kdymott

I find that the 'best' cover for washing is sold at Bed Bath and Beyond. It's made out of cotton and retails for ~30.00 (get your 20% coupon!) Some covers are made of materials that do not wash well, or are very expensive. Also - put an allergenic mattress liner on under the cover... It will help the cover slide on and off.

Jewelry making is my hobby and I would like to offer my talent to you. PM me with your daughters name - I don't know about the handpainted part, but I have alpha beads and can spell anything!! Let me know what colors were dominant and how old she is... and about how long you think the necklace may have been. I can't promise a two day turn around, but I can get to it within a week or so. - Kara

I forgot to mention, I agree with the other posts to purchase the grinder separate from the brewer. There are lots of reasons, the least of which is if one breaks, you have to replace both.... If the novelty/nuisance of grinding all the time wears off - you can grind several brands of coffee from the bean in the grocery store.

I am an AVID coffee consumer..... I fired Mr.Coffee a long time ago... They always leak!! Excellent coffee needs water to be the proper temperature when brewing....the Bunn coffee makers keep heated water in a resevior which allows the fast brew. I promise you will not regret this purchase if you love great coffee every day. The best coffee maker EVER is the BUNN 3-minute brew. I just purchased a replacement 2 weeks ago, and just researched/purchased for the unbelieveable price of $79 at DrillSpot.com. Most retailers sell the basic model for $120.00 +taxes/shipping. You may view all of the models at www.bunn.com Best Price - Basic Model (Follow these 'clicks', Using the search utility on the web page will NOT find it ...kinda strange!!) go to www.drillspot.com In left hand menu, click on 'Appliances and Electronics' Click on 'Coffee Makers & Tea Brewers' Click on 'Drip Coffee Makers, 10 Cup' Look for item Bunn-O-Matic BX-B - 10CBLK/SS Coffee Brewer Price: $79.43 (~ $90.00 w/ shipping)

LOL - that is where I got the idea from! thanks for all the suggestions - I'll check JCP in a day or two & I didn't think about the January white sales ---- I'm not in a hurry - just frustrated trying to make comparisons.... KJD

Who knows where to purchase good quality reasonably priced bed sheets? I do NOT purchase 'sheet sets' - I despise fitted sheets, that never fit!!! I use two king sized flat sheets and then 3 standard sized pillow cases.

I shopped last year.... prices vary considerably based on wether the tree is lit or unlit. I decided to go with unlit, and then purchased strands of the newer LED lights that are 30% more energy efficient......best price for them was Philips Brand at Target. Tree at JC Penney Item# QF777-1501B 6' Unlit Pine Tree Was $59.99; Outlet Price $12.99. A beautiful Appalachian pine tree at a great price ; 432 tips, each covered in lush, dark green needles. Our Appalachian Pine tree has a four-legged, reinforced metal stand to ensure stability, and sets up quickly in any room in the house. 42" diameter x 6'H. GOODLUCK!

how about starting her on a hobby..... like jewelry making? A How-To book on basics with a set of tools / starter kit.

Picked up from another thread..... There is a coupon for 20% off any single item at Bed, Bath & Beyond on page 87 in the December 2006 issue of Better Homes & Garden. Can only be used in the store. Expires 1/15/2007.

Last year I gifted my step-dad with a Galileo Thermometer. He thinks its just the coolest thing!

I think Bed Bath and Beyond carries Sonicare products. If you have one of their 20% coupons to use against it, you'll get a decent discount. BTW - I learned that BB&B will accept up to 5 coupons on one transaction (for 5 separate items) and the expire dates are ignored. These coupons may also be redeemed at Linens-N-Things.

I would first ask my boyfriend if it's OK and/or explain that it might be more appropriate for the 'future' ... but I can't think of any reason why anyone would send a card with his name and your address if the card is meant for you(?). It's kind of awkward, like my friend who was explaining just today - her cousin who always insisted on including her 'beau the moment' in the family album pictues... looking at the photos over time - it is very strange that there is a different guy in every wedding picture....

movie tickets pampering gift certificate ($20 certificate toward a spa service - pedicure!)

I don't have children, but I am sure I would be in this predicament if I did!!! Your heart is in the right place - unless you have spent the entire college fund for all three of them on these christmas presents - you will feel good inside of yourself when you give them. I hope all three of them will have "eyes that light up"- as you will remember that much more over the years than wether you kept to budget.....Make that splurge pay off and be sure to put some BIG bows on them!!! I never quite got the concept of 'evening' up myself.... I believe it's a 'parent' thing and not a 'kid' thing. Now I'm 34 and my brother is 30. My mother still attempts to 'even up' instead of letting my brother make his mistakes and 'grow up' - like last year when my grandma was sick - she paid for my brother's plane ticket so he could visit before she expired. I was on my third visit (I only budget for one), so she offered me some travel money too, which I gratefully accepted. I don't think she would have offered it if my brother hadn't traveled on her dime.....she was 'evening up' I know its not exactly the same thing you are describing - but I would presume this notion of hers may have started with Christmas presents. Beware! The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value. Charles Dudley Warner (1829 - 1900), 'Eleventh Study,' Backlog Studies, 1873 Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need. Kahlil Gibran (1883 - 1931)

I dont really have any ornaments I am attached to, but I love my nativity. It is very simple, fairly large figures of Joseph, Mary and Jesus made out of white bisque.

Dang! I don't typically travel on Black Friday, but since I've picked up jewelry making as a hobby, this might rouse me out at the break of dawn!!! I'll be looking for the ad - I subscribe to their Email newletter which usually announces special sales- I hope the coupon will show up in my mailbox. Thank for sharing!

How about a puzzle with a board to lay it out on? ....or a few games of bowling w/ shoe rental for him and a friend.

You mention flavor coffees.... If you know which flavor your boss likes, some coffee shops will order a whole bottle of flavoring for you when they place their next supply order. Grocery stores carry some but are are usually limited to vanilla and hazelnut. My favorite is almond, and I love having a whole bottle on hand to use when I want to without having to buy the expensive coffee.... I think the last bottle I bought was ~$12. It is very concentrated and lasts a long time too!

I have never seen this - it will work better for me than what I have thanks for sharing!

I bought these type of 'string lights' and a tree topper for my tree last year and I loved them... They do not get warm to the touch & they use ~30% less energy (if I remember that correctly.) Last year I found the best deal on them at Target. Just be aware that LEDs are not quite capable of a 'true white' yet. They have a blueish cast to them - other colors are truer.

Visit Brylane Home online and register with the Email Sign Up. I received a coupon this week for 30% off of any one item including clearance items. I ordered a King Size Bedding Set for $34.28 including shipping.

A 'nicer' model can be purchased at Art & Craft stores in the candy making aisle. A.C. Moore runs a 40% coupon nearly every week. Subsribe to the weekly newsletter.