Sadly, a lot of jobs are lost which aren't hitting the news except in the statistics, such as my cosmetics saleslady after 13 years. On the other hand, my son produces tv ads and car dealerships especially are keeping him hopping (yeah, those annoying car commercials...lol). DIL left an unpleasant job situation last year to enjoy GD's last summer before 1st grade but luckily found new job with orthopedic hospital early this year...guess it's about as secure as any these days. They've just moved to larger house, partly because it was a very good time to buy at good price, but also because 2 teens (16 and 18) will probably now go to local University, while living at home. They feel fortunate but still having to consider economy in their decisions. DH is fortunate that the Assisted Living facility has cook-from-scratch meals...and I love to cook for myself and eat...lol I do know 2-3 retired couples who make the rounds of the various hospital cafeterias often...they say the food is freshly prepared 24/7, reasonably priced and under direction of qualified dietician. Plus there's often a friend/relative inpatient to visit. Certainly not my choice of venue but they seem to enjoy it. Since there is a wheelchair and walker involved, I'm told the disabled parking, etc. is well-planned, not true of many restaurants. A couple of the enclosed shopping malls here open early for joggers, walkers. Seems a good idea particularly for northern states. It's a safe out of the weather place for early morning exercise...and free if you just windowshop...LOL I've rebalanced my own budget considerably, cutting out cable tv, magazine subscriptions, and most regrettd: new plant orders. I've discovered using online news sources and spending time enjoying my existing plants to be good for both my garden and myself...LOL All too often those 4 inch pots didn't get cared for or planted properly. Plus I'm using up a lot of leftover seeds. I do need my housekeeper parttime...cleaning and errands, appointments, grocery shopping since I no longer drive. But if cigs go up again I might have to cut back more on wine, even tho they say it's good for you. Hard choices. lol Overall though I'm incredibly fortunate and I'm fully aware of it. I feel a little hopeful that slowly things are beginning to turn around but it will be a long struggle for so many folks...I don't know of anyone who hasn't been affected in some way and worried either for themselves or family members. Sadly, tea and sympathy aren't enough when you've lost your job, home, or even just the chance to go off to college carefree...whatever it might be. Sad times. josh

Its funny cause the trigona gets full Sun and the leaves are the only red on it that's why I'm kinda iffy as to what kind it is...but then again most of my plant's are mutants Any how..Lol Tried e-mail ing you stush, don't kno if YOU got it I'm not that tech savvy LOL If u tell me what plant YOU like I'll let you kno if i have another or a clipping or a pup or something to give you. Beautiful sunny day TODAY, makes me wanna take a ride to the plant store and see what misfits I'll come home with! -Lets just hope they ALL fit in my scooter!

Well, there are three cops that live on our street, one on this side of our U shaped road, so I don't know how this one guy doesn't know what's going on. The kid across the street was in last week's paper, arrested for heroin and meth. Not sure if he knows the kids next door to me but I know his older brother does. His brother works at the gym Lauren went to last year and we talked about these neighbors. There were others in the paper from drug arrests but I don't know the next door neighbors' names. I feel bad for the kid across the streets parents. The mom works at Lauren's school and the father and one of the boys helped me dig out of the snow when I got stuck in my yard a few years ago. Going to be a while before I can do something permanent. Big tax bill to pay and upcoming parking pass for work I have to pay for in June. ) :

Kraftymom, thank you and you are so right about painting, it is about fun and expressing yourself. You know I never notice imperfections in other people's work just my own. It's true we are our own worst critics. Why is it we have the need to point out the mistakes (most people would never notice if we didn't)? Our teacher has a "rule" in our class...even though she has to keep reminding us of it a lot...."You are not allowed to criticize your own work". Now who in the heck would criticize someone else's??? But really if you don't quite like how something is working on your piece she will try to let you know what you can do to correct it and it usually works :). Using too little paint and too small of a brush is usually my BIG problem :) Luthien Thank you for your nice comments. I too would love to get lost in a nice peaceful place like that, every time I paint one I think I'd just love to jump right in. I'm a little silly right there with ya. Happy Painting, Diane