wow, i just realized i have been spelling jenell's name wrong all along too. dawn, i am impressed with how observant you are. what made that jump out at you?. shame on me. all this time and i was Aing you, when i should have been Eing you. how are you feeling in this heat Luna (playing it safe now). you don't have much longer to go but this heat has to be so uncomfortable being pregnant. i had the bulk of my pregnancy during the winter. i don't handle summer heat well and i couldn't imagine it carrying around another life. alison, so where did you travel this go around? anywhere exciting? really stinks that hostess dawn can't be on this board. i wonder if she would have better luck now that the forum was sold. where the heck is mudmonm? i haven't heard hide nor tail from her in quite a bit. how are you debbie? carol, how are all the pups? okay, if i left anyone out, it wasn't intentional, but i think i have us all covered. anyone still have anything blooming? i have asters (i think that's what they are), a few easter lilies that are in their second bloom and hibiscus that i great from seed. i am so proud of myself. they are light in color with some pink. i am going to try to get some other colors in some seed swaps this year, although i am debating if i want to do see rr's, as i have so many and hate to have more. i really want to use what i have. is that possible? the people next door should be ashamed of themselves, their poor dog cries and barks and whines to get inside and they ignore it. tsk tsk tsk. they have no business having this dog. happy blooms, earthly

Elaine, One thing I did for my four children (although I didn't start till my 1st one was 3) I bought a blank journal book that looked Christmassy, They wrote their letters to Santa in the book signed and dated it. And Santa wrote back to them. They love looking through the book seeing what they wanted, and how their writing improved over the years. When the little ones came along we would write for them and sign with a hand print. Another thing I did for my children was when they got their 1st haircuts was put a curl in the clear glassbulbs, and the their names and 1st hair cut with the date and a bow. We had the perfect keepsake. Grandparents loved receiving these and it was one ornament that did not get packed away, but hung in my Moms china closet. Well, just 2 ideas, what ever tradition s you start, have a wonderful holiday, and enjoy your new baby. They grow much to quickly, my oldest turn 18 next year, where did the years go..... HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Dusk007

I think handprints in concrete is just stupid. No offense, but I also think plaster casts of kids handprints on the walls is also 1950's grandma style. yes I have two kids that have grown up. What did we do when we built our home: I had the kids paint and leave all kinds of messages on the studs and bays of the home before final drywall went up. they grew up knowing their "secret" messages were in there and someday they'll be discovered. To each their own, but personally having some kids handprints in my driveway would be an irritant, looks very unprofessional so in resale terms it's a negative.

Hi Fran! Yes, I did the jar quilt swap. I'm embarrassed to say that I just pulled my jars out last night! We've moved since then and I wanted to wait until I had a more permanent place to put the finished product! Hi Linda! YES!! It was you. The quilt is still beautiful. In fact, I have a finished quilt top that I just pulled out and I was thinking of asking if I could send it to you to quilt so that I don't destroy it! Hi Teresa! Yes, you're on my baby quilt too! Thank you! I remember that you always had such good advice! Stephanie