Well, the tree is down, boxed up along with all of the ornaments, etc. I also took the decs off of the trees in the urns that flank the front door:)) The small trees are lighted and look pretty even without the decorations. Outside garland and wreaths are going to remain until March. Also, the china cabinet and seasonal garlands in the house remain and will probably stay in place until March as well. I especially enjoyed the posts about the decoration or two you overlook. One year I had a Christmas moose that I didn't notice until July that year. It was tucked into a basket on the soffet in the kitchen. This year I am scanning the rooms carefully to be sure I've gotten it all. The house is clean and the attic looks fairly neat. A good feeling to start the work week with it all put away. The china closet packs up into a closet in the dining room, so that's really no big deal and besides, it looks nice with the winter garland on the dining room table. We'll see how long I can look at the holiday china and stemware before I cave in and put that away too! I would like to keep it in place until its time to decorate for Easter! It was fun reading all of posts. I was surprised at how many responses my post generated! Happy New Year to all!

Karen Thanks for saving me money! - I can decorate vicariously thru you with your finds. LOL... My hats off to your DGS and others for the job they are doing and I'll bet your temps don't seem as bad to him in comparison now. A friend's son recently left for Afghanistan and I awaite his safe return also. You have two cute kitty's, I love the name Oreo - and from the size...looks like the double-stuffed! Think of the cats as your ying and yang, one helps you and the other doesn't let you get too carried away. I have Miss Kitty, she helps me decorate too, by clearing all surfaces of anything that will move - one paw swipe and it's on the floor. Miss Kitty wanting attention, scared the @%#&* first time she did this when I looked up. Jim

Sounds like everyone is in this together! -And doing very well! *************YOU GO, GIRLFRIENDS!******************* NWRoseLady: Where are you in Puget Sound? What part? I'm out in the islands off the Anacortes ferry. NHSuzanne: A little soulful, hopeful light for Belle coming at you from me! McPeg: How's the college app going????? Good luck! Wodka: I think eliminating alcohol makes losing easier. The alcohol calories + snacks calories = LIPS to HIPS! Jan, you will stay on track and not become a wuss(your words!) here. You see, I have these boots that are very pointy and have really high heels! Gretchen: Cool deal your daughter's doing. One word: DEET! I used a lot of it in Nicaragua, Alaska, and Aussie Land! Of course, in Alaska, the state bird is the mosquito! But, my gawd, woman, get out to Cali and see your son! Give yourself a reward! Your photo link is COOL! Thanks for sharing! Dee: I can't tell you if Biggest Loser is worth the time, but I can tell you that I haven't had TV since July, don't miss it, and I really like NetFlix and reading books! Lol! Hugs for your late aunt-hope you made all your travels okay. Great job multi-tasking, BTW! Raeanne: Lots of FLOODING in the NW--but none on the rock, except for the sheer volume on the roofs. Some roofs are failing--like ours--and water is currently pouring down the walls in our business office! The roofer is in there now, trying to fix it. BTW, we took our house off the market until spring. We're taking a mental vacation! Do you think you could send me the 3 foot tall version of the St. Joseph statue for when we put it back on the market???? LOL! I wish your hubby was here to sell it for us. I'd feel a LOT better! Let me know when you go to S.D. if you go in the summer. My in-laws live right by there; I'll fly down and we could rendezvous for a NON-FAT latte. Definately worth the air fare! DonnaSNJ: Most of the Biggest Losers DO NOT maintain their weight. I just read an article on them and it was very disappointing (and sad) to me to read about them and their weight creeping back on. It's a lifetime of a lifestyle---it's HARD! Milkdud- I'd go to the gym if there was a buncha guys there to help me work out!!! I tend to gravitate toward firefighters more than police officers though...(giggle) Okay, ummmm, things I'm doing for me: 1. My family bought me a light box for Christmas and I'm on my 3rd day of using it. It's so dark in the winter on the rock and I live in porched house with very tall trees all around. I cannot tell if the light box is working for a few more days, but it makes me SIT STILL for about 30-45 minutes a day! I actually look forward to it! The light is VERY bright and I like it. 2. I started using Slim Shots and it seems to help to curb my appetite. You can google them if you're interested but basically, it's a combination of oat oil and palm oil in a little cup the size of coffee creamer and you drink one with brekky and--if you want to--one with lunch. Anyway, it seems to help me a lot, so we'll see how it works when the psychological effect wears off in a week! 3. I am also keeping a food diary. I discovered I eat a lot crunchy food like rye toast w/ butter and veggie bootie when I'm stressed---and I am still snacking on the CRUNCHY FOODS when I'm bored, upset, or feel like I want to be a bad girl. I realized from the diary that I was drinking WAY too many lattes per week. I have stopped going to the latte drive thru---BUT when I have company--not very often--it's sort of a Northwest tradition to have a coffee with friends! I also have a late night eating habit that I need to curb. Soooooooooo, I've lost a pound since starting all this and hopefully, a downward trend on the scale will continue. I am making small changes and don't want to DIET because I just set myself up for failure. I will add in some exercise next week and continue to reinforce my 3 New Year's habits. I want to add water, but the water here is positively putrid to drink, and I hate buying bottled---ideas? I watched a great movie last night: PEACEFUL WARRIOR. A must see!

Hi Guys, AMY!!!!!!!! Always a pleasure to have you stop in. I miss you always. I love your work. Glad you are seling cards---at the art center or online? DH will be starting with Family Law, Criminal Law, Wills, Property Disputes, and DUIs. A little of everything, I guess. I hate the criminal and DUI part, but that's exactly why I'm not a lawyer! Well, I have been having a bit of a fun time this weekend. But I miss my Baby V. Had a NICE dinner out with friends last night-the best Chicken Picatta I've had EVER. It is an addicting dish! I had ONE Baileys and coffee and 1/3 of a Bananas Foster, which I only ate (seriously) because the other woman at our table didn't want to eat dessert alone. It was SO fun to have a night out! Then I got to sleep in today. I assisted in 2 short photo shoots and then picked up some of little DD's friends and caught an early showing of Marley and Me. The kids liked it, but what can I say? I'm not a fan of Jennifer Aniston or Owen Wilson. It was nice to sit in the theater and not HAVE to do anything though---GREAT FEELING! -Making a big salad tonight with Romaine, feta, crushed filberts, dried cranberries, and chunks of the refrigerator section Del Monte peaches-in-a-jar and a light homemade dressing. They have NO good produce on this island in winter, but with the refrigerated fruits, and good cheeses (in moderation!), we can still get a good salad going! I went off island yesterday and had 1/2 a Noah's "Everything" bagel--it was a religious experience. Had the other half this afternoon. NHSuzanne~ You sound like you actually might be enjoying THIS snow! I'm with Marci: I'm ready for winter to end anytime now! Stay cozy, girlfriend! Marci: I made the spinach squares a couple of days ago---SO GOOD! Mind sharing your Minestrone recipe with us? Your recipes are dee-lish!