"I find you last post the most pleasant and agreeable - what happened ? LOL I see nothing to argue about and I would agree with most..." You agree with what, me buying the beer? Cheapskate. Since there's an open invite to post pics I figure I would do so. I knew there was a rock on the side hill of my driveway that was fairly large and buried just below the surface so I set out to see how big it is. Here's my rig: http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r97/johnstem15/445ldrbb.jpg I'm working uphill to dig it free: http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r97/johnstem15/digrock1.jpg Now in the driveway working it out. I ran out of traction before power: http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r97/johnstem15/digrock2.jpg And here's the beast up close: http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r97/johnstem15/bigrock.jpg I didn't take it all the way out, I reset it so it slants into the hill a little more. Right now it's playing an integral role in keeping my driveway from eroding. Retaining wall may be on tap for the spring so I might just tangle with him again. Apparently I'm too dumb to post pics inline so all you get are urls.

When I was a teenager, my mother thought chipmunks were cute. My Aunt next door cut down on the amount of cats & Mom was feeding them (the tree rats). The next thing we knew, there were chipmunks EVERYWHERE. Dozens of them, digging up all the bulbs & everything we planted. Emptying all the bird feeders. Running & playing & most of all multiplying. My Uncles were poisoning, trapping & shooting them until they finally got down to a manageable number. In later years, I had a Sheltie who thought it was her job to be on chipmunk patrol & she took it very seriously & kept them away. My Newf isn't that excited over such a small mouthfull but we have an Eskie who likes organic dog toys (mice & such are organic cat toys). Linda

Unfortunately, you're seeking an answer that can't be given. There really is no such thing as a 'deer proof' planting. Go to Google and do a search for 'deer proof'...then immediately do an advanced search using 'New England' to cull the initial hits you get for the local area. In both the initial hits and the advanced hits you'll find lists...lots of lists...of plants suggested for areas where the deer roam...and eat. But you'll also find, in almost each case, that the lists contain the caveat that the plants listed are not deer 'proof'. They're plants that some folks have had good success with, or plants that deer seldom eat, or plants that come back quicker than others...if at all. But everyone who makes such lists will also tell you that those lists change as easy as the deer appetite does. Deer will eat almost anything if they're hungry enough, and the weather has a lot to do with that. Experience will show that only (nearly) true defense against deer damage in the garden and yard...is deer fencing, and eight foot fencing at that. When the snow lies heavy and deep on the ground, a six foot fence can suddenly become an easily jumped four foot for the deer. The taller fence provides a little more defense. But here, too, there is that caveat...(nearly) true. The deer really do hold the upper hand here. We can only try to keep them at bay.

Ann, No job changes for either of us right away. The area of National Park and Woodbury are within a modest drive. I did time my commute the other day. It was after rush hour and it took under 30 minutes...certainly within my comfort level for a daily commute. On Sunday it was about the same. With my job if I trasfer to another store within my chain its a lateral move but if I trasfer out of state I would lose all my seniority within the chain. That would mean basically starting over. Not really ready to do that but there is a store in South Philly-near the stadiums that is just a hop to the bridge. The great news is I am pals with the store manager there and he said he would love to have me join his team!! Frank is a mailman in suburban Philly. He can probably ask to be transferred since south Jersey is part of the Philadelphia postal system. But he is fine with staying put. He does have a part time job a few nights a week and will no doubt transfer once we move. Drew just started working as a bagger at my store so if he were to transfer he would not be losing anything. Amy works at a store closer to her school so she'll have to decide what she will do when she decides if she is staying at that school...she was considering switching to a better school for business. (St Joes-yeah Pam!!) As for looking...jeez its seems like every chance we had, we'd drive over with a list to drive around and look. So far we've only actually looked at 6 houses-3 were new construction-an option we are still considering. Annie, you cracked me up....the deer slayer LOL!!! The father and son SO reminded me of Hank Hill from King of the Hill and the son was a dead ringer for the boy in the show. I really like that house but I think the BBall hoops were the biggest turn off...I mean, if the nieghbor is a hunter, theres a good chance I'd get some good deer meat right?? I will continue to Motor on!! Cheers! Susie