You are awesome, Kav!





gracie

it's her bell.....now they all going to know, it just has to come out now.
oh kav your story is amazing.....poor sue, she must be feeling pretty embarresed by the guys well be happy, you have allot of friends and a guy that could melt anyones heart.

I am glad that Mrs. T. sent the bell. I sense that this wonderful evening, filled with romance and the frivolity of close friends, is about to get even more exciting.

I love the magic that surrounds Christmas, especially in this story. I love how the whole team interacts, it's not just a team... they *are* family.

Jack and Sue ... I cannot believe the others crashed their little private party, and with Jack's invitation

I'm so glad her mother didn't throw the bell away all those years ago

Oh, Kav. This story is . . . well, it's wonderful!

It's the bell! It's the bell! And I have goosebumps the size of...well...goosebumps!!!

Jill

Jack took it home, Sue having let him borrow it under duress…he kissed her senseless and absconded away with it.

“That’s not fair, Jack Hudson!” she had called out her living room window once she’d recovered sufficiently enough to navigate the dangling icicles in order to pull the window open.

He looked up, waving the bell and signed tomorrow and she had to be content with that.

He wasn’t sure why he wanted to have it so badly, but he liked the feel of the weight in his hand. He tossed it on the dashboard and started his car, moving easily into the thinning traffic, not thinking about the direction he should take. He was on autopilot, having made the late night trip from Sue’s many times before so he was surprised when he found himself parked in front of the Christmas store. The place was ablaze with light, and he could make out numerous bustling figures inside. Jack glanced at his watch. 11:45 p.m. Must be a Midnight Madness sale, he thought, and with a shrug he eased out of the car, remembering at the last moment to bring the bell.

Prepared to fight his way through the ensuing crowds, Jack was surprised to note the empty room once he stepped through the door. Empty that is, except for Mrs. C.

“Hello, Jack,” she greeted him affably.

“Where is everyone?” He winced at his abruptness, but she remained unperturbed.

“Why what time is it, dear?”

Jack looked at his watch again. It was still 11:45. He told her so, eyeing his watch to see when it was going to turn over to 11:46. It never did.

“Well, then, I imagine they’re all in bed, getting a good night’s sleep.” As you should be. She didn’t voice that opinion, but her look was clear. She had work to do and she wanted to get back to it.

Jack ignored her visual queues, years of interrogating suspects spurring him on. He had an inquisitive mind and there was something…not quite right...about this shop that never closed. There were all night drugstores now, he knew, and grocery stores for the night owl, but he couldn’t see this little Christmas store with the same kind of demanding clientele. In fact, he had been the only customer the last two visits as well.

“I saw a lot of people in here – through the window,” Jack insisted.

Mrs. C arched one powdery white brow. “It’s just me, dear, as you can see. Now, what can I help you with so you can get home to your bed? You always were difficult at bedtimes, I remember. My oh my, your poor mother!”

Jack looked at her suspiciously. She was right. He had been a horror about bedtime. His mother swore he learned how to climb out of his crib by the time he was six months old, but his father said that was an exaggeration though they did have to put safety devices on his bedroom window by the time he was three after he tried to use his sheet as a parachute when he was sent to bed early for some miscreant deed. Come to think of it, dangling by his heel from the porch roof that night probably contributed to his difficulties with heights. By the time he was a teenager his parents had begun to rig different alarm systems to warn them of his late night sojourns. He outsmarted them most of the time. The memories of clandestine meetings, madcap hijinks and…a midnight train ride? He fancied he could hear the whir of the engine, the staccato beat of metal wheels on metal tracks…a booming voice, “All aboard the Polar Express…”

“Mr. Hudson?”

Jack blinked, suddenly feeling disoriented, meeting the kindly, concerned face of the very petite woman who had come to stand before him.

“I…uh…guess I’m just tired,” he said, stumbling over his words as if in a stupor, aware of the glowing warmth in his hand.

“Well, of course you are dear, you need your sleep,” she patted his hand reassuringly, turning him around and leading him towards the door.

He resisted, of course, because the steel-trap mind of the agent in him refused to shut down. He’d been brushed off before. By suspects who were trying to hide their clandestine operations behind closed doors. He balked when the bells on the door jangled and the heat in his hand surged with a jolt.

