This is hilarious! Thank you for sharing and giving me a good laugh :) I once had two hanging flowers on my balcony with a bird feeder hanging between them. Apparently a mother house wren thought it was an ideal set up because she built a nest in one of my hanging plants! Unlike Mildred, she didn't disturb the flowers. When I had to water the plant, I had to knock on the pot first. She would exit and I would carefully water around the eggs and then the baby birds under her watchful eye. When they grew up and flew the coop, I missed those little guys!

Digger got the Radio Shack alarm clock when I realized Jesse got one more present than she did....*ack*. Bose has a wonderful iPod dock but I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of money ($400) for music. Maybe when I get a raise? LOL We're going shopping tomorrow. I don't buy the kids clothes for Christmas but rather give them money. Then we go shopping the sales. The money goes farther that way and they are happier. I have 'old' taste you know......*frown* LOL Lori

I called a local dock building company who just happened to be out at the lake where our lot is building 4 other docks. I called them to inquire about what they charge..yes of course, they could build you a floating casino if that is what you wanted. They said they are building very basic docks in the area, they/he did not elaborate on what materials they were using, what amenities they were adding what size they are, what shape they are, I don't think they are floating, I think they are permanent..he quoted $14 a sq ft. for a basic dock. I was just asking here to get some idea of what others had been quoted. Sorry I was not more specific. We want a platform from which to sit on and cast a pole into the water. We don't have to create anything with special requirements (seniors or children) in mind. We want it big enough to have a few people on without feeling crowded. We may eventually have a small boat (the LOA has rules on the types of engines allowed, I don't remember exactly, but I'm assuming they have to be small quiet ones.) From what the "guy" said, the average cost is around 6k..(of what he's building for the neighboring lots) 6k at $14 a sq ft would be around 400 sq ft. I'm sure that there are LOA rules on how far out your dock can extend into the lake...as far as how wide, i'd guess you could run it the length of your property if you wanted. I'm thinking a bit wider platform, not anything fancy..just again a place to place a few folding chairs maybe an umbrella and a cooler..and a fishing pole. That probably doesn't help any more than before..but I was really more curious about features that anyone who has a dock now would have put in/on/around their dock if they had to do it over again. for example, I'd like a water and electricity source near or on the dock..not sure what else.

I am trying to select a flagpole to mount on our dock. I would like it to be telescoping, aluminum, 2 flag capacity and trouble free. I have looked at Titan, Liberty, Uncommon and many brands but can't really figure out which one is the best. I appreciate hearing what others have selected and your level of satisfaction.