For "heavy" or "hard" gardening and yard work, I wear last year's New Balance running shoes. My oldest pair is always designated as my "work shoes." For regular garden maintenance where I'm not like to injure my feet I have an off-brand, "Holey Soles," made in Canada, that I picked up at the Garden Center. They are lime green, look identical to the "Clogs", and cost $25. They do have a molded arch support; they're comfortable, but I wear old socks with them. I have "gardening socks" that are clean but stained. They can get wet and muddy. I wear the socks because I have diabetes and I don't want to risk rubbing a blister. They're comfortable without the socks, but I'm extra cautious; I plan on walking into heaven with my original feet! Yes; they're a fashion statement; but not one I want to make in public. I wear them while gardening and in my yard to check on the birds (Purple Martins and Tree Swallows.) I occasionally wear them in the evening while watching TV Pajamas, night shirts, night gowns and long johns/sweaters are perfectly acceptable and understandable early to mid-morning garden attire. I highly recommend them. If people don't have a sense of wonderment and humor, they should not live next to me!

Again, great to see so many of you on this forum voting. Hopefully those of you who are casting write-in votes are helping to get some of your newer favorites on the "Top 100" list for your respective regions for next year. In our region at least, any cultivar that gets at least 2-3 votes has a good chance of being listed in the top 100 for the following year. Sometimes there are 1000 or more cultivars in each region that only get 1 vote each. Any of you who are AHS members, please take a minute to vote before Sept. 1st! Maybe the percentages will be up from the tiny minority who usually votes. That is why you don't see so many new ones on the list - because so many people don't bother to vote! Several of you have made good comments and suggestions for changes you would like to see in future Pop Polls. If anyone (who is an AHS member) sincerely wants to suggest a change or make a comment about the Pop Poll to the person who can actually do something about it, the person to make the comment to is the AHS Director( Board Member) for your region. These folks are all listed on the AHS website and all have e-mail addresses. The Fall Board meeting is the last weekend in October, so if you have comments or suggestions, please send them to your regional directors before then so that the subject can be brought up at the meeting. The AHS Directors are the folks who have a vote and can make changes to existing policies and procedures!

Try the "Ultimate 100 hostas 2008 edition?" started on July 17 by Caliloo.

I am a 38-year-old (I think, hard to remember at times!), female with 2 young children and a full-time (overtime required) job with no nanny/grandparents/help. My youngest has finally reached the blissful age of 5-years-old, so I can finally let him out of my sight for a few minutes! I've had more time for hobbies this year than the past 9 years combined. I don't remember when I registered. I know I lurked on several forums starting around 2005 before I finally registered. Whenever I searched for information on things like appliances or kitchen renovations, gardenweb posts always appeared on the search engine. I started saving myself some time by searching this site first. I think Vip (vcheethi) said what I have been trying to articulate for years. As I have always suspected, this board leans heavily toward the still active, empty-nesters. I can't keep up. I do read and try to retain information for later. I've found lot of great ideas that I hope to use later. (Lately you all have me pining for a sewing machine. That may have to be my next project/hobby for my next block of free time.) Peaceful state ... yes, that is it exactly. I pop in and out of here as my time permits. Decorating is a fun "extra" to me so it comes last after all my responsibilities. I received a lot of help recently with my library. It is looking good (at least I think so). Last weekend I took the plunge and bought new curtains. Once I have them in place, I will post new pictures. I *thought* I'd have them up by now, but as always, life throws a curveball. FIL is in ICU right now. I popped in tonight for a distraction since I can't sleep anyway.