“Ouch!” he opened his palm and looked down at the strange bell that was glowing silver now, and nearly too hot to touch.

“Well by jingles!” Mrs. C exclaimed excitedly, “why I haven’t the likes of this since…”

Jack looked down at her sharply. “Do you have any more bells like this? It’s Sue’s, I had thought about get her a bell for Christmas…she lost ithis one, but since she’s found it, I guess unless I can duplicate it, there’s not much point…” He broke off to shake his hand, wincing painfully when the sharp ends of mouth of the bell seemed to bite into his palm.

“Oh, don’t upset it, dear. That will do you no good. No good at all. What you want is a nice bow for that fellow. A nice cheery Christmas bow. Sue will like that. And so will the bell. Poor thing hasn’t been dressed up for the season in ages, I imagine. Isn’t that right?”

Jack thought he heard an answering jingle coming from his hand, but that was ridiculous. He was definitely tired…and his nerves had been stretched taut…his control nearly demolished over the course of the evening. He smiled in remembrance. Sue’s velvet soft lips had burned an impression into his very soul. He cherish the memory of the way she looked this evening, storing her image in his mind forever more. Her body, soft and yielding, her lips swollen from his kisses, her skin rubbed raw in places from the roughness of his unshaven jaw, her hair a tousled halo that framed the perfection of her face…

Mrs. C patted his hand, bringing him back to reality with a start. She had threaded a gilt-edged gauzy red ribbon through the bell and tied a beautiful bow. “On the house, darling. Sue will love it. Now off you go, sweet dreams and turn them into reality when you wake up.” She winked up at Jack, before pushing him out the door. For a small little lady she was surprisingly strong.

He stood under the store canopy, sheltered from the thick, white snow that was falling in heavy clumps from the gray night sky. He didn’t notice. His eyes were fixed on the hand that held the bell…or the wrist to be more accurate. For his watch at first still frozen on 11:45, finally leapt forward to read 11:46 once he stepped outside.

“There is something…going on here…” Jack told the bell grimly, “and I intend to find out what it is.”

He turned quickly, his eyes scanning the well lit interior, a triumphant cry escaping his lips when he caught the frantic bustle of a multitude of…well they moved in a blur of speed and he couldn’t quite make out who…or what they were. Pulling open the door he stepped back into the store preceded by a loud clamoring bell. In a blinding flash of light the store was plunged into darkness and Jack stood frozen, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the dim light that spilled in from the streetlights outside. As he waited he was aware of only one thing. The strident jangling was coming from the bell in his hand, though he was firmly holding it still in his clenched fist.

Well, wow... I'm just sitting here wondering what your fabulously creative mind could possibly come up with next!!!

Interesting...As much as I want Jack to take Mrs C's advice, go home, have some lovely dreams and then wake up and turn them into reality I really wanna know what is going on with the - I think it is safe to say- magical bell in the magical Christmas shop.

Oh my! What a wonderful post -- and finding the bell -- such a wonderous touch!

I think at this point it is a race to see who remembers first! I know it seems like Jack will be - but when he returns the bell to Sue........

Have I mentioned that I love tenacious Jack????

o my o my o my this is great.....jack stop bugging mrs claus she has allot of work to do....oh i wish i could be there, to see the elfs at work...that would be great.

This story is so cool, Kav---so amazingly creative!! Well, today is officially a snow day, I am pretty much stuck at home. Would love to read more when you get the chance!!

This is a reply after your last post -- I love it when you used the words "kissing her senseless" -- good for you Jack! This post is delightful, magical, and I could go on. I am so enjoying this story.

I have just caught up on 2 lovely post,
loved jack decorating sues flat and cooking dinner,and the
fuzzies ,loved that sues found her bell that jack got from
santa all those years ago,and gave to her also jack with mrs c
more soon please pretty please Lin

THis is great...I am in awe....

How very mysterious.... and yet so much deja vu!

I'm looking forward to more!!

Snowday? What's that? How come we don't get rain days? Huh? I want to know? Some nasty statistic on the weather channel said that we'd had 58 days of rain out of 76 and of the remaining days, none of them were sunny. In fact they were so overcast we thought it was going to rain any minute! I mean really!!!!


