Yardies, at home and a farrin' (Part 4)

[brownnskinn 0]

Ok, I just googled cornmeal porridge and found another recipe on jamaican-recipes.com Ladies let me know if this sounds all right. Here it is:

Cornmeal Porridge

1 cup Yellow Cornmeal (coarse or fine)

4 cups Water

¼ cup Half and Half (or Milk)

½ cup Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 tbsp. Sugar

¼ tsp. Nutmeg (ground)

¼ tsp. Cinnamon (ground)

Vanilla Flavoring (2 drops)

Add cornmeal to a bowl, and then pour enough water into the bowl to cover the cornmeal. Use a fork to mix the cornmeal in the bowl to let the water and cornmeal mix loose and watery.

Bring the 4 cups of water to boil in a saucepan. Turn the heat to medium.

Slowly pour the water and cornmeal into the saucepan while stirring with a fork. You will have to stir the mix continuously for about 3 minutes. Make figure eight patterns if you like; this will stop the cornmeal from forming lumps. Be careful from this point on.

The porridge will splash and burn your hand if the heat is too high. Turn the fire down even more if the splashes from the pot become large. Cover the pot and let simmer for about twenty minutes. Occasionally stiring the mixture in the pot.

Turn off the fire but do not remove the pot from the stove. Now add all the ingredients, except the nutmeg. Stir to sweeten this Jamaican porridge and then taste it. Add more ingredients of your choice to get the desired taste. Serve in small soup bowls and sprinkle with ground nutmeg.

Hi, like Rhonda...I couldn't stay away...I missed you guys!

Anyway...the above receipe is dead on for cornmeal porridge! Just don't forget to keep stirring... or it will get clumpy and lumpy! Keep the fire low after you put the cornmeal in...Viola!! Yummy Yummy...I used to make it for my sons when they were babies, usually at the 10-11pm feeding...when they turned 7-8 months...I used their formula instead of milk!

Trust me Rhonda, it's something to keep in mind...cause it holds them! My sons slept through the night after they had their cornmeal bottle! And Mommy could finally get a full nights sleep!

Now I make it for Saturday morning breakfast! With some buttered Hardo bread and we are good to go!!!! YUM!

Gill

When my hubby first arrived, he went through all that to make porridge . The next morning I handed him a box of instant hot cereal cream of wheat... and was like here, same thing less trouble

[Forever Young 1]

I do have to say that all you "Black Friday" shoppers SUCK!!!!! I work at Old Navy and I Hate the friday after Thanksgiving with a passion. While you probably see bargains and fun, I see running around like a chicken with my head cut off, everyone crabby, and rude customers making my life a nightmare. The most exhausting day of the year. Glad it will be my last.

My husband picks up his own health insurance TODAY!!! Woo hoo. I'm looking at December 23rd being the last day I work two jobs. Looking forward to some weekends again.

While you are out doing your after Thanksgiving shopping, make sure you are extra nice to the people in the stores. They are probably having a rough day. Good luck on some good bargains!!!!

I have to say that I am one of those crazies!! Love Black Friday...last year I missed it cause I was in JA. ...I was screwed up for the whole holiday season! The best part for me is by 9am on Black Friday morning I am DONE with all of my Christmas shopping! I am a horrible procrastinated, so it works for me. Last year, I was running around on Christmas Eve, convincing myself that oven mitts were the BEST present for my Aunts (cause that's all they had left in the store ) Never Again! Usually, I am one of those crazies that wakes-up at 1am to be on line by 2am anxiously awaiting Black Friday shopping to commence !

Gill

We had $49 cashmere sweaters last year on Black Friday. Talk about crazies....they were literally tugging them between two people, pushing and shoving. It was crazy.

From working in retail, I usually just shop the internet and go into stores mostly for gift cards. Not a big fan of stores much anymore.

I will probably make you sick saying this.....since you are so last minute.....I am making all my Christmas presents this year. Over the years, I have dabbled in making some presents. This year, I am making nearly ALL of them. I've been working on them for months now. I will only need to shop for my husband, my kids, and a few misc. gift cards and I'll be well done with all that before Thanksgiving and probably do most of it by the internet and have them bring it all to me. I love my UPS man!!!!!!

