Let's think of a new shrunken name .. "BOF" for Boy Friend, "BEF" for Best Friend. Or maybe "MF for Male Friend (add "B" for Best) and "FF" for Female Friend (also add "B" for Best). Stoney, I'm pleased that you aren't "stoney broke" - no baloney! You speak of looking forward to retirement, as hubby's now retired. My suggestion is to take a month or so to have fun now, run around with hubby, kick up your heels ... well, be a bit careful of that knee!, etc. Then go back to work. If you can invest the rest of the severance package (especially now when the stock market's down and there are some bargains available), that'll move your projected retirement date ahead for longer than the time that you'll not work now, for it'll be working while you are. And maybe develop some above-average growth over the next few years. Could that possibility interest you? I recommend it. On the day that you started work, you had brains and hands at work ... and no money. On the day that you retire - brains and money at work ... no hands. And in case $4.00 now may grow into $5.00 in a couple of years ... you could use that, couldn't you? Good wishes for getting things settled down and arranged in a way that suits you. Good thoughts and hopes, plus a prayer, going your way. ole joyful

Hey, SadieSadie ... how was your free weekend? Did you get to work on your project? Oh, I hope so! I am so looking forward to seeing pictures. I got two trays done! Here's the first one. The grout is still not as smooth as I'd like, but I guess that will come with practice. I'm using the pre-mixed adhesive/grout combo, so maybe that's part of the problem. It's also harder to clean up than I thought it would be! LOL! And, the 2nd one ... I didn't take into consideration that this tray curves from the bottom to the side, so it's not a clean transition like on the round tray. The aquas are pretty close to the actual colors, but the other tiles are shades of gold, not orangey like in the picture. StoneyB

When I first got an e-mail account I wanted my name to be part of a rose, since I'm a major rose nut. The only rosy word I could find was petaloid, which is a partially formed petal often found in the center of a rose bloom. I used the same name here on GW. Minnie, a rose hybridizer has a secretary named Gladys and he named a rose variety he bred after her, "Happy Butt" -- you should get one! I'll put a link below: Here is a link that might be useful: rose named Happy Butt

I sent mine out Wednesday. I guess I should have put a not in them but didn't it. I have received a few. I always try to have a good message in mine and like this years. I too have done the card exchange for a lot of years. I love my KT friends and even the ones i didn't send a card..