Well, my answer sounds very shallow after squirrel's response. About five years ago, after I had already given DH my "list" and I knew he had probably already done his shopping, I came across a sapphire (my birthstone) and diamond ring in a store that I just looooved. I was with a friend who was shopping for something and I wasn't hunting for a ring, but had always wanted one. Well, I tried the ring on, drooled over it, and the salesperson was ever-so-helpful and wrote the info about the ring on a business card and said, "Give this to your husband -- you never know!" I held onto the card for a few days thinking, no, this would be too greedy... well, finally I gave DH the card and told him I was in love with this ring but I knew he'd probably already shopped, maybe it could be a gift for a future holiday, etc. Also, the ring cost more than what we usually would spend on Christmas gifts so I didn't expect it. But on Christmas morning, the ring was at the very bottom of my stocking! It was extra special because after many years together, DH isn't the type of guy who surprises me, but that was a fabulous surprise! I still wear the ring almost every day.

It gives me such warm fuzzies to be amongst so many wonderful people who loves their furbabies...here's our contribution This is Mama...she was recued in 2001 at a humane adoption...I took her cause I wanted her baby son...couldn't stand the thought of breaking them up...and she ran her son off 3 years later... She's also known as mean ole mama cat cause she's still very afraid and skittish after 8 years! This is the collie clan...Duncan is 9..Abby is 3 and Gabe just turned 8...(yes we had a cupcake party!) DH took this at the soccer fields this week where they get to run wide open!! this is them during a widdle GA snowstorm last winter...they loved it! Duncan Gabe Abby and last but not least...THE Precious Puddy Cat...mostly known as Puddy but also answers to Precious My son's best friend gave her to us 2 years ago when she was just over 6 weeks old and she has absolutely captured my heart...everynight she crawls into my lap for her massage/rubbins...we think she is Berman/Himmy/Persian...but who the heck knows...WE LOVE HER!! here she is being crazy...all she needs is a beer and a cig! I do sooo love seeing all ya'lls animals...It warms my heart...

We have mostly hardwood floors and tile, and other than bathroom and kitchen mats, only one smallish area rug. Our dog has both a crate and a dog bed. The door to her crate is always left open, day and night, so she can rest wherever she likes. The crate has a memory foam pillow and the dog bed has a thick soft filling, so Sophie has a comfy place to lie, whichever she chooses. She hates the feeling of leather and does not come onto our leather furniture, which is fine with us, as she's rather large. I'd say she decides on crate or dog bed, depending on what we're doing. If our young grandsons are over, she'll sometimes wander into her crate, just to get a break from the extra noise and activity, I'd presume. But if anyone is eating, of course she prefers hanging around, or lying in her dog bed, so she's easily seen and at the ready, if someone decides to offer her a dog treat, lol. I feel sorry for dogs who are 'locked' in their crates, unless they are destructive outside the crate, when alone in the house, or for temporary periods that might be needed to keep them safe from harm.

I have to keep your Kitchen Tree idea in mind for next year. My family will enjoy it. I am glad you had a wonderful Christmas and you were able to put your mind at ease about your friend. I enjoyed Christmas too with my kids and grandkids. It was a very busy two days with them. I treated myself to a jacuzzi tonight. Tomorrow looking forward to cleaning up and putting the house back together along with some relaxation time with DH. Then heading south this weekend to have Christmas repeat and New Years Eve with daughter and her family who live out of state. Also looking froward to watching my 6 year grandson sing and play the ukulele in the town's First Night. so right, Brushworks