Jan - How sad that your November package is missing in action. I received someone else's check the other day - same house number but different street. I think the postal workers are not overly diligent these days as we often get other peoples' mail. Good luck, and I'd be happy to send you something to ease the disappointment.
Jaba - I love your house - all lit up like that makes it look so warm and welcoming. Tell your DH he should start a seasonal business decorating for people - he's good!!! My DH mentioned that he should put up some lights, then promptly became a couch potato and put in a BlueRay in his new early Christmas present to himself - a 47" flat screen, 3D tv. I have to admit, it IS nicer than trying to see our old small tv. And in lieu of lights, perhaps I can convince him to put on a 3D video of "The Fireplace". lol.
Quilty-Louise - Welcome back. Have missed you.
Brenda - Our next door neighbors are Latino and have the ugliest, meanest, sneakiest chihuahua (sorry, I like dogs a lot, but this one truly is scary looking and nasty acting). Anyway, this is the dog from Hades. I call him El Diablo (Spanish for The Devil). He always gets loose and comes over to my front lawn to do his business, all while looking in our front picture window, seemingly grinning. If I go out to shoo him away he actually comes toward me snarling and threating to bite. He KNOWS I don't like him, I am certain of it.
I was going to sit this month out, but can't help myself. I love Christmas and hope the month's swap is full of pretty and glittery things.
Tuesday I spent the day at the hospital. My leg has been aching constantly for about 7 weeks and recently I get out of breath after 1/2 block (I used to easily walk about 5 miles a day). My doctor urgently made me stay home from work and take some tests since my blood test was abnormal for blood clots. She thought clots in the leg and lung. Mercifully, that is not the case, but arthritis in my left knee seems to be the culprit and the surrounding muscles are overcompensating for my lack of range of motion. Tomorrow I start physical therapy to see if that helps. Anyway, I have been a bit preoccupied and did not think I could do this swap justice, but have decided I am not letting a little pain get the best of me. So, I am going to send my PM to Lori in the next hour.
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! I can't wait for Christmas. Working for a school is great. Two weeks off with pay from Dec 22 - Jan 6th. Yippee. See you all later.