~~~~~~~Happy Birthday Lucy~~~~~~~ I hope you have a wonderful, super great birthday today my friend. Celebrate and Partay!!! You know with this birthday you are catching up with me. I'll be over there to help you blow out ALL those candles. ;-) jk I do hope you have a fantastic birthday. (((Birthday Hugs))) Deb

Thanks everyone for the best wishes. I spent most of the day at work helping to thaw culverts (the melt has started here). Last evening we had my mother,my middle daughter and her husband and kids, my two sisters and their families, my father-in-law, and a friend of my daughter and her kids over for a hamburger barbeque and cake. Giftwise all I got was cash(which is what I requested). Although my daughter, her husband and her friend had a very unique way of giving money. When I got home last night they had a corner of the living room covered with a sheet. When I uncovered it there was a fake tree covered with 50 American 1 dollar bills. They used the American ones because they thought that it would look fuller and better than loonies or five dollar bills. Now who says money doesn't grow on trees LOL!!! This will be all put together to buy some perennials for my yard and some patterns for my shop. I am not sure what kind of perennials yet but will keep everyone posted as to what I buy. Cheers Al

QOD: Raeanne, make that TWO of us who have never tasted that green bean thingy! I love all kinds of veggies, but will not touch dark turkey meat....too much string or whatever in that leg and thigh! lol!!! When I was a kid, we had antipasti, lasagna w/ all the Italian meats, 3 hours later the turkey and trimmings were presented, and 3 hours after that we had nuts, fruit, and pie w/ coffee. An entire day of eating...no lie. The Alka Seltzer would fly back and forth that next day. We had a wonderful time in Smithville...got some things in the small shops and had a leisurely dinner in the Inn. My sister's DFIL and DMIL joined us too. Friday morning, my sis and I took DN and her friend to the Philadelphia Museum of Art (they had a college art assignment). I loved it, as there was a large gallery of impressionists displayed and lots of Asian items from B.C.!!!! I could have stayed all day. MENU (for Saturday---Thurs and Fri are too painful..lol!) B old-fashioned oatmeal and a handful of globe grapes before walking 3 miles around the lake whooo hooo to me! S 20 dry-roasted peanuts and cup of fat-free, sugar-free Swiss Miss L large salad with 2 oz ham and slice of ww bread S starting picking at leftovers from my sister, so I moved away from the kitchen! D I'm making a low-fat version of baked ziti with salad (topped with Good Seasons' fat free dressing) Amy, Jen, Besh---good to see you all posting here this weekend. Make it count! Take care, eat healthy, and NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP! DeeMarie

Thank you all for the nice Birthday wishes! I wasn't online all day yesterday & I am just now-getting caught up, visiting our KT. It was probably one of the best birthdays ever. My kids and grandkids all phoned during the morning-received flowers & gifts and a cake. Then at noon the 'party' began. Ernie & I took an old high school classmate I hadn't seen in 48 yrs-and her DH down to Madeira Beach Legion, It sits right on the Intercoastal-the weather gorgeous. We danced, watched the dolphins leaping in the water, watched the scads of boats out yesterday-great time! I think any northerners (other than snowbirds) all arrived in FL this past week instead of coming in Jan.due to the cold weather here. There was at least 350 people at the Legion.. We then went to Salt Rock Grill for a scrumptious dinner and on clubbing until 2:30am this morning! I truly didn't think this now-66 yr old broad could handle that long of a day & night...and judging from the fact that I've barely moved from my chair today..tee hee...I wasn't wrong! Thanks again for the kind wishes and Bunny-I sure hope you had a great Birthday as well!