His eyes adjusted in time to see shadowy figures surging into the back of the store. He followed them, disregarding the strident ringing barely muffled by his closed fist. He could hear whispering now – excited chatter, a trill of uneasy laughter, a curse…at least he thought it was meant to be a curse. Reindeer droppings! And then the lights went on in a dazzling display that vied with the Christmas lights at the White House. Temporarily blinded by the sudden fireworks, Jack was forced to wait until his eyes acclimatized once again. When they did, he found himself face to face with Howie Fines.

“You have some explaining to do, Howie,” he ground out.

"Ah – Jackie! Fancy meeting you here again. I mean, what are the odds, eh? We can go weeks living in the same city without seeing each other and then pow – twice in twenty-four hours. There must be magic in the air or something, eh?” He snorted at some inside joke and Jack looked around quickly when he thought he heard high-pitched laughter in response. But the only other person in the room was Mrs. Claus and she wasn’t laughing.

“I thought I put you outside?” she said, the first sign of impatience creeping into her voice. “It’s a wonder your mother survived your childhood…and two more boys besides. Were they as naughty as you?”

A picture of Sue sprawled beneath him on the living room floor flashed through his mind and he flushed uncomfortably under the old lady’s accusatory stare.

“Yes indeed, Agent Hudson, I do think it’s best you stay indoors of an evening from now on. At least until Christmas. There’s just too much magic in the air all together,” she said decisively.

“Ah, don’t be too hard on him, Mrs. C. You know the rules…” Howie came to his ‘buddy’s’ defense and faced the displeasure of both Jack and the old lady.

“Rules?” Jack interrupted. “What rules?”

“Life’s rules, my dear boy. Good manners for one. As in it’s not polite to barge in…”

“The door wasn’t locked!” Jack protested. “You’re still open aren’t you? Or do you close at midnight? Is that it?” Jack looked at his watch and wasn’t surprised this time to see that it still read 11:26 p.m.

“Well that’s the thing, Jack – see if you can walk through the door, we’re open for business because it means you have unfinished business…if you get my drift,” Howie supplied helpfully. “And that means, Mrs. C’s just going to have to put a stocking in it until you figure out what you’re really here for. Maybe we can help. I bet it has to do with Sue.”

Jack was sure the walls let out a collective sigh. “What happened to everyone who was here? I saw them. Hoards of people – children maybe, they were this high.” His hand measured up to his waist.

“No one here, dear. Just Howard and I, isn’t that right?” Mrs. C’s voice was smooth as polished glass but her eyes were stormy as she looked over at Howie, as if daring him to contradict her.

“Right – just catching up on old times…You know shootin’ the breeze about the latest commodities in the uh…market. Who’s been naughty, who’s been nice. They don’t usually track adults but you’re on their radar and its’s hovering halfway between. Bet that has to do with Sue too. Eh…am I right? Am I riiiighhhhtt?” Howie’s elbow jammed into Jack’s side causing him to drop the bell. Panicked, he fell to his knees to retrieve it, frantically crawling along the red painted floor when it rolled out of sight. He couldn’t lose it…Sue would never forgive him.

Howie hopped around the floor after him, needlessly pointing out the direction of the errant bell that seemed intent on a magical journey of its own since it rolled up the uneven floor, made a sharp left when there was no plausible explanation and careened in a zigzag pattern until it vanished behind a curtained wall.

“Not behind there!” Mrs. Claus gasped, collapsing into a holly stamped rocking chair, clearly overcome at the very idea.

Jack paid her no heed and skirted around the curtain, breathing a sigh of relief when the bell came to rest beneath a large canvas bag. Without raising his head, Jack scooped up the bell, which immediately began peeling importantly as if it were ringing on top of a church ringing on Christmas morning. The noise startled Howie who came in on a slide, ramming into Jack and knocking over the bag. The contents spilled over both men until they were nearly buried under a deluge of envelopes.

“Holy sleigh bells, Mrs. C, what kind of ruckus is going on out here?” A booming voice echoed through the small room. “Jackson Hudson?” a note of cautious incredulity entered the voice. “Gingerbread, but it’s been a long time…still as nocturnal as ever, I see? You wore your poor mother out, you know, especially on Christmas Eve…”

Jack staggered to his feet, slipping once on the uneven pile of stationary. He didn’t notice the sign on the wall above him. The one that read, “Pending wishes to be fulfilled in adulthood. Ring once for service.”

