Oh, I got a book, a CD, a DVD, and a check.

At least it isn't a sweater and a Macy's gift card...?

Cindy, insent to your profile addy. Nothing urgent, just something I thought you'd appreciate.

Oops, I accidentally posted in JZ's window.

Drew, maybe xmas with Kristin next year and you fly your niece out for non-holiday fun get togethers.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Mine's nearly over, and I think I'm sobering up. Methinks it's time to armtwist my sister into Trivial Pursuits. Or maybe Scrabble. Also the Christmas Doctor WHo was fabulous. Evryone should have aChristmas Doctor Who. Wiat, hang on. Nope, still drunk. Maybe I just need another glass of Chamagne. Yeah, that can't hurt.

I'd love xmas with Kristin and avoid the family, but the simple fact is that mom is in poor health and has been for a few years, so if she's still around next xmas there's no way I can't be here.

hugs, Karl!

ND, someday you will have a perfect christmas...

I just tried to call my family - no one answered thier phones...

My sister and I went to see "Dick and Jane" (which was cute enough, not terrible), but when I tried to convince her to sneak into another movie, she turned me down. Where is her criminal spirit on Christmas, I ask??

So, did ANYONE get a white Christmas this year? The weather reports I saw yesterday seemed to indicate rain where there was anything.

It's snowing here in Indianapolis, actually. Was raining earlier, but has been snowing for a few hours.

Today, DH and I are going to see The Producers and The Family Stone ('cause they're playing in the same theatre), and then Chinese food for dinner. A very traditional Jewish Christmas.

Becuase of the neighborhood my sister has moved to, there is nothing open. Normally, near where my parents are, there's lots of restaurants open because there are lots of Jewish folk, but down here in the semi-ghetto, NSM. Ah well.

Battled Damaged Angel Puppet from Smiletime

EEEEEE! OMG, I may ahve to go get that.

I had forgotten, but must add, that not all is hell here in Indiana--we did have fun playing Trivial Pursuit last night. But that's because we're a competitive smart-ass bunch of know-it-alls. My brother and I *almost* cleared the board on our first turn, but failed on the last pie. We still prevailed in the end, but it took a lot longer.

Hey, Hec, as far sewing machine shopping is concerned, bear in mind that Brother makes the innards of many of the major big-ticket brands. When they do quality control checks at the factory, the best of the best go into the Brother machines. Also, just in case it is a consideration, the plastic extension table whosiwhatsis on the lower-end Brother machines is notorious crap. So the most basic machine without the extension thingy was the best buy for me (beginner that I am). This is stuff I learned on my hunt for a sewing machine with last year's Christmas gift money. (some of the info was passed on to me by a NASA engineer who makes Star Trek uniforms in her spare time)

Another good tip is that used sewing machines from a reputable dealer are a very good bargain. Sewing machine fanatics are like stereo fanatics, they want the NEW STUFF NOW. As a result, I got a Bernina from before computerization at the same price as their lowest end now, the one that's all plastic. If you don't care about zig-zag (which rules out knits), a Singer Featherweight will still be running well when you pass it on to your granddaughter.

It can't hurt to check with sewing machine dealers to see if they have used machines in stock. Avoid American machines, and in particular Singer after the 1960s. Bernina and Pfaff are both good; each has their partisans. You have to try it and see what you like.