I may be pretty broke this christmas so everyone just may get a homemade cake and cookies ! and a card or one gift for the house

Chica,

Ain't nothing wrong with that!! We sometimes forget the true meaning of Christmas with all of the commercialism these days! I might be right there with you pon deh broke side, if Ken gets an interview date between Christmas and New Year's ...the prices of the flights from 12/26-12/2/08, at this point is $1200!!!!

,

Gill

Edited October 1, 2007 by Deyoungting

[*JG* 2]

I do have to say that all you "Black Friday" shoppers SUCK!!!!! I work at Old Navy and I Hate the friday after Thanksgiving with a passion. While you probably see bargains and fun, I see running around like a chicken with my head cut off, everyone crabby, and rude customers making my life a nightmare. The most exhausting day of the year. Glad it will be my last.

My husband picks up his own health insurance TODAY!!! Woo hoo. I'm looking at December 23rd being the last day I work two jobs. Looking forward to some weekends again.

While you are out doing your after Thanksgiving shopping, make sure you are extra nice to the people in the stores. They are probably having a rough day. Good luck on some good bargains!!!!

I have to say that I am one of those crazies!! Love Black Friday...last year I missed it cause I was in JA. ...I was screwed up for the whole holiday season! The best part for me is by 9am on Black Friday morning I am DONE with all of my Christmas shopping! I am a horrible procrastinated, so it works for me. Last year, I was running around on Christmas Eve, convincing myself that oven mitts were the BEST present for my Aunts (cause that's all they had left in the store ) Never Again! Usually, I am one of those crazies that wakes-up at 1am to be on line by 2am anxiously awaiting Black Friday shopping to commence !

Gill

We had $49 cashmere sweaters last year on Black Friday. Talk about crazies....they were literally tugging them between two people, pushing and shoving. It was crazy.

From working in retail, I usually just shop the internet and go into stores mostly for gift cards. Not a big fan of stores much anymore.

I will probably make you sick saying this.....since you are so last minute.....I am making all my Christmas presents this year. Over the years, I have dabbled in making some presents. This year, I am making nearly ALL of them. I've been working on them for months now. I will only need to shop for my husband, my kids, and a few misc. gift cards and I'll be well done with all that before Thanksgiving and probably do most of it by the internet and have them bring it all to me. I love my UPS man!!!!!!

I may be pretty broke this christmas so everyone just may get a homemade cake and cookies ! and a card or one gift for the house

Chica,

Ain't nothing wrong with that!! We sometimes forget the true meaning of Christmas with all of the commercialism these days! I might be right there with you pon deh broke side, if Ken gets an interview date between Christmas and New Year's ...the prices of the flights from 12/26-12/2/08, at this point is $1200!!!!

,

Gill

I would much rather get something that someone put a lot of thought and effort into then someone who runs into a store and picks up the first thing they see. (That has GOT to be the explanation for those plaid short pants my mom bought me a few years ago!!!!!!!!!!)

[jamerican 2]

I do have to say that all you "Black Friday" shoppers SUCK!!!!! I work at Old Navy and I Hate the friday after Thanksgiving with a passion. While you probably see bargains and fun, I see running around like a chicken with my head cut off, everyone crabby, and rude customers making my life a nightmare. The most exhausting day of the year. Glad it will be my last.

My husband picks up his own health insurance TODAY!!! Woo hoo. I'm looking at December 23rd being the last day I work two jobs. Looking forward to some weekends again.

While you are out doing your after Thanksgiving shopping, make sure you are extra nice to the people in the stores. They are probably having a rough day. Good luck on some good bargains!!!!

I have to say that I am one of those crazies!! Love Black Friday...last year I missed it cause I was in JA. ...I was screwed up for the whole holiday season! The best part for me is by 9am on Black Friday morning I am DONE with all of my Christmas shopping! I am a horrible procrastinated, so it works for me. Last year, I was running around on Christmas Eve, convincing myself that oven mitts were the BEST present for my Aunts (cause that's all they had left in the store ) Never Again! Usually, I am one of those crazies that wakes-up at 1am to be on line by 2am anxiously awaiting Black Friday shopping to commence !

