Have fun shopping for cross stitch items and spending your gift card. You have earned it I am sure. I love gift cards where I can pick out what I want.

Congratulations! How wonderful. How about spending it on a great bottle of wine? Only kidding. We all know where that fifty dollars is going. I love gift cards instead of "stuff" that I usually end up donating.

Made a post earlier, but I bought an Ottlight lamp from Joann's. So I spent more than $50, but it was a good buy and good investment. It has a clip to hold the pattern and light and magnifying lens. It was $269 and now on sale for $119. (I think I put the wrong amounts on an earlier post). I ordered it! I justified the cost by saying "I used the $50 from the office and the remainder from myself & hubby for my birthday next month". Doesn't that sound fair Ladies?!

Let me know how you like your Ottlight. I have seen them on sale at JoAnn's and wondered if they were worth the money. I don't mind paying for something if it is worth it. Jclifford I will be interested in hearing how you like it. Thanks

Syagel: I will definitely let you know about my Ottlight. I'm hoping it's worth the money. Oh well, if not, I'll take it back to the store. :)

Yes, it all makes sense jclifford. I, too, have the most ingenious ways fo justing my purchases. I had shingles last fall and it must have affected my brain!!!! I couldn't go anywhere for weeks and was in so much pain that I spent huge amounts of time and money making internet purchases. It's amazing what all you can order these days. That was for my misery, birthday, anniversary, etc. Then I tell myself that I do so much for my family, I deserve to treat myself from time to time. Another excuse I use is that I am getting older and want to enjoy a few things before I go! My husband doesn't care and I know when to stop - so what the heck. I like hearing from you ladies so much, I feel as if we know each other. wish we could get together and stitch. don't worry about the smoking, one day you'll quit, we all have our vices. I have to drop a few pounds myself and am with you when I'm busy I don't eat. Gotta run this is probably full of mistakes - got the kiddo and am so sick. Take care. More this pm

Wow Texas Stitcher, what a trooper you are. Got the kiddo and sick too. You take care and Stitch On!

You know how it is - gotta do what you have to do. She only spent the morning. Sorry about the earlier post, no reading glasses and my sick baby underfoot. She is so demanding. Only child - need I say more? She saw ECS's butterfly designs and now I have to order three.

I wanted an Ott Light. The lady at our shop convinced me that I should get her brand- can't remember, it's in the closet. I bought it for around $130 I think. She told me that Joann's outsells her and that's why she doesn't carry Ott brand. I hope that mine is okay. It's too late to return. If I don't like it, I'll give it to my daughter. I hope that you'll like yours, jclifford. And yes, you can still have fun when you are retired. Maybe on a different level but fun nevertheless. For instance, you can prep for colonscopies together, get your flu shots at the same time, set up your husband's CPAP machine every night, fix his medications for two weeks at a time and on and on! No, it's not all bad but you have a sense of humor. :)

Texas Stitcher retirement can be fun together unless 1 1/2 years after you retire your husband passes away like mine did 2 months ago. I had at least 20 years of nagging lined up and now it is just me and the dog. Guess I will just have to bug my kids. Luckily we had everything all set up so I will be just fine, but after 47 years of marriage it is so quiet here.

Have a good weekend all.