“I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage, sir. Have we met?” Jack asked from the floor again. He suddenly seemed to have become as bumbling as Howie, for no matter how hard he tried to right himself, he couldn’t quite manage it and another landslide was eminent, judging by the slow trickle of stamped envelopes that were still sliding to the floor. A strong hand grabbed his arm and he was hoisted up into the air, before landing solidly on his feet. Jack didn’t notice the envelope that slipped into his jacket pocket, but the second it did, the bell’s clamoring stopped. Ears still ringing, Jack got his first look at his rescuer.

He was nearly as broad as he was tall and he had twinkling eyes and a snow-white beard. If he hadn’t been wearing jeans and red plaid shirt, Jack would have sworn that it was Santa himself, and smiled inwardly at this fanciful notion.

“You were just a boy,” the man informed him, a fleeting look of sadness crossing over his face. “You wouldn’t remember.”

“I’m sure you must have made a good impression on me,” Jack persisted. “I don’t think I could ever forget you, sir.” We won’t forget. Ever. A boy’s impassioned promise; somehow he knew it had fallen short of the goal. For a second he felt an overwhelming sadness, as if he had lost something precious, but he shook the feeling off and confronted the couple before him, for Mrs. C now stood by the man’s side and he was obviously her husband. “You know my name, but I don’t know yours.” He stared at them with the expectant look of an agent used to uncovering the truth.

The old man rubbed his beard thoughtfully, his eyes fairly dancing with amusement. “Tenacious, isn’t he?”

“Intrepid – that’s our Jack,” Howie agreed, clapping Jack on the back, the action nearly causing the bell to fall from his grasp yet again.

“Now we’ll have no more of that,” Mrs. C interjected severely, closing Jack’s hand over the bell and tying the end of the ribbon around his finger for safe measure. “That’s what started all this in the first place.” He was ushered back into the main room before he even realized he hadn’t been given an answer. “Now dear, what don’t you take a look around for what you really came for so we can get you off to bed, all right?”

He was slightly irritated by her tone of voice – as if she was talking to a stubborn child, but his eyes darted about the busy room, lighting on all manner of Christmas treasures packed from floor to ceiling. He was sure he poked around for over a half an hour, mostly to annoy the old lady and tie Howie into fidgety twists, but when he glanced at his watch it still read 11:26 p.m.

“That’s it, I’ve had enough of your shenanigans,” Mrs. C finally said in exasperation, “honestly, you wouldn’t have gotten this far without those eyes! Howie see that he makes it home this time. You’ve been enough help tonight.” Her tone implied that he had been no help at all.

Howie knew better than to complain. “Sure thing, Mrs. C. No problem. I’ll even tuck him in safe and sound…”

“Not on your life!” Jack warned irritably, though he allowed himself to be led towards the front door once again.

Mrs. C planted herself firmly across the threshold this time, arms folded over her ample bosom as she watched Howie escort Jack to his car. She stood there a full five minutes after he drove off and didn’t budge until Howie urged her back inside.

“Ah – he’s gone home to dream about Sue…you’ve no worries. Weird though, how he keeps getting in here and he thinks he saw…well he did see…but of course he only thinks what he saw wasn’t really what he saw because he thinks it’s impossible which is what we want him to think…I mean it’s what everyone thinks, isn’t it and that makes your job easier – or harder, depending on your point of view. But anyway I think…”

“Howie, every time I get nostalgic memories about you at the North Pole, it’s moments like these that make me realize it all worked out for the best in the end.”

“Well, that’s good…that’s good…jeez, I think that’s good…is it good? Wait, Mrs. C…”

She ignored him, looking over her shoulder in the direction that Jack had gone. “That one,” she said darkly, “is trouble, mark my words. And he’ll be back. I feel it in the snow.”

Well...for a city that very rarely gets much snow accumulation, six inches in 24hrs definitely calls for a snow day! Schools are closed and very few city buses are running. I'm very thankful that I had the day off anyway! Definitely a good day to stay bundled up inside and read more of your story!

I love the interaction between Mrs. C and Jack---too funny!

Kav, I'm so enjoying this story! I haven't had as much time lately to reply as I wanted to - I was either in route to Kansas or the center of attention for little munchkins who find their out-of-town aunt and uncle a novelty. But, I am back home safe and sound and munchkinless (*sniffle*) so now I can reply properly!

