Jo, I've had the 'you ought to sell at Farmer's Markets' discussion with many people over the years. I've figured out from going to Farmer's Markets that many people don't care if the market grower makes a fair living....they just want the cheapest produce possible. I'd suggest those people grow their own produce for three years and see if it changes their mind. When we lived in Fort Worth and I was in my late 20s or early 30s with a small child, a full-time career and very little sunny space for a garden, I shopped at Farmer's Markets often....often driving over an hour east to the Dallas Farmer's Market or an hour west to the Parker County (Weatherford, TX) Farmer's Market, esp. for melons and Parker County peaches. At that time, I felt like many farmers charged too much for their produce, but I paid their price and didn't try to bargain them down. As I 'matured' as a person and as a gardener, I learned exactly how hard it is to get a good crop of anything in any given year, and my viewpoint changed completely---I realized that when you consider the costs of raising produce and the amount of work that goes into it, the average market grower doesn't charge enough! I still feel that way. When I raised food more for fun and gave away lots of the 'extra' instead of freezing more of it or dehydrating it or caning it, I always enjoyed giving it to people. However, once I became focused on raising as much of our produce as possible, I stopped giving away the extra because my goal is different...I'm not growing for fun or pleasure (although, to me, gardening is fun and it is a pleasure)....I'm growing to provide us with the freshest produce raised in the most healthy manner. If other people that we know want produce like that, I urge them to raise their own, find a CSA or frequent a local farmer's market and build a relationship with growers/sellers they trust. I tell them, as nicely as possible, that I'm not their farmer's market. I've gotten that point across to people who live near us, but my DH has not been as successful in getting that point across to his coworkers, some of whom have enjoyed produce from our garden, on and off, for almost a quarter-century. Carol, I know what you're saying about the sewing. Most people don't want to learn though, do they ?....most just want someone else to do it for them. My favorite tomatoes of all shapes, sizes, and colors are those eaten fresh in the garden with the juice dripping down your chin. (Obviously that's not possible for folks who spray chemicals on their plants...they ought to wash the fruit first!) Sometimes I think it is a wonder that any tomatoes make it to the house. Guess what, y'all....it is really clouding over now. We've had clouds for a couple of days, but the air is cooling and I'm hoping the Gulf moisture sent north by the journey of Alex through the Gulf coast and inland will bring us rain. Real rain. The kind that falls so hard that it drives you inside. Lately all we've had is wimpy, misty stuff that doesn't even wet the ground. I have two big stockpots of plums cooking down on the stove, cutting my 'stockpile' in half. I'm almost home free and clear. Two more days and I'll be plum-free, in terms of having piles waiting for processing. One of the best 'gardening tools' I bought the first year we moved here was a set of four huge stainless steel stockpots with lids. They're in graduated sizes and nest within one another for easy storage. During veggie and fruit harvest season I use the heck out of them. Dawn

nutherokie - thanks for your good wishes! I hope your build finishes up soon! trinitybay - Yes - it will be the best Christmas present ever! Even if it comes a little late :) So sorry that you were affected by Hurricane Ike. Glad to hear that you are in the process of rebuilding. Where have you been living in the meantime? I hope your build continues to progress and that you get back in your home soon. I have to take some current pictures this weekend and will post them soon.

Thank you everyone for your replies,and extremely good advise. I read each & every one. It is true,that my daughter staying here is only enabling her. I have kicked her out of this house numerous times,and she keeps begging her way back in. This time is the last straw.No More help to her from me. She is already under Family Services case plan..and the court has put custody on me......but all these things tend to make hardship & added problems to me. I don't want custody.I don't want to raise more children.The 13 yr old I don't mind as much as the 2 yr old. The 13 yr old is helpful to me and is a super good girl...I doubt she will ever live with her mother again,because she has roots here at my house and stablity and loves it.Her Mother is aware of her not ever having this child live with her again....too late for that. My daughter has gone to counseling and thats a joke. The couselors don't follow through on anything. The State agencies actually tend to make the situations worse instead of better. Dealing with them as I have been, I am pretty fed up with the system...they aren't helpful at all.They do things that don't even fit the situation at all or that are even necessary or that will even help. I thought that this was the way to go also,but I made a mistake. Once the State gets in your life,its hell. They even offered me financiall assistance and then said I wasn't eligible...they are so unprofessional,and screwed up. So, here I am fighting this situation on my own. It seems to be getting somewhat better,but not totally as it should be yet. My daughter appears to be putting forth a effort and trying now,but alot of water has gone over the bridge and there is tons that she has to amend......don't know if she can...alittle to late. I get where I just want to be "FREE" and run off at times. Again let me thank all of you for your sound advise. I am going to work on some of the things mentioned in replies and hopefully that will help./

Congratulations! I'm happy for you (now wait, I'm envious...) Can't wait to see the final pictures!