Bless your heart, Wendy! My sister went through much the same thing with her ex (You are not alone, though I know it may feel that way sometimes ~ I hope that makes you feel a bit better.). It's a tough thing to do ~ trying to help your children understand while constantly feeling betrayed, alone and embarassed yourself (even though it's NOT your fault). Sis finally opened up to me and I was her confidant through much of her ordeal, so I feel for you tremendously. But you WILL overcome this! Diane's suggestion is a great one. You can spend the money you would have spent on toys to buy supplies to make cookies and ornaments for the tree or gas for the car to take the kids to see the lights (GOTTA' do that! It's SO fun!). Besides the Salvation Army and churches, a lot of police and fire departments have programs that give toys away. The Austin Police Dept. calls their program Blue Santa (they have blue uniforms) and the Travis County Sheriff's Dept.'s is called Brown Santa (yep, they have brown uniforms!). When I was in a local volunteer fire dept., we took donations of toys for people in need, wrapped them and delivered them on the fire engine Christmas Eve! That was fun!! One firefighter dressed as Santa and the rest as elves! I honestly don't know who has more fun with programs like this ~ the parents who don't have to stress over Christmas gifts, the kids who get the presents or the people who deliver them and get to see the smiling faces! So DON'T feel bad about getting this service from anyone! Not only are you saving that money at a time when $5 is a lot of money to you, you are giving someone the chance to do something nice. And THAT is what Christmas is all about! How much "stuff" you get at Christmas isn't. Nowadays, most people have gotten so far away from the true meaning of Christmas that it makes me want to cry. Things are so commercial. I don't like going to any store at Christmas anymore. And the malls! Oh, they're the worst! All those displays, all those people, and all those signs saying, "They won't be happy unless you buy them this $499 thing!" Horse-crap! I completely and wholeheartedly agree that the best gift you can give your children is your time. It doesn't matter how much $$$ you spend or what you do. What does matter is that you all are together. My sis was crying one time about how she coulnd't afford to give her two sons everything she wanted to. I told her flat out that we didn't have much growing up and we turned out great, so don't focus on what you can't give them ~ focus on what you CAN give them. And, Wendy, what you CAN give your children are memories. Those are much more precious than ANY storebought gift.

Ha!! ... I can back you up on that Keeks (very addicting)..but fun!! Been a CTS member since 1976..when I was just a young thing. We went to Cape Cod when I first discovered them.. We would go there for vacation every year. As I told kathleen, I would go from one to the other all over the Cape. They usually have pretty much all the same stock..but every so often I would find something different that one of the others didn't have. I got friends addicted, when they would come up to visit at the Cape.. I remember when RI opend their first out of the Cape..A friend called me to say she was in a Hotel and it was right across the street from her!! Then they Moved to Manchester, CT. We lived in NY and would drive 2 1/2 hrs from NY to go..As time went on...more and more. Now BB&BY have bought them out, and they are really popping up. So now kathleen and I have another 'Partner In Crime' to swap stories...Sorry Ladies..but I'm sure they will be coming soon near you..be patient... Also, as kathleen said they are NOT as good as they used to be since new ownership..but still worth going.. jane

Pup, enough of us here are 'southern', LOL. I'm sure it shows in my posts and I've lived most of my life in Phoenix. Just can't take that southern talk out of a girl tho. Luvs, I cracked up over what you said about no problem catching our bus since it would stop everywhere there was a bargain. But I'm thinking we should ditch the bus, we're going to need a SEMI to haul all our goodies. So bring on the Big Rig. A hunky driver would be nice too. hugs, Karen

Getting insulation, roof shingles and a back door today ;) I found out the $10k marked as "ceramic tile installation" in the contract turned out to be a milestone payment and not the actual amount for installing. We will still be ahead because the installation will cost less than ceramic. Got the car back, so not stranded (replaced the part again and no problem now). Dh is doing well (thanks for asking). He just passed the 8 week mark post surgery, so should be in the safe zone. Looking forward to Xmas and our son's bday 2 days later. Hope all are well and enjoy a few days "off" from hammering, sawing and other loud noises!