First - Jack and Sue are sooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Second - Mrs. C is just absolutely the coolest! The way she 'handled' Jack -

Third - I love your insight into the relationship between Myles and Sue - it's something I pick up on in a lot of your stories, and it's precious and just as it should be!

Fourth - Howie just makes me laugh and the combination of him and Mrs. C - oy!! LOL

Fifth - The magic in this story is contagious!

Ok - I'm all caught up - you can post more any time now

P.S. - I'm very curious about the envelope and the personality of the bell - can a bell be cute? Because I think this bell is...

So many lovelies from my dear Kav!

Man... I know I've complained off and on about how much rain we've been having in Seattle.... but can I switch it to complaining about the snow? WE rarely get snow... in fact, the only time it snowed last winter.... i was running errands all day out and about in it and by the time i got home and snuggled in with my hot cocoa.... it stopped snowing! But i have a real problem with it when it makes my power flicker and wreaks havoc on my cable.... My cable reception went in and out all night last night.... good thing I had a tape of shows to watch from last week or I would have been really bored....


**Looks around and shivers**

On the seventh day of Christmas my True Love gave to me: 7 minutes of Sue's intense blushing, 6 hours of Tara's rainbow grilling, 5 minutes of rambling from Howie, 4 bran muffins from Myles, 3 Jack Hudson searing kisses, 2 Bobby Manning dimples and a facesmooshedinthewindow smilie.

that is just to funny...you made me laugh really loud

Hey! My kind of cursing!

I naughty Jack!

Santa agrees with me! And I still a tenacious Jack!

Of course he'll be back - he is tenacious after all. I hope he brings Sue with him. I just know that Sue will recognize Santa!

Kav, this is such a magical, marvelous story. Thank you for the two wonderful posts today. I have a smile on my face - even on the first day back to school after a break!

I think the bell's cute too!
I wonder what "unfinished business he has left? It seems to me he has everything he could ever want...

Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! That's one wow for each post I had to catch up on. Are you trying to warm up Canada single handedly?

I feel so spoiled right now. It isn't that what you wrote was meltingly perfect, it was it was packed with so many little treats. From "You, Miss Thomas, are most definitely a swooner" to the colors to Myles feelings about Sue to the bell -- so much to take in and absorb.

And then this . . .

There's certainly magic going on, but I think the creator is you and not Mrs. C. (But I loved Mrs. C , Mr. C., and Howie!)

Kav, thank you for such a marvellous magical story!!

I can't wait to read more!!!

Sam

I'm sick for one day and look at what I miss.....Great posts.....I hope Jack is starting to put more of the peices together.....

~laura michelle~

Howie and Mrs. C ganging up on Jack

Poor Howie always seems to have some explaining to do and more often that not, it is long winded

I am absolutely loving this story! You have such a great imagination! Can't wait for more!

What a great amount of catching up to do.

Magical story Kav, it seems as though Jack is nearer to remembering than any of the others at this point.

Soph

This is so much fun....puts me in the x-mas spirit...
Howie and Mrs. C are so funny... 'they can't be beat, Jack'
I love this story.... More please....

yep jack is so going to come back...i don't know how i did it, but i tottally missed thispost, how can that happen....i love jack to pieces, the fact that even standing right in front of santa still makes him not remeber is just....weird,....and funny. can't wait what's going to happen next.

and what is written in tht letter, i wanna know, i really wanna know.

this is beautiful and totally amazing....

Somehow I get the feeling that there is going to be a run on bells this Christmas season. I know I'm heading to the store first thing tomorrow to buy all the bells I can find. Perhaps one will lead Jack me to Jack.

I don't know what has more magic, the scenes of Mrs C and the bell or the scenes with jack and sue
but who cares? as long as magic is involved?

This story just makes me feel so Christmasy!
thanks,
Terie

This story is absolutely wonderful, Kav! Every post enlighten my day! Thank you!

What is it in the envelope that magically ended up in one of the pockets of Jack's trousers?

Amazing job. Post more soon.
Ornella

I love Mrs. C....reminds me of my own mother!

Great couple of posts Kav!

Can't wait for more!

BLT

2 fantastic posts to catch up on

i can imagine jack as a nightmare child

cath

I am sooo in the Christmas mood now! Only 27 days left Jack's starting to get memory flashes again!! Love this Kav!

