Rita, Bud count is something that I never really though to keep track of in detail... my classification to myself through the years has either been "stingy" or "full of blooms"... always figured "it is what it is". That was when I felt that I had all the room in the world to add DL's, and wasn't raising my own seedlings. Now, although I still have room, I am starting to consider moving some of my less stellar performers out to the perifery (sp?) of my world and make room in my main gardens for plants that will flourish rather than just "do ok". For this reason, it will be definitely something that I will be tracking next year... especially during April, May, and June when all of you early bloomers are showing off your pictures and all I will have to look at are buds. It will give me something to occupy my time while I am waiting patiently (OR NOT) :) I will be curious to see what your results are! Fairysoapgirl... your missing scapes are what my Mom and I have learned to call collateral damage. We have had wonderful friends sharing some of our garden chores in Mom's yard this spring to help us get through a rough time, and as a result, have been at the ACK! stage more than once. (A climing rose that had FINALLY come into it's own cut off at the base because it was mistaken for a sticker bush, etc). Although you know that these things were done with the very best of intentions, it is kind of hard to hide the steam that starts to come out of your ears when you discover it! Yup, there's always next year. Julie

Hmmph, manure in the fall....I usually do compost in the spring....I never really feed the garden in the fall for fear of causing some growth that may get killed with the cold. I'll have to look into that...it make's sense to put it to bed with a full tummy : ) Actually my lilies look good, except the candidum...no buds on any of them this spring... : ( Maybe it was the cold spring...for the peonies for me...they are usually so reliable... I am not sure when they set buds..but this year they didn't do well for me..my neighbor has the same problem with hers too. I guess micro climates abound.. Thanks for sharing! JoAnn I may have to change my name......I lost my two Just Joey roses this year also. Ha ha ha.....

Great job, everyone! I started the Atkin's lifestyle change last September and have seen very good results with it. I have to be careful eating very low carb because I have a fussy kidney - it is harder on the kidneys if you eat high protein/low carb. But with a few modifications I can eat the Atkins way forever and do just fine. I did have a few treats at Christmas; I was given a beautiful Christmas cake which I absolutely love - the carbs in that are through the roof so I gave it to a friend who also loves it but isn't so worried about nutritional values of what is consumed, I hope he really enjoyed it. I was initially going to cut it up into tiny pieces and freeze them individually so occasionally I could have a piece, but knowing myself I decided it was better to not have the temptation in the house. Last fall I was wearing a size 18 pant and a size XL or 1X top - today I am wearing a size 12 pant and a size M top - still want to drop another 15-20 pounds. Once that's done, I do intend to give myself some leeway on what I can eat, but I will monitor closely the way my clothes fit - any snugness and it's back to Atkin's boot camp for me. Best of luck to everyone trying to lose or maintain the weight they have achieved! Suzan J

Yes it is a necro'd thread but it is a great thread... Since it is back up... there really is not a two year employment history requirement. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac set the general requirements for mortgages in the U.S. There has never been a requirement for two years of employment history. Two years of employment history is the most common way to establish income stability and has become the default, but there are some automatic exceptions to the two year employment history... (1) military service, (2) returning to the workforce after an extended absence - this allows separated periods to be counted as a single period, (3) attending any college or trade program. In addition to those three automatic exceptions, a lender may use any reasonable exception to demonstrate that two years of employment history is not necessary or the applicant has other means to demonstrate employment stability. Although not an automatic exception, employment contracts are always accepted as a demonstration of income stability (even if they are only for a single year). The only employment history requirement for a mortgage is that income from fluctuating hourly work must have 12 months of work history. ---- Having said this, a particular bank may set stricter requirements, but you can certainly find a bank that counts two years of college as an exception to work history in every region in the U.S.