I usually give gifts with the receipt in the box. Like someone else said, I don't want to waste my money giving a gift the receiver doesn't like or can't use. I want THEM to be happy so if I guessed wrong, let them get something they like. Natal: I loved your thought. We have a green pyrex mixing bowl we always use on holidays because it was my MIL's. It's like she's enjoying the holiday with us. Oh, and my DIL's mother just buys stuff at the outlet, then figures out who to give it to later. Mostly clothes, so size is optional. Dee

Love finding deals for my remodel! Use Ebay alot to buy lighting (Murray Feiss) and plumbing fixtures (Pegasus) and even bought my Jacuzzi Whirlpool bath via ebay $300!! A friend of mine picked it up for me in Richmond, Va because he traveled that way alot to visit family. Lowe's is my next favorite place for deals. When they have markdowns. I bought 2 French Doors for $150/ea. - 2 Pella storm doors (NIB) for $10/ea. and 3 polyvinyl designer screen doors for $5/ea.!! Bought all stainless steel appliances there as well on deep deep discount as well. My best adventure is buying all my kitchen, bath and laundryroom cabinetry from the Kraftmaid warehouse in Lordstown. Spending $60-$95 on most base, upper and vanities. My huge double door pantry with pullouts -$135!! ;^) . Cabinets are hickory and cherry. (you can find out more about Kraftmaid warehouse by searching these forums). The savings of these finds and doing the remodel ourselves makes it easier to justify some up the upgrades we have made like adding a wet/dry central vac system. Finding these bargains has been the fun part of a long remodeling project. Happy hunting fellow bargain hunters!

Well Hey, It may not be "PC" to be happy you don't have to deal with her right issues now, but I totally understand wanting to focus on your pregnancy and keeping the kids happy & well adjusted. I think it's very good she is in rehab getting the help she needs irregardless of how she got there. Hopefully she will be better and focusing on her recovery and co-parenting peacefully when she is released. Have fun with the baby stuff :0)

Don't laugh too hard The real estate agent had trouble chasing college son out of the house to show the house. It was an 8 year old brand new house(at the time) except for son who would camp out in the master bedroom with his extra long twin mattress, stereo, dorm fridge, TV and computer surrounding the mattress. We did look past the vagrant and snagged a great deal on the house. The main fridge, DW, range, fireplace etc had never been used. No nail holes in the entire house-aka no pictures or even window treatments. The real estate agent would call to get him out but most times he was still in his pod room - cringe. Dad (not my dad) bought house but never moved in - I don't know the whole story but betting a broken relationship. We joke he was an absent minded professor who forgot he even owned it But we snagged a great A2 house on the outskirts of the city! It was a Showcase of Homes example in 1988 and we bought it in 1995. It had a number of upgrades for the home show.