I got a belated e-card from a friend wishing me Happy Birthday. I wish I hadn't. I would have preferred she skip the whole thing. Christmas cards seem the last vestige of a lovely tradition of keeping in touch. I always consider them part of the gifts of the holiday season, that someone would take a little time to write a note and send a card. Of course there are those who don't write the notes, but send the card. Either way, with text messaging and digital everything, I like the now ''old fashioned'' tradition. I also cut way back on my card list after realizing there were those who don't really care about them. I still do though, and it's the one time of year I enjoy going to the mailbox.

But even if you're out of state, making a call to a funeral home, etc. in another state strikes me as unnecessary. When my Mother passed away, we got arrangements from relatives far and wide - ordered from the sender's locale, put together and delivered by local florists or greenhouses. Flower arrangements were sent to the funeral home and delivered to the chapel in the hearse with the casket. The flowers were quietly arranged on the altar, etc. by the funeral directors before the viewing and it was all very seamless. This is a big part of a florist's business and they know how to deliver in a timely fashion. If you called your local brick & mortar, they'd be glad to explain how they accomplish getting your tribute to the right place at the right time and in good condition. It's what they do and they have the wherewithal to coordinate out of state orders/deliveries. Flowers are lovely - but lately for the last couple of deaths, we've gotten word that a donation to hospice or a favorite charity was preferred in lieu of flowers. That made things easy.

I've never ordered from them, but I've ordered checks from several other online suppliers. All of them seem to offer special discounts for first-time buyers, which is why I've jumped around. All of them have a huge selection of checks, including lots of animals. My current checks are "Paisley" from the Styles Check Company, and I'm very happy with them. Susan

Funky- we have those glass salad bowls too . I find they are a bit on the LARGE side but they are great and we do use them all the time. The furniture is generally a bit too sleek for my taste, but honestly I have admired lots of it in other people's houses. Someone on these forums, ( I think LizzieB?) has a set of their armchairs that look beautiful and are supposed to be comfy. I keep thinking about looking for them in person. My daughter has one of their sectionals and it's extremely durable (she has 3 toddlers and a dog) and comfy as well. When I did look in the store though, nothing I sat in was right. I have not ordered from them but I would definitely do so if I knew an item would be right ( more like furniture or fabric goods) YES we should start a favorites from Ikea thread.