LOLOL! Thank you everybody. So very nice of you to think of me. : ) What a surprise to come here and find my post resurrected. I was just stoppin' in to see what Semper had to say about the big game. : ) I'd love to give you an update..... Well, first of all....it's a boy! Things are going pretty well with the pregnancy. I only have 3 more mos. to go! I see the doc today for a check up and will start to go every 2 weeks from now on. I'm bustin' at the seams, lol. Been driving DH crazy....the frigid temps. have had me on "pond watch" and I walk up to check on things several times a day. He always tells me to come right back in the house but I end up fiddling around with one of my de-icer contraptions or something and disappear for a while. He is now making me take the walkie talkie with me, lol. Guess he's afraid my large belly might throw me off balance and into the water. The new house is coming along but the bad weather and a death in the family has slowed us down. Our fingers are crossed that it will warm back up into the 20's or 30's this weekend so we can get back to work. Right now our biggest fear is the cold temps. causing the footers to heave and that would be BAD. DH is pretty much throwing up right now he's so worried. It's the coldest weather we've had in over 10 years. The deck (floor) is complete and we are currently in the middle of framing. We've built most of the walls but haven't stood them up yet. We decided to construct our 22' tall see-through fireplace first. Mainly because it is also structural and our ridge boards will run in to it. So basically we look like the crazy people with the smokestack on the hill. We are ready to start standing up walls and hopefully start on the roof trusses as soon as the weather allows. And as long as nothing heaved. Keep your fingers crossed. I'll post a pic of the giant smokestack as soon as I go over and take a new one. The pics I have now were taken in bad weather and you can't see real good. Poor DH keeps saying that this project is going to kill him. All the worrying is causing him a "slow death" he says. I'm trying to keep him positive. It's definitely an adventure and I have faith that someday we'll be happy we made this decision. Semper, yes, let's hope they are back in there next year. Really looking forward to seeing how things go with our new coach. I may have to go up to training camp and spy. Comet, no herons at the new place would be wonderful! I'm still trying to figure out how to heron-proof the new pond in an aesthetically pleasing kinda' way. ; ) Hope you are all doing well and getting through this cold weather with no troubles. Thanks again! I had a great day...what could be better than football and birthday cake? ~Dawn (mamabirrd)

Welcome indymom76! We also lost a few trees to storms this spring, so my sunlight is all different. Yep, I know what that's like except I lost mine to extreme weather in autumn 2011 (the worst being 11 days w/o power). Like you I'm not buying any hostas this year--my designer/named hostas are all large enough to be divided and I've got plans to divide quite a few of them. Also, my Liberty is amazing this year. I've waited 5+ years for it to show off and am thrilled to finally see it do so. It's the central anchor in a curved bed under my crabapple tree. I've got pics on my digital camera but am not currently able to post pics. Trust me I'm working on getting there!

Theresa, so good to hear from you. :) I too have been largely absent from most of the conversations this year. Life has this thing about taking us where it wants, versus where we think it ought to. I received a promotion back in May and damned if it hasnâÂÂt kept my tail in high gear. A lot of expectations, but the role is rewarding and I am finally settling in after almost 6 months. A shame about your computer problems, but it seems you are past that hurdle as I can read your text quite clearly. As for the tornados, God Bless you. I would probably suffer a small heart attack before the tornado ever touched ground. I very much respect the capacity of Mother Nature at her worst. Wonderful that you came through with only a few less shingles and siding. Did any of your potted hostas take the brunt of the wind ? I know it is so cliché, but that which does not kill us only makes us stronger. Think how much better things will be in the Spring when the gorgeous foliage returns to us all. So glad you took the time to check in. Provided the gnomes donâÂÂt crash your computer again, keep us posted since we missed most of your botanical adventures this year. You Go Girl !!! Ludi

Thanks everyone for all your prayers and caring words. It does help when I 'visit' here to escape for a little while. It's so nice to see all your lovely tables and holiday decorations..please forgive me if I haven't commented on them...but I do love them all. I'm going to have my GKids here for a few days and for Easter...so I'm getting a little excited to do some decorating for them. It will be something nice to look forward to., Thanks again...love you guys for all your support. jane