Juellie, yes my son knits, crochets and quilts. I taught him how to knit and crochet while he was in law school and visiting here at home during breaks, and he picked it up fast. He lives on the east coast and we live on the west coast, so he likes to while away the long flights with knitting, etc. He would meet with friends in a New York City coffee shop on Friday afternoons during his law school years to sip, chat and do needlework. He took classes in woodworking and quilting once he graduated, but he really does not have the time for such crafts with his long work hours and weeks these days. The young man who owns the table cloth, which I remodeled to fit his table, was a fellow classmate in law school and a friend of one of my son's good friends. The kid was looking for a resource, and since he knew my son could crochet, asked if he could finish and repair the cloth. I felt sorry for him. He was the only one in his family not tied down with children and career, so he was designated to go through his mother's things, save or dispose of them accordingly, and close up the house, all this while in law school. I lost my mother when I was 12, and so I felt a certain sympathy for him in his simple request to get her crocheted tablecloth repaired and remodeled so that he could use it. While I have crocheted a few tablecloths, I have never done anything like this, and I took longer than I should have because I was so afraid of ruining her work. Her stitches were tiny; the knots she used to tie off each motif impossible to locate and undo; the old, delicate cotton thread broke easily when I unraveled it; and I was overwhelmed with what I found myself volunteering to do. But it all worked out after years of worry and struggle, and so I am content.

LOL Thanks Donna and Heather for letting me know about Ginger's post. My sister went home today so now my time is mine but I did try a few times to get into the KT since Heather called but I couldn't get the pages to load and it took me almost 5 minutes just to get the THS homepage to open and after 10 minutes of trying my webtv reboots itself so I have to start over. Hi Ginger! Were your ears burning?? I really can't believe this because I was just talking about you to my friend after I told her she should read the Menopause forum. I told her how you had gotten banned by Spike and that you started your own board for a while. I did read there but then I lost the link. Thank you for all the nice things you said about me. I really appreciate it. I sure did have to "pull up my bootstraps" after my Mom passed away but I had lots of help and support from my forum friends and from my real life friends. I was working for a bank for a couple of years until they downsized their staff big time and because I was a casual worker I was laid off but I had put enough into savings to keep me going until I find something else. I have to be very frugal with my spending but I pet sit for neighbours and babysit to make extra cash. My brother rents a house that I inherited from my Mom so that helps a bit too. I took the mortgage off my house and put it on the rental house so Paul's rent pays my mortgage. LOL I don't really consider it my house because I haven't stepped foot in it for over 10 years - Paul is responsible for the upkeep. Per my Mom's will I can't sell the house as long as a family member lives in it. LOL That house is my retirement fund. Ginger, I have had wonderful good things happen in my life that I just can't explain since my Mom passed away. Unbelieveable kindness from strangers, from friends, from my forum friends and from neighbours. Overwhelming kindness that I hope one day to forward on to all who have touched my life. Ginger, I am happy and I experience joy every day of my life. I haven't found the love of my life yet, no Mr. Right but then I am not out looking too far for him. I am waiting for him to come to me! LOLOL I've got my eye on someone though. My friend's Dad who passed away last year always told me to pray to St. Ann for a man but so far that prayer hasn't been answered - yet. LOL Enough about me, Ginger how are you and how is your life and are you happy? I have thought of you many times over the years and wondered how you were doing. I am still so surprised that we thought about each other at the same time! I hope you come back to post with us now that Spike is no longer here - not that I know of anyway. I used to like reading your posts. You can email me anytime through My Page above if you would like. Thank you again for thinking of me and saying the nice things that you did. Anne

Sheila Joyce, I've already told you what a stupendous job you did on that tablecloth. Now I must commend you on being gracious enough to accept his gift even though you said you needed nothing and it probably cost him dearly, given his situation. Many years ago I did something small for an elderly woman friend at my church and she insisted on paying me. I told her I wouldn't take it, but she kept trying to push a $20 bill into my hand. In the end, I took it, intending to find a way to return it to her later. Another woman had witnessed our exchange and took me aside and told me that she figured I would probably do just what I was thinking (return it) and insisted that I keep it. Otherwise I would be stealing that woman's blessing. I had never thought of it that way, but I do believe she was right.

Ha, ha, Minnie, I got the little dog's brother too! Did okay in the Christmas card department today. I received 4 wonderful cards, Thanks Susie 53 for the photo card, that sure was nice and also for the sweet letter. Many thanks to you too Marie MD, beautiful card. Loved your card as well Jannie and Tami, such a nice card! If you made it it is special. I did figure out who it was from :) Thanks bunches everyone. Sue