Rose, congrats on the cruise docs.  I could use a trip somewhere sunny and warm.  I just looked outside and it is snowing really hard.  I ran to the store this morning because this was forecast, and at least an afternoon stuck in the house netted something.  I finished the majority of the holiday decorations and got the boxes carted back down to the basement.  I still have to put up the tree in the family room, but that won&#39;t take long.  It is only a 4 ft. tree that I set on a table, and as our family room is all western, so is the tree.  I use rope instead of garland and all the ornaments are western except for a few red balls.  I use red bandanas for tree skirting.  I can have it set up in a couple of hrs...just need hubby to bring it up from the basement.  Got my nutcracker display finished, the nativity scene set up and the coffee table decorations done today.  Cheryl, what was it you said you used on your countertops?  Our house is 9 years old now and I think a kitchen remodel may be in the near future.  Greg listened to me complain enough on Thanksgiving about not having double ovens, that I saw him looking at them online the other day.  My cabinets are fine, but I do want new countertops and I want my center island extended another 2 ft.  Went to Penney&#39;s sale yesterday.  I got me some high heeled, knee length brown boots that lace up there about 2 weeks ago and my d-i-l has made several comments about stealing them, so I went and got a pair in her size.  She will be really surprised because I usually don&#39;t really deviate from their wish lists.  I also bought a George Foreman toaster oven.  It has 2 racks and also a warming tray and a bun warmer.  It was regularly something like &#036;120 and was on sale for &#036;89 and then I had a coupon for 15% off everything.  This isn&#39;t a gift - it&#39;s for me, who loves kitchen gadgets and buys them all but rarely uses them.  I did use it last night at dinner and will again tonight.  It is a nice size so I can get a small casserole dish in it and don&#39;t have to warm up the big oven.  Also bought one of those new Stay or Go crockpots that has a lid that locks down. This too is for me.  Also got me 2 new sweaters and some new jeans.  Bought 2 new towel trees for the master bath, some houseslippers, 2 necklaces and earring sets and some towels.  Feel kinda&#39; bad that I was supposed to be holiday shopping and out of the &#036;350 I spent, I only bought one present for anyone other than myself&#33;&#33;&#33;  Well, guess I had better get back to my housework.....the fun just never stops&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;