A Full Plate - Day 48

I have a full plate for the weekend.  Tonight's appetizer was a VIP party for the opening of Howl-O-Scream at Busch  Gardens.  The main course is tomorrow's tailgate for the UF/Kentucky game.  Dessert on Sunday involves cookies...lots and lots of cookies.  Orders came in this evening for 9 more baskets due next week to go along with the four I already have scheduled for Monday delivery.  Not to mention all the cookies I need to bake for my Lake Mary Farmers' Market debut next Saturday...or the heavy work load I have scheduled for my full time job selling printing.  All this craziness necessitates a posting sabbatical for a few days.  I promise to be back with lots of stories and hopefully some better postings.

Many hugs,
Kathy

A Good Day - Day 47

Happy Birthday Mom and Kenda!  I really enjoyed your special day.  After running a stress marathon the last few days with work and my cookie business, it was great to take a breath and enjoy lunch with Kenda and dinner with Mom and Michael.  It is funny, it was your birthday, but I got all the gifts. 

Kenda celebrated her birthday by making lunch for ME.  We have things a little backwards, but I am not complaining.  It was delicious!  She made Indian Sloppy Joes and a salad of fresh kale and sundried tomatoes in a light lemon vinaigrette.  I made a pig of myself and enjoyed every bite.

Dinner was yummy as well.  My mom had a table and a bottle of wine waiting for me when I arrived at Brio.  We decided Tuscan Tasters, wine, chocolate martinis and chocolate caramel cake would be the perfect way to celebrate her day.  It was!  There were no cards from me.  No presents from me.  The baking and work marathon made sure of that.  What I did give to her was time...one of my most valued possessions these days.  And we all enjoyed every moment.  When I got home from running errands this evening, a voice mail message was waiting for me.  My mom said this was her best birthday ever.  I have to agree.

As a side note, all 200 cookies baked last night were assembled into baskets and delivered to happy recipients today.  Mission accomplished.  I really have a cookie business.

Many hugs,
Kathy

The Best - Day 46

It is late and I am delirious, but I am compelled to share this one bit of info...
 I HAVE THE BEST HUSBAND IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE!

Tonight I was baking until the wee hours of the morning at the commercial kitchen.  I was nervous about leaving alone in the dark and expressed this to my husband Mike earlier this evening.  In fact I vented about a lot of things that frustrated me today.  Mike patiently listened.  And then he did the most thoughtful amazing thing.  He drove all the way from Gainesville after his bowling team meeting and surprised me at the kitchen at 12:30 a.m.  He even waited another hour while I finished my baking.  He never complained.  He simply smiled that smile I love so much.  The smile that makes everything right in the world.

Many hugs for Mike,
Kathy

Cookie Assembly Line - Day 45

Tonight after driving all over Florida I headed to A Chateau Kitchen to make cookie dough...lots and lots of cookie dough.  Fifteen batches to be exact.  To crank it out efficiently I set up an assembly line.  I measured out the dry ingredients in plastic storage containers, counted out the butter and eggs for each batch and went to work.  It took me a little over four hours, but I made enough dough to yield at least 275 cookies.  I have to bake and assemble eleven baskets by Thursday.  Oh my!   Time to get a little shut eye before tackling another crazy day.

Many hugs,
Kathy

The Power Of Good...Cookies - Day 44

Last night I assembled a sample basket from the cookies Kenda and I baked late yesterday.  The basket was to fill a request from Kathy, a friend from a large engineering firm.  She called me last week to see if I would be willing to do a basket to present to her co-workers.  She anticipated ordering up to 75 gifts of some kind for their customers and thought my cookies may be the perfect choice.  Kathy had tasted my cookies before, but had never seen my basket presentation.  She seemed genuinely impressed when I dropped off the basket.  For a change, I offered NO apologies.  I actually was very pleased with the results.

I guess Kathy's co-workers were pleased as well because I received a glorious voice mail from Kathy late this afternoon.  She said that my cookies were the best she had ever tasted and asked me to call her to discuss an order for Thursday this week.  Wow!  I couldn't dial her number fast enough.  Kathy ordered TEN baskets...TEN!  It couldn't have come at a better time.  Due to no farmers' market home the last couple of weeks, little money is coming in and lots is going out.  Her order will ease the pain. 