Gill

We had $49 cashmere sweaters last year on Black Friday. Talk about crazies....they were literally tugging them between two people, pushing and shoving. It was crazy.

From working in retail, I usually just shop the internet and go into stores mostly for gift cards. Not a big fan of stores much anymore.

I will probably make you sick saying this.....since you are so last minute.....I am making all my Christmas presents this year. Over the years, I have dabbled in making some presents. This year, I am making nearly ALL of them. I've been working on them for months now. I will only need to shop for my husband, my kids, and a few misc. gift cards and I'll be well done with all that before Thanksgiving and probably do most of it by the internet and have them bring it all to me. I love my UPS man!!!!!!

I am with you on this.... for the last 2 years (since going to Jamaica) I have had a whole different view of christmas. I have made more of the gifts from bath salts, candles, painted martini/wine glasses to movie night gift baskets with snacks in it. No more buying gifts for me that I know will be half off the day after xmas. I also envite friends and family over around the holiday's for big ol Gumbo dinners where the kids can hang out in one area of the house and the adults can chill in another...listening to music and just being together. I save all the mall shopping for myself because there is no replacement for shoe shopping!!!!

[*JG* 2]

I do have to say that all you "Black Friday" shoppers SUCK!!!!! I work at Old Navy and I Hate the friday after Thanksgiving with a passion. While you probably see bargains and fun, I see running around like a chicken with my head cut off, everyone crabby, and rude customers making my life a nightmare. The most exhausting day of the year. Glad it will be my last.

My husband picks up his own health insurance TODAY!!! Woo hoo. I'm looking at December 23rd being the last day I work two jobs. Looking forward to some weekends again.

While you are out doing your after Thanksgiving shopping, make sure you are extra nice to the people in the stores. They are probably having a rough day. Good luck on some good bargains!!!!

I have to say that I am one of those crazies!! Love Black Friday...last year I missed it cause I was in JA. ...I was screwed up for the whole holiday season! The best part for me is by 9am on Black Friday morning I am DONE with all of my Christmas shopping! I am a horrible procrastinated, so it works for me. Last year, I was running around on Christmas Eve, convincing myself that oven mitts were the BEST present for my Aunts (cause that's all they had left in the store ) Never Again! Usually, I am one of those crazies that wakes-up at 1am to be on line by 2am anxiously awaiting Black Friday shopping to commence !

Gill

We had $49 cashmere sweaters last year on Black Friday. Talk about crazies....they were literally tugging them between two people, pushing and shoving. It was crazy.

From working in retail, I usually just shop the internet and go into stores mostly for gift cards. Not a big fan of stores much anymore.

I will probably make you sick saying this.....since you are so last minute.....I am making all my Christmas presents this year. Over the years, I have dabbled in making some presents. This year, I am making nearly ALL of them. I've been working on them for months now. I will only need to shop for my husband, my kids, and a few misc. gift cards and I'll be well done with all that before Thanksgiving and probably do most of it by the internet and have them bring it all to me. I love my UPS man!!!!!!

I am with you on this.... for the last 2 years (since going to Jamaica) I have had a whole different view of christmas. I have made more of the gifts from bath salts, candles, painted martini/wine glasses to movie night gift baskets with snacks in it. No more buying gifts for me that I know will be half off the day after xmas. I also envite friends and family over around the holiday's for big ol Gumbo dinners where the kids can hang out in one area of the house and the adults can chill in another...listening to music and just being together. I save all the mall shopping for myself because there is no replacement for shoe shopping!!!!

One (?) word for you .....Zappos.com. Free delivery and returns. If the shoes you want in your size are out of stock, they will even e-mail you when they come in again. It does not get any better then that.

[SupportOAFJF 0]

OK ! I'm back..me and mi cute daughter..but mi can't add her pic back till I get home .I needed that break ...so Congrats Jenice !! that's so fabulous..yippee !!

About cornmeal porridge...DO NOT ADD CORNMEAL AFTER U GET THE PREMIX GOING!!

