Merry Christmas to all of us who frequent the Garden Party--whether a regular or just *occasional* poster--or even a lurker, which I was for years! May we remember--all year long--the one whose birthday we celebrate. Peace and Blessings.

Hi hi hi hi hi!!!! So sorry guys. Last week just got a way from me. We're going crazy yard work at our house and I've been exhausted. Still have not exercised since returning but have done lots of heavy lifting, pushing and bending. I figure shoveling dirt for 6 hours should count for something, right? :) EK, I knew what you meant... no retraction necessary :) And maintenance is on my mind... Weight = 131 155/24/? I'm actually pretty happy at 131. I know I said 125, but this is feeling pretty good. I'm still watching what I eat, and want to exercise more, but for now it's about toning rather than loss. I fit in my size 6 pants. I fit in my size 6 dresses. I feel good taking pictures. Actually, it was the wedding pictures that made me feel pretty good about myself. When I saw how I looked (and we all know what the camera does!!!) I realized I don't really need to lose any more. I don't want to be (s k i n n y) if you know what I mean. I want to be fit and lean. I need to post some befores and afters. remind me, ok? Happy birthday to all birthday people. So proud of Ek for the BMI/15lb milestone success!!! WHAHOO!!! Betty, I know what your body was lacking....FOOD :) Harold, I love couscous too!! Everyone is doing so well... so glad to be a part of this team. Have a good week everyone!!!

Today is the last of the January birthdays for the Birthday Block Exchange group. (Happy Birthday, Andrea!!!) As you may remember, Kristene and I are alternating months for being the hostess for that month so I am the hostess for January. If all the January birthday quilters will e-mail me a few weeks after your birthday to let me know the status of which blocks have been received, that will be a big help so I can check on any that may not have been received. We really want to stay on top of things. Hopefully your report will be that all of your blocks were received. I hope everyone has managed to fit in a little sewing this month. My older daughter is expecting triplets this Spring so I have been busy making two baby quilts and Andrea (dragonflyUSC) - who is my younger daughter - made the third one. We are headed to CA soon for the baby shower and I will post pictures of the quilts after I come back. I don't want to spoil the surprise. It has been cold here and we have gotten snow twice since Christmas so that has been an adventure. Of course, when there was ice on the roads was when my sewing maching started to misbehave. Isn't that how it always goes? I struggled along with it and managed to get it through the two baby quilts so hooray for that! I'll be back to "visit" with you soon. Jeanne

Happy Birthday!! Thank you to everyone who responded and emailed me about the autograph part of the middle block. I had wanted to do a pretty embroidery but it didn't quite work out as well as I had wanted :) I'm sorry I'm a bit delayed sending it out but I had wanted to try the embroidery...the block is in the mail however and on it's way to you. Hope you had a wonderful birthday and I also hope you had a really nice vacation as well!!