Thanks Linda, I will be watching for it, and will let you know when it arrives. The box from Kara arrived today! Such a nice surprise! She sent a really cute Iris candle. The candle is in the shape of an Iris plant with a flower, I've never seen anything like that before. A tin of Dog Garden Grass, it comes in a cute miniature metal garbage can. I'll have to start that right away! A pretty smelling bar of Gardners Herbal Hand Soap, a pretty note pad, some plastic baggies for seeds, and some seeds for a Japanese Morning Glory with variegated leaves (that's one that I'll have to start indoors late in the winter!), a tube of Sweet Pea & Papaya lotion, (I am going to be smelling so good for a long time with all the lotions I've received), lotions are one thing a use all the time, so I am so happy with the supply I now have!, and she also sent two Better Homes & Gardens special interest magazines, one is on Gardens, Decks, and Landscaping, the other is Garden Ideas. I will be able to sit back in the fall, and plan for next year!! I have so much work, and so many flower beds I want to add in the back yard next year. I think I will get lots of ideas from these two magazines. Thank you so much Kara!! Deb

Amy - thanks for sending the link! Those are both adorable! I'm glad I'm not the only one who falls out of the ditch.... I can only stay in it if I sew at a snail's pace, and I haven't the patience for that. I LOVE the colors of your JoAnn's one - and the bugs and embroidery stitches are so cute. Makes me want to get an embroidery machine! I have a very simple machine. Thanks for sharing, and again for the pattern - I can't wait to use it. :D Marcia

I agree with debrak...on not getting hung up on the date. Your kids are young and if it works to celebrate on another date then do it. I realize that its likely your kitchen will not be finished during the Christmas season but when you see your parents in January - CELEBRATE! Have the Christmas feast. Maybe leave a few decorations out. My dh works all different times, shifts, holidays, last minute. He literally was given his work schedule yesterday for the 2 weeks starting THIS SUNDAY through the holidays! Talk about throwing any plans out the window, I actually just don't bother to try to make any. I'd love to say I've gotten used to it after 14 years and that it doesn't get under my skin but I'd be a big fat liar. Some years are better than others and I do not take it out on my dh but I do need to vent here and there. It was very hard when the kids were young and I had this vision of what I thought Christmas morning would be like - vision not reality. Sometimes I think our expectations set us up for failure. When the kids were younger we celebrated whenever my husband wasn't working. Santa came any day that worked for us during Christmas break and it was usually NEVER on the 25th. They are older now so they'd realize the date but then the 'gig' is up anyhow. So I guess my point is - after all of this schedule business and the added stress it causes I have come to cherish the simple togetherness with my immediate family and do not get hung up on the days or what we couldn't do or had to miss. We fit in everything else with extended family when we can. Sometimes it is January. It's just the way it is. That way we space out the big meals and food coma's so I guess that would be a perk! Sending you best wishes for a memorable holiday with your family and with your parents.

I am in the midst of The Curse of the House of Foskett by M.R.C. Kasaskian, but I am not sure exactly why. It is the second of a series of mystery novels with a Sherlock Holmes-like detective (only distinctly nastier). In place of Watson is his female ward, tenderhearted but bright. I found the first book clever but unpleasant, and started this one to see if it would be better. So far it is not. The hook that keeps stringing me along is the ward's tragic love affair from days past, recounted in her diary but concealed from the outside world. As far as I can see, it is the only redeeming grace.