Thanks, Kari. ~Holly

Thanks, Tammy. I know they would welcome my children...and my kids are VERY well behaved. I may just send a card and a donation to a specific ministry, as requested by the family. ~Holly

Does anyone want more info? I've received two more e-mails I can forward to you. Thanks! ~Holly

A friend of mine and I used to rent a house from an elderly couple. I taught with their daughter, sang in the daughter's emsemble...even taught three out of her six children. The elderly mother is the one who died. Now, I've been out of contact with this whole family for almost 10 years. I've seen a family member here and there over the years. Part of me feels badly if I don't go to the memorial, but I have a standing appointment with my children the same day. So, I wouldn't be able to stay for the service...just the viewing. Also, I would need to bring along my children with me. They don't know this family at all. I'm waffling between just sending a card...or...do I bring my children with me and make it a *learning experience* for them? I know some of you have been in similar situations. I'd love some feedback. The family would never miss me if I don't go. As I said, I'm not in contact with me at all...but, I'm sure they would be happy to see me if I did. Thanks for any input! ~Holly

After my credit card number was stolen this past week...my bank stopped any activity, verified the bogus charge with me, etc. ...my card was cancelled and I will be issued a new one. However, I just checked my on-line bank statement and I am being charged $20 for a new card. Can I *fight* this or am I going to have to just pay the $20? Thanks! ~Holly

Is the alarm really loud? I'm trying to decide whether to buy the one that I can record my own message. However, it won't allow me to use the vibration feature along with the personal message feature. Sigh... Thanks! ~Holly

I know she will like whatever I give her! She is SUCH a sweet person!! ~Holly

Thanks! ~Holly

Thanks, everyone! I will post a picture when I'm done. I was first thinking of doing one of North Carolina, marking Notre Dame. That's where where met in college and are getting married in the Basilica. But, that's all there is of importance in NC. So, I think Spain will be more fun! Side note: The poor thing was so "dumb" she got accepted to Notre Dame, Columbia, and Duke. I credit all her success to the learnin' she got in the 4th grade! Smiles! ~Holly

I have a former student whom (who?) I taught when she was in the fourth grade! She has kept in contact with me all these years and is getting married in May. I've been trying to figure out exactly what I want to make her as a gift. I thought about making a sampler...but, then I saw an idea in a book! They are going to Spain for their honeymoon. I'm going to embroider an outline of Spain and all the major cities they are going to visit. I'm also going to put a few little "pictures" of things that the regions are know for...like a wine bottle, a fish off the coast of Barcelona, etc. I'll also put a few "mountains" where I see some peaks on the map. How do you like the idea? I hope I can do it! ~Holly

A Simplicity. It's made by Riccar...very good machine! ~Holly

I will be watching. However, if "Johnny Fair Play" is not voted off very quickly...I'm not sure I will be able to watch! He is SO obnoxious! ~Holly

You're a hoot!! Smiles! ~Holly

Thanks! I really have no idea what caused this...and, my doc did not seem too concerned. I don't eat any of those foods in excess. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and wait for the next blood test. Thanks for your response! ~Holly

My sister has a house up for sale in Pulaski, Virginia...in the mountains! It's beautiful there!! However, I think good jobs would be in Roanoke...that's where she drives every day...45 minutes one way. ~Holly

Thanks for the reply, Beth! ~Holly

I'm not worried about diabetes. It's just my sugar used to hover around 90. I guess growing older is a fact of life! I don't eat white bread...well...very rarely. I make my own whole wheat bread. I don't drink soft drinks. I usually scrape out the potato to give to my children and I just eat the skins with the small amount of potato left. However, I've been snacking on pine nuts lately. I guess that could have done it. ??? Smiles! ~Holly

I don't necessarily want a lower blood sugar level in the middle of the day. I was just wondering why...after fasting...is wasn't lower. I guess I just thought it would come down more since I don't eat sugar any more. A few years ago it was 107, so my doc told me to cut out sugar. He did another test 3 months later and it had dropped to 99. I've also lost a total of 17 pounds JUST by changing my sugar intake. Amazing! ~Holly

Thanks, Heather! ~Holly

I have been "sugar free" for over two years, now...and I guess I expected my blood sugar level to be lower at my yearly physical this year. It was 97. Now, my doc says that is fine...but, I thought it would be closer to 90...like it was few years ago. Also, my potassium was a bit high. Unfortunately, I did a Google search on that subject and what I came up with is I'm deathly ill! Smiles! Not really, but elevated potassium levels can be an indicator of some serious issues. My doc didn't seem too concerned because it was just a slight elevation. I think he believes I had a false-positive reading or it spiked from something that I've been eating recently. However, this WAS a fasting blood draw. Sigh... He's going to do another blood draw in a few months. Thanks for reading...my mind is playing with me, and I'm thinking the worst, of course! ~Holly

Well...it's actually not a scam. I went to use my credit card at the grocery store and it was declined. So, I called the number when I got home and my bank security has a block on my credit card because there was a suspicious charge for $113 from a Trading Publications. Both my husband and I did not make any charges for that amount on Sunday. I wonder what will happen from here? Thanks! ~Holly

Thanks! That's what I was thinking! Sigh... How do these people get my SS#? Is it THAT easy to find? Thanks! ~Holly

asdfjkl;asdfrjkl;asdfkl;asdfkl;asdf

I almost never answer the phone...especially during school hours. So, I let a call go on the answering machine this morning. I listened to the message and the person claimed he was from our credit union doing an "annual credit card security check." I have NEVER gotten a call like this from our credit union...but, he DID name our credit union. I've decided not to return the call for a few reasons...one being the guy leaving the message yawned...loudly...right in the middle of the message and then said quietly, "Oh...excuse me." Ugh... Next time I'm at the bank...I'll ask about it. Thanks! ~Holly

I have the following books that have some simple ideas. You might be able to find them in you local library. Scrap Saver's Bazaar Stitchery by Foose Dollmaker's Workshop by Guild Creating & Crafting Dolls by Piper & Dulligan ~Holly