I just love, love, love your floral arrangements, Michelle - you are so gifted! I echo all the sentiments here -- such a photogenic slice of "country living" fit for any commercial magazine! I sure hope we might see these in person someday -- I would love to see how you finish off your shed & make it such a wonderful getaway. That 'Kenzie future hawg' shot is great too - even if it is a jet ski, LOL.... You should be rightfully proud of all you've accomplished in your gardens - they are so lovely. --Cindy

Wow, I really love Kathryn Ireland's work. I had no idea she did a boot camp. If the extra money spent wouldn't cause your family all that much heartburn I would definitely go for it, even though it seemed disorganized at first. It might be worth the $$ just to hang out and pick her brain. As an aside - I had a somewhat familiar experience at my workplace. There was a woman (who worked in a different locale and whom I'd never met in person) who I needed to do something professionally for one of my research projects (run a focus group). All through the planning she seemed totally disorganized and non-committal. But when the time came to do the deal, she was phenomenal and I learned a lot by watching her. Please keep us posted - I hope you go!!

Wow....what an amazing list of people.... too many of them no longer with us or active here. It is nice to remember some of their names and their struggles that we shared. Thanks for the memories.

Carolyn, don't forget we English and Irish have had many a hundred years head-start on expressions/sayings. Add to these the rich mix you in the US must have garnered from the influx of incomers from round the world especially if translated from German/Spanish/Polish/Jewish whatever. Include in the mix all those nautical terms that cross international boundaries . . . there is no need for your husband's National Pride to have taken a knock. We are just one big happy family divided by our shared language (paraphrasing here) ;--) Here is a link that might be useful: Nautical Phrases