Got in at 1:30am Sunday so we really did miss the get-together by a mile. So how did it all go, folks? Although I got to see some nice wildflowers along the highways of western and northwestern US, it was certainly nothing like what was to be found at Kat's place... will definitely have to schedule vacation time around next year's hootenanny. ;-) And while I was gone the crabgrass had a grand time moving in across my unfinished beds. :-P Oh well, something to do for the rest of the summer, right? ;-) I did save some seeds of an unknown wildflower/weed in South Dakota; it was the only thing with set seed that I could find. I'll let you know if I ever learn what it is. Looking forward to hearing how it went. Did everything I donated find homes? :-) Terri

Last Swap! On September 20th we'll have our last swap of the season. We have decided to make it a little more fun by having some food. Please bring any kind of finger food, appetizer or dessert. We'll set up a table and eat and swap. We also have a request from the local teen center for some plants for their gardens, one of which is Tyler's Memorial Garden for a young man who passed tragically a few years ago. I guess we have a reputation for being generous gardeners. How true. See you Tuesday. Wish List Sept. 20, 2005 *Teen Center/TylerÂs Garden Wishes- Hosta, Coreopsis, Fall Aster, Astilbe Baptisia- Blue False Indigo- Reena Bee Balm, white- Chris D Blue Bell- Tina L., Elena Butterfly bush, pink- Lisa A., Jessica S. Butterfly bush- Colleen Butterfly weed, orange- Leah Canna, yellow- Celeste Clematis- Roxanne Clematis, pink or white- Vicki K. Hemlock seedlings- Steffie Hens and Chicks, red- Lindsay Hosta, Blue- Priyanka Hosta Sieboldiana- Allison H. Iris, twice-blooming- Leilani Lilac, dark purple- Regina, Helena Lotus- Bev K. Manure- (can never have enough)- Elaine Pachysandra- Variegated- Anne Carey Phlox, Natasha variety- Cheryl C. Plant markers- Irene Pincushion Flower- Arlene Russian Sage- Roxanne A. Water Lily- Chris M. Weigela- Variegated- Sue D. Wisteria vine- Judith L., Linda West

Sue----that was wonderful...great job. Hope you have tons of blooms next year. I also went on a fabulous vacation thanks to Annette. Hi Shirley and Family, Pack your bags for your vacation to Myrtle Beach, SC. You will be staying at the Myrtle Beach Resort condos (2 bedrooms, 2 baths, full kitchen, queen sleeper sofa and balcony facing the beach.) ROSE CHAMPION will be at the desk to check you in for your week vacation. AMBER MIST (coneflower) will be available for anything you need in your condo. The Resort is beautifully landscaped with lots of daylilies, HEADY WINE, SMALL GESTURE, LUCKY DRAW (which has a very big red eye) and WATCHYL LAVENDER BLUE, planted in lots of beds. One shade bed had TOAD LILIES blooming, even though they are small they make a statement. One bed was full of COLUMBINES blooming in all colors. Enclosing a Grand Strand coupons and map of Myrtle Beach. Also a magnet for your refrigerator to remind you of this trip. Also a keychain with sand from beach on inside. Myrtle Beach guide with coupons inside as there are lots to do at the beach. Many places to eat, lots of golf courses, great shopping, water sports, flea markets and theaters for entertainment. Have a great time at the beach, "Sun Fun City" Thanks so much Annettee it seemed like I was right there. I love all my plants and it's always fun to vacation at the Beach. Shirley sends to Remy - Sent - Received Melissa sends to Carol - Sent - Received Jeanne sends to Vina - Sent - Received Carol sends to Sue G - Sent - Received Annette sends to Shirley - Sent - Received Vina sends to April - Sent - Received April sends to Annette - Sent - Received Remy sends to Jeanne - Sent - Received Sue sends to Melissa - Sent - Received This swap is officially over and I do hope everyone enjoyed their wonderful vacations. Shirley

Just a clarification to the Florida native who stated newer homes did not fare as well in the hurricanes. That is not the case across the board. I know many older homes with water damage like the new homes - HOWEVER there were PROPORTIONATELY more damaged newer homes - all water damage due to shoddy construction and lack of paint. Yes, according to the report by the Florida Builders Association - PAINT. You need to check into who the builder of the new home was. Builders who had the most problems were Ryland and Mercedes. The subdivision where we recently built was built by Lennar. We had NO damage whatsoever in any of our 300+ homes - not even 1 shingle was lost. We carefully canvassed our neighbors after each hurricane as we live in a smaller community and have developed close relationships with our neighbors. Compare that to our neighborhood in Winter Park - homes there were built from the 50's to the 80's and were custom homes. There was no home without at least shingles missing. The difference is that the newer homes built by quality builders have been built to far better withstand hurrucanes than homes built before hurricane ANDREW came through in 1992. The building code was greatly changed after that in order to avoid the devastation seen in the Homestead area. The roofers had to use nails instead of staples and use more nails in each shingle...one of the main reasons roofs in the newer homes fared so much better than the older homes. The effects of the new code is true in many areas that can't be as easily seen such as: Our home has hurricane straps every 6 feet from the foundation through to the 2nd floor roof. It also has solid poured concrete every few feet throughout all the walls, I could go on, but you get the idea. Also, be sure the check on the schools. They can vary widely...in western Seminole where the previous poster mentioned, Lake Brantley High School, which has a great reputation, rated an A in 2005, but they were a B school in 2003 and a C school in 2004 according to the Seminole County website. It is not uncommon for schools to fluctate - look for a consistent score. You can find the ratings of all Seminole County schools here: http://www.scps.k12.fl.us/_doc/GradesSummary2005.pdf To state that you would never live in eastern or southern Orange County is doing those areas a great disservice. I love living in the Waterford Lakes area (eastern OC) and have friends in the Bay Hill areas and Isleworth areas (Southern OC) that have absolutely fabulous homes and love the area. They sit in their backyards by the pool and watch the Disney/Epcot or Seaworld fireworks at night. Some of these areas also have the newest and most up to date high schools with the latest in technology to offer their students. I would suggest the original poster look over all the different areas of Orlando, it is widespread and there are areas you would be wise to avoid..i.e. Pine Hills, west of downtown,etc. However, every area has its own lifestyle. The area I am in is more relaxed - I have wildlife in my backyard frequently...deer, bobcats, wild turkeys and even wild hogs. We love watching the wildlife come to our yard and feed out of the salt lick or drink from the swimming pool. We have this and we are in a new community. Not all new communities have 'postage stamp' yards. Our yard is not huge but it is between 1/2 and 1 acre - around 3/4 of an acre. We can take 528E and be at the beach in 30 minutes, hit 417S and be at the theme parks in 20 minutes or take 408W and be downtown in 20 minutes or take 417N and be at University of Central Florida and the surrounding research park in 10 min. I think you can find whatever you are looking for here in beautiful Orlando. Just decide what is important to you and take time to look around - there is enough variety for most anything you like.