I'm taking it to the state level. Just filled out the paper work/ application form for the State Fire marshall to review and now working on state health dept. paperwork I have a 20 hour flight to Singapore and had thought about doing a letter and photo campaign , but the 7 inch thick file that I have is so dense it would be considered as major pc. of carry on luggage, so I will just wait for that phase for when I get home. .... photos of rats - no problem on that, as disgusting as it was to take that photo. I won't bother to post it but it is on the Picasa photo page that I am uploading the past 12 years of documents and images to as an onlline source. Between my fairly well connected and affluent client base and networking with other resources at my disposal I am hoping to get this situation resolved. It's been way too long and way too stinky , not to mention the fire hazard that all that oil soaked cardboard and wood pallets that are piled up against my wood fence, ... which by the way, Novato fire chief Bill Tyler does not find to be in violation of the CFC - which boldly stipulates that "waste accumulation is prohibited. I'm not ready to plaster photos all over the neighborhood. I want to go about this as legally as systematically as possible in the advent that I hire an attorney and want to present the most compelling and level headed case. Personally I think the past 12 years worth of photos and pathetic lack of documented response from the Novato City offices is pretty compelling and damaging evidence.

The tropical storm was pretty much worn out by the time it passed through central NM. It only produced a few hours of gentle rain. The other thunder storms passed overhead without dropping their payload here. One nice bonus from all of that rain is that two winter squash have appeared in the area I cleared and planted early in spring. Nothing sprouted there, and all of the plants I put in were eaten by rabbits. I was ticked off, gave up on that area for awhile. Last week I planted clover seeds in that area for the darned rabbits--hoping to tempt them with the clover, so they'll leave my stuff alone. I was out there watering this morning, when I discovered the healthly little squash seedlings. I didn't dare attempt a happy dance in my Crocs (probably twist an ankle), but I was absolutely delighted. Rabbits don't like squash plants, so no worry. Lorna

Hi Anj, So glad you are feeling better. I know how you feel about the gift buying--I need to get started on mine too. Usually, I at least have neighbor gifts ready by now--but I'm still looking for inspiration! LOL Talked DH into going to the Sugarplum Craft show about 45 minutes from home today. It was fun, and he actually did pretty good about letting me take my time to fondle and enjoy all the decorations. Gosh, there were some cute gingerbread things and lots of wooden stakes with words on them like Joy, Hope, etc. Would you believe a simple stake with a large cutout of a star and the word Joy on it was priced at $14.99? I just can't see paying that much for something so simple to make. There was also some cute gingerbreads in three sizes stacked together and tied with a ribbon and they were $14.99 too! DH was really surprised at how high the prices were. I told him now he knows why I go to the shows and often don't buy anything--but I still enjoy looking and just the fun atmosphere of it. There were some cute picture holders made with those round computer cd's and scrapbooking papers. They were linked together with the letters on each one to spell FAMILY and a cardboard square covered with pretty paper attached that you could put your own pictures on. Does that make any sense. They were $12.99, and of course I figured I could make my own--like I'll ever get around to actually making them! LOL Speaking of prices, remember the long narrow mirror that I painted the coffee cups on? My friend has it in her shop and priced it at $29.99. I had figured maybe $14.99. I'm curious to see if it sells. It ended up raining all day the day I drove out there--not crazy about driving the freeways much anyway let alone in the rain! And not one single person walked into the store that day! I felt really bad about that, but it just wasn't a very pleasant day for shopping at all. In fact the shop across the street with all the roses and white furniture that I love wasn't open at all that day. On top of that, she had warned me that there was no heat in the store--so I took our little space heater with me--but it was still pretty chilly. Think I'll enjoy doing that more when Spring comes! LOL Anj, you are right about the decorations. I thought I was getting an early start, but I've still got the family room to decorate and need to put the boxes and all the things I've removed away out of sight until it's all over. Then I'll have to put it all away! Ugh! I think I'm getting to the point where I'm going to start scaling back too. I love looking at it, but hate the work required to do it! I would probably be finished, but my little friend ended up at the emergency room on Sunday afternoon, so I've been going to visit her once and sometimes twice a day this week. Her daughter will be here from Oregon by Sunday, so that will be a big help. Oh, DH just told me to be sure to tell you that not only did he go to the craft show with me, but he even took me out for dinner tonight to the Red Lobster. LOL I think he's trying to get some brownie points or something. ;o) Sure you can show a pic of the Christmas cow. It just seemed like a good thing for your kitchen. I've got my painted jar that I should show a pic of too--I love it! Our temps are in the 40's and 50's here, and I'm freezing--don't envy those of you with those zero and below temps at all. Just remember that it is only going to last a few months! Anj, did you ever get one of those "natural light" lamps? Just wondering if it makes the dreary winter days a bit better by using it. Good luck with your shopping, and enjoy your date night. I'll be back tomorrow. Luvs

Bluebell - here ya go! BANANA BREAD BLONDIES Ingredients For Blondies: ½ cup unsalted butter-melted 1 cup light brown sugar ¼ teaspoon salt 1 large egg 2 teaspoon vanilla 1 ½ -2 teaspoon cinnamon (to taste) 1 cup flour ½ cup mashed banana (one medium-large banana) For Frosting: ¼ cup butter 6 Tablespoons light brown sugar 2 Tablespoons milk Dash of salt 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup powdered sugar Instructions Preheat oven to 350 F and line 8 x 8 inch baking pan with aluminum foil (leaving an overhang on the sides to lift the finished blondies out) and spray with cooking spray , set aside. To make the blondie batter, in a medium bowl mix together melted butter, sugar and salt. Add egg vanilla and cinnamon and mix until well combined. Add mashed banana and mix to combine. Add flour and mix until combined and smooth. Pour the batter into prepared pan, smooth the top and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until center has set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature. To make the frosting in a medium sauce pan melt the butter and continue cooking over medium heat until reach nice amber color, stirring constantly (be careful not to burn it). Add brown sugar, milk and a dash of salt, stir and bring to boil. Remove from heat and cool for 10-15 minutes. Whisk in vanilla and powdered sugar. Spread over the blondies. Allow frosting to set before slicing and serving. Here's the batch I made. The next time I make them, I'll add chopped nuts to the blondies. I thought they were even yummier after having been refrigerated for a few hours too. Enjoy!