Never underestimate the power of good...cookies!

Many hugs,

Kathy

It Worked! - Day 43

This afternoon I met Kenda at A Chateau Kitchen for a little cookie experimentation.  We tested the oven with the dough I had leftover from Thursday night.  Baking 5 at a time on the third rack from the bottom seemed to do the trick.  Pan after pan actually worked!  Yahoo!  I had hoped to bake multiple pans at once, but right now I will settle for simply getting a few cookies at a time that spread and don't burn.

Unfortunately I left the house without Otis, my new miniature convection oven compliments of Michael.  I will have to test it out this week at home.  The plan is to crank out cookies by using both the kitchen oven and Otis.

Kenda and I created a new cookie flavor this afternoon - Overjoyed!...a dark chocolate base with bittersweet chocolate chips, coconut, chopped Marcona almonds and toasted coconut on top.  I usually don't taste my cookies, but this was one I couldn't resist.  I have to say...it was yummy.  The coconut added just the right flavor to balance the dark chocolate and almonds.  Kenda named the cookie.  I am really feeling the name.  OVERJOYED is how I feel at the end of a successful baking adventure.

Many hugs,
Kathy 

Discombobulated - Day 42

The few that read my blog on a regular basis will notice my story telling ability has gone downhill the last several weeks.  Sleep deprivation does funny things to the brain.  For me, it saps every ounce of creativity and leaves me forgetful and discombobulated.  Never has this been more apparent than the last two days.  Keys were misplaced, blog typos were made, Costco wine work folders vanished in thin air.  I felt frustrated and out of control...not good for a control freak like me.

When I finally arrived at Costco after an hour of searching for my work materials (and never finding them), I took a deep breath.  I forgot how relaxing sitting on my butt for 4 hours can be.  It gave me a chance to organize my thoughts and make to do lists.  I got to savor the familiar sounds of Vera's goofy cackle and Daniel's "May I help you?"  I got hugs from Minerva and lots of inquiries about the success of my cookie business.  As I sat there I realized this would really be my last time working at Costco.  I tried to quit several weeks ago and got talked into coming back.  I love the people, but desperately need to time to make my business a success. 

Tomorrow Kenda and I are meeting at the kitchen for a little oven and recipe experimentation.  We are testing out the new Otis Spunkmeyer Oven and trying to find the trick to the kitchen's convection oven.  We are going to try out a new flavor combination - Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond and bake some old standbys White Chocolate Blueberry Pecan and Toasted Pecan Chocolate Chip.  Hopefully we will be able to fit in some of my website homework assignment and take photos for the blog.

Many hugs,
Kathy 

Oozing Goodness - Day 41

From the moment Kent picked up his basket, to dinner tonight with Mike, this day oozed goodness.  Lack of sleep was a distant memory as soon as I opened the door to present Kent with his cookie basket.  He seemed genuinely pleased and that made me very happy.  Cookies continued to work their magic as I headed to a business meeting with my new customer Michael.  As I greeted him I placed a hug bag in his hand.  His eyes lit up.  Michael could not wait for me to leave to break into his treat.  He opened the bag right in the middle of the meeting and started munching away on a rather large White Chocolate Macadamia Cookie.  Happiness continued to follow me. Next stop was a cookie delivery to Phyllis, my first customer from my farmers' market debut.  Phyllis had ordered a basket of 12 cookies for an event on Saturday.  She was at work, but her aunt gratefully accepted the basket and handed me a check.  My first order to a new friend was complete.

Morgan, David and I met for lunch at Bike, Beans and Bordeaux to discuss my website.  Upon sitting down at the table I was presented with a very special gift.  Morgan and David ordered the cutest Heartsong Cookies buttons as a special surprise for me.  My jaw dropped at their thoughtfulness.  Morgan and David ooze goodness.  Not in a sickening sweet way, but in a way that is genuine and true.  I am older than their parents, but when I spend time with them I am back in my twenties once again.  Today they gave me homework for creating my website.  I have to make an outline of my site menu and send pricing and photos.  Next week the site should be revealed.  All of this with their only payment being cookies and a hug.

The cumulative effect of lack of sleep has finally slapped me across the face.  I can barely put two words together.  I want so much to be able to describe just how incredible this day has been, but my brain is empty. 

