The RULES: 101 ... please.

OK.. so, not to be picky.. but let's face it... we are trying to HELP...

so here are some things to think about.. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

It’s a good idea to use disposable dishes (so the family will have no dishes to clean up) or containers they can leave outside the door for you to pick up later that evening. Disposable is BEST… but if you just can’t do that… then please make sure your dishes, platters, bowls (EVERYTHING!) is clearly labeled with your name!

The family loves to eat:
andy and sherie eat anything, kids are a bit more picky, but easy to supplement. nothing will go un eaten.

foods the kids really LOVE:

pasta, pizza (Marks), steaks, roast beef, grilled chicken and pork

The family loathes: lamb - (but andy does like it).

The family can’t eat: no food allergies

The family likes to snack on:

popcorn, we have enough, lightly salted

almonds & cashews, cookies, brownies ,

The family eats at: 7 pm,

so please drop off sometime between 5:30 and 6:30.

there will be a cooler on the front porch for drop offs.

sherie takes her coffee..
* iced mocha mint, no whipped cream, and for a special treat..
iced hazelnut with small pump of hazelnut flavoring

andy takes his coffee:
* plain, no flavor, with cream

If you decide to say "HI", be sure to excuse yourself quickly so the Ramsgards have lots of time to themselves to enjoy your kind offering! Be considerate of the date you are scheduled to make your delivery. (email me at shelly@drooz.com, or Helen at helmike@verizon.net if you'd like to help) If for some reason you can’t drop off as planned – please try to give a few hours notice so we don’t have a hungry family waiting at their kitchen table!

FORBID CLEANUP: Either make sure plates and casseroles are disposable, or include a note insisting that your friend leave the (still dirty!) dishes in a basket outside the door for you to pick up.

MAKE QUICK DELIVERIES: Because we want the Ramsgards to savor this moment of comfort with the family (instead of feeling pressure to entertain friends) it would be greatly appreciated if you would drop your goodies/baskets at the door. If you do stop to share a quick bit of news from the outside world, do it briefly—then escort yourselves out…. (they love you…they love company…but they need rest too!) Homework, baths, and bedtimes await!

NO THANKS REQUIRED! Perhaps most important, insist on a “no thank-you notes” policy. I have sent a quick e-mail to Sherie saying that Emily Post had phoned (from the great beyond!) to inform us that the proper etiquette in this situation was to ignore any impulse to write thank-you notes and to use the time instead to cuddle with the kids or sip a glass of wine.

Thank You to everyone who wants to help

and to those you have already jumped right in to make Sherie & Andy's days a bit easier...