HGTV used to be on from morning til we went to bed, if only for background noise. I'd hear something interesting coming from an HGTV show, it was really easy to turn on the TV in the room I was in or go running into the TV room to watch that particular part of an episode. The last couple years, HGTV is only on in the wee hours of the mornings on Saturday and Sunday while husby and I wake up over coffee. I will watch David Bromstead's show, Devine Design and Landscapers Challange because I can usually see where I could incorporate one of those hosts' ideas into my own home, even if my version doesn't cost nearly what theirs did, the idea is doable. But seeing this post, it reminded me of some posts I read the other night/wee hours of the morning. Seems IRS has caught up with Banyan Productions via Discovery Channel and the homeowners are getting big surprises in their mailboxes in the form of 1099's. From what I read, the homeowners themselves are writing about their experiences and about receiving the 1099's. Some of the homeowners were never informed....ouch! Wonder if HGTV homeowners are seeing the same in their mailboxes? On Designer's Challenge where the cost of a landscape re-design costs as much as my whole house did, I feel for those folks if they weren't notified in advance. Here is a link that might be useful: Posts from Trading Spaces Participants re; Taxes

I've only been to the ex's 10 year reunion. Neither of mine. I got an invitation to the first one but didn't go. Was over in Germany and didn't really want to go back, was very shy in school and had very few friends. I did buy a reunion book but they never sent it to me. I sent in my information about my life up to that point, for that book to be included, but who knows if they included me in there. I never got my 20th reunion invite. I went to Hawaii that summer but my dad lives in the same house he did when I was in high school so there shouldn't have been any reason they couldn't track me down. I assume they had a reunion that year but not really sure. A few years ago, around the time I went to Hawaii in fact, I got two friend requests on Facebook from old high school classmates. I was kind of friends with one, but not at all with the other. I accepted their requests, didn't want to be rude but they both have since unfriended me. LOL.

Thanks everyone! Joanne's gift was really great. She sent pictures & information on the town she lives in & the street she works on. There was pure maple syrup. Joanne knows that this TX girl doesn't know anything about pure maple syrup & that it is honestly a treat to me! Joanne's pictures were of her in the snow at Christmas & one of her & her furbaby, Mulligan. Love the name! She gave me the cutest "diet angel". Honestly, I love it. Then some tea. Canadian maple fudge with a cookie cutter, recipe & fact sheet. (I've never had any so I know it will be a treat!) The coolest bag, Joanne, I think I'm going to use it for the book club that I am starting here. Three gourmet dips. Yummy, cannot wait to try them out. Then a pamphlet on maple syrup with some recipes & a beautiful birthday card. Joanne~I couldn't believe it but it was so close to saying exactly the same thing as the one DS#1 & DDIL had sent to me! And, for the first time ever, yesterday when I called my Mom, she picked up the phone & said, "Hey, beautiful!" So, I'm feeling pretty special. Thank you isn't strong enough to express my gratitude. You honor me by being my Friend! Ladies & Gent~DS#1 & DDIL sent a bar of soap from Crate & Barrel along with $200. They said that they know that they aren't supposed to tell me how to spend it but would I please give it to "Pops", Dave, so that he could go with me to TX this summer for DS#1's graduation. So, I guess that it is now the 2 of us going. :) Dave isn't cooking tonight. He is taking me to Cypress Gardens. They have a paddle boat there that has a buffet. It takes you around a string of lakes during the sunset. The menu tonight is sirloin steak, grouper, turkey & dressing, a medley of veggies, mashed potatoes, salad bar with all of the fixings, & Chef's choice of dessert. So, we'll leave in about an hour & a half. It is beautiful here & I expect that we will really enjoy ourselves. Again, thanks. This is the nicest group of women. Love~Patti :)

Good Morning: Just checking in. ((((((((((MADDIE)))))))))). DeeMarie says you need these. I hope they help!!! BJ, Ditto on the slowing down. Your body is telling you to. Can't you enjoy life just a little more slowly for right now? Be good. Now about that movie. I would love to see it, just purely out of curiousity, but I know that once those visions are in my head I will never get over it. I still have visions about Jaws I everytime I am in the ocean! I think it is very interesting to hear all the different comments about the movie though. Other than the gore, how was the content? Dee, congratulations on the ####'s!!! You have inspired me to pull out my WW material. I am a life time member from way back, and have gone back several times since then but could never just get back into it. However, after hearing your stories and others I am inspired. I even went on eBay yesterday and bought the points calculator. I really need to do something about my health and the weight is the biggest factor. My cholesterol is high, I just had to go back for another reading on my mamogram (which turned out to be ok) but it was enough to totally freak me out. So thanks for inspiring me. I hope I can do as well as you! Blondie! Speaking of hair color, I just had mine done yesterday and I went a little darker than normal. I have always been a brunette, then this past summer I went a little blonder, then a little more blonder, etc. When I was leaving for my appt. yesterday DH asked if I would ever have my real color back because he missed it. I don't know if that was sweet or not, but I went a little darker. Next appt. I will go a little more darker and have some highlights put in. Raeanne, I would love to see your painting. I have such an appreciation for people that can paint anything after visiting the Museum of Fine Arts. The best I can do is paint a wall! As far as the voting goes, I did vote for Foxwoods/Mohegan, but I will go with the majority. If I can swing it, I will be there!!! NH Suzanne, congratulations on going over your goal! What a great feeling that must be. SusieQ, positive thoughts are being sent to your friend. I hope things turn out ok. Patti and Dave, thinking of you both and I hope things are going well. Amy, I keep thinking about you and your game. My DS just signed up to play an online game called Tibia. A bunch of his friends play and he loves it. Are you familiar with that one? Hello to everyone else. I have to go do some book work for my brother. He is going in next month for his bone marrow transplant so I am helping him get caught up on some paperwork, etc. Have a great day! Love, Besh