So sorry to hear you are suffering. Hope this stops soon. The few seeds we planted this year did not sprout at all, so can only blame the hot, dry weather. We do have a daylily blooming today, our NOID "Single Somebody". It is so pretty, though it is small. We had a real thunderstorm Sunday evening. Ended up with .98" of rain. It was so wonderful, and there is a slight possibility for a little more in a couple of days. Know that everyone that got needed rain is so grateful. I believe that with this rain, all fires still burning in this area have now been put out. Oh, Happy Day. Avedon

Thank you all so much! It's nice to get to share with others even though it would get done the same way even if it were only the 5 sets of eyes living in this house who saw it. The family tree tree has been really fun to put together and can't wait until the nieces and nephews get to see it. As far as how long it takes, I would estimate probably a good 4 weeks (not constantly, still have to work and then have 3 kids at home) depending on what needs reworked, re-lit or just added to. I love all of it (with the exception of pulling lights that don't work off pre-lit trees), so I just take my time, tweak and add to until it's time to start taking it all down. It all gets stored next door in the little house we bought a few years ago to control the "rental situations". We also have our office over there so it works out great for me while waiting on customers to fluff and re-light garlands and trees. Electrical tape and paint is a good idea on those cords....that may be my project next year. I've also thought about whipping up some of those fabric cord covers in a solid color to match the walls. It gets ridiculous with the strategic planning of the extension cords and then not really being 100% sure of what is on what breaker. We've been at this house for about 10 yrs now also, and we are now starting "Phase II." It was so bad when we first bought it that are goal was to make it livable and then to go back and really start adding the features we want. By the time we get this darn thing done, we may very well be dead! LOL Again, thank you all so much for your kind comments and I'm so glad you all enjoyed! Alex

No rain last night, but got an inch on Saturday and it just started pouring here in Austin a few minutes ago. I'm getting spoiled with all this rain as I only have had to water a few things in pots every few days, and I've only had the sprinkler system on once this year. Happy for the smaller water bill so far this year!

zippity's storm Claudette, may hold the record for rain "measured in 24 hours", but I think Hurricane Camille likely beat it back in 1969, just south of me in central Virginia. The rain gauges in the hardest hit areas either overflowed or washed away with the buildings they were attached to. The largest official measure was 27 inches in 8 hours, but 31 inches were measured in formerly empty oil drum, and even that wasn't in the hardest hit area. Plus most of that rain fell in a three hour period.