Both excellent quotes,Michael. I think anyone who has at least one real,true friend is lucky beyond words and I guess we all have our definition of what a true friend is. For me,it's someone to whom there isn't a single thing about my life I couldn't reveal with total honesty,and knowing that there wouldn't be a smidgeon of judgement anywhere.

Good morning! I too try to visualize people and it rarely, if ever, works out. it is nice to put faces to names. Shirley, still thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. i know that's your daughter, brittney and dawson -- who are the others (inquiring nosey minds want to know) and as for your mom, you never know what the next roommate may be, perhaps you can hold off on the move until you see what comes in LOL, however, I think I'd want to be with my own and her secrets kept!!!! annie your dogs are beautiful, as are you. my aunt and uncle, for as long as i can remember, were the first home for service dogs until they were ready to go into training. they had several different dogs from what i recall. sorry about your lizzie...i know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet. my next dog is going to be a shepherd, but it's been decided that we will only have one dog at a time now, so I have to wait my turn. (we'll see) i made an anniversary cake for a group i belong to, it was our 7 year anniversary so i made this massive cake. i filled it with alternating layers of buttercream and lemon curd, and dang, if it was not tasty. I was able to take a slice home for the family to taste and seriously wish there had been more leftover, would have made a nice breakfast!!!! a real nice combination, even though it started out that i was going to use raspberry as well...i just couldn't get enough to cook them down to make a nice sauce/filling. it's still so cold and seems to be staying that way until at least next week, when it's supposed to go to the high 40's, with rain. by then, i'll think it's summer. this cold is bone chilling and of course, they are calling for more snow. we haven't got much of it, but.....this year it is bothering me like mad! i shouldn't complain, there are parts of the country that are in the negatives, so i'll just keep my mouth shut on this subject any further! so whose left to post their pic? come out. come out whereever you are! speaking of which, jeanne, how are those triplets of late? is mary ellen still a part of this group? i feel like i haven't seen her in a long time...maybe since she became a grandmom, or right before that? hae a nice thursday! maryanne

Thanks Candy, my two sets of this flatware came from Target on line. You have to be patient because they run out of the colors and it takes awhile for them to restock. Right now there is a Hampton Forge Silversmiths San Remo 20-Piece Flatware Set that is blue on ebay. I wanted these years ago too but only have the black and ivory. Google 'Hampton Forge Silversmiths San Remo 20-Piece Flatware Set' and see where they are available. They are half the price as when I got mine. Jane and Kathleen got me hooked on these. When I first came to Holidays, they both had red sets! I think I've seen these at Ross or TJ Maxx so be sure and check them out before ordering online if you want to save a few $. Good Luck. Speaking of Jane, we haven't heard from her in awhile. Better find out what she's up to huh? Punk

Narcissists don't send gifts for no reason or Hallmark friendship cards-- they expect them. Jus' sayin. I rarely respond to these threads.. but this one has just gotten under my skin. Oak, your emotions are seeping out of your posts. You say you have fun watching your friend and yet you use hurt and angry words and then turn around and snap at those who took the time to try to provide some insight. You use words like "at least I have.. " These are words of comparison--of competition. This is the ground that is fertile for jealousy and resentment-- those unproductive emotions that do little more than make us unhappy. Why not refocus your emotional energies on healing yourself and tending to the kind of friendships that are fulfilling to you? My final thought-- you complained of a previous friend who was "fake" so I take that to mean that you value and respect honesty. You lashed out at numerous GWers who posted genuine and compassionate posts that offered alternate explanations or motivations. Honesty isn't always agreeing with you or seeing things as you see them. This is an amazing group of caring, thoughtful and experienced women. I find it offensive that you strike out at those who don't see things exactly as you do. I would like to believe this isnt how you normally approach friends online or IRL. I'd like to believe that your response was emotionally charged because, as you said, you are hurt. However, no one here hurt you. I do believe you owe some apologies.