Eileen - we're having it for Sunday dinner today. Me and Mom couldn't stay out of it while I was shredding the beef, though. It's GREAT! I'm making a big garden salad and breadsticks to go with it. And it'll be served over white rice. Thanks again for the recipe.

Liz, Start by getting rid of EVERYTHING that doesn't fit, without any exceptions that it might fit "some day". Make it your goal to know that you can pull out any item of clothing and not have to put it back because it's the wrong size. I am familiar with that "finding a good home" idea and I kept things way longer than I should have because of it. Send your clothes to the thrift store and just picture in your mind someone finding your outfit and exclaiming, "This is PERFECT!". About 2 years ago I discovered the joy of thrift store shopping. LOL It takes time to go through the racks, but I like the thrill of the hunt. Never again will I pay $100 for a wool blazer (bought a like-new one yesterday for $1.60) or $50 for a pair of my favorite jeans (bought 2 pairs yesterday for $2.40 each that looked brand new) etc. I ended up with a new blazer, 2 pairs of jeans, one wool sweater with tags from the Gap, 3 long sleeved tops nice enough to wear to work, a half-dozen scented Yankee votive candles, a brand new big heavy weight fleece blanket to take to my sons football games (for $1.40!), 7 paperback books, and a pair of mens snow pants, all for about $23. Now I find it MUCH easier to get rid of clothes that aren't "me" because now I know that someone out there will find them and be happy. All the clothes in my closet are the right size except one turtleneck I pulled out yesterday that is a size too big. It went directly in a bag to be given away later. Bud--funny story: We work in a conservative midwestern office where we often get those "trendy" dressing, young, transfers from California coming in. They call it "trendy" but we call it "inappropriate". LOL Julie

My Skids have plenty of clothes and they do bring a bag from biomom but in the last 2 years or so she has stopped phoning and saying there is somehting missing and my dh now has stopped being petty as well cause i tell him its there clothes...who cares what comes and goes! they wear it not us!. There are times where there is an event we go to when we watn them dressed nicely, we have back up that here at our house. They also have 'good' clean clothes at moms for good occasions that they also do not bring here. And i read a thread of not cleaning clothes or use of laundry machine? what load of crap is that!!! my sd had her period a few months ago and was embarassed to go to her dad so she came to me inteh bathroom and asked if i would clean her underwear. She was worried she ruined them cause of the stains. I had oxyclean..works wonders on those monthly bills for nature! she appreciated it and regardless to the fact that we are not always onthe same page me and her, i will not leave her feeling bad about underwear stains. She looked humiliated. and i felt it was my right as a woman to help her. I even helped a poor father in the pharmacy last week...lol..he looked lost and panicky inthe pad section. lol...he said his 12 year old daughter just started her period that morning, mom was at work what do i do!!! i can't reach her on the phone...i thought to myself..why the panic? i guess its a guy thing. Pointed him out several brands and sizes..he bought 3 of each! heheehhehe..

Good List. I see my favorite "The Secret Garden".