dayenu makes a really good point about breakfasts. I don't know what it is about breakfast -- maybe because we so often eat it alone? -- but it seems to be so idiosyncratic; the meal where we are most likely to eat something no one else wants, and the meal we are least likely to feel adventurous. A lot of people eat the same breakfast every day, or at most choose from a limited list; how many of us do that for lunch or dinner? Same for different menus; we sit down to the same dinner, but at breakfast, we each do our own thing. And some people hear "breakfast" and think of eggs, some want only bread or cereal and fruit, some want vegetables or fish, some want last night's leftover chicken, some want the last piece of pie, some can't handle anything but coffee and juice ... and NO ONE wants to have to discuss it. Plus, as a guest, I don't want to be putting my hosts to trouble when they may be hurrying out the door for work or otherwise trying to get through their morning routines (which, likewise, we don't like to have disrupted). It's hard to know how to be polite in that situation, because trying not to make work can actually be the most exasperating to the host. When I am the host, it used to be so awkward: "What can I fix you for breakfast?" "Oh, anything." "Well, I make really good omelettes -- how about an omelette? I have cheese, mushrooms, and onions." "Oh, no, not eggs." "Well, how about a bagel, or some cereal, or some cottage cheese?" "Oh, just anything." "Would you like juice? I have grapefruit, orange, and tomato." "Any kind; I don't care." [Honestly, now! Of course they care! But *I* don't care what kind of juice THEY drink -- I just want them to give me an answer so I can get on with it!] As you can see, this goes nowhere fast. It drives me, as the host, crazy, but I know that my guest is really trying not to put me to any trouble. Even worse is when they say, "I'll just have whatever you're having." BIG mistake -- good chance I'm having no-fat cottage cheese and a bowl of Cheerios and granola with skim milk, or maybe some leftover kasha. That would probably come as a big surprise! But if I just go ahead and make and serve a breakfast, the way I might just go ahead and make dinner and serve it without consulting the guest on the menu, that can be really bad -- even a breakfast that's a treat for some people is a real ordeal for the poor person who is accustomed to only coffee in the morning. It's just so much harder to be a good guest and eat what's put in front of you at breakfast time. I COULD just put out everything I can think of and let them serve themselves, offering to make eggs, pancakes, or whatever, too. That's what I do if there is a big crowd (usually a bunch of teens), especially if they will be wandering into the kitchen at different times and levels of fogginess. But for real houseguests, I have learned to do what dayenu does: I ask them in advance, "Tell me what you like to eat for breakfast -- it's so personal, and we each eat something different in the mornings anyway." They start to say, "Oh, anything -- " but then they "get it" and tell me. They and I both appreciate not having to try to find something we both want to eat or to do a complicated minuet about trying not to inconvenience each other -- especially not first thing in the morning!

Isn't it a law or something they have to be late? And dress for the part...what's that? For us, living in a small community has its benefits when service people are involved. Poor work usually means they DON'T get business just by word of mouth. On the other hand it may take quite a bit of time before a good service person is available. It took all winter for the furnace to be put in but they did a fine job, we are pleased. If we have an emergency, they are here fairly fast. It's to bad the septic service didn't work out. An hour in your case was a pain in the butt but an hour isn't so bad considering the job they are doing. If you were their first service job though, I would say you had every right to be upset. I still wonder, could the traffic be a problem or cell service? Were they behind in a prior job? I think it would be good if you and this company, if they could negotiate a time better for both of you. You mention going to the doctor. How many of us have sat and waited for them? I know I have.

Bebe.....I was going to apologize for posting a new topic when you already had, and I could have just responded to yours, but I truly didn't see it when I started my latest chapter, now I can see why. We were both typing and posting at almost the same time, and me being so long winded, well I came in last. How funny! I love your C & S, it is so stunning with the black and gold and then the pink roses, I can see why you love them if this is a taste of the rest. My DGS also collected them and I hated dusting them, but the feel of the cups was awesome. Before she died she gave them to us GKids. I have a beautiful soft green and yellow cup that is so delicate you can see through it, I think she called it Irish Linen. It was always my favorite and I was always, but always afraid I was going to drop it or one of the others. Hope your cleaning and organizing went well! I am so OVER organized that I have stacking file holders for all of the seasons and general decorations and I still can't find anything and have to look through all of the books to find what I "fell" like painting. Awhile back I even went to so as to computerize a list in order of "what I want to paint next" OK...you all can stop laughing now! But I have vowed not to purchase a new book until I have all of the current "I would like to paint" done. That one isn't hard as no store around here have books anyway and I hate to buy books online! Took my DD and family to a play last night and it was a HOOT! My DGS had stated several times he didn't like "theater," but was kind of forced to attend, and he was laughing within 5 minutes, which was really nice as it was a comedy. The last two months had really been record setters, so cold and dry in Dec., and now warm and double our rain for Jan. Good ol' El Nino. The BC Olympic ski area's are having to create snow, almost unheard of this time of year. Well, off to do some line work and then hope to post pictures today. Take Care! Belle

My Pier 1 does not have the Buri Lamp, but they looked in the computer and found one in Glenn View, IL. They can special order it and ship it to your house. You could call me, or the Grand Forks Pier 1 to arrange it. There will be about $20 for shipping. Let me know if you want them to order it. She's going to call me back in a few minutes. My store does have a tear drop shaped hanging wicker lamp, http://www.pier1.com/TopMenu/Products/tabid/260/Default.aspx?task=viewproduct&id=2052&urlname=hanging-tear-drop-wicker-lamp and the hanging Maki Lamp with is very similar to what you're looking for! http://www.pier1.com/TopMenu/Products/tabid/260/Default.aspx?task=viewproduct&id=848&urlname=hanging-maki-wicker-lamp