kathi, that is what i am wishing for too! thanks

Wishing everyone a wonderful, joyous, peaceful Holiday. May all your dreams comes true for 2007. Travel safely and hold those dear ones close! Happy Thoughts................

karen, thanks for the flowers. i am not metrosexual because i do not spend money in the same way. maybe i am a cheap metrosexual. also, i trip on words pretty often- probably trying too hard. sometimes people don't really see each other for who they are and get hung up on details that don't matter. i am sure you and rich see a flaw or two in yourselves. i just wanted you to know that i think that you are both super the way you are- don't change a thing.

karen, it does not surprise me at all that rich got a note saying that he makes coming to work bearable. he is a GREAT guy. great guys can be seen at different times in various disguises (usually disguised by the shit in the viewer's head and not by any intention on the part of mr. great). my point is that people don't expect great and so they act surprised when they wake up enough to see it. here's the question. rich works real hard cuz he knows how to do that and he is probably used to people being appreciative of him in the way you mentioned. you guys have taken on tons as mom and dad and are really there for your kids. you are one of the most sensible, fun, thoughtful and smart people that i know. take a deep breath and see what you have for Christmas, cuz it is very sweet for you both and very deserved.

We'll do our normal Christmas here in Northern Maine and then head to VT for a few days. My dad has been diagnosed with lung cancer and so there is a lot to talk about regarding his options. I know what I want but I promised him I wouldn't fight him if he chooses the wrong path. Wrong for me that is.

I'm all ready for Christmas so let the merriment begin!!

yeah, kathy, that's the ticket. i will win the lottery, go to my Christmas party, have the eggnog loaded with the whiskey, bravely listen to my boss tell me what a great job i have done, and enjoy my holiday. you ARE right. by the way i love Tommy DePaoli books and cookies too.

Here is the Christmas carol that i am singing this year. please sing it with me if it means something to you like it means something to me.

There's a place for us,
Somewhere a place for us.
Peace and quiet and open air
Wait for us
Somewhere.

There's a time for us,
Some day a time for us,
Time together with time spare,
Time to learn, time to care,
Some day!

Somewhere.
We'll find a new way of living,
We'll find a way of forgiving
Somewhere . . .

There's a place for us,
A time and place for us.
Hold my hand and we're halfway there.
Hold my hand and I'll take you there
Somehow,
Some day,
Somewhere!

Somehow we all make it through the holidays...through the hype and stress. Richard, I hope you win the lottery, go to your Christmas party, have the eggnog loaded with the whiskey, bravely listen to your boss tell you what a great job you have done, and enjoy your holiday. We are having our "Christmas Party" tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 with 18 little overstimulated darlings and whatever parents can spare the time to come. This is a keep it simple party. The kids helped make gingerbread and star cookies (from a Tommy DePalo book) and will enjoy them with milk, make snowman decorations, and have a book exchange. Unfortunately, we go to school until 3:05 on Friday! So lucky you, Pat! I still need to finish cleaning, baking, wrapping for when my 3 kids, spouse, 2 grandbabies, boyfriend/girlfriends arrive next Tuesday. I am determined not to panic but to go with the flow and enjoy. There is still absolutely no snow here in Springfield. It is very weird not to have had any snow the whole month of December. Global warming??? May all of you have a wonderful, relaxing time with family. Enjoy the moments and Happy Thoughts..............

Richard you have quite an imagination. It may not be a White Christmas but Christmas will certainly come. Hosted a fun cookie swap last Friday. The house is full of goodies now. Out of school at noon on the 22nd. Yippee !!

hello holiday lovers. i need to get thru this week. unknown if that will be possible. it is the big 2006 kiss off for managers at work with staggering requirements- like can any of us get it all done or get it right? the answer is a.) what does right mean?, b.) what if i win the lottery this wednesday night- will i still go to the Christmas party thursday night?, c.) if they didn't pay me would i still go to work at all?, d.) is it lower cal to go for the egg nog or straight whiskey?, e.) will i keep it together at the Christmas party- drink enough to be fun, but not so much that I cry when my manager tells me what a great contribution i have made?, f.) why are there so many answers to this question and why are all of the answers actually questions that probably have lots more questions as answers???? wow, i am a mess!!!! yeah, a little time off. that's the ticket. i am a complete human being with a real life. uh huh, i believe that. how do i look? people talk about the stress of the holidays, but i don't see it. all i see is little kitty cats with santa claus hats all around me. that is normal right??