I've been using a weed hound for years and I think it's one of the greatest lawn tools ever. For best results, make sure the soil is damp when you use it. Get it right over the center of the weed and step down. Give it a half twist, then pull up by the knob on top. If you pull up by the handle on the side, it will sometimes let go of the weed.

I'd stay in a hotel in the same town. If some of the functions are at a hotel, stay there. Reunions have different get-to-gethers. That way you'd be close enough to go to whatever functions without the hassle of driving back and forth. As far as MIL, I'd tell her you were coming, rather DH can, and that staying in the hotel is for convenience as the functions are at different hours and some may run late. This way no worry of waking the house up. Then too, you'd be right there if schedule changed where you could be a part of all of it. Now, as far as that sweet, nice BIL. Tell hubby, you need to make arrangements for a U-Haul trailer to pull back home. He and you are going to BIL and tell him you are there to pick up the things you had given to the grandmother and appreciate him keeping them for you. Sorry it's taken so long but with no one telling you about it, you weren't there. Then time just went by. Just be sure to make a list you can hand him of what you want. If he doesn't have it, where is it? Who else was there and got things? Pay them a little visit too. If you are going to diss them off might as well do it in style. :O) Tell MIL to kiss your grits, so long, farewell, no more control. Have a happy life, etc!!!!!!! It has been too much time wasted worryng about MIL and her ways. People are what they are. She probably saw nothing wrong with what she did. That's her lifestyle. Take care of yourself, enjoy the reunion, and hope you get back the things given to grandma. Lynn

Love your bookcase display, arcy! How cool that you were able to personalize the houses! My snowman village is twenty years old this Christmas. It has three shops and a clock tower. They're made of white porcelain so they really glow when lighted. I have saved cotton from pill bottles and elsewhere over the years and try to make the snow look like drifts--it's a lot of work getting it to look like the real deal! The snowwoman with the broom has to sweep paths through the entire village. I hope she gets paid well!

But keep in mind that people have ways of retaliating, too. Where I live, several years ago a single mom bought a townhouse here. Her son was in his last semester of high school in the next county, so she just kept quiet about the address change so that he could finish and graduate with his friends. Then she voted on some HOA issue in a way the association didn't like, so they ratted her out and the poor kid had to change schools and go to school with total strangers for his last six weeks. Whatever you decide to do, do not underestimate the pettiness that people are capable of, even if they aren't culpable of what you suspect.