Hi Marilyn Sue, I hope that you're having a wonderful day, and have a great dinner to end the day ... ... or, maybe not to end it - maybe have a fun-filled, enjoyable and interesting evening, as well. ole joyful

This is the year of "no presents but lots of love", and not by my choice LOL. For 11 years, I've spent the entire year trying to figure out exactly what I should get Dave for Christmas, but he just DOESN'T care what he gets..a few books, maybe a puzzle or a crossword book..he's fine..yes, I am the saddest person ever, when my "I've aced it..I KNOW what to get him, only to find turntables for the comp, weather stations he mentioned a million times, the teak shower bench that he said he'd spend cold winter nights sat upon in our brand new slate and stone shower with power jets beating him into submission (only to find he only uses it to stand his shampoo bottle on!) gifts still in their boxes, partly assembled, or just given away. The past couple of years I've given in to his wishes/wants.. and he's been happy with the books he's shopped/bought himself. I'm not, as I love the shopping/surprising/amusing little tags on/thought of you gift giving, and yes selfishly, I wish he liked doing the same as well. When we bought this house with the woodstove, I mentioned that some of the wood that I was splitting and stacking in the woodshed needed a splitting wedge..lo and behold, come Christmas morning, I received a 5lb ice cold wedge of steel..wrapped in a paper bag, and no tag, no name.. yes, I did ask for it, and he's still as happy as a pig in.. whatever ;) lol at the surprised look on my face when that was my ONE gift for the year! Guess I fooled him with my acting skills..so well that the next year I got a Lodge cast iron griddlepan to cook his steaks in for the winter times! Yes, wrapped this time in real wrapping paper and the price tag on it so I'd know how much he appreciates me!!! This year, he asked in November for my list.. I know, gasp! He's cracked it, he's figured out I like to receive AND to give. I'd secretly had books shipped by his parents from England, and a couple of neat things to surprise him, but not over whelm him. On Saturday, December 22 DH Dave went out to the garage to bring in one of the last pieces of door trim we were doing as one of my begged for gifts, and he fell in the snow on a slick of ice. He broke the ball off the top of his humerus, dislocated his shoulder blade and broke his collar bone. After surgery to pin everything to gether, locate the shoulder blade and arm bone, he's home from the hospital now. With his sling and pain meds in place, he's mostly comfortable, but he won't be able to hold the massive hardover books he so wanted, he can't drink the lovely wines and beers he bought, or do the shopping on the list he asked me for in November. He will be able to start therapy in about 2 weeks, and with at least 6 weeks off work that we can ill afford, he has lots of time to think of gifts for next year! Guess I won't be asking for door trim or a splitting wedge! I do love him..honestly! LOL Sorry for the novel! Off to shovel the snow so I can bring in a couple of bins of firewood that I split, with a great wedge!

Maire here. I've been a member since 2007 but changed my sign in name 3 or 4 years ago. I live in southern New Jersey, just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. I was a reference librarian for the Free Library of Philadelphia until DH and I started our family. We have 3 adult kids who all live within a few blocks of each other in Philly and it's so gratifying to see that they now get together on weekends or dog sit for each other. They're only 10 miles away so it's easy to pop over the Betsey Ross Bridge and join them for dinner or to see a show. DH retired a year ago and he's still adjusting - actually I am too. I'm thrilled that he gave up his demanding profession and now he has time to relax, read and plant his beloved heirloom tomatoes. He also joined my gym and we've been eating healthier and losing weight. We have a vacation home in NE PA in the middle of the woods and we love spending time there.

As long as I get some strawberry shortcake I'm happy. Going to my oldest's for dinner. They asked what I want and all I could think of was asparagus or brussel sprouts. Need to think of an entree . I'm just happy I'm not the cook . It's been wonderful my youingest daughter has been cooking since I started chemo and trying new things. Seniorgal, the drive sounds wonderful . Growing ue we did Sunday drives with all of us piled in the car . Drives through North Jersey with fall colors and stopping for apples or ice cream. Some nice music on the radio ... have a wonderful ride today . Whether it's time to yourself or spending with family , I hope all of you enjoy Mother''s Day !