WELCOME LISA AND MELLEN. Know you both from other garden web sites. Great to have you in this fun group. I have been hobbling around for two weeks now. Sprained my right ankle playing volleyball. First time that I have gotten injured playing. I plan to buy a brace to help keep it secure during future games. Having tournaments all day Saturday, hope I can last on it. Paul-I can't believe you said that about your generous swap boxes. I truly loved what I received in the Valentines swap. I found the perfect Precious Moment figurine to stand him by. It is of a little housewife with kids hanging all over her. (Looks like my niece-she has four). Anyway he looks darling standing beside her as an older brother type. Love him, he's so cute. I have got to stay off E-bay. I've been buying them again and no-where to put them. Lord help me. Anita-I needed those daylilies so bad that I bought on the LA. As I told you I am landscaping our Church so it's going to take alot of flowers for that. Thanks for sharing that info. Anita, Jo- And anyone else who wanted the $1.00 bearded irises. I plan to contact them soon and get our irises. She said I could get them in the Spring. Maryanne, Jo -Congratulations on the wonderful news about grandbabies. There is nothing like them. I get to keep my soon to be 2 year old this week-end. His Mom and Dad will be in Pigeon Forge, Tn at a Christian Winterfest gathering. The terrible two's, I hope we all survive. Gloria------HERE's THE DARE Subject: second opinion The doctor said, Joe, the good news is I can cure your headaches. The bad new is that it will require castration. You have a very rare condition, which causes your testicles to press on your spine and the pressure creates one heck of a headache. The only way to relieve the pressure is to remove the testicles. Joe was shocked and depressed. He wondered if he had anything to live for. He had no choice but to go under the knife. When he left the hospital, he was without a headache for the first time in 20 years, but he felt like he was missing an important part of himself. As he walked down the street, he realized that he felt like a different person. He could make a new beginning and live a new life. He saw a men's clothing store and thought, That's what I need .... a new suit. That will make me feel a little better." He entered the shop and told the salesman, "I'd like a new suit." The elderly tailor eyed him briefly and said, "Let's see. size 44 long." Joe laughed, "That's right, how did you know?" "Been in the business 60 years!" the tailor said. Joe tried on the suit ... it fit perfectly. As Joe admired himself in the mirror, the salesman asked, "How about a new shirt?" Joe thought for a moment and then said, "Sure." The salesman eyed Joe and said, "Let's see, 34 sleeves and 16-1/2 neck." Joe was surprised. "That's right, how did you know?" "Been in the business 60 years." Joe tried on the shirt and it fit perfectly. Joe walked comfortably around the shop and the salesman asked, "How about some new underwear? Joe thought for a moment and said "Sure." The salesman said, "Let's see ..... size 36." Joe laughed, "Ah ha! I got you, I've worn a size 34 since I was 18 years old." The salesman shook his head, "You can't wear a size 34. A size 34 would press your testicles up against the base of your spine and give you one heck of a headache." New suit -- $400 New shirt -- $36 New underwear -- $6 Second Opinion -- PRICELESS Shirley

Hello all, It looks like everyone had a great valentine swap. Great boxes everyone. My surgery went well and I am recovering quickly. Still not allowed to do much. The doc said you can return to your normal routine but don't push, pull, or pick up any thing over 5 pounds so hey, whats left. Normal????? I am trying desperately to be good. I am doing mostly computer work at the nursery trying to get my website and ebay store ready for opening soon. I have a friend that is helping me with heavy labor and I am getting to boss him around so that is nice :O) LOL. I got in a huge order of plants today and had to get them all ready for the cold snap, so I have been busier than I wanted to but all is going well. The hardest part will be not over doing it before time. Thanks for all the inquiry's. One thing I wanted to mention was the fact that a couple days ago I came home and found a box in my front yard. It was from our sweetheart Jo. She said that I had the most votes from those that chose to vote for the best xmas box. I was floored when I opened it. It contained the most beautiful throw. It is made of fleece material and is reversible with red daylilies on one side and a beige/green fleece on the backside. It is sooooo cool as it is not sewn but cut on the edges and tied together every inch or so. Never seen one