Good Morning Idylls! Yeah, Im wireless (but still getting used to this laptop). The party NYE was really fun. The food was outta this world and the dessert was a hit. It was everyones last splurge before the start of dieting. We decided not to spend the nite and I was the designated driver this yr so only had 2 glasses of wine. These are special friends and funny as heck. We were sad to hear theyre going to move to TN in the next yr or so but vow to continue to host a NYE party and were all invited. Despite what I said, I think Im ready to put xmas decorations away. Inspired by Cynthia, Wendy, V, Monique and Michelle, yesterday, I spent 5 hrs. in the basement going thru old stuff, reorganizing and labeling Today Ill pick up a couple on-sale storage containers and pitch the limp old, cardboard boxes. I set the DVR so I wont miss any of the Rose Parade. Gosh, I love that DVR. Monique, I have two huge piles of paperwork, too gardening and misc. Ill be weeding thru that in the next couple weeks. Wendy, one of my winter projects is to organize photos, too my own and helping DD with hers. Seems to be no end of projects here to tackle. OK, catch up. T, I like word puzzles. I just cant get my head into this craze. Woody, I loved the pix of your DH and furry friends! Great to have a peak into your world. Eden, Bella is a real cutie! And all that hair! My grandniece just had her first bday and is a peanut by comparison. Shes healthy, but very, very petite (fathers side of the family are all small). Shes seriously entertaining and knows she has everyones attention b/c shes so adorable. Your scrapbook project sounds real interesting. Please make sure you show us your contribution when youre finished. Oh, and how proud you must be of your DD. What a loving thing to do for her sister. You have great kids and theyre all so supportive of each other. Taryn, I loved the pix you shared. You have such a lovely family and everyone looks so happy to be together. And a bum shot! You are so baaaaad, girl! T, your grandson is sooooo cute. Its great you get to spend so much time with him. Im sharing Marians concern about Jerri and the wildfires in her area. Hope she checks in soon. Marian, I understand about the stuffing. Somehow, that day my mind wasnt in geat! I heard from Jain and she said she lost a rose garden to a mudslide, but is grateful for the minor loss in view of the misery in the valley. Cynthia, I can understand how you get caught up with the GH rescue. The pix you posted of Miss Blue do remind me of Monty. I hope shes adopted to a loving home soon. Wendy, the story of your nephews and the desserts cracked me up! You guys must have been hysterical with laughter. Martie, I loved that gift of dinner for a week! Thats so creative. I have such trouble getting my Mom something and usually supplement her gifts with gift certificates to her fav restaurants. She loves them. She and her BF and neighbor catch the lunch or senior specials every week. Mary, good luck to your DS in her new home. How great of you to drive out with her and help with the move. Its been quite a harrowing year for your family and I hope the New Year is full of fun, happy times. Babs, how awful the deer ravaged your gardens! I usually have to find and replant the rhizomes in the back of my garden. They take a taste and usually spit them out 100 yards away. Grrrrr. Sue, EP and Marian, Im amazed and so jealous you can get out and garden this time of yr. Altho it has been unseasonably warm, its just too darned damp and chilly for me to indulge. After the xmas décor is put away, Im going to dive into plant catalogs. Cant wait! Yeona, Barb, great to hear from you, too. Oh and a special thanks to EP for the recipes on the other thread. In fact, thanks to one and all. Im going to copy them to my recipe folder. Sylvia, great idea to make provisions for our pets should something happen to us. Im sure my DD would take Bullet in, but its good to have a plan in place. Marie, the creek is just beautiful! Our show has melted with all this mild (damp) weather. Were in for a cold snap soon. Hope we get some snow to insulate the plants. Eden, my fav movie is "Somewhere in Time" with Jane Seymour and Chris Reeves filmed at our own Grand Hotel up north. I cry every time. Well, where the heck is Deanne? Deanne, were missing you. Hope all is OK. Well, the sales are calling. Have to shower and get this program rolling. Enjoy the extra day off, everyone!

Karen, your new pink tree is great. So glad you and Mollie had a great shopping day and lunch. She looks like she could be your little SIS alright and alot of fun. You found so many neat things. All your bunnies and trees are darling. I love your Big laying down bunny and that tea pot bunny is cute. Reminds me of the saying "Give Hugs if You Carrot All". Better watch that chocolate egg in the urn. It looks good enough to eat. The vintage sparkly egg w/the inset is so neat. Now on to the ROSES. I know Jas and Suzie always buy you beautiful roses but Mr O too. Woohoo... good things come to those who wait! So happy you had a wonderful Birthday this year. Punk

Looks great, Taunia! All of your cards are super. Have you sold any lately? (I think I should have bought a "belated" birthday stamp instead of just happy birthday!!)

Hey Jo - didn't you know acting out in front of an audience is noraml; looks like those handsome young guys are having a great time for Grandma's birthday!! Was that ketchup spread out on that plate - yummy, good for FFs! The grans are are adorable - well, I guess I shouldn't say that because they are aren't babies anymore. But they are pretty darn handsome - could break some young girl's heart when they get older. Was that pic at the table (the one in the house) at your house. It is so bright and cheery. BTW, thanks for explaining TSL. Oh, and you gotta share taht perpeller cup. That sounds like a pretty nifty toy. Hi eloise. I think you are right - Spring Fever is here for sure. I just bought a new grill and can't wait to try it out. Then I'll be out, right there with the grill. My neighbor was supposed to pick it up Friday but I think he was just plain tired and didn't want to say it. He told me he would pick it up early Sat but I went to a Prayer Breakfast for the United Negro Women's Conference and couldn't go until later in the afternoon(I take my 86yo aunt every year and it is such an enlightening experience being around so many empowered women so I don't mind having to leave the house at 7AM on a Satuday!! The food is good too!). My neighbor never responded to my calls after I got back but showed up early this morning. I was a litle disappointed because yesterday was perfect weather for grilling and enjoying the patio. It was a little cold to try to get it all set up today. Besides, even though I told my neighbor it would take 2 or 3 guys to move the thing, he didn't line anyone up to help (MEN, they just don't listen!!!). So it was just the 2 of us trying to pick that darn thing up over the side of a pickup truck. I was so tired after that fiasco that I really didn't feel like dealing with it. It's all put together, but hooking up the tank and leveling it, and learning how to use the contraption, etc, just wasn't going to happen today. If it's nice tomorrow, maybe I'll throw a burger or two on, after work. Here's a funny - we eventually had to slide the grill down a make-shift ramp. My neighbor tilted it to the side and I held it until he could jump down off the truck and help slide it down the ramp. While I was waiting for him to help hold it, ALL the wait was on my chest. Boy, I would rather have had the reduction surgery -- LOL!! That thing was soooo heavy - my arms feel like wet noodles for sure! OK, long story, but excited about the grill and after all is said and done, it turned out to be pretty funny how the thing ended up on my patio. Hope my neighbors weren't taking pics!! Anyway, glad you too are doing OK (and hope everyone else is too). Eloise, how's your car (hope I don't jinx you by asking)? Jo, are you hanging in there? How's your painting coming along? Really happy your birthday turned out to be a good week for ya. Hugs to ya! Off to get ready for another week at work. gng