Melly, driving a backhoe IS fun! Actually, once you get past the fact that it's hard work, much of farming is fun. I spend all day in the office, wishing I could figure out how to make a living on the farm. I'd way rather clean calf pens and string barbed wire than do research and draft briefs. Sigh. Still, my job pays for my farming, so I guess I'll keep at it. LOL Annie

E.O., many of us, have found ourselves in the middle of a 'spat' or in disfavor, if posting long enough! I see it as a 'family thing' where if you hang out with anyone long enough there is bound to be a conflict of opinion or an 'annoyance' factor raising it's head, or a 'bruising of feelings' on a day when if it were another, we might not be nearly so sensitive. The good thing about our *group* (I feel) is when we do clash, it isn't too long before we seem to get past it and move on with life in the garden! I'm not a grudge holder, myself--life is too short! I'm willing to move on, and hope for better things for the future! It's the human-factor we deal with, good and bad!! :o) I find there is something I like and that is positive about every person that posts regularly! If not--I would not return so often---as I do!;o)

That's what made the video so neat...because not many people have had the pleasure of being on the property. That video let everyone visualize plumeria heaven on Hawaii and it's keeper... Bill (tdogdad)...someone told me recently that JL doesn't own the property, he just grows his plumeria there--do you know if that is true? ~Mary Jane Here is a link that might be useful:

Lavender Lass - I should have explained better what I meant by my "early 20's" comment. I meant someone who not yet experienced the hard knocks in life, or a job where they were critiqued, or any of the other events that happen after you leave your teens and enter into a world where people are not always complimentary or caring. As people get older, they get a thicker skin. Melissastar seemed bewildered and surprised by any disagreement, that is why I said that. I probably should have substituted the word "naive" or "inexperienced" instead. I haven't seen forums where people let others know they are leaving for a short time so no one will worry about them. Really? I have gotten busy or gone out of town or whatever and not posted for weeks. I have never had anyone on the Gardenweb check up on me. Let's get back to talking about kitchens. Melissastar wants to leave, why don't we let her. Why feel compelled to control her and tell her to do what YOU want her to do? She wants to leave, she is unhappy here, allow her to do what she wants.