there is a very nice department store, based in Florida... Beall's.. they have outlet stores, which always have treasures.. but the best one of all is this.. the Clearance store.. usually items are not 'in season', but for Florida, that is no big deal.. and the Christmas shopping you can do in here! the pants in this photo are not sweat pants, but maybe lounge or exercise.. for $4.00, they are new.. lots of colors.. make great pants for sleepwear.. we did some shopping... spent 2 hrs in there and only ran into each other when checking out.. oh, the best part.. the store is usually 50 to 70% off retail, but when we went, add another 40%.. got a nice, comfortable pair of Wrangler jeans ($9.24).. I can deal with that !

We got a package from April's family on Christmas Eve. In it were sundry gifts. One was the aforementioned blanket but there was also a T-shirt for me, some sleepwear for April, three bags of candy, some deodorant and toothpaste, some pictures of the family and a bottle of one of my all time favorite ales from Stone Brewing Company! I have the feeling that I have my wonderful brother in law to thank for that.