Ah, the menu part was easy for me.... Let's start out with some veggies fresh from the garden... sweet red and yellow peppers, cukes, radishes, carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes and maybe some big black olives (from the gardens in CA)...served with a nice dip. And some big ol' shrimp with a bit of cocktail sauce on the side. Next up a nice crisp spinach salad, the kind with mandarin oranges and a slightly sweet tangy dressing. Bring on the grilled lamb chops (home raised), lightly seasoned with basil and dill, steamed new potatoes with chives (sour cream on the side), asparagus (also from the garden) with slived almonds sauteed in butter, and crescent rolls (love the little dough boy!). A glass or two (or three) of 2 Buck Chuck Chardonnay.... And for dessert....Better than Sex cake... OK, the guest list: I agree with Chicka, Yul Brenner is a must! Catharine Hepburn - what a woman! a few authors? Stephen King John Sanford Larry McMurtry Rosamunde Pilcher what great conversations we'd have! Robin Williams - for our amusement! Barack Obama - I need to let him know how I want him to run the country. My sister Sue - While she may not agree with the guest list, she would LOVE it, and would have everybody planting more trees by the end of the evening. (Or moving to Morris, MN). My Dad - THE BEST dinner guest. He will talk to anyone, involve anyone in a conversation, ask anything, and has the humor and wit to get away with it. (sometimes we all have to pretend we don't know him if he takes it too far!) That's 10. And any Pond people down in the cellar are Welcome to come on up and join the party! S

I just want to put my past comments in perspective. I am a dog person, cat person too...actually. I have 10 dogs at my house now! 10 is no big deal for me. We had 16 over the 4th of July weekend. That gets a bit crazy....but 10....no biggie. That being said....I still think everything might be better if they didn't bring the dogs with them. But after thinking about it....if you have a place to separate them from the rest of the people/food then it would be fine. Heck, I have barbeques with small groups at my house from time to time and hard telling how many fur-critters are around! I guess just do what you want to without hurting anyone's feelings and make the best of it. You can ask for opinions...and everyone will have one....but you ultimately have to make the decision on what you feel is best and what makes you the most comfortable with the whole situation. I still want to be invited to the party! Sounds like a great time. I'm so happy you have your mom at 80. I would give anything including several limbs to have my mom back with me...she passed at 68. Give your mom a big hug and enjoy every single moment you have with her. Duane

I also had a day which I am sure I won't forget. My family was together for the first time in quite a while and I was feeling so content. Almost finished with dinner when oldest daughter took offense at something my middle daughter said in jest and certainly not maliciously. Oldest daughter said very loudly that we all come and eat her food that she has prepared and then criticize her and the way she lives. She said if we don't like the way she is we can just stay home. We all sat in shock including her husband. He kept saying that we were just having fun and honestly and truly there was nothing mean or disrespectful said. She ended up leaving the table and when I tried to approach her she told me to leave her alone. We have had so much sadness and difficult times in the last few years and this seemed to be a special holiday. I just don't even know what to say to her and we are supposed to be going out of town tomorrow (me and her family). I am really heartbroken and I think this may cause a permanent split in the family. I never in a million years would have expected this from her and Im very sad. Caroline, I am so sorry-didn't mean to hijack your post. I do want to let you know I understand the pain and empty feeling you must have. Satine

Olychick, what a great story and memory for you and your friend's son! Adorable! We sing in a local Living Christmas Tree every year. There are 5 major performances Thurs-Sun, plus a shortened 'Tree for Children' that lasts a little over 30 minutes on Sunday afternoon. All performances are free and include over 100 singers and a fine orchestra (including members of our local symphony). Sometimes there is a creative dance group who may be using the aisles during some songs. Nursery/Child care in the church is provided for those who come to performances, but some insist on bringing their small children into the church and they do act out. Naturally there are some screamers who scream out at the most inappropriate parts, usually the quietest moments of all or running in the aisles causing distractions. It is really hard to believe parents a) don't believe their own children can be disruptive, b) won't take advantage of a nursery/child care when provided.