I agree with you, Oak. I did..do..love the cards that contain a letter with some photos to see like you mentioned. But I have always loved cards, silly cards or pretty cards. And just knowing someone took the time to pick out the card and write a few lines always has meant a lot to me. The cards with the name imprinted on them, and the photo cards seem to say "we're too busy for this". In fact, both my DD and my DDIL do the photo cards because they ARE extremely busy. I do understand that being the case these days. I just don't have to like it. LOL. Like Bleigh said, sometimes its physically hard to sit and do a stack of cards properly. Or at least the way I want to do them, with a short personal note and not just a signature. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't even do my cards this year. I'd bought a box of them several weeks ago, and then with the decorating taking 3 wks and now Dad this week, the box just didn't even get opened. I sent a special one to my MIL in FL as we always do, and one to my very best friend in the world in OK. But looks like no one else is even getting a real card from me this year. I feel terrible about that. hugs, Karen I think a lot of folks have stopped sending them, maybe the economy? I've only gotten a few this year myself.

To set the record straight on e-cards and viruses - established companies like Blue Mountain do not send emails out that have viruses in them. I don't know about other companies, but there are quite a few out there. Blue Mountain did have a problem but it was over five years ago. Most viruses are sent through "phishing" - that is, the email SAYS it is from Blue Mountain or your bank, or Amazon, or some other trusted entity, when actually it is NOT sent from there. How to tell if you're being "phished"? Well, at the very bottom of a standard browser there is a title bar. When you put your mouse cursor over a link, the address that the link is going to appears in that bar. If it doesn't say amazon.com or bankofamerica.com or what-have you, it is not coming from that site. To try to fool you it may say amazon.something.com. That's not amazon.com. But something.amazon.com IS amazon.com. There HAVE been instances of phishers who have been able to show a fake address in that browser bar. But they were able to do this only on Internet Explorer browser as far as I know, and IE may have solved this issue, so make sure, if you MUST use IE, or any other Microsoft product, to keep it upgraded and up to date. And practice safe web surfing - when you search for something, don't go to just any site that pops up in the search results. Look at the description and check the address in that address bar before you click.

Since you are not sending it throught the mail you could buy a pair of silkly boxers with hearts on them and then just tuck them into the card. I also like the idea of putting your pictures in it. Make coupons for him, like candle light dinner, backrub, etc. Attach candy bars or small boxes of candy on the inside of the card and put little notes that go with the type of candy like Mr. Goodbar I'm just Nutrageous over you and I get Goo Goo eyes when I see you! Good Luck and have fun!

Haven't really subscribed to mags for years, but I have bought a number at check-out counter in the past two years, primarily the BHG bath-kitchen ones, and Renovation Style, and one called "Kitchen Trends." Often began reading them while waiting for DH in a store. Also bought the Consumer Reports mag at newstand, without paging through it. I like BH&G for its down-to-earth attitude, its placidity with paint and DIY. Triangulating between the posh mags and House Beautiful and the plebian ones helps me see the field better. I did a lot of reading of library copies of Kitchens and Baths and of kitchen remodel guidebooks. We have a fabulous local library system. Sometimes I go spend a couple hours in library reading latest copies of all those titles that others mention above. Our MPR public radio station sponsorships bring us Minnesota Monthly and its occasional companion Midwest Home, which covers the region's high end building industry primarily. This publication is helpful for showing what are the upcoming open houses, shows, etc. and what are the posh kitchens like, but it is also aimed well above my family's interests and budget and has some downright dumb designs in it sometimes. Portions are online--see link. I do know that a number of helpful images at beginning of project came from this mag--sometimes just a color scheme or a shade or something. Also like reading the pieces put out by local industries--the local co. tile mag, the Parade of Homes promos, etc. Thanks for leads to other online mags. I love to browse. Here is a link that might be useful: Midwest Home Magazine