Marriages without humor, patience, and respect don't last 54 years... EP, your's is an inspiration. Wonderful that you had such a nice day together. :) I'd love to see the prize winning photograph, too! Mary, you'll have to read James Michener's "Hawaii" (all 800 pages of it) before your trip. I read it in high school and loved it, even though parts of it are rather grim. Ei, those pictures were a real treat for someone in the November greys here in Maine. The wind is howling now, the sun isn't up, and today is supposed to be really cold. I so admire the spirit of volunteerism so demonstrated by all of you. Mary and family with the pyramid project (sounds like such fun), Babs. at her son's school, V. at church, ditto Marian... the list goes on. It is truly refreshing to be permitted glimpses into such vibrant lives. Keeps me going when I'm running low on spirit. Deanne, FINISHED with Christmas shopping?! I'm still trying to extract the list from the helpmeet. I have some ideas but haven't put anything in the back of the closet yet. I meant to comment on your new steps... I love the Promenade, do you have the underarm turn you can add at the end of it? (you mentioned "turn", but I wasn't sure if was the underarm one). Have you learned the Twinkle, yet? That's another useful move. There was some dancing on PBS last night and the helpmeet watched it with interest, remarking that we knew all the steps they demonstrated... . "I miss dancing with you." was all I said, then I went to bed. We'll see if anything germinates. (just)T, I started out with clothing (home ec. was required in Jr. High), worked with tailors for years in alterations (which I love, and always have), then moved on to manufacturing. I worked "in the line", then moved up to making samples, and helping out with procedures. Later I helped set the piece rates for the different operations involved in moving a garment from pieces to finished product. I've worked on furs, too. It was quite by accident that I fell into canvas work. But I like that, too. It's exciting to make things that cover decks and patios; the sewing is easy, but the planning and measuring is critical. I also love drapery work and would really like to do more of it, but it takes a lot of room and that's in short supply for me. I have never really tried my hand a quilting, but the myriad of patterns never ceases to amaze me, and it looks like great fun, exacting in a different way than clothing construction, or canvas work. I would love to see some of your work. I'm not sure what I'll do with the machine the new Juki is slated to replace. It's very old (1929), a 31-15 Singer and it doesn't have reverse. It's effectively worthless in the trade, but I have a sentimental attachment to it. I really have a "thing" for old sewing machines; it's on the same level as people who loves old cars, motorcycles, boats. You could describe me accurately as a "junkie". Trouble is, I'm really running out of room in "the lab.". There are 5 industrial machines in that room now (all in benches), the Juki will make 6 and that's not counting the button sewing machine or the lovely White Rotary in the Martha Washington Cabinet, or the Chandler Mini-Skipper (hemmer)... as you can see, I have a problem. :) I had actually forgotten about the little hemmer, that could bring some nice cash in pretty short order; think I'll haul it out, oil it, adjust it, and find it a new home! Interesting link on racing greyhounds, Cynthia. I wasn't sure how I felt about it, though. I have the same feelings about horseracing. It's exciting and glamorous, but there is darker, uglier aspect to it. The glamor of the Stakes events comes at a terrible price for the vast, vast majority of the horses. So it is with dogracing, I fear. I hope your desire to stay home for the holidays will be respected by your sister and family; I suspect it will be, but there will be some ruffled feathers for a day/two. Stick to your guns... you should be able to wake up in your own bed, if you so desire. Good thoughts coming your way. I was hoping to get some outdoor decorating done today, but I have a lot of piddly things to do before the (ahem) banks close at high noon. And this is Fosamax day for Mum and I like to let her sleep in on the weekends. I'm feeling pressed for time already, or maybe it's the coffee kickin' in?

I found the tax shelter in this posting when searching for a gift for my brother. He is a tax preparer and has everything. So I just had to share what I did for him. I took one of those woodcraft houses from Walmart- removed the two screws from the base. I cut a 1" block of wood that fit into the bottom of the house. I glued this block onto the base thus allowing the top of the house to be easily lifted off the base. I cut a 1/2" groove in the center of the block with the table saw so I could set a card of thumb tacks into it. This was hidden in the house until the top was lifted off. I wrote a poem for this & read it to him while my daughter did a Vanna White presentation of the house. Everyone got a good laugh out of this and I finally did a complete craft project! It's been a while. Hope you have as much fun with this as we did. Here's the poem: I drew your name for Christmas It's an honor, don't you know To get my brothers name for Christmas Ah! ashopping I will go. But then I started frettin After searching high and low Whatever will I get 'im (Twas wrong to worry so!) I went into an office shop Maybe something for your desk? I talked to the clerk a lot She tried to aid me in my quest. He could use a tax shelter Is what the lady said It seemed a bit off-kelter But there was nothing left instead. So here's your little shelter All painted so very nice The foundation has been mended The roofs' been polished thrice. The flowers are all blooming In the big pot by the door The bumblebees are buzzing And there's no sawdust on the floor. It seems to be the perfect place I do agree she's right It sure beats a plain old case And your tacks! They're finally safe at night!

wish I could help

Most of the cemetaries around here do not allow plants on the graves, such as digging them into the ground but you can put them on the grave markers, special posts or the like. Often they do a cleanup about a week after special holidays and take everything off since it obstructs the maintenance crews for mowing and trimming. I'm all for nature, but if a bird can't tell a real flower from a plastic one... well they're dumber than a lot of humans. Should we worry about protecting the stupid ones? Speaking of Hummers, how many of you still dye your sugar water for the Hums? I think I'll be more concerned about poisoning them. Now back to the original topic. I like the ones that put flags on the vets' graves but then pick them up again so they can be reused and not become litter. I'm in favor of flowers going on the grave when they're buried, in reasonable amounts, but there too I think people go way overboard with memorials. There's so many ways to pay homage. Give a toast. Make a donation to a worthy cause. Visit a friend of the departed and make them feel better. And so on. People often try to get rid of guilt by spending money on flowers, toys and the like. Maybe those toys given to Toys For Tots, or something to Make A Wish or something like that would be better. It's all in what makes the person feel better but sometimes being only concerned about making yourself feel better is nothing short of selfish too.