If you want to give a truly personal gift, you cannot go wrong with a birthstone-- a gift idea that dates back to Biblical times. Birthstones and zodiac stones are great gifts that hold deep significance and will be treasured for years. When making your purchase, be sure to keep in mind type and size of jewelry person wears most often, as well as whether she prefers gold or silver. This way, you can embed her birthstone, for instance a pearl for a June birthday, in a setting that will be adored. Birthstones are also stunning when mounted in watches, brooches, and hairpins for those who rarely wear rings or necklaces. If you are shopping for a man, he may prefer a pocket watch or specialty ink pen imbedded with his birthstone to jewelry. Following, is a list of birthstones:

My wife, Nancy, thinks I'm pretty handy around house. A scratch of head and a thoughtful look go a long way toward making one seem ingenious. The only necessary tools: A few screwdrivers, a big hammer, duct tape, metal coat hangers.

It started out innocently enough. I wanted to make a few wooden toys for our son, Michael. (I read somewhere that new fathers often acquire desire to build things after we realize, at least unconsciously, that we can't create a baby). I'm ok with that. I've seen things that I've "created". Let's just leave well enough alone.

So, I donned a flannel shirt, bought some tools and a few patterns, traced patterns on wood, cut out designs, sanded mistakes out, threw on some brightly colored paints & viola, I am Norm! I could have my own TV show.