Oh my goodness girl, are you crazy? I was only the hostess, not your swap partner. WHAT A BOX!!!!!!!!!!!! Boy oh boy, did you jam pack this box and spoil me rotten! I received gold candy coins; an assortment of cocoa mixes; jelly belly Christmas mix; chocolate nut fudge; some mini candy canes and a Christmas pencil. There was also a package of pet greens - wheat seed and a dearly depotted (for the serial plant killer), this is too cool, I have never seen anything like this at all. Okay, this should have been enough, but theres more. A wall calendar; a set of Christmas tile coasters in a holder (these are excellent); a snowman candle and the cutest little bear that counts off the days until Christmas (there are 370 days until Christmas -- ARE YOU READY LOL); and the neatest candy stirrers another something I have never seen before; a magnetic santa notepad; two heresy chocolate bars and a set of candy cane lip gloss (which will feed my chapstick addiction). A wonderful keychain with a beautiful biblical verse on the reverse; a little mini game called "lot to love" (and its NOT a weight thang!); a charm bracelet; an issue of birds and blooms magazine; and the most magnificient smelling mason jar candle in the honeysuckle scent. I love it, its burning now - its smell is just so excellent. Im sitting upstairs and its lit sitting on the dining room table and the scent is just permeating the house. Honeysuckle takes me back to my youth and when I opened the jar, I had some fond, fond memories! I also appreciate the mini swiss army type knife that can go on a keychain. I had something very similar to this that broke off maybe not even a month ago and Im lost without it. This is GREAT!!!!! Wow Susann, you outdid yourself. The rules were "a little token to the host". You really put that over the top. This certainly qualifies as a swap box. I must say each and every one of my bloomin friends has been so kind, generous and giving to me as hostess. I feel so blessed and thank God for each of you. I enjoy our conversations and friendships, whether it is online, through mail or by telephone; and I certainly enjoy getting to know each and everyone of you a little more each and every day. You are all very special ladies, with such loving personalities and traits that rank very high in my book, with hearts of gold and green thumbs. It has certainly been my pleasure hosting this months swap but more so for the love, support and friendship you bring to this group. Ive been spoiled rotten by all the wonderful hostess goodies that I have already enjoyed or will enjoy soon or will treasure for a long time to come. Since everyone has received their swap box from their respective partner, THIS SWAP IS OFFICIAL CLOSED. Onward to fruitier things.take it away klick!!!!!!!!!!!!!! with gratitude, maryanne

OH, Tracy! That is SO SWEET!!! Thank you! I've been cookin' up a storm! Enough complaining about making all the fudge for that vendor, as Dave called and told me that someone up there wanted to order 3 pounds of it from me!!! Yippee! So, had to make more fudge, plus that which my hubby wants to put in the "care packages" that we are giving to all the families on my side. And cookies... I had to run the fudge up to Des Moines today, but I had alterior motives for offering to do that - I wanted to badly to go to Michaels and get William some good art stuff. He is such a drawer! I got him a good sketch book, a set of oil pastels, a set of chalk pastels, and some good pencils and an artist eraser. It was all on the cheaper side - each of the pastel sets was $4.99 - no biggy compared to the sets I saw that were upwards of $80!! Anyway, last year I got him one of the cheap artist kid sets, and he has loved that thing! So, this year we decided to get him some "real" artist things. I still want to get some charcoal pencils for him, as I forgot to get those today - Lily was a bit distracting. Oh, and then I got Elizabeth one of the art sets that I got William last year, because she was so envious of that! She'll love it! I am getting so frustrated on waiting on packages!!! I waited until the last minute, but paid the crazy prices people wanted to get it shipped Priority, and figured if it was sent on Monday or Tuesday, I should get it in time! Only one of the 5 packages has made it yet! Then, the stuff I ordered from Amazon for my nieces and nephews - one of the boxes arrived as planned today, but there was one box that was supposed to arrive yesterday, and was in Indianapolis as of this morning. Later today is said leaving Des Moines and out for delivery. So, I watched and watched and watched - finally I looked again around 7 this evening, and it said "Checked back into Des Moines due to external prolems" I'm like, WHAT???? Ugh! Anyway, hopefully it will get here tomorrow or Monday!!! It has the stuff for all my nephews!! Would you believe I have 7 neices and nephews, and not one is over the age of 3??!! Crazy, huh? And here I am with my oldest being 14, and even having stepsons 22 and 23 (or something like that - my brain's not all here this evening!) Anyway, I am hoping my packages arrive, as they are ALL the video games I ordered for my boys!!! If not, I'll be having to go out and buy them new! Oh, then today I got an email with some really good deals for Lily at Amazon, plus William mentioned on other Bionicle he wanted (and I wanted to get, as all the other stuff he put on his list were video games) - but of course to get it shipped now for Chirstmas is $26!! So, we decided to order the goodies, and save the ones for Lily and put a note in William's stocking, saying that he has one more gift coming that's a surprise. That will keep him suspenceful! Okay, the boys have to be asleep by now, so it's safe to go down and get their stuff! Oh, Tracy, the supper sounds so nice! I'm happy you and Ed got to go out!!! My kids have that habit of trying to lick their plates - we always say, "You are NOT a dog!!" : ) (But it makes me feel good that they liked their food so much!) Okay, did I write enough to make up for my absence?? Becki

Well, my answer sounds very shallow after squirrel's response. About five years ago, after I had already given DH my "list" and I knew he had probably already done his shopping, I came across a sapphire (my birthstone) and diamond ring in a store that I just looooved. I was with a friend who was shopping for something and I wasn't hunting for a ring, but had always wanted one. Well, I tried the ring on, drooled over it, and the salesperson was ever-so-helpful and wrote the info about the ring on a business card and said, "Give this to your husband -- you never know!" I held onto the card for a few days thinking, no, this would be too greedy... well, finally I gave DH the card and told him I was in love with this ring but I knew he'd probably already shopped, maybe it could be a gift for a future holiday, etc. Also, the ring cost more than what we usually would spend on Christmas gifts so I didn't expect it. But on Christmas morning, the ring was at the very bottom of my stocking! It was extra special because after many years together, DH isn't the type of guy who surprises me, but that was a fabulous surprise! I still wear the ring almost every day.

Thank you both for sharing your stories. It’s obvious that so many have been through this sorrow. Even all these years later, I want to say that I’m sorry for all your losses. I can’t imagine losing a baby at 8 months gestation, or going through multiple miscarriages. What bravery it must have taken for all of you to try again. Yet, your experiences give great hope. My daughter has always talked about adopting a child, wether she could carry one herself or not. My children’s father was adopted, and my daughter always wanted to give a child a good life, who might otherwise not have a loving family. I suspect I’ll be a grandma someday, one way or another. I’ve really been touched by all your support and the sharing of your personal stories. We’re slowly healing emotionally, and she’s healing physically very well. I finally put the picture I received as my “Best Christmas Gift Ever”, away a few days ago. I’m encouraged by your NCLEX experience, SJN. She joked about being cut off at 75 questions, being either a very good sign, or a VERY BAD sign. I’m pretty sure it’s the former. She had nothing but “A’s” through the entire program, and feels good about how the test went. Today she has an interview at the hospital nearest my home. The nursing license should be posted online tomorrow, if all went well. We’re waiting with baited breath, but I’d be shocked if she didn’t pass. (I hope I don’t end up regretting saying that.) Lisa