutely, totally and utterly loathes being left out of anything or ignored. If you ignore her she will always think that she has done something wrong and that you don't love her any more. This is listed under the heading Emotional Baggage in the user manual.

Incurably inquisitive (but why Mummy??) but keeps a secret forever. Unfortunately is easily hurt. Refer back to the being ignored part (see Manual).

A heart big enough for many, once you are in her trust it takes an awful lot to remove you from it again. This may lead to her being walked on at times. Very few people have incurred the wrath of the Cookwitch but the few that have, certainly don't forget it in a hurry. (See the Manual under the headings 'Hurting of Cookwitch's Loved Ones' and 'Not Letting the Door Hit Your Arse on the Way Out.)

Protects her friends/family/loved ones like a Mother Tiger defending her cubs. Seriously. See husband/boyfriend, just in case you are in any doubt.

Known for:
Feeding people into submission.
Being a total flirt.
Cuddles.
Worrying too much.
Stern Looks that 'can melt titanium'.
Cuddles. Did I say that already?
An overwhelming love of CAKE!
Starting projects and never finishing them.
Being terminally untidy.
Being totally NON maternal. This is important. Really. Do not show her your children and expect her to like them. Really. Sorry. It's true. We're not lying.
Anything you care to add, really.

Please remember to love your Witch, because she loves you.

I love this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3VM25msrLY&mode=related&search=

Indulge my adoration of this Essex originating group:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfcPcUh_Stg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TylOxT1UiGE&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViXXqtahJac&mode=related&search= Live in Kohn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MxdfI0xuHM&mode=related&search= In Your Room
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH3vM8Ndbis&NR Walking In My Shoes

Dirt - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qb7H8BAlko&feature=related
Dirty 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7HjZY64Flw
Dirty 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BsiYXB47RU&feature=related


Things people have said about cookwitch:

cookwitch is entirely sincere and genuinely hugsome. She would probably even cuddle some of the other curmudgeonly bastards on my f-list if they needed it. She is also a Greek woman and therefore quite capable of extreme physical violence to those that offend her or those she hugs.

"You're awesome!"