Yes, Jessy, I did just use the oven yesterday. Here it is at work, baking my pizza: Kevin showed me how to turn it off, but I was unconvinced at first. On page 15 there are instructions on how to adjust the oven temperature, but I'm going to check it with my thermometer again before I make any adjustments. I think my thermometer is correct, and since the oven settings go up to 550°, I can just set it to whatever setting reaches what I want on the thermometer. After doing that a few times, I will consider making a thermostat adjustment. I didn't know there was an on-line manual, but I probably will need tips - especially after I use it a few times. Thanks! Today I'm making stromboli. I thought that would make a more convenient lunch than calzone. I used to call , but it might actually have a different name. I saw someone on TV make it, and I don't remember what they called it, but I've been making it ever since then. It has a filling more like stromboli, but it is folded (braided) over instead of rolled. I'll have pictures of the stromboli later. Lars

Many of my ideas were hit by frugalwallflower and katlan. Personally, I don't like giving books unless the person is an avid reader who reads books many times over or are a book collector and you know what they want. Except of course something like coloring books or if they like the crossword puzzle books, word search* or something. Otherwise, books are the poster child for one-use clutter if they get used once. Why teach kids that? Cash is still a great gift. Gift cards are a distant second or third since so many gift cards just don't get used. Do you bake? With your handle, I assume you do. That age group loves cookies, bars, Krispie bars, brownies and much more. Nothing to be ashamed of giving a gift of food. Or mix it in with some of the other ideas. The real young with a coloring book, crayons or colored pencils and a plateful of goodies? Few wouldn't be in hog heaven. Younger would probably like Old Maid cards, and I don't know what classic board games go for these days but there might be an option too. The youngest ones should be very easy to stay under the $10 mark, even under $5 if you want to go the purchased present way. Older ones? Well, keep in mind they might be approaching driving age. Something for the car if they have one. A key fob, first aid kit or even tools. If they have a car, floor mats are usually needed. It's late to start now but if you're near Menards or Ace Hardware you can buy a lot of stuff free after rebate or super cheap after rebate. Examples, 25' tape measure, wrench sets, screwdriver sets, hats, t-shirts, etc. Flashlights are a great gift too. The little LED ones that go on a keyring are handy and useful. A decent flashlight is usable by most anyone. Other ideas for the older, near driving age, is an ice scraper for northern climate or sunshade for southern. Both can be had for a couple dollars. I'd say fire up the stove and oven. And look for some things they might need or find useful. I might sound like a broken record at times but I really believe in avoiding the trash presents, meaning the ones that are a waste of money since they won't be used, or won't be used more than once and will just wind up in the dumpster. Food and cash, most always get used and are still appreciated far more than the stores and "shopping addicted" want people to believe. *One year as part of the gift I made up some word search puzzles and gave to the kids and had a little contest. I made the younger ones easier puzzles than the older ones. WordPerfect had a feature in it that let you set up the puzzle and it would fill in random letters in the blank spaces so it was easy. I had a 1st, 2nd & 3rd place prize of $3, $2 an $1. (there were 3 kids so each got a token cash prize and I planned a small gift for each so each actually got the intended prize, but it was down as a prize for winning. They loved it.

Thank you Canada for Michael Buble! Glenda if you ever get a chance to see him perform live I hope you can go. He puts on a great show and even though he's on tour and performing every night in a different city he tries to make each show feel special. He talks to the audience like this is his only show and even looks like he's having a wonderful time. He's very personable and it shows - he comes down into the audience and sings as he strolls along. My kids took me to see Michael Buble twice when he was performing in Philadelphia and I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Even my kids like him. I watched the Christmas special but it didn't thrill me. He does much better on his other CD's. The only negative things I can say about his concerts concerns the audience. After my first show I learned the hard way that many people stand up which makes it difficult for the people behind them to see unless they stand. When I went the second time my kids bought me seats on the floor in the front row of a section that had a wide aisle right in front of me so I could still easily see the stage if everyone else stood. Naturally 7 is the group that currently is touring with him. They are a very talented group of a capella singers - BUT they are amplified so much that it actually gave me a headache. For the second show I simply didn't take my seat until they were nearly done with their act.

Lars - Growing up in a Jewish household, I was always envious of my Christian friends at Christmas. They all had these beautiful trees; full of colored lights and glittering ornaments. And of course, boxes and boxes of wrapped presents in all different happy designs and ribbons. We had a plug-in menorah and a coat closet with our wrapped presents - blue and white paper only - placed high enough that we couldn't reach them. When I met Suzi, the first thing I made clear was that Jewish or not, we were going to always have a Christmas tree. (The irony was that despite being born Jewish, she had become Catholic 33 years before we met.) So even though she's gone I'm going to carry on the tradition. Here's mine...