Esh, thanks. Grumpy Gardener is a great site, too. I have bookmarked it and am planning a trip to Birmingham. I have been wanting to go there anyway, and I only live a couple of hours from there. I will definitely visit that place.

Beverly, right click and copy the link just like you did to post it only paste it in the box below this reply box "Optional Link URL:______" and put the name you want in the box below that "Name of the Link:______" and then you will see the name of the link that you posted. I usually test the link in the preview mode before I go ahead and post it. Here is a link that might be useful: Beverly's link

I got a belated e-card from a friend wishing me Happy Birthday. I wish I hadn't. I would have preferred she skip the whole thing. Christmas cards seem the last vestige of a lovely tradition of keeping in touch. I always consider them part of the gifts of the holiday season, that someone would take a little time to write a note and send a card. Of course there are those who don't write the notes, but send the card. Either way, with text messaging and digital everything, I like the now ''old fashioned'' tradition. I also cut way back on my card list after realizing there were those who don't really care about them. I still do though, and it's the one time of year I enjoy going to the mailbox.

Hi Katclaw~ I just wanted to say that I totally agree with Lindamarie. You should most definitely check out Dave Ramsey's site (link below). I honestly believe that through Dave Ramsey, God has TOTALLY changed our lives, saved our marriage and helped make our family's financial future brighter than ever. Now, while almost everyone else is looking around wondering what the heck they are possibly going to do, we are finally sitting back and breathing easy for the first time in our 18 1/2 years of marriage! It is such an incredible and liberating feeling! We are finally debt free except for our mortgage, which we just got last year when my husband finished building our dream home. However, we fully expect to have it paid off in just a few years!! Dave has an awesome book called 'The Total Money Makeover'. It is available at Amazon, Wal*Mart and on Dave's site. It is a super easy read and it is the very first step toward finding your financial peace and freedom! Dave also has a program called 'Financial Peace University'. This is a life-changing 13-week program/class that teaches you how to make the right decisions with your money. In addition to teaching you so many amazing ways to financial freedom, Dave has many, many resources available to you on his website, including what you are specifically looking for at this time, financial counselors. Plus, if you are like me and the website looks a bit overwhelming, you can call them toll-free at 1-888-227-3223 and explain your situation. One of their counselors will be happy to help you get on the right track and show you how to handle those creditors. (Just remember, FOOD, SHELTER, TRANSPORTATION and CLOTHING must come FIRST! Everyone else can wait, including credit cards. If that dings your credit, then so be it, but those 4 things must come before anything.) Also available through his website are what he refers to as 'Endorsed Local Providers' (ELPs). ELPs are providers such as Lenders, Real Estate Agents, CPAs, Insurance Agents, Tax Preparers, Attorneys, etc. who are all endorsed by Dave. They are only recommended after being very carefully screened by Dave and his staff. My husband and I have been very pleased with a couple of these who have been recommended to us. Remarkably, so far we have not had to pay one red cent for any of the advice they have provided! However, if we should need the type of service they provide in the future, we would not hesitate to use them or recommend them to our family and friends. I hope and pray this has helped you, or someone else, in some way. I'm telling you, my husband finding Dave on the radio is the best thing that ever happened to our finances and to our marriage. Just try it! What do you have to lose??? Here is a link that might be useful: DAVE RAMSEY