Lots of useful information about hose clamps (buying, storing, testing, etc.) I made a couple notes and stuck them in my Calder's. Thanks, Janice. So, is the mermaid in a shell for decorating the bilge or is that her storage spot. ;)

Eighth years ago I bought my mermaid from a small gift shop. She has always hung some place in the head. You see, ever since the divorce (1994) the one indulgence I have kept is about Christmas tree ornaments. I love them! The smaller the better...

This is too big however I went ahead and purchased it for no other reason than I liked it. The deal with ornaments is this: There is no limit on the price spent. Now some years it might be a fifty cent pirate from K-Mart (30 years ago!) and another year it might be a StarTrek Voyager lighted ornament. The light quit this past year though.

Anyway, having no budget has allowed me to feel rich. I shop for an ornament all year. My tree is very special. It is a piece of my past filled with memories.

It does have some ornaments, toys and various trinkets. It is a piece of me that brings pleasure.

This year I am considering making a garland and hanging the decorations from it. The tree is ancient and the leaves (spiky green plastic things) are falling off faster than I can pic 'em up! Plus when I had the dinette cut to make the galley visually larger fitting the tree plus my netbook, well it is crowded. The tghing we have to be careful of especially on smaller boats is visual clutter. Right now I should clear some of mine up. Seaweed is messy! She won't be by bunk time IF I can resist my kindle.

And you have Calder's. Wow! I am impressed. I put a ton of notes in my 1,198 Ideas book but Calder has so much. That's a good idea.

Here I am relaxing today and catching up on email. I am always behind. Such is life afloat. Thanks for your wonderful comment. It is appreciated. J.