What a fantastic christmas present. I am so all for a on line shower. I wish I could knit, but alas I have two left thumbs. Shel I know how much you want this, it is so very awesome...... Keep us all informed, just assume this baby has a boat load of aunts and of course gramma donna.... On a side note DH and I were told we couldn't have kids so we bought a small town house and had dealt with it. Then low and behold I got pregnant, twice..... My little darlings are now 14 and 16. It was and is the best thing in my life. Every day I appreciate that we almost didn't have them. All right maybe not every single day.... some days are more of a challenge than others. in the mean time enjoy yourself and don't be so strong that you wont ask for some special treatment, you deserve it. donna

Dear Friends, Don't hate me, but am I the only one that is glad Christmas is behind us!! It is always such a beautiful time of the year, and yes, I know and I definitely celebrate the religious significance of it all, but oh my gosh am I glad it's over!! And we didn't even do or go anywhere, just the two of us trying to have a very stress free day. BUT -- there are the calls from home that always depress me when I'm not there, the call from my daughter who was on her way to the hospital with 8 year old Sam who fell on his new skates and broke his arm (5 hours in the emergency ward), the call from my other daughter who informed me that since I wasn't there, and now her sister wasn't there, she was having an awful Christmas (by the way, this is a 'girl' who is 41 years old, has six kids of her own -- and still needs her momma near by!!). The food, the sweets, the endless Christmas Carols that I think if I hear Rocking Around the Crhistmas Tree or whatever that silly song is, one more time I will throw up! And of course the messages on the raido and TV from the military men and women sending their wishes to their families and making me feel even more sad. I love those guys so much (and of course women!) my heart just breaks when I hear how selfless they are. So am I glad it's over for another year - oh yeah!! Am I the only one??? love donna

okay so I'm a day late...but it's the story of my life so I deal with it! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and everyone is healthy and back on track as of this morning - I am doing protein shakes this week and that's it...I need to void my system of all the bad stuff that went in over the weekend due to this lovely time of the year...(I'm also voiding my house of all EVIL food ) Christmas was wonderful here...one of the best I've had in years and I am so thankful that my entire family was able to be together. I'm wishing each and every one of you and your families a very happy, healthy & prosperous 2007 - let's stay together as friends and support systems - we need each other (well I KNOW I need YOU) ... Love & hugssssss....Linda

1. Do you prefer Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I only drink egg nog at Christmas time, so Egg Nog. Hot Chocolate is for winter camping and skating. 2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? All wrapped, My Dh's family doesn't wrap, so every year he grumbles about it. _ Now that the kids are older having them wrap makes the holiday last a little longer, which isn't bad considering the amount of money per gift it ends up. 3. Colored or White lights on your tree/house? Colored 4. Do you hang mistletoe? Yup. 5. When do you put your decorations up? I try for the weekend after thanksgiving. 6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? ham, candied yams 7. What was your favorite Holiday memory as a child? One Christmas eve, when I was young, we had a big storm. Our tree was the only lights on and I was sitting by the window watching the storm, listening to Christmas music. 8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Not sure, I remember my mom explaining it to me, we talked about santa, easter bunny and tooth faire. I was the oldest and it was a good bonding moment with my mom. We were going to share the secret from my brother and sister. 9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? My DH and I exchange on Christmas eve. 10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Top to bottom, all the "good" ornaments at the top. Plastic at the bottom. 99% of tree is homemade stuff. 11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Dread driving in it. 12. Can you ice skate? Yup, can now play hockey yahoo!!!!! 13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Actually it was a gift I gave. I was 15 when I got my first job. I bought my mom a mother rings. 14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with my family 15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Apple pie before WLS- now low sugar custard. 16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Making gilletts (fried dough) in the morning. This year I really enjoyed making cookies and fudge. 17. What tops your tree? angle- my family's angle was home made and you put a light under it to make it glow. The first year we put her up my dad but a red bulb under it by mistake--- she is now known as Roxanne- the red light angle.... 18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Both--come on everyone. I love to give, but don't mind receiving. 19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Who's got a beard that's long and white. 20. Candy Canes -yuck or yummy? yummy 21. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a wonderful life.

Donna, you are so precious, your note made my day! So happy it arrived in time. I LOVE philosophy products. You should see what my bathtub looks like! I love the Amazing Grace, my favorite flavors are Pumpkin Pie and Cinnamon Buns. Merry Merry Christmas. The Secret Santa was fun. I hope we all can make it a yearly ritual! Merry Christmas Donna! xoxoxox, amy