How did I get so far behind?????

Kav - this story is amazing!!! So and magical! I it!

More please!

Em

Thanks so much for all your comments. Posting this at the college library where I work, so it's just a snippet. Last one for tonight...I'm when I get home. I'm off again tomorrow so should manage a couple more posts in the day.


Jack was tired by the time he got home. He felt oddly washed out, and prepared for bed in a near stupor. Patting his jacket pockets he emptied them onto the top of the bureau. A few loose bills, some change, a parking permit and a crumpled pink envelop.

He looked at that one curiously. It was addressed in neat cursive script to Santa Claus 1 North Pole Rd. North Pole HO HO HO. Now where did this come from? He flipped the envelope over and smiled. Ms. Susan Thomas, 13 Riddell Lane, Mansfield, Ohio. He tapped it thoughtfully for a minute before experimentally testing the seal with the tip of his fingernail. Not that he would ever read the private correspondence belonging to Sue of course, though disappointment flared when the flap proved to be tightly sealed shut. He was surprised at the depth of his feeling, but was secretly relieved to have temptation safely out of reach. He had a feeling that he would have slipped the letter out and read it, had the envelope been unsealed. Still musing over how it came to be in his pocket in the first place, Jack tossed it onto his nightstand along with the bell and, shucking off the rest of his clothes he toppled into bed and was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

He dreamed of speeding trains filled with noisy children, polar ice caps and a blonde little girl with flyaway hair.

* * *

Myles tossed and turned in the inky blackness of his bedroom. Giving up on any pretence of sleep, he reached for the remote control for his blackout blinds, but even raising them half way did not brighten his room enough for his liking. Too tired to move he flopped back against his pillows and mentally identified every shadowy shape lurking in his expansive suite. It was no use, his heart still raced and a thin film of sweat was now rapidly cooling his skin. He shivered and tossed back the bedclothes, retreating to the warmth of his sunken bathtub to stave off the chill. His body warmed up in record time, but no amount of heat could penetrate through to the cold that gripped his heart.

It had been an emotional day, he reflected. Starting with the sense of loss he felt when he realized that Jack had finally made his move on Sue. He had no right to feel that way. it was entirely selfish on his part, but it had still been a jolt and he knew he would miss their weekly interludes. Sue, of course, would seek out Jack's companionship more often now. That left him mulling over the whole choir thing. Should he continue? He didn't feel like he had the heart without Sue by his side. Coward, he chided, it's not the heart for it you lack. It's the courage.

If he was brutally honest he had to acknowledge that's what Sue gave him. He could do things with her by his side that he had never been able to do before. Things like have a civil conversation with the louts in white collar at a Bureau function or almost being able to empathize with a victim they were interviewing...or walking into a downtown cathedral and opening his mouth to sing.

He hated change, that was the problem. He'd bucked when Sue joined the team, not just because she was an untried civilian, but because he knew her unique difference would change the whole team forever. And it had. For the better. She'd changed him for the better too and he'd gotten used to having her there. His crutch, his support, the only one who could goad him into doing things he would have dismissed as impossible before. She made him believe again...at least he tried.

Sighing wearily, he acknowledged that he wasn't going to work through this tonight. It was the wee hours of the morning and he needed to get some sleep. Tossing on a pair of worn gray sweat pants with Quantico written across the butt, he padded barefoot into his darkened bedroom, hesitating only a moment before leaving the en suite bathroom light on and the door ajar. Crawling back into bed he lay stiffly with his eyes wide open until sleep finally claimed him.

Another beautifully descriptive post Kav!

Can't wait for more!

BLT

Jack has Sue's letter from Santa probably from the same year they originally met no doubt Can't wait for tomorrow.

wonderful hope sue gets jacks letter
so they can both realise how long they have known
and loved each other Kav more please
Lin

WOW....poor Myles....just when he's making headway.....But Sue will still be there to help him....


~laura michelle~

i wish the envelope wasnt sealed.. curiosity is killing me...
i love the way you describe myles.. you make him seem so human and real...

amazing writing!

i'll be waiting anxiously for your next post

You are such an amazing writer!! The way you are weaving this all together is just perfect!

Thank you for your faithful posting despite your crazy schedule