Many hugs,
Kathy

I Have A Home! - Day 40

I knew today was going to be a good cookie day when I opened my e-mail and discovered an e-mail from Lake Mary Farmers' Market.  I finally have a home!  Melissa, the market manager, responded to my e-mail in less than 24 hours.  Yesterday I felt such a good vibe from her site.  Lake Mary is where I am meant to be.  It is a small market with a few select vendors and not too much traffic...the perfect place to set up shop.  I begin at the market on Saturday, October 2. 

Tonight the fun continued with a kitchen pot luck meeting with the gang from A Chateau Kitchen.  The topic of the evening was setting up a retail shop for all the renters before the holiday season begins.  Plans were made for a couple of open house events to promote our kitchen products.  I have a sneaking suspicion sleep will be in short supply the next few months...starting tonight.

It is a good thing I love to bake because bake is all I did tonight.  Milk Chocolate Blueberry Pecan, White Chocolate Macadamia, Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Chip Pecan, Tropical Escape and Choc-O-Chips Cookies filled the air with the scent of pure joy.  Every batch got a big thumbs up from the eyeball test. The good day karma was in full force.  I assembled baskets for Phyllis, Kent, my co-workers and tomorrow's lucky proof recipients...all the while reveling in the fact that all the pieces of the puzzle were finally coming together.  I have a home!  Happy Dance!!!!!!

Many hugs,
Kathy 

Still Homeless - Day 39

I still have no farmers' market home and I am getting worried.  The end of the month will be here before you know it and with it comes another month of kitchen rental and the yearly business tax receipt.  Today I called the Downtown Orlando Farmers' Market number and was "greeted" rather rudely on the other end of the line.  The purpose of my call was simply to make sure my application had been received.  I was told that if I had read the guidelines I would know that they will contact me in seven days.  I did read the guidelines, but with my recent Maitland Farmers' Market debacle, I am afraid to assume anything.  I hung up the phone and immediately felt discouraged...but not defeated.

I went online to download the application for the Lake Mary Farmers' Market.  Instead of a grumpy voice, I was greeted by a bright, colorful, well organized site.  How refreshing!  I filled out the application, faxed it and e-mailed photos of my debut.  The Lake Mary Farmers' Market is held on Saturdays.  This presents a baking challenge.  Dough will have to be made on Thursdays and baked on Fridays.  Gator games are played on Saturdays.  I am not missing a Gator game.  Somehow, someway, I have to find a home.

Many hugs,
Kathy

Kindred Spirits - Day 38

This morning I stumbled across and article I had previously neglected in my latest edition of Bon Appetit.  It was an article written just for me by Dorie Greenspan, celebrated cookbook author and baker.  The article called "The Cookie Shop Chronicles" documents Dorie's dive into business with her son Josh.  After much encouragement from friends who loved their cookie treats, Dorie and Josh opened a  "pop-up shop" in an upscale Park Avenue salon in New York City.  A "pop-up shop" is a relatively new trend of a store within a store...here today, gone a few tomorrows later.  What surprised me most about the article, was how parallel our journeys had been.  Dorie, a renowned baker, had the same challenges I did with convection oven temperatures, cookie size, burned bottoms and raw insides.  Suddenly I felt I had found a kindred spirit.  I was not alone in my challenges.  Things would all work out.

This afternoon my brother sent me a text that the used Otis Spunkmeyer convection cookie oven he ordered on eBay arrived and he was dropping it off at the house.  I can't wait to experiment with it.  I feel exactly like I felt when I got my very first Easy Bake Oven for Christmas.  This may be the solution to my oven nightmares.  Or maybe it will be a fun way to bring customers into the booth...warm cookies are downright irresistible.  Whatever it is, I am just very thankful my brother has taken such an interest in making our business work.  Time for a happy dance!

Many hugs,
Kathy

A Good Start - Day 37

This morning when the alarm went off at 5:30 a.m., I didn't mind at all.  I was heading to Matt's office to deliver the cookies I made last night.  I cannot think of a better way to start a work day...with hugs and cookies!  The look on Matt's face when he opened the door was pure joy.  His eyes widened as he surveyed the huge basket of cookies.  Matt generously compensated me for my time.  As hard as I tried, I could not talk him out of his generosity.  It was appreciated more than he will ever know.  Now I can pay the Business Tax Receipt invoice due by September 30.  I gave him an extra big hug and headed out the door ready to take on the world.