made like it and it is sooooo warm and cozy, and soooo pretty. My yorkie has been fighting me for it ever since it came! Also in the box was a beautiful hand made (of course from Jo) angel. It is sitting on my mantle right now. She also included a nice corn bag. Just pop in the microwave and place on a sore or tired muscle for instant relief. Very nice. It has been quite handy the last couple days for my abdomen. Thanks sooooo much Jo. My camera stuff is still at work so I haven't taken pics yet but I will and I will show everyone the wonderful suprise gifts that I recieved. Thanks so much Jo for your generosity and thoughtfullness and thank you all for the votes that I never expected. It was a beautiful surprise. I also gave my notice to my job. My last day will be the 28th officially even though I can't really return anyway for atleast 6 weeks. I have left my position to focus full time on getting the nursery open. My open date is still March 18th. Hope I can recover and get everything done in that amount of time. It will be close enough what ever I get done. My career has changed, I am now an unemployed/self employed nursery owner. I finally got my license and all the other paperwork done and I am on a new road. Anyway guess that catches me up. I am guessing that I will be out of the corner in april so I hope to get back in the loop then. Take care Tanarae

Happy Sunday everyone! I'm taking some time to do some catching up this morning. Mellen, a VERY, VERY, belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you. I'm sorry for missing your special day. Hope it was wonderful. Jo, how is your mom doing today? And what about you? I hope you are taking it easy. You have alot on your plate right now. Please don't forget to take care of yourself. I say a prayer for your mom every day and hope she is comfortable. Getting out into the garden will do you good, physically and mentally. : ) It always gives me the lift I need if i'm feeling down. On a side note, my JoAnn's hardly has any pots this year. I'm so sad! Last year they had several FULL aisles, this year there were about 4 or 5 pots stuck in a corner. Wonder why? I really thought the quality was very good. Maybe they didn't sell??? I did buy a stained-glass-birdhouse-tealight-holder. : ) You can see it here with my pansies..... Where's catbirdsue?? Did you get my email about the Miscanthus 'Gracillimus'/plant tags trade? Maryanne, so sorry about the geeks that live next door to you. I have dorks as neighbors too, which is high on the list of reasons why we are moving. I don't understand how some people can have so much time on their hands to worry about something as trivial as a few fallen leaves. I've been so busy and haven't taken as many pics as i'd have liked to, but I have a few to post. I will try to take some when I go over there today. : ) Canna, I was really worried about you. I hope you are feeling better. I had to laugh when everyone was posting about your E.R. visit sounding similar to their E.R.'s. Same thing here. Going to the emergency room turns into at least a whole day affair. The last two times I had to go it was so jam-packed that they stuck me in the rubber room. They actually have a room with padded walls that is very dark and I guess used for any kooks that happen to come in. : ) How are the kids doing? And Louise and her DH? Have they quit smoking? Deni, i'll send your Lysimachia along soon. Would a flat rate box stuffed full be enough? I can send more. Paul, your son looks so handsome in that pic. I really enjoy seeing your photo's. How's the DVD RR going? Cody, i'd love to visit you and your chicks. I was dividing grasses all week too. I have a way to do it that makes it suck hardcore much less. : ) Digging up the clump is still hard, but once it's out of the ground I use a sawzall and slice it into nice chunks. It works so good. Karen, your horse is so beautiful. Stunning! You must be proud. I'll have to show my mom his pic. My mom just emailed me and was going to spend the day bathing her horses. I'll bet you two would get along good. Do you show? MaryB, i'm so glad you liked your box of goodies. 'EOD' is gorgeous. Carol, lovely pics of all your blooms. I just finished eating all that Easter candy you sent. : ) I haven't had malted milk eggs in sooooo long. Yummy! I love your siggy with the teddy bear & ladybug. Cute! Cindy, great idea! I think you're onto something. A heavy equipment amusement park! LOL! I'd go. : ) I do have fun running Bob, and he's been helping me immensely up at the new place. I have to put in yet another temporary holding garden today. I've got two filled up already. I didn't even start to take the big stuff over yet. Shirley, how's the foot? I hope it's healing well. Love your Iris pics. : ) Sharon, love your pics! I really love P. 