Hate to tell you this, but the K & Company goodies did not arrive today. The latest word is that the stuff will ship today or Monday. Since it's a Missouri company, we hope that the ship time will be just one day.

I have managed to do something I've struggled with finding time for the past few months. I've completed several Sweet & Simple kits, including the topics of baby boy, baby girl, family, and more. Our Sweet & Simple kits are priced at just $9.99.

Today is kind of a sad day for our family. My cousin Leslie and her husband have owned a cross stitch and framing store in Bolivar for the past 20 years, and today is their last day in business. Some of you know that my cousin Monica, Leslie's older sister, has been paralyzed from the neck down since last September. Since that time, Leslie has been at her sister's side, first in the hospital in Little Rock, and currently at the rehabilitation center in Denver. The only time Leslie has been back home was in November for her mother's funeral (their mother died of cancer just a few weeks after Monica was paralyzed).

Leslie's husband Bob remained in Bolivar and has been running the store. At first, the plan was for Monica to come live with them in Bolivar, but plans evolved to them closing the business and moving to North Little Rock to Monica's home. Monica, a former Southern Baptist missionary to Africa and the director of the Arkansas WMU (Women's Missionary Union) when she was stricken, has a wonderful church family at Park Hill Baptist, and they are busy preparing her home to meet her new needs.

We've just been open for less than three years, and I can't imagine having to close -- for any reason! We've met so many people whom I now feel I can claim as friends, not just customers. And many of those people consider us their home away from home. After 20 years, just imagine how Leslie's customers must feel! She always had a full schedule of classes, did spring and fall retreats, and even sponsored two cruises (I was lucky enough to go on both)! I know all those activities will be missed!