[SupportOAFJF 0]

Oh and adding cereal to the baby milk..let's be clear...DO NOT ADD CORMEAL..!! use cereal for baby birth stage..remenber constipation

[jamerican 2]

I do have to say that all you "Black Friday" shoppers SUCK!!!!! I work at Old Navy and I Hate the friday after Thanksgiving with a passion. While you probably see bargains and fun, I see running around like a chicken with my head cut off, everyone crabby, and rude customers making my life a nightmare. The most exhausting day of the year. Glad it will be my last.

My husband picks up his own health insurance TODAY!!! Woo hoo. I'm looking at December 23rd being the last day I work two jobs. Looking forward to some weekends again.

While you are out doing your after Thanksgiving shopping, make sure you are extra nice to the people in the stores. They are probably having a rough day. Good luck on some good bargains!!!!

I have to say that I am one of those crazies!! Love Black Friday...last year I missed it cause I was in JA. ...I was screwed up for the whole holiday season! The best part for me is by 9am on Black Friday morning I am DONE with all of my Christmas shopping! I am a horrible procrastinated, so it works for me. Last year, I was running around on Christmas Eve, convincing myself that oven mitts were the BEST present for my Aunts (cause that's all they had left in the store ) Never Again! Usually, I am one of those crazies that wakes-up at 1am to be on line by 2am anxiously awaiting Black Friday shopping to commence !

Gill

We had $49 cashmere sweaters last year on Black Friday. Talk about crazies....they were literally tugging them between two people, pushing and shoving. It was crazy.

From working in retail, I usually just shop the internet and go into stores mostly for gift cards. Not a big fan of stores much anymore.

I will probably make you sick saying this.....since you are so last minute.....I am making all my Christmas presents this year. Over the years, I have dabbled in making some presents. This year, I am making nearly ALL of them. I've been working on them for months now. I will only need to shop for my husband, my kids, and a few misc. gift cards and I'll be well done with all that before Thanksgiving and probably do most of it by the internet and have them bring it all to me. I love my UPS man!!!!!!

I am with you on this.... for the last 2 years (since going to Jamaica) I have had a whole different view of christmas. I have made more of the gifts from bath salts, candles, painted martini/wine glasses to movie night gift baskets with snacks in it. No more buying gifts for me that I know will be half off the day after xmas. I also envite friends and family over around the holiday's for big ol Gumbo dinners where the kids can hang out in one area of the house and the adults can chill in another...listening to music and just being together. I save all the mall shopping for myself because there is no replacement for shoe shopping!!!!

One (?) word for you .....Zappos.com. Free delivery and returns. If the shoes you want in your size are out of stock, they will even e-mail you when they come in again. It does not get any better then that.

I have done Zappos when I couldn't find my size on a particular pair of shoes I found out and about. I just love being able to put on the shoes and walk around the department trying to deceide. I am a little nervous because I have sooo many shoes that I feel a little gluttonus (is that a word)..I have tried to warn Kevin about my shoe obsession but how can you prepare a man who has 3 pairs that you have 100+?????

[*JG* 2]

I do have to say that all you "Black Friday" shoppers SUCK!!!!! I work at Old Navy and I Hate the friday after Thanksgiving with a passion. While you probably see bargains and fun, I see running around like a chicken with my head cut off, everyone crabby, and rude customers making my life a nightmare. The most exhausting day of the year. Glad it will be my last.

My husband picks up his own health insurance TODAY!!! Woo hoo. I'm looking at December 23rd being the last day I work two jobs. Looking forward to some weekends again.

While you are out doing your after Thanksgiving shopping, make sure you are extra nice to the people in the stores. They are probably having a rough day. Good luck on some good bargains!!!!

I have to say that I am one of those crazies!! Love Black Friday...last year I missed it cause I was in JA. ...I was screwed up for the whole holiday season! The best part for me is by 9am on Black Friday morning I am DONE with all of my Christmas shopping! I am a horrible procrastinated, so it works for me. Last year, I was running around on Christmas Eve, convincing myself that oven mitts were the BEST present for my Aunts (cause that's all they had left in the store ) Never Again! Usually, I am one of those crazies that wakes-up at 1am to be on line by 2am anxiously awaiting Black Friday shopping to commence !