Heartsong Cookies is homeless.  Today I finally took the next step to finding a home.  I faxed my application to the Downtown Orlando Farmers Market requesting admission by 9/26.  Two weeks off is long enough.  I need to get as much exposure as possible prior to the holiday season.

Many hugs,
Kathy

Full Circle - Day 36

Last year around this time, I received my first order for cookies.  My client and friend Matt asked me to make fall themed baskets for his clients.  He had created a beautiful card with a real fall leaf attached and wanted something special to accompany the card.  I was extremely flattered that he thought my cookies would be the perfect choice.  Matt gave me far more than financial compensation with this order...he gave me confidence.  Confidence to pursue my dream of a cookie business.

Last week after my debut at the Maitland Farmers' Market, I received another call from Matt.  This time he congratulated me on my new venture and once again placed an order.  This time he asked me to make one gargantuan fall themed basket with 60 cookies - 30 Dark Chocolate Cherry Berry and 30 White Chocolate Blueberry Pecan.  I baked my heart out this evening and assembled the massive basket.  As I stepped back to gaze at the results a little smile appeared on my face.  I had come full circle over the last year and it has been one amazing journey.

Many hugs,
Kathy

The Hottest Game Ever - Day 35

This morning we got up early to make the trek to Gainesville for the UF/USF game.  Tailgating was brief, but tasty.  I tried something new...a breakfast pizza.  I scrambled some eggs, warmed some pre-cooked bacon and spread them both on a pizza crust from Costco.  A sprinkling of cheddar cheese, prosciutto and a few minutes back on the grill yielded a yummy breakfast treat.  My portable grill leaves a little to be desired in the temperature control front, but I would definitely try this again.

The game started at 12:20, leaving little doubt that we would be hot.  Sunscreen was slathered on, sweet tea was downed, but nothing could ward off the effects of the sweltering heat.  It was without a doubt the hottest game ever.  I drank everything in sight and still felt sick.  Thank goodness the Gators woke up in the second half and made the day bearable.  Mike, Ryan, Chris and I headed to Beef O'Brady's after the game for wings and beer.  We were surrounded by big screens featuring the demise of Florida State and Miami.  Good wings, cold beer and losses by our rivals...it just doesn't get any better than that!

Many hugs,
Kathy

Tuckered Out - Day 34

Exhaustion seems to be a recurring theme this week.  It is definitely time for some rest.  So what do have planned?!  Staying in bed until noon?  Noooooo, I am getting up at 5:00 a.m. to get ready for a trip to Gainesville to host a breakfast tailgate before the UF/USF game at 12:20.  I am making breakfast pizzas on the grill and serving them with fresh fruit, mini coffee cakes and mimosas.  Then I am going to sit in the sweltering heat with 90,000 of my closest friends to cheer on my beloved Gators.  Yes, I am deranged, happy and just plain tuckered out.

Many hugs,
Kathy

I've Been Busy - Day 33

To say I have been busy is an understatement.  I have been going non stop for the last few weeks and it is definitely catching up with me.  I feel like I have two full time jobs and very little personal time.  I need to change that.

Tonight I was busy baking cookies for Annabelle, Brandon, N.Y., Dennis and Lynne.  I made Dark Chocolate Cherry Berry, Apple Cinnamon Crunch, White Chocolate Blueberry Pecan, Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Chip Pecan and Toasted Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies.  It is 2:37 a.m. and I need rest.  I think I will let the pictures do the talking tonight.  Sweet Dreams.

Many hugs,
Kathy

I Keep Pinching Myself - Day 32

I have a business.  It is real.  I have orders.  I have a new business bank account with checks and an ATM card.  I feel like a little kid.  The smile hasn't left my face in days.  I keep pinching myself.

Today was a great day.  It was filled with lots of work from my full time printing sales job mixed with a couple of cookie basket orders.  The cherry on top was dinner with Dennis at Longhorn Steakhouse.  They currently are offering a Three Course Meal for Two for $29.95.  Your choice of an appetizer or dessert to share, salad and a choice of 6 different entrees.  I would highly recommend checking it out.  Dennis and I talked about plans for the future of Heartsong Cookies.  I am taking a break this weekend while I look for a new farmers' market home.  As soon as I finish this posting I am filling out an application for the Downtown Orlando Farmers' Market at Lake Eola. 

