Wow! Good finds Karen. The three red, white and blue ones would sure be great on the wall of an Americana themed room, wouldn't they. And I see a nice dinner for two setting with the two with the houses--hint, hint. I miss those Monday posts too--not that I get to shop much on the weekends, but even if I go during the week, I could save and post on Mondays. And where's our Yachter? Her yard sales should be starting and she always finds the neatest stuff--and shows us pics of how she's using it! I've already shown you my finds, the new floral plates and my little flower balls. There was also a cute little crystal pitcher that was in one of the pics too. And books, I'm always finding books that just have to come home with me! LOL Luvs

What a nice post, Kim. I know what you mean about grief customs, or failure to acknowledge it, years ago. I was a child when my mother died suddenly--omigod, 50 years ago. No one seemed to want to talk about it, and the few times someone brought up my mom there would be tears, so I didn't want to be the cause of that. I had no brothers or sisters. In adulthood, I read some of the book Motherless Daughters, which said it's so much better to talk about the loss, and especially good if a child has siblings to process the loss with. I think we know so much more about feelings these days. Just watching Oprah or Dr. Phil is a bit of an education... Susan

I would say that we are in the same 90% done range......we have water (so no more doing dishes in the laundry tub), a working wall oven and microwave and gas to the new Wolf 36" range. DH powered up the Vent-a-hood last night so I think I will try to burn off the Wolf tonight if I have the energy.....will post on the Appliance forum what my results are for those of you that are following the Wolf burner saga.... What's left? Cabinet doors, final hook-up of the electrical (under cab lighting etc), fridge install..... We have been at this for 8 weeks now and while our contractor has been great (we're also redoing our master ensuite bath and hardwood flooring on the second floor) we want to be done!!!! Every day after the lastest new improvement gets completed I say to DH ' now what I am really looking for is....." Currently, that's have a garbage can in the kitchen..... We can use the kitchen but it's still a bit of work to find the spices, the pasta, the utensils etc..... Next Monday we should have the cab doors and Tuesday the electrician.....So hopefully by this time next week, I can say we're 99% done!!!! Now to figure out where to put the stuff in the dining room in all that cabinet space......!!! Marion K.

I was feeling a little melancholy, thinking of my mother and friends who have passed on, but trying to remember funny stories about them. Do you have any funny stories to share about your loved ones? Here is a funny story about my mother. I may have told this before....if so, please excuse me. My mother was in a nursing home and I or my husband visited her every day. She didn't know who I was but was always happy to have company. One day I went to see her, and I had my hair cut short, but I was wearing make up. However, she thought I was a man. She said, "Are you married?" I said "yes". She said "Does your wife work?" I said, "I don't have a wife....I am a wife. I am a woman." She said, "I mean, does she work or keep house?" I said, "I keep house. I am not a man. I am a woman." I could see I wasn't getting anywhere with her, so I pulled up my tee shirt. I wasn't wearing a bra, and I showed her my breasts. She burst out in a big laugh, and said, "Well! I have never seen that before.....TITTIES ON A MAN!!!"