Gill

We had $49 cashmere sweaters last year on Black Friday. Talk about crazies....they were literally tugging them between two people, pushing and shoving. It was crazy.

From working in retail, I usually just shop the internet and go into stores mostly for gift cards. Not a big fan of stores much anymore.

I will probably make you sick saying this.....since you are so last minute.....I am making all my Christmas presents this year. Over the years, I have dabbled in making some presents. This year, I am making nearly ALL of them. I've been working on them for months now. I will only need to shop for my husband, my kids, and a few misc. gift cards and I'll be well done with all that before Thanksgiving and probably do most of it by the internet and have them bring it all to me. I love my UPS man!!!!!!

I am with you on this.... for the last 2 years (since going to Jamaica) I have had a whole different view of christmas. I have made more of the gifts from bath salts, candles, painted martini/wine glasses to movie night gift baskets with snacks in it. No more buying gifts for me that I know will be half off the day after xmas. I also envite friends and family over around the holiday's for big ol Gumbo dinners where the kids can hang out in one area of the house and the adults can chill in another...listening to music and just being together. I save all the mall shopping for myself because there is no replacement for shoe shopping!!!!

One (?) word for you .....Zappos.com. Free delivery and returns. If the shoes you want in your size are out of stock, they will even e-mail you when they come in again. It does not get any better then that.

I have done Zappos when I couldn't find my size on a particular pair of shoes I found out and about. I just love being able to put on the shoes and walk around the department trying to deceide. I am a little nervous because I have sooo many shoes that I feel a little gluttonus (is that a word)..I have tried to warn Kevin about my shoe obsession but how can you prepare a man who has 3 pairs that you have 100+?????

Oh, I can answer that one...............if he shares you obsession, make sure you have plenty of money saved up. My husband arrived with 3 pairs.....now, he rivals me. And, I've got him convinced it's better to buy quality shoes cause they last so much longer.

[Forever Young 1]

OK ! I'm back..me and mi cute daughter..but mi can't add her pic back till I get home .I needed that break ...so Congrats Jenice !! that's so fabulous..yippee !!

About cornmeal porridge...DO NOT ADD CORNMEAL AFTER U GET THE PREMIX GOING!!

Welcome back Kimmy!!!! ...alright now all is right wid the VJ Yardie thread world! I don't think we are missing anyone else! ONE BIG HAPPY Yardie VJ Family again!!

Love you guys,(((hugs, hugs,hugs)))

,

Gill

P.S.-Agree with the cornmeal statement.

[Forever Young 1]

I do have to say that all you "Black Friday" shoppers SUCK!!!!! I work at Old Navy and I Hate the friday after Thanksgiving with a passion. While you probably see bargains and fun, I see running around like a chicken with my head cut off, everyone crabby, and rude customers making my life a nightmare. The most exhausting day of the year. Glad it will be my last.

My husband picks up his own health insurance TODAY!!! Woo hoo. I'm looking at December 23rd being the last day I work two jobs. Looking forward to some weekends again.

While you are out doing your after Thanksgiving shopping, make sure you are extra nice to the people in the stores. They are probably having a rough day. Good luck on some good bargains!!!!

I have to say that I am one of those crazies!! Love Black Friday...last year I missed it cause I was in JA. ...I was screwed up for the whole holiday season! The best part for me is by 9am on Black Friday morning I am DONE with all of my Christmas shopping! I am a horrible procrastinated, so it works for me. Last year, I was running around on Christmas Eve, convincing myself that oven mitts were the BEST present for my Aunts (cause that's all they had left in the store ) Never Again! Usually, I am one of those crazies that wakes-up at 1am to be on line by 2am anxiously awaiting Black Friday shopping to commence !

Gill

We had $49 cashmere sweaters last year on Black Friday. Talk about crazies....they were literally tugging them between two people, pushing and shoving. It was crazy.