Many Hugs,
Kathy 

Breakfast Cookie Experiment -Day 31

This afternoon I got a call from my friend and co-worker Carolyn making a rush cookie request.  She has a group of about six customers coming into the office in the morning and wondered if I could make a breakfast cookie.  Of course I can!  A couple of weeks ago I ran across a yummy sounding recipe on the King Arthur Flour site.  I wanted an excuse to try it out and Carolyn's request gave it to me.  This cookie base includes peanut butter and your choice of add ins.  I opted for dried apples, dried blueberries, toasted pecans and apple blueberry granola.  It isn't at all like my usual fare.  This cookie doesn't include any baking soda or baking powder.  The texture is denser, less buttery and filled with healthy goodness.  I like it.  I just hope Carolyn's customers do too.  If it is well received, I thought it would be the perfect choice for early morning farmers' market customers.

This evening I got another call from my friend N.Y.  She had stopped by the booth late Sunday and picked up a couple of cookies for her family.  It was then that she made the request for a cookie with no vanilla extract.  N.Y. asked if vanilla bean could be substituted for the extract.  I don't see why not.  Tonight she placed an official order for twelve no extract cookies for the weekend.  I am excited to expand my repertoire and try something new.

This cookie business of mine is taking on a life of its own and I love it!

Many hugs,
Kathy

Recuperation - Day 30

Today was all about recuperation.  Shortly after we closed up shop yesterday my body rebelled from lack of sleep.  The adrenaline that had propelled me through the morning to early afternoon had run dry.  I barely had the energy to pick up a feather.  My knee locked up.  My back throbbed.  I shuffled to the car like I was 102 years old.  It took a lot of sleep to get me to where I ended up today...feeling more like 62 than my 52 years, but much better nonetheless.  The rest of the day was spent running errands and basking in the happiness of a job well done.  I could not stop replaying all the events of the Heartsong debut over and over in my head.  The cookies were less than perfect, but not the day.  It was absolute perfection and one of my best days ever.

Many hugs,
Kathy

Heartsong Debut - Day 29

Today was the debut of Heartsong Cookies and one of the best days of my life.  The Heartsong caravan arrived at the Maitland Farmers' Market a few minutes after 8:00 a.m. and went right to work staging our booth.  Mike, Mom, Michael and Dennis all pitched in to carry all the gear to our site.  We put up the canopy and tables, topped them with chocolate brown table cloths, filled the aqua cooler with drinks and ice, hung the signs, put out the cookie baskets and began greeting customers.  Soon Kenda and Mark arrived to help.  The next 4 hours were filled with more hugs and love than you can imagine.  Customers seemed to love the cookies and the hug bag concept made them smile.  A hug consisted of two cookies of your choice in a hug bag.  We sold out of cookies around noon.  I could not believe the success.  Last night about midnight I actually considered giving up.  I am so glad I kept going.  As you can probably guess by the choppiness of this posting I am still recovering from lack of sleep.

All I can say is thanks to the generous spirit of my family and friends, Heartsong Cookies was born and thrived.  You all made my heart sing.

Many hugs,
Kathy

45 Minutes...- Day 28

Bumpy is the best ride to describe my Saturday.  In fact, I think that applies quite well to the start of my beloved Gators season as well.  The day started alright.  Mike, Chris and I headed up to Gainesville  to meet Ryan and his friends before the game.  It was great to see everyone again.  All was right in the world...or at least I thought it was.  Then the game began.  It was sloppy, hot, and frankly, not too much fun.  All I could think about was how much I could be accomplishing at the kitchen.  We left in the third quarter and headed home.

