I sliced off the tip of my pinky finger (the pad on my fingertip) the first time I used my mandolin slicer, I put it back on using a Hello Kitty bandaid and some neosporin, it grew back on and I just have a little bump there now. It happened so fast! I'm extra careful with it now. Your life sounds nicely settled and happy, I'm glad to hear it. Keeping warm here, but will be so glad when spring comes! Hugs!