From working in retail, I usually just shop the internet and go into stores mostly for gift cards. Not a big fan of stores much anymore.

I will probably make you sick saying this.....since you are so last minute.....I am making all my Christmas presents this year. Over the years, I have dabbled in making some presents. This year, I am making nearly ALL of them. I've been working on them for months now. I will only need to shop for my husband, my kids, and a few misc. gift cards and I'll be well done with all that before Thanksgiving and probably do most of it by the internet and have them bring it all to me. I love my UPS man!!!!!!

I am with you on this.... for the last 2 years (since going to Jamaica) I have had a whole different view of christmas. I have made more of the gifts from bath salts, candles, painted martini/wine glasses to movie night gift baskets with snacks in it. No more buying gifts for me that I know will be half off the day after xmas. I also envite friends and family over around the holiday's for big ol Gumbo dinners where the kids can hang out in one area of the house and the adults can chill in another...listening to music and just being together. I save all the mall shopping for myself because there is no replacement for shoe shopping!!!!

One (?) word for you .....Zappos.com. Free delivery and returns. If the shoes you want in your size are out of stock, they will even e-mail you when they come in again. It does not get any better then that.

I have done Zappos when I couldn't find my size on a particular pair of shoes I found out and about. I just love being able to put on the shoes and walk around the department trying to deceide. I am a little nervous because I have sooo many shoes that I feel a little gluttonus (is that a word)..I have tried to warn Kevin about my shoe obsession but how can you prepare a man who has 3 pairs that you have 100+?????

- Jammy, you are too dyam funny!!!!

Gill

[Forever Young 1]

I do have to say that all you "Black Friday" shoppers SUCK!!!!! I work at Old Navy and I Hate the friday after Thanksgiving with a passion. While you probably see bargains and fun, I see running around like a chicken with my head cut off, everyone crabby, and rude customers making my life a nightmare. The most exhausting day of the year. Glad it will be my last.

My husband picks up his own health insurance TODAY!!! Woo hoo. I'm looking at December 23rd being the last day I work two jobs. Looking forward to some weekends again.

While you are out doing your after Thanksgiving shopping, make sure you are extra nice to the people in the stores. They are probably having a rough day. Good luck on some good bargains!!!!

I have to say that I am one of those crazies!! Love Black Friday...last year I missed it cause I was in JA. ...I was screwed up for the whole holiday season! The best part for me is by 9am on Black Friday morning I am DONE with all of my Christmas shopping! I am a horrible procrastinated, so it works for me. Last year, I was running around on Christmas Eve, convincing myself that oven mitts were the BEST present for my Aunts (cause that's all they had left in the store ) Never Again! Usually, I am one of those crazies that wakes-up at 1am to be on line by 2am anxiously awaiting Black Friday shopping to commence !

Gill

We had $49 cashmere sweaters last year on Black Friday. Talk about crazies....they were literally tugging them between two people, pushing and shoving. It was crazy.

From working in retail, I usually just shop the internet and go into stores mostly for gift cards. Not a big fan of stores much anymore.

I will probably make you sick saying this.....since you are so last minute.....I am making all my Christmas presents this year. Over the years, I have dabbled in making some presents. This year, I am making nearly ALL of them. I've been working on them for months now. I will only need to shop for my husband, my kids, and a few misc. gift cards and I'll be well done with all that before Thanksgiving and probably do most of it by the internet and have them bring it all to me. I love my UPS man!!!!!!

I am with you on this.... for the last 2 years (since going to Jamaica) I have had a whole different view of christmas. I have made more of the gifts from bath salts, candles, painted martini/wine glasses to movie night gift baskets with snacks in it. No more buying gifts for me that I know will be half off the day after xmas. I also envite friends and family over around the holiday's for big ol Gumbo dinners where the kids can hang out in one area of the house and the adults can chill in another...listening to music and just being together. I save all the mall shopping for myself because there is no replacement for shoe shopping!!!!

One (?) word for you .....Zappos.com. Free delivery and returns. If the shoes you want in your size are out of stock, they will even e-mail you when they come in again. It does not get any better then that.