My kitchen time was scheduled from 8-12.  Dennis, Michael, Chris, Kenda and Mark all met me there to help.  I set up an arts and craft project for Kenda and Mark to help with the packaging materials.  They stamped hug bags, punched hearts, applied labels and cut ribbon...lots and lots of ribbon.  Dennis and Michael helped me throw together several more batches of dough while the refrigerated dough from the night before softened up.  Mike was a surprise addition when he showed up with the ingredients labels I had been stressing out about and a cooler of drinks.  It was smooth sailing.  Then I turned on the oven - the lovely vintage convection oven with the worn dial that makes setting the oven temperature an adventure.  The trial run on Wednesday told me I may face some challenges, but it did not prepare me for just how many.  We began the baking with Dark Chocolate Marcona Almond Cookies.  It seemed to go OK.  Dark Chocolate Cherry Berry were next.  Not perfect, but still good.  Then came the first batch of Toasted Pecan Chocolate Chip.  This recipe calls for a slightly higher temperature.  I turned the mystery dial slightly to the right and peered into the oven to take a look at the inside thermometer.  The temperature had gone down.  I turned the dial a little more.  The temperature jumped up 75 degrees.  This is not a good thing when it comes to baking.

After numerous tries, I finally got the gauge to read 350 F.  In went two pans of Toasted Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies.  The timer was set for 5 minutes.  When the buzzer went off,  I checked on the progress.  Not good.  The dough had only spread slightly.  The tops of the cookie "lumps" were already brown only halfway through the process.  I began to panic.  I set the timer for the balance of the time and anxiously awaited the results.  What I got was a cookie bearing no resemblance to a Heartsong Cookie.  It was a big lump of dough very dark brown on the bottom and top, but raw in the middle.  I could not serve these to anyone.  It was 11:00 and I had 32 passable cookies to show for our effort.  Not good.

It was time to regroup and get creative.  I sent the gang home to tackle my dilemma alone.  I became a multitasking machine.  Scooping dough, turning pans, bagging cooled cookies.  Repeat.  Repeat.  Repeat.  I do not know the final total, but it approached 200 less than perfect cookies.  The clock was my enemy.  I still had two batches of dough to bake and the clock read 5:25.  I was going to have to start getting ready for the day in a less than an hour.  This would have to be good enough.

Into bed I climbed and got up 45 minutes later ready to tackle one of the best days of my life.

Many hugs,
Kathy

Poetry In Motion - Day 27

Last night was pure poetry in motion.  With the help of Mike, Chris, Dennis and my brother Michael, we stocked the kitchen and cranked out ten batches of cookie dough like we had been doing it all our lives.  Dennis patiently broke up 4 1/2 pounds of toasted pecans and never complained a moment.  Michael patiently unwrapped two bags of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and quartered them.  I bossed everyone around like I was the expert and they didn't seem to mind.  We were on a mission...Mission Heartsong Cookies.

Tonight we have to get all the cookies baked, bagged and dressed in Heartsong finery.  But for now I am off to experience my annual rite of passage into fall...the first Gator game of the season.  Yes, I am crazy, but those who know me already knew that.

Many hugs and GO GATORS!

Kathy

Baking My Heart Out - Day 26

Oh my, am I exhausted and the baking marathon has just begun.  A Red Bull or 5 Hour Energy Cookie may be on the horizon.  Tonight I fulfilled a promise to my friend July to bake 200...yes, TWO HUNDRED, mini Toasted Pecan Chocolate Chip cookies for her daughter's Sweet 16 party.  I made the promise before I established my debut date for Heartsong.  But a promise is a promise. 

Soooooo, after I got off work about 7:30 and bought some needed ingredients at the store, I arrived home at 9:00 to eat dinner and begin tonight's baking adventure.  I set up the kitchen like a mini assembly line, measuring chocolate chips and toasted pecans into disposable storage containers all in a row.  Then I made five batches of dough and scooped and baked my little heart out until 3:00 a.m.  This is why Day 26 is actually being posted on Day 27.  This morning I am tying lavender ribbon on those two hundred little cookies, tossing them in a basket and heading out the door to continue the marathon.  Thank goodness I was blessed with a motor that just won't quit.  I am going to need it to make it to the finish line.

Many hugs,
Kathy

Kitchen Experiment - Day 25

Tonight I was like a fish out of water in my new commercial kitchen home.  It was my first night to experiment with baking in a commercial convection oven.  After finally figuring out how to turn it on, I had major challenges with the temperature and position in the oven.  Some cookies spread perfectly.  Some cookies did not.  Some cooked quickly.  Some took more time.  I am worried about baking on Saturday.  This was my only night to experiment and the results were mixed.

My other gigantic worry is time.  It is my demon.  The list of things to do before Sunday morning keeps growing and the clock keeps ticking.  I feel overwhelmed and tired...and hopeful and excited.

Many hugs,
Kathy