Thanks for posting pics tropicaldude! Very resourceful shelter you built. That big tree is great! Even with all that damage, definitely still alive. I don't have any updated pics, but I think that for me the score is 9 to 1. Of the 10 trees I'm covering, 9 are solidly alive. But I think I've lost one - a Rosigold mango I planted in the fall. I have 2 mangos close to my house that show no damage at all, and if fact one of them, a Manilita, is pushing blooms. I have an Angie mango that is out near the Rosigold and it took heavy damage, but is forming new buds to grow from the trunk. All other tree varieties did fine. Can't believe your trees took so much damage that far south swrancher! Thanks for posting the pics. It is very informative to see how every did. I'll post new pics again when I get a chance. Probably next weekend. This one zoomed by.

I too haven't been far. I pass through and read and have good intentions of posting, but the evening goes so quickly that before I know it, it's time for bed. I made some chili yesterday to cook in the crockpot today, so I have some extra time now to just sit and relax. Thanksgiving was great. Both kids came home, and we went somewhere every single day. I had to go back to work just to get some rest! LOL (Suzanne) So sorry to hear about Sweet Pea. I know when she is hurting, you are hurting just as much. I remember the pictures of your barn decorated last year. It looked like a Norman Rockwell Christmas card. Your gift from Maddie sounds fantastic. Kudos to Maddie for finding the perfect gift. (Carolyn) - you sound like you are in a good place right now. I am glad you are looking forward and are anxious to start your single life in Dallas. Have a safe trip. Maddie - I was reading an article a few years ago about teenage drivers and they featured stories of 3 different teenagers who had been killed in accidents because of excessive speed. The one boy had my son's name. Even down to the middle name. It freaked me out at the time, so I know what you felt when you saw and heard "your" name in conjunction with a death. Patti - Sorry to hear that your Mom isn't doing well. Are you going to be in Texas for Christmas? You will have to email me the address where you want me to send your exchange package. Raeanne - I have been seeing your artwork on FB. You do beautiful work! DeeMarie - I had to laugh at your description