Hi All, I've been so busy. I made cookies and stuff all night after work and then I answered some email. I wasn't going to write anything tonight because I'm tired. I was ready to go to bed but I realized it may be awhile until I can post again. So I want to tell the story I promised before. 11 years ago in August, Gary's brother, Joe, died helping a motorist who's car had been hit on a major highway. He got struck by a motorcycle that was speeding and then a car driven by a drunk driver. It was as you can imagine was quite an awful time. We as a family decided to donate all of Joe's organs. We felt that he died trying to help someone and it is what he would of wanted. Thanksgiving with Gary's family wasn't the best that year of course. Christmas as far as I could see wasn't going to be much better. On Christmas morning Gary and I got up. He was watching tv, and I was reading the newspaper. I started to read the letter to the editor part of the paper. There was letter from a woman from NJ writing to thank the family who made the decision to donate the organs of the man who had died on the highway. At that point, I just started to whell up with tears and Gary of course couldn't figure out why the paper would make me cry. I tried to read out loud to him, but I couldn't get it out and by that time I was bawling. The woman's brother had received Joe's heart, and surely would of died. It was a wonderful thing she did sending that letter. We were very sad, but we were also very happy to know that people were alive because of him. It made a tough Christmas bearable. So the best gift we ever got cost no more than the time it took her to write a letter and the stamp to mail it. (As a side note,Gary's parents eventually found out about all the people(info without names) he helped. And they did meet the man who got his lungs and became friends with him. They also are active members in UNYTS, the local organ donor group. Also the next year Gary's sister had a baby, the first grandchild. There's nothing like a baby to help lift people's spirits.) Ok, I've got to go to bed. Tomorrow is a long day at work, and then I've got to visit my baby brother and his family in the evening. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, Remy

silversword~ Thanks for posting this. It's a good and interesting read. I think people sometimes know that these foods are LOADED with calories, carbs, and fat, but "See No Evil" takes over when taste buds, cravings, and will power are involved. Having the CALORIES put IN YOUR FACE -- labeled on each portion, puts the rubber to the road and makes one decide whether the worth the "price." And, for me, it's the accountability of ordering something like that when you're with a friend!!!! lol.

I would suggest checking out your local craft store (or better yet, a scrapbook store in your area if you have one). Lots of times they offer free or very low cost classes (my LSS for example charges around $5.00 for a class) that you can either participate in or just sit in on to get a feel for things. Look at the books suggested, and check out websites like the ones mentioned. Do a search on someplace like yahoo for beginning scrapbooking and you will find sites specifically designed for the new scrapper. At any rate...you will enjoy this hobby! It's completely addictive! Happy Scrappin'!

When I look back at my very 1st scrapbook, I get disgusted at how much I thought I had to cut the pictures. Now, I only cut off the part of the photo that no one would ever be interested in...such as a recliner that takes up the whole left side of a photo, or excess grass at the bottom of a pic. I get tons of compliments on my albums now, and people tell me I should quit nursing and just scrapbook professionally. Good luck w/your album, and congratulations. There's a ton of stuff to choose from out there, but be creative and imaginative. Don't buy stickers of flowers...create your own. Don't place stickers messily over your entire page..group them together to make a scene or corner decoration. This way, they won't take away from your pictures (which should be the focal point of your album). Hope this helps.