I have done Zappos when I couldn't find my size on a particular pair of shoes I found out and about. I just love being able to put on the shoes and walk around the department trying to deceide. I am a little nervous because I have sooo many shoes that I feel a little gluttonus (is that a word)..I have tried to warn Kevin about my shoe obsession but how can you prepare a man who has 3 pairs that you have 100+?????

- Jammy, you are too dyam funny!!!!

Gill

[Forever Young 1]

I do have to say that all you "Black Friday" shoppers SUCK!!!!! I work at Old Navy and I Hate the friday after Thanksgiving with a passion. While you probably see bargains and fun, I see running around like a chicken with my head cut off, everyone crabby, and rude customers making my life a nightmare. The most exhausting day of the year. Glad it will be my last.

My husband picks up his own health insurance TODAY!!! Woo hoo. I'm looking at December 23rd being the last day I work two jobs. Looking forward to some weekends again.

While you are out doing your after Thanksgiving shopping, make sure you are extra nice to the people in the stores. They are probably having a rough day. Good luck on some good bargains!!!!

I have to say that I am one of those crazies!! Love Black Friday...last year I missed it cause I was in JA. ...I was screwed up for the whole holiday season! The best part for me is by 9am on Black Friday morning I am DONE with all of my Christmas shopping! I am a horrible procrastinated, so it works for me. Last year, I was running around on Christmas Eve, convincing myself that oven mitts were the BEST present for my Aunts (cause that's all they had left in the store ) Never Again! Usually, I am one of those crazies that wakes-up at 1am to be on line by 2am anxiously awaiting Black Friday shopping to commence !

Gill

We had $49 cashmere sweaters last year on Black Friday. Talk about crazies....they were literally tugging them between two people, pushing and shoving. It was crazy.

From working in retail, I usually just shop the internet and go into stores mostly for gift cards. Not a big fan of stores much anymore.

I will probably make you sick saying this.....since you are so last minute.....I am making all my Christmas presents this year. Over the years, I have dabbled in making some presents. This year, I am making nearly ALL of them. I've been working on them for months now. I will only need to shop for my husband, my kids, and a few misc. gift cards and I'll be well done with all that before Thanksgiving and probably do most of it by the internet and have them bring it all to me. I love my UPS man!!!!!!

I am with you on this.... for the last 2 years (since going to Jamaica) I have had a whole different view of christmas. I have made more of the gifts from bath salts, candles, painted martini/wine glasses to movie night gift baskets with snacks in it. No more buying gifts for me that I know will be half off the day after xmas. I also envite friends and family over around the holiday's for big ol Gumbo dinners where the kids can hang out in one area of the house and the adults can chill in another...listening to music and just being together. I save all the mall shopping for myself because there is no replacement for shoe shopping!!!!

One (?) word for you .....Zappos.com. Free delivery and returns. If the shoes you want in your size are out of stock, they will even e-mail you when they come in again. It does not get any better then that.

I have done Zappos when I couldn't find my size on a particular pair of shoes I found out and about. I just love being able to put on the shoes and walk around the department trying to deceide. I am a little nervous because I have sooo many shoes that I feel a little gluttonus (is that a word)..I have tried to warn Kevin about my shoe obsession but how can you prepare a man who has 3 pairs that you have 100+?????

- Jammy, you are too dyam funny!!!!

Gill

[JaEnglishGirl 34]

We got the Egland police report last week, and that was mailed out days after the Scotland one just emailed Scotland, nice lady writes me back! says im sorry you didnt get it, im mailing you out another now Air Mail im hopin airmail is the equivalent to fedex/DHL yay ok so thats all we are waitin for and my bank letter want to be on that plane on 11th with everything we need i cant wait.. im packin now please dont ask why at 331 in the mornin i have to go to work tomorrow afternoon i best go to bed

Airmail is not express....it should take 5-10 business days, usually takes a week

[*JG* 2]

Have any of your SO's here in the US had to work with any homosexuals? If so, how did they cope with it?

I ask because Andre works with a new guy who is flamingly gay. Andre's having some issues with it. I keep reminding him that he's management now and has to be accepting.

Anyone else deal with anything like this?