Ok, I've answered some of these points above already but once again to clarify: 1. There wasn't enough room at the table, so we did fix a plate but it wasn't just a matter of taking our seats. There were no seats to take. Going to the kitchen was a last resort - I didn't know what else to do. 2. The hostess had not yet eaten by the time we arrived. So she couldn't remain sitting at the table and eat without getting up. She wasn't already sitting at the table. She was standing, fixing herself a plate. 3. I didn't realize how late we were till we got there - there was no set starting time and she lives an hour away, we sat in the Friday-Afternoon-Heading-Out-Of-Town traffic which I don't know if you can imagine unless you live in a place like Houston where it's unpredictable at best and can be horrific. 4. My children, ages 17 and 20 WERE includded - it's a holiday. (for those who aren't Jewish, maybe that's not meaning anything to you, but would you go to a friend's house for say, Easter Lunch, and leave your kids at home, no matter what age? This would be comparable to that. In any case the invitation which was sent via email said, You and your family. There's NO question, the kids were included. 5. She made no attempt to sit near us. She put her plate down as if she meant to sit near us but came back before ever sitting anywhere, picked up her plate, and went to the other table. I don't mind if she sat with us or not, it's just the way she acted as if she was going to, then apparently changed her mind. Even THAT wouldn't have mattered had it been a table with others in addition to just our family. It was just weird, the four of us, sitting alone in the kitchen, no other guests sitting or eating with us, the rest of the entire party in another room, and no attempt to integrate us into the party. Yeah, we're guilty of being late. But as hostess, it's her duty to make us comfortable and welcome, late or not. That's what I think you'd learn in an etiquette class. 6. And again - we were about 20 minutes late. Is that really late enough to turn around after being in the car one hour and not show up at all? If someone were 20 minutes late to my house and let that convince them to blow off my party, I'd be horrified. 7. I HAVE gotten over this, WAY over this. I wasn't going to answer lizzynola's post for that reason and because most of her questions/comments had already been covered in my previous posts. But since the discussion continues, I'm answering. I am glad I was able to vent here. I'm no longer mad or hurt. I'm still good friends with her. She had no ill intentions. I thank you all for your comments. May

Yeah, I'm sure Clive will come to the rescue. What I made for us was half a recipe, the whole recipe makes a lot. Here it is: Cognac Fruit Dip 12 ounces cream cheese 1 cup confectioners sugar, unsifted 7 ounces marshmallow creme 1 cup sour cream 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons almond extract 2 teaspoons cinnamon (I've made this with regular cinnamon and also with freshly grated cinnamon - to tell you the truth, I like the freshly grated better. You could just use a little less of the cinnamon from the jar. See what you like best.) 3 tablespoons cognac Half Recipe 6 ounces cream cheese ý cup confectioners sugar, unsifted 4 ounces marshmallow crème ý cup sour cream 1 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoons almond extract 1 teaspoons cinnamon (I've made this with regular cinnamon and also with freshly grated cinnamon - to tell you the truth, I like the freshly grated better. You could just use a little less of the cinnamon from the jar. See what you like best.) 3 tablespoons cognac (optional) In small bowl of electric mixer, cream the cheese until soft and smooth. Add the confectioners sugar and beat until well-blended. Add the sour cream and the rest of the ingredients. Blend just until well-combined. Cover and chill several hours before serving.

well, I am in the midst of a break from making my eyetini eyeballs....what a pain! Now don't get me wrong. I think they'll be a huge hit, Sat night - and since Scott likes martini's - it was a no brainer - to make them. But I'll say it again...what a pain - lol. I have six done - will go out and do the other six - if I can find the right size radishes - before I go pick will up from school. It's a great thing I can do before hand. I'm also doing the meathead - I got the "meat" today - and I am doing a jello brain. Also Sherry's spinach brownies - which aren't gross at all, the mummy dogs for the kids, cupcakes for the kids to decorate, and a crockpot full of Woodie's Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder. Oh and some nice thick gooey brownies. my neighbor will no doubt be bringing a bunch of good stuff. "starting" to get excited! There will be over 20 children here - I got streamers and am making "sashes" with winning categories on them. I will make way more than we need - and each child will win a "category". Cutest, Spookiest, Silliest, Most colorful, etc. after a costume "parade". Since the weather looks carpy, we have to find more ways to entertain "inside"...sigh. Next year I may have my Halloween party in August. :-) Stacy

Thanks, Glenda--sure appreciate it. We left home at 8 this a.m. and didn't get home until 6:30. It was a long day--mostly waiting. I did fine--the picc line is my new BFF. Now I don't have another appointment until I start radiation Aug. 1. I don't want to think about doctors, sickness or anything but everyday stuff for the next week. What a luxury it will be. Y'all ate really well--but, then, you always have great meals. Almost for got. Stopped at Wendy's. I had a junior cheeseburger and Harry got the new pretzel bun burger and liked it a lot--especially the bun. Thanks--sorry I forgot who mentioned it earlier--but thanks for the tip.