Good Morning Idylls! Yeah, Im wireless (but still getting used to this laptop). The party NYE was really fun. The food was outta this world and the dessert was a hit. It was everyones last splurge before the start of dieting. We decided not to spend the nite and I was the designated driver this yr so only had 2 glasses of wine. These are special friends and funny as heck. We were sad to hear theyre going to move to TN in the next yr or so but vow to continue to host a NYE party and were all invited. Despite what I said, I think Im ready to put xmas decorations away. Inspired by Cynthia, Wendy, V, Monique and Michelle, yesterday, I spent 5 hrs. in the basement going thru old stuff, reorganizing and labeling Today Ill pick up a couple on-sale storage containers and pitch the limp old, cardboard boxes. I set the DVR so I wont miss any of the Rose Parade. Gosh, I love that DVR. Monique, I have two huge piles of paperwork, too gardening and misc. Ill be weeding thru that in the next couple weeks. Wendy, one of my winter projects is to organize photos, too my own and helping DD with hers. Seems to be no end of projects here to tackle. OK, catch up. T, I like word puzzles. I just cant get my head into this craze. Woody, I loved the pix of your DH and furry friends! Great to have a peak into your world. Eden, Bella is a real cutie! And all that hair! My grandniece just had her first bday and is a peanut by comparison. Shes healthy, but very, very petite (fathers side of the family are all small). Shes seriously entertaining and knows she has everyones attention b/c shes so adorable. Your scrapbook project sounds real interesting. Please make sure you show us your contribution when youre finished. Oh, and how proud you must be of your DD. What a loving thing to do for her sister. You have great kids and theyre all so supportive of each other. Taryn, I loved the pix you shared. You have such a lovely family and everyone looks so happy to be together. And a bum shot! You are so baaaaad, girl! T, your grandson is sooooo cute. Its great you get to spend so much time with him. Im sharing Marians concern about Jerri and the wildfires in her area. Hope she checks in soon. Marian, I understand about the stuffing. Somehow, that day my mind wasnt in geat! I heard from Jain and she said she lost a rose garden to a mudslide, but is grateful for the minor loss in view of the misery in the valley. Cynthia, I can understand how you get caught up with the GH rescue. The pix you posted of Miss Blue do remind me of Monty. I hope shes adopted to a loving home soon. Wendy, the story of your nephews and the desserts cracked me up! You guys must have been hysterical with laughter. Martie, I loved that gift of dinner for a week! Thats so creative. I have such trouble getting my Mom something and usually supplement her gifts with gift certificates to her fav restaurants. She loves them. She and her BF and neighbor catch the lunch or senior specials every week. Mary, good luck to your DS in her new home. How great of you to drive out with her and help with the move. Its been quite a harrowing year for your family and I hope the New Year is full of fun, happy times. Babs, how awful the deer ravaged your gardens! I usually have to find and replant the rhizomes in the back of my garden. They take a taste and usually spit them out 100 yards away. Grrrrr. Sue, EP and Marian, Im amazed and so jealous you can get out and garden this time of yr. Altho it has been unseasonably warm, its just too darned damp and chilly for me to indulge. After the xmas décor is put away, Im going to dive into plant catalogs. Cant wait! Yeona, Barb, great to hear from you, too. Oh and a special thanks to EP for the recipes on the other thread. In fact, thanks to one and all. Im going to copy them to my recipe folder. Sylvia, great idea to make provisions for our pets should something happen to us. Im sure my DD would take Bullet in, but its good to have a plan in place. Marie, the creek is just beautiful! Our show has melted with all this mild (damp) weather. Were in for a cold snap soon. Hope we get some snow to insulate the plants. Eden, my fav movie is "Somewhere in Time" with Jane Seymour and Chris Reeves filmed at our own Grand Hotel up north. I cry every time. Well, where the heck is Deanne? Deanne, were missing you. Hope all is OK. Well, the sales are calling. Have to shower and get this program rolling. Enjoy the extra day off, everyone!

Hi All! First off, Maddie, you have been in my thoughts and prayers since I heard about your Dad. How are you doing there, girlfriend? And the family? ((( HUGS))) Suzanne, You and Sweet Pea! I hope that she is soon well and STAYS well! I know how hard it is when a loved one (2 or 4 footed) is ailing. Patti, I want to hear about your painting class! Have you ever done anything like this before? I'm also waiting to hear what the doc says. Hi to Dave : ) Lynn, those instructions for Crazy Train were as clear as mud to me LOL! KY Susie, sending good thoughts your sister's way...Nice to "meet you"! I have been MIA most of the week. My Dear friend Gael's Dad passed away on Wednesday. We have been friends since we were kids and of course, this is a difficult time for her ( Maddie, it has to be very much the same for you). I have had a HORRIBLE dieting week. (don't ask). Thanks to everybody, Bj, Raeanne, for you heartwarming thoughts. We got through this week ok, the first anniversary of Bill's death. I thought it would be harder than it was. I guess it was a blessing to be so preoccupied with other peoples problems...hard to feel too sorry for me!! Raeanne, I am so glad that you still like your box of goodies! How does that little water fountain work? Have you listened to those cds yet? HA HA!! I have the match to your black "worry stone" out in my garden and I think of you whenever I see it. DeeMarie, my daughter wants to know if you could make HER a Sopranos ornament!! I used the Greek seasoning in an eggplant/onion with Evoo casserole last night. Yumm! I love my Nora Jones CD. Very relaxing. Thanks again My computer froze up completely at the first of the week and had to be COMPLETELY rebuilt!! Okay, Raeanne... help me keep track here... 1) 1 week before Christmas the fridge breaks down. 2) next day the washer goes out and I replace them both. 3) 4 days before Christmas NEW fridge goes on the blink. Repairman fixes problem. 4) Christmas eve. the toaster oven goes to the great oven home center in the sky. 5) Jan 4th the dryer breaks down ( had it fixed) 6) Jan 11th favorite crock pot catches on fire ( short at the cord) 7) Last Monday, computer goes bye-bye.. Is it just ME or do any of you see a pattern here??? LOL!! Tomorrow it is back on the diet wagon.I have the menu planned as well as the exercise penciled in. Here's to all of us going through difficult times, those who are hurting and those of us who are just plain tired. Everything is easier with friends. I am thankful for you all. Sweet Dreams.... Tikanas

Steve, If not for my cheerful nature, sense of humor, and sunny disposition, I would go insane. I'm pretty sure I've tried everything. IMPORTANT NOTE: He doesn't "EXPECT ME" to clean up after him. He would be perfectly happy living in a disaster zone where dishes are never done, counters are always sticky, towels are on the floor & bathrooms are never cleaned, beds are never made (blankets & pillows thrown on the floor), coats, shoes, & dirty clothes are left wherever you take them off, and nobody knows what the real color of the kitchen floor might be. Both his sisters live like that. From his point of view, he thinks I'm "fussy" because I think dishes should be washed the same day, I prefer towels HANGING UP to dry, and I think I should be able to walk through the house in the dark without tripping over shoes in the walking areas. According to him, "nobody" makes their bed in the morning or wipes off stove tops when they spill grease or sweeps & washes floors or vacuums more than once a month or every other month. We obviously did NOT live together before we were married! LOL

I am 19, i will be 20 on December 23rd. I was a little happy to know i am not the youngest, I always feel like i am the only person my age that quilts. All of my friends think i am weird because I love to Sew.... Leah