Good morning Idylls, Its a pretty dreary, gray day here but its just SOP for this time of the year. I think we are supposed to get a few inches of snow sometime today and Doug is anxiously waiting for his new snow blower to come in. We finally broke down and ordered a new machine as the old one was beyond its last legs. Wed bought it shortly after we bought this house so it doesnt owe us anything. Doug ordered an 11.5 horsepower Ariens so it should be able to throw the snow into the next county. Of course now that weve taken the plunge it probably wont snow for the rest of the winter. LOL Yesterday Wendy, Chelone, Saucy, Sue and I met in Chelmsford for lunch and had a terrific visit. Lots of laughs and good wishes were shared by all. What a treat to see so many smiling gardener faces. We are talking about having a get-together at Tower Hill sometime in the next couple months and Im going to be planning our annual Thumb our Noses at Winter party, probably for the last week in Feb or beginning of March. The Idyll social calendar is getting off to a good start for 08. Speaking of which, where are we going to IU5????? Anybody have any great ideas out there???? Personally, Id love to go back to Michigan and see Davids new gardens and visit Edens and Honeys gardens again. That was a marvelous trip and pretty central. Jump in anyone please with ideas and suggestions. Im loving all the birthday and Christmas photographs. What fun. Michelle, I just love that Chickadee on the sundial photo. Wonderful! And Norma, what is that columbine? What a beauty! Your DH is so cute. He looks pretty happy with his Christmas present. Michelle, Oh yes, I almost forgot to answer your question, I DID buy that ribbon at Sams. They have some lovely ribbon this year too and I want to pick up a couple rolls when it goes on sale. Mary, I ROTFLOL when I saw the lime green panties gingerbread woman. You are just too clever. Monique, glad to hear you had a great birthday. OK Ive got to get off this computer and get to the gym and begin to work some of this excess baggage I picked up over the holidays off my bum. Have a great day everyone. Deanne

I got a belated e-card from a friend wishing me Happy Birthday. I wish I hadn't. I would have preferred she skip the whole thing. Christmas cards seem the last vestige of a lovely tradition of keeping in touch. I always consider them part of the gifts of the holiday season, that someone would take a little time to write a note and send a card. Of course there are those who don't write the notes, but send the card. Either way, with text messaging and digital everything, I like the now ''old fashioned'' tradition. I also cut way back on my card list after realizing there were those who don't really care about them. I still do though, and it's the one time of year I enjoy going to the mailbox.

There are some animated e-cards that I have rec'd from friends from the Jacquie Lawson series for the 4th of July and Valentines Day. They are beautiful and you subscribe to the service. But, you are right to remind me about the about the possibility of a virus. Me, I write hand-written notes for birthdays and times of stress. I really have stuff in my heart for those people and need to let them know. Can't stand sing songy cards that are sent to through the mail with just a signature without much thought of the message on it. Some sent to me have hurt me badly. For example: When my husband was in Vietnam for our first anniversary I got a printed card from his dopey faher's wife that said that this must be the best day of the year for me. When I had cancer I was told that it was operable and my chances were good. After the surgery I got a grim card from a neighbor that said "we are sorry the news is so bad right now and are praying that things get better. I thought everyone was lying to me about my future and became very isolated from my friends and family. Those taking care of me went to her and let her it. Her facts were wrong and she didn't read the card before she sent it.

I used to send lots of cards out all the time and contact with some at this time of year only and now its no one sends cards out and I miss that alot, loved it at this time year and receiving cards daily in mailbox, now nothing. And also this special place that had beautiful good cards from England and prices fantastically low priced and would buy up lots on sale each year and lost that store twice, it was bought and then that was sold. We lost good place for cards. Also postage here is too expensive for me to do anything like that and its hard but why send out when they won't send back to you and so I gave up then. Enjoy your cards you all that receive them and give them out. kathy