I finally got some time to sit down and post this. I used the Outlines rubber stamps to create this medallion card. Next year I'd like to make a different one set-up so the medallion can be removed as an ornament - maybe!! Hope you enjoy!! Image link:

mrsjjb, I see you on my list. If you email me, thru my page, I will send it to you. You should have gotten the list in an email from Kathsgrdn, but as she was having computer problems at the time, it might not have gotten to you. I know she posted asking if everyone had gotten it, but you might have missed it. You send to everyone in your group, we are broken down ito two groups, then, if you want to, you can send to any/all the others on the list. Tami

Well, I finally put the tree up yesterday. Liz' telling us about having 13 trees up, did it. :) Today, my plan was to overhaul DH's closet, make some chocolate mousse, and then wait for daughter and hubby to arrive. BUT The weather turned to carp, and I listened to the forecast. Called and told DD about it, and she decided to come over last night. Good thing, cause if she had come when planned, the roads are all icy now. DH went to the gym like always, and then planned to go to work. We got started on the closet thing, and realized the shelves we got were to wide, and planned a quick run to Lowes. Phone rings. It's DH, he wants me to check, if he doesn't have to go to work (is just about to leave the gym). I go to the website, and lo and behold, all un essential workers are to stay home. DH is one of them. Coats come off, boots back in the closet, and quickly hang all his shirts and stuff back up, and put the shorter shelf from my closet in, and put everything in, and get out of that room. By the time he comes in, I am putting my stuff on his new shelf, luckily it fits here, BIG SMILE! Now we made the chocolate mousse, but no Ellen to watch. The local news tells us over and over how "bad the roads are", and to stay home. Big laugh on our end. I guess, I'll go and fix lunch now. Have a Merry Christmas all, and stay warm. Moni

What are we hoping to gain from this exchange of cards? Pictures of the family cards have replaced the traditional boxed greeting cards in my life 5/1. I enjoy getting a glimpse of what old friends/relatives look like now. I do not understand the point of purchasing a card, singing a name, addressing envelopes and sending them out. What message was conveyed? I am alive, we are related?? I prefer to get some news of those who sent the note. At the very least an explanation of the pictures they so painstakingly arranged on a post card. I think it is naive to think money is limitless and not realize some have to make choices, financially. Is it in the holiday spirit to resent those who had to make those choices? I wrote my 26th Christmas letter this year and sent it out--some by e-mail some by snail mail. I find it rather silly to get a signed card in the mail from a friend I see weekly if not daily. That seems wasteful. I do want my friends to be included in my traditional letter. I find the electronic e-cards amusing but of no real value when all they did is entertain for a moment. I would also like to know if the sender is ok, what life brought them this year. When I get these I appreciate the fact that they reached out, but it has done nothing to further our understanding and knowledge of each other. Considering the popularity of Facebook this baffles me. We are a changing society. With e-mail/Facebook perhaps the NEED and purpose of holiday cards no longer exists. I can now dial up Facebook and find out what great aunt Martha did yesterday and the day before and the day before. I don't need the once a year letter she wrote and I waited for. Traditions are wonderful, but if we do not know the purpose of them or if they no longer fulfill a need then I have no trouble ending them. I tell myself every year this is the last. The money is not justified. Then I attend a family function and all my aunts and cousins rave about my letter and beg me to never stop or not cut them off the list of receivers. This is when I know the reason I continue the tradition has been accomplished. I communicated. I gave them something they wanted something that enriched their lives. I often do not get cards in return from most of them and that makes me sad but it isn't about the getting it is about the giving. I remind myself of this when I go to my moms and see the cards my siblings sent to her--across town. I remind my kids of this when they notice and ask why aunt "Jane" didn't send one to us, who live hundreds of miles away....