I don't know what i'm going to do - she's already been buying litte outfits! I did give her a gift bag full of baby things for Christmas, making sure that i added some Toronto Maple Leaf socks (Eddie's a Montreal fan, the traitor...). I have a blanket made and i also have a little dress that was supposed to be a gift for someone else and never quite made it. Since she will be a summer baby, she won't need much in the line of sweaters and blankets. I'm going to ask Mike if he'll attempt making a change table for them. We have a crib that he made and a cradle that a friend made, so they'll have that. I can fix up sheets and things and maybe my mother-in-law will do a little quilt. Still waiting for her to have the ultrasound to find out for sure that it's a girl - the ring on a chain said it was! :)

This all sounds very familiar! We bought our first business when DH was 57 years old! We put everything on the line and then some! We had both run businesses before and actually were working in the business we bought, so there were no surprises. We too were appalled at how badly run were so many small businesses. DH has a talent and track record for turning around failing businesses that he immediately applied to our own. We have never looked back though there have been times of extreme stress and anxiety. Owning a business is very different from being employed, and it's like having a family, you can't leave it behind at 5pm every evening! On balance though it has been great for us, and still is. It sounds as though you have considered this move very carefully but here are a few of my own thoughts for what they are worth. I always caution prospective business purchasers to make sure the accountant they use for due diligence is independent in every way from the seller. In your case you and the seller both have a relationship with your accountant. If you have complete trust in him/her then you may not need to get an independent due diligence. Having the seller hold a note is absolutely the way to go and you should make this note a significant value. Your contract should detail under what circumstances payment of the note could be withheld. Right now it will all seem amicable but things can, and frequently do, change very quickly! Because of your ages, take great care not to over extend to develop the business. Your DH will reach the stage, sooner or later, when he wants to quit working. If you have over invested in your business it may be difficult to sell. I can't stress enough how important it is to have a clear exit strategy from day one!! All that said, this is both a scary and exciting time for you. Owning your own business can be fulfilling in ways that employment never can be. It can enrich both your lives. As long as you have always pulled together in difficult times rather than fought, you should be fine. You have to decide what life is about for you, playing it safe but possibly risking DH being frustrated and unfulfilled, or taking the leap with all its attendant upsides and downsides. We took the leap and don't regret it! I wish you both the greatest success.

If the Chicken is already Roasted, I pull the meat off the bones before making the stock. Put all the bones in a folding Vegetable Steamer and put that in the pot for making stock. I add the meat and simmer for only about 10 minutes, especially the white meat. Otherwise it overcooks and gets " Chokey " I usually use a Whole Chicken to make soup. Plus add Chicken Soup Base. When I roast a Chicken I will save some of the Breast meat and put it in the freezer. That way I have some meat to add to Chicken Soup,if I just have Broth. I only add it for about 8 to 10 minutes, before it is done. Again I don't like it overcooked. I usually make about 2 1/2 Gallons and Portion freeze it. Lou

Thanks. My other brother called after David came home from the appointment. He is already looking for another spaniel. He said something about the vet knowing someone who had some. I'm glad he's getting another dog. He lives alone and Brutis was the only other one in the house with him. ) :