'David Ward'. I have to put that one on my "want" list. That pic of your son is so funny! He's a brave soul. Anita, so glad you got the baby for a few days. It was the LEAST she could do. Will you take a picture of your Iris bed when it's blooming this year? I'd love to see it again. It was so pretty. I've god sad news......my yellow Peony did not survive. Waaaahhhhh! I've been crawling around on the ground every day, looking for signs of life. All my others are way up, so I knew there was something wrong. I dug it up yesterday to inspect and it was hard as a rock. : ( Speaking of losing plants, I lost several DL's this winter. The one i'm most confused about is 'Storm of the Century'. I had two large clumps that were very healthy and pretty well established and neither came back. Boy am I bummed. I think I sent a fan or two of that one out in trades last year but can't remember who I sent it two? I'm wondering if yours came back? Marea, love your pics. Thanks for the kind words. That triple Daff is elegant! Your picture captures the sparkle. I'll be following your lead and growing lots of things in pots over the next year or so. I've already got a water buffalo set up at the new place. I can't wait 'till we have running water. : ) MamaG, how are things? Hope you are feeling okay. HUGS! Jean, I saw the cutest flying pic garden sculpture but now I can't find it, darn it! I thought of you.......it was so cute! Lisa, your posts and emails are always fun to read! Dianne, you're doing a great job with the Hosta Shuffle. Did you have that gathering at your place yet? And how is the baby's quilt coming? I took a few shots of some of the things blooming here in my yard...... My Forsythia Arch looks pretty filled in this year. Yes, I am taking it with me. Should be quite interesting when we go to move this one, lol. Here is a new Magnolia I bought in the fall on clearance... Well, both of my sisters who had been looking for houses each got one last week! Funny how things work out. I'm excited to help them move and share lots of my perennials with them. We are almost finished with excavation for the house. The digging for the garage area is done. Note where the red arrow is.....that's pretty much all the further we need to go. That area up there beyond the red arrow will be my back yard. The base for the driveway is almost done. We are finishing up one last drain, then we just have to spread the rest of the #3 gravel. This pic roughly shows where the house & garage will sit. The white line denotes the path of the driveway. As you drive up, you will pass the 3 bay garage on your left and pull up to the garage doors onto the house. I'm not sure what i'm going to do with five garage bays, but I'm pretty excited. Right now I have so much junk in my garage that I have to suck in my gut when I get in & out of my truck, LOL! I ordered my cabinet pulls for my new kitchen... ....and i'm ordering these exterior "birdhouse" lights.... Depending on what brick or stone color we pick for the house, I may have to paint them. Not sure I like that green color. I'm thinking something brown.... DH just rolled his eyes and shook his head. He can't believe i'm ordering this stuff already. I'm afraid when the time comes they won't be available anymore. That's my luck. Wait 'till you see the two man-doors i'm getting for our garages! Think peacock! I inventoried all my Daylilies yesterday (finally!) and will have my list updated later on. I will have my Hosta list updated soon too. ; ) Time to get to work......... HUGS TO ALL and sorry if I missed anybody, ~Dawn (mamabirrd) WHEW!!!

Janet, I've just begun to collect Spiders and UFOs this year, so I can't help you with any long term results with those. But here's a few that have performed well every year for me: Atlanta Moonlight - high bud count, long bloomer Prairie Blue Eyes - have 5 clumps surrounding an old tree stump, and they bloom for 6 weeks+ Lavender Deal - large flowers Hyperion - an heirloom, hight bud count, tall Pardon Me - blooms all season, outperforming Stella D'oro! Always Afternoon - increases well Wineberry Candy - high bud cound, increases well Bonanza - a golden oldie Chicago Silver - long bloomer Final Touch - nice late bloomer Fuchsia Dream - ML bloomer, high bud count Indy Long Legs - blooms and blooms and blooms! James Marsh - high bud count, fast increaser Moonlit Masquerade - high bud count, very fertile, long bloomer Red Volunteer - one of the prettiest reds I've ever seen! Rocket City - heirloom, tough! Siloam Merle Kent - short, high bud count Summer Wine, - long bloomer, high bud count I could go on and on, but I've had these the longest, and they are some tough plants. I'm sure others can add to this list. Have fun planting! Julie