Hi Gina, I'm Cheryl. And I'm a chicaholic too. Four years ago a friend offered to give me a dozen chickens for free. So I decided to have a small shed built for them, $700, and the enclosure with gate $150. But the chickens were free, remember? When we finally brought them home, I was absolutely hooked. I love my chickens. We were so successful at raising our chickens that pretty soon our small 16'x16' enclosure and 8'x8' henhouse was deemed too small. So we built a larger enclosure, 75'x 110'($450) and had ANOTHER shed built 10'x12' ($900) this time to accomodate all our new arrivals. Now we have a huge area for our chickens to live in (roughly 3x the size of our own home) but our flock unfortunately has decreased due to predators that inhabit the area. And all the while did we enjoy the advantages of fresh chicken dinners on Sunday? Oh no! We named each of our chickens, and as anyone knows, you can't eat an animal who has a name. We do get lots of fresh eggs, which we usually wind up giving away to family and friends because we can't eat them all. So why do we keep doing it? We're both hooked. Chickens are fun. They're interesting to watch. Besides, all our kids are grown and gone from home and we both still work full time, so what else do we have to do with all that disposable income but blow it on a bunch of spoiled birds? My name is Cheryl and I'm a chickaholic.

Welcome back! It's nice to be reading your posts again, and I'm really glad you're feeling better. :) I have to admit I was feeling motivated to snap up some of Joni's remaining potted plants, myself. But more on that in another thread as I don't want to take over yours. ;)

I am amused to hear there is house envy extended both ways. :P It reminds me of when Mitzi joined us. We were all jealous of all the native flora of Brazil and she said she wished she could grow Tulips. @ Ingrid I am enjoying looking through your blog very much. How fun that you got your cuttings of Mathilde from Emilio Begine himself! I love your photographs, too, especially the ones of the swing flower garden and the shaggy pony by the shore. I think you live in a wonderful place! I am looking forward to reading more - but must work now. :P @ Mitzi I agree with you. I tell people to think of my plants like having another pet. There is a lot of work involved, but it gives you a peaceful feeling to care for them and interact with them.

I have to admit, I have bought several Hoyas, not because I wanted them but because they were flooded and dying. I just bought my third variegated Hoya heuschkeliana. I know they dont grow well down here, the last one I bought melted into a pile of rot within a week. But I just bought 2 more. I'm an idiot, they will die! Still, I hope to give them a fighting chance! They looked so unhappy! lol