OMG! Thank you for the link - Did you see the pictures of the Adenium carving??? SERIOUSLY??? Here is just one I pulled from the site the picture isn't very good as it lost clarity in the transfer- but you really should go look at the site. What they have done is incredible!! I just loved this huge dragon.Who knew this was even possible? Jessica

Don't panic! It will be fine, and you'll have fun. My first piece of advice, even if it is buffet style, is to GET A HELPER or two. It's not that you, or you and a friend or two, couldn't do it yourselves. But one of the hardest parts of entertaining is keeping your guests from helping -- which, as you probably know, can really mess you up, in addition to breaking up the party. They make a bottleneck in the doorway, they put down a dirty dish or two right where you need some prep space, they mess up your clean-up system -- you get the picture. And no matter how many times you ask people not to, they insist. They want to be helpful, they want to feel like an insider -- whatever. But when I hire a helper, that does it -- they stay out of the kitchen. I swear, even if she doesn't wash a single dish, she's worth it just for that! Next best solution is to say, "I know you all want to help, but we are going to have all kinds of traffic jams if I have more than one helper at a time. So, Thusnelda, will you help me with the soup plates, and then Jerome, you help with the next course, okay?" If you have enough space to put tables far enough apart that people can serve themselves from a buffet without squeezing through, go for it. I have an island in my kitchen, and I sometimes put the buffet there. If I don't want to use the kitchen, I use a table in the front hall. Send the tables one at a time; no one wants to stand in line. A two-sided buffet is quickest, but you need a lot of space. But I like your idea of a salad already on the table -- maybe you were thinking of that only as the first course, but it may be your solution. If you make the main course a substantial salad, maybe with chicken or salmon on top, you don't need a buffet at all. Often at a catered luncheon on a weekday, where there isn't much time, that's how they do it. Salads are out at each place, there's a basket of interesting rolls, a thermos pot of coffee, and a pitcher of iced tea. Even the desserts -- like, a slice of pie or cake -- are already out on the table at each place. Would that work for you? If you don't want to buy more cruets, you can put dressing in bowls with spoons.

for choices on bedding, check online shopping sites like RueLaLa, Gilt, and OneKingsLane. Check return policy-usually easy but will depend on a manufacturer..and whether it's a final sale. You need to sign up for this, if you're not yet, but takes a second as is worth it. My favorite bedding was bought there. Antropologie and her "younger" cheaper sister, Urban Outfitters, carry a lot of bedding of very different styles. Prices vary a lot. For modern patterns (geometry, big bold florals, etc)check brand Marimekko..online, and also Crate and Barrel carries them. Also brands like Scion and Orla Kiely. Always look at several sites-you'll be able to compare prices, and check on ongoing promotions. Cheaper store/site that can have a fun choice-is indeed IKEA. And another site I like-eBay:) folks might buy something new and then reconsider, and put it for half a price for sale (some do the opposite-buy on sale, and put for a full price..that' not a good deal))

It’s late, but I’ve already read through all of your posts. And, thank you all so much already! TinaMarie: so much down-to-earth practical advice. Thank you so much!!!!! Tartan & Fori: great sited! I’m really looking forward to getting involved with them! 3katz, Chispa, and Gscience: LOL! A long time ago, during college breaks in Oklahoma, DH drove big water trucks in the oil fields. He still drives a (wonderful) GMC Sierra pickup and is now looking to trade it in on a heavy duty diesel pickup to tow a 5wheel. He has always loved to drive. Trucks, our friend’ motor homes (that we’ve borrowed), etc. are no problem for him to manage. So, renting a fifth wheel is not what we’re looking to do. Cawsaps: I TOTALLY agree with you about the invasiveness and rudeness of watching tv outdoors so that everyone around you has their peace and quiet ruined! I have no desire for an outdoor tv, but if we end up with one because the used one we buy does have one, it will be watched ONLY with headphones on! It‘s kind of daunting, though, to think that we stand a good chance of ending up near rude campers who do have one blasting. Ugh! Nutsaboutplants; Thank you!!! Olychick: OMG, yuck!!! Dgw: we’ve thought of that, too. At present time, though, our plans are to spend a couple of weeks visiting my family in Michigan . My one sis and her husband live on their own private lake where we can stay near their house, and close to my many other siblings and their families. On to our son & DIL in Augusta. GA. My one brother and SIL live near the Gulf in very south Florida, that we want to spend time with. And then our daughter and many friends live in the Dallas/FW area now. We also have friends and family in Arizona, Washington, Oregon and Alaska. So, we have a lot of traveling planned (LOL)!