It was probably a while ago, Sue... I finished this year after having to intermit already one whole year [which, had I been more familiar with the program, I'd have known was ridiculous, too ...it was this same lady who had me intermit instead of using a project I was 'sick' during as one that we are allowed to drop each year.] It's programming/computing. Java mostly but covering much more than that and a wonderful way to study, IMHO. We look at the entire field, have to know about debates or controversies, have to know many technical details that I've never had to study before when taking programming courses. The "3rd year" is an advanced year that is less about programming but all my pals are taking it and 3 years looks better than 2 on a resume ;) There is no on-campus part that year, but I believe there is another graduation at the Sheldonian afterwards. I REALLY enjoy these folks and instead will be back to faceless, impersonal peers for my 2nd year if they don't allow me back in plus not being with my group for the advanced part either :( Not to mention twidling my thumbs for a year for no good reason, the dollar decreasing against the pound each day too it seems :( If it weren't so against their written codes and ridiculous that everyone academic supports me up through the directors I may not be so angry about it. Then again the audacity of not notifying folks at all is just inexcusable on its own. I better hush... there are way too many tedious points where this office's head is up its.... Gotta go ;) Keep those fingers crossed! On paper, I've won this thing already but God am I worried :(

Oh Trinigemini, I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. It's difficult losing our devoted companions. They give so much to us. Again, I am very sorry. I have not gotten any new pets as of yet. I still have two other older cats (their siblings). I did take a while for the house to feel normal again. I went for camellia because I wanted something that wouldn't die and wasn't an 'every day' plant. If you have a sunny place, Esperanza 'Yellow Bells' (Tecoma stans) would be nice and has beautiful yellow blooms. It blooms almost constantly.

Did you try Neem oil? I've had very good luck using it when I've had white flies in years past. It's easy to apply with a Gilmour hose end sprayer. Just blast away. I'd do it in the evenings so it would not evaporate quickly, not be sprayed on honey bees, and the small amount of oil in it would not burn the plants. I've never seen burned plants when using Neem oil, but with this intense heat there's a chance it might happen. Here is a link that might be useful: About using Neem oil ...

Taken from Stone Business Online: Friday, 15 August 2008 Maurizio Bertoli, 64, of Keansburg, N.J., died Aug. 14 when his vehicle was hit by flying debris on Interstate 95 south of downtown Philadelphia. His wife, Laura, received minor injuries in the accident, according to local news accounts. A set of dual tires broke off the real axle of a southbound semi-trailer rig, according to Pennsylvania State Police investigators, and flew into oncoming northbound traffic on the freeway. One tire hit a vehicle and caused minor damage, but that same tire then struck the windshield that Honda Odyssey that Bertoli was driving. He died at the scene. Maurizio BertoliBertoli earned a reputation as an internationally recognized stone-care expert, often as the "answer man" for questions posed on Websites such as gardenweb.com and his own mbstone.com. He also formulated and sold his own line of stone-care products for the past 18 years. Bertoli began his career in the stone trade in 1959 as a 16-year-old taking a summer job at a marble fabricator in Parma, Italy. He worked for five years as a floor setter for a Parma marble-flooring company while completing his university education; he bought the company in 1969 and received his degree a year later. Bertoli expanded the company during the next ten years, while also studying geology and chemistry as applied to natural stone. At the end of the 1970s, Bertoli sold his firm and moved to New Jersey, eventually forming his own business for marble-floor care. He began his own line of stone-care products in 1990; he also began speaking and writing on stone care for the industry. Bertoli also expanded his educational efforts in the past 10 years, including the training of in-house maintenance crews at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. He also aided in founding the International Training Centers for the Stone Industry (ITCS) and began teaching classes at a facility in Folcroft, Pa. The next course wouldÂve started on Aug. 25. He also offered his "Ask Maurizio" sessions on the Internet, taking questions from professionals and consumers on stone care. His last answer, on "cloudy Uba Tuba granite," came on Aug. 11. Information on survivors and services are pending.