Hello Marie, I've been there...something that seems so simple sometimes takes days to iron out. I feel your frustration, and recently went through a similar bank/computer issue that took three days to rectify. Given that I thought I could do it in one simple phone call and it went on for days with faxes, notarized bank letters, and more phone calls....also there was a deadline I was trying to meet. I felt like I had my shoulder to a brick wall! I'm sure it would be interesting to have a beekeeper there at your party/swap. Went to a talk at the Worcester Flower show a few weeks ago given by the sponsoring beekeepers. Very interesting stuff, especially now when the bees have been disappearing in colony collapse over the past couple of years. Scientists from all over the world are working on identifying the cause. Even the poor bees are experiencing a crisis in our world. I am in the NE corner of CT, but am really a Massachusetts "girl" in my heart. Susan

Maryanne, I am finally here this morning, without the glass of wine. I apologize for not getting on last night to report my fantastic findings. I received the most WONDERFUL box! Maryanne's theme, "These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things"......... Each item was wrapped with a little note...so very nice! *A very nice card *Penzeys Spice catalogue *Penzeys Cinnammon *Iron Chef unseasoned Panko *Wonderful caramels...did you make???? *A box of Ball canning lids and bands *A vintage canning jar with powdered pectin........COOL! *Tags/metal holders to tag plants. Great idea using these for swap plants! * Several packages of cellophane holiday party gift bags...Halloween, Valentines, Christmas, anything goes.... *Zucchini Relish...I know you made this! I will be in to this tonight!! *A lovely canvas lunch tote *Tuscan style bread dipping herbs...(I love this stuff) with a dipping bowl!! *Fall note cards *Garden gloves *A little tote for whatever...have got my gloves and pruners tucked in here *Three books on CD...Fern Michaels "Pretty Woman" and "Hey, Good Looking", and Nora Roberts "Carolina Moon".....I have not read these!!!! i love books on tape/CD. *Little Pig Onion and Bacon Dip Mix....yum! *Paper coin envelopes for seeds *A book, "The 100 Best Small Towns in America".....oh my goodness!!! How did you know???? My husband and I have been on our quest to find the best place to live in America for years and years. Did I mention this in my OBF bio??? My husband saw this and laughed his tail off!! *Greenhouse with 36 peat pellets Maryanne, I can not thank you enough. These are a few of my favorite things as well. A perfect October party!! Happy Monday! Annie

It can be expensive, but for my daughter's 16th birthday in December we told the guest to please arrive dressed nice for dinner. I think we only had 12 girls total- When it was about time to leave I mentioned "Gee, I hope we have enough for you all in the cars..." and we went out to the "cars" which was actually a stretch limo. The driver drove them to a restaurant ( took them for fondue)and we followed in our car and sat at our own table. After dinner the driver took them to see holiday lights. Afterwards,he brought them home to open gifts and most girls spent the night. It was a very memorable party for her to share with her friends!

My MIL used to pick up extra clothes--"it was so cheap, even if he wears it once, what's the harm?" I almost had to scream at her, "the harm is, I can't close the dresser drawer!" I think I've finally broken her of it--mostly by insisting that anything she buys, STAYS at her house. Now I need to break her of buying them these stupid chocolates that have animal stickers. I throw the animal stickers out every chance I get--I keep waiting for them to wonder where they went to. I need so badly to convince everyone I own never to buy my kids anything.Nothing, ever. Nada. Zip. And that includes clothes! And no more handmedowns--there's a lady at church that uses me as her Goodwill. Last time, I got 3 nice white shirts out of the deal, but most of this stuff is just in the way--it becomes another chore. And her kids are really quite a bit older than mine, so it's not like my kids will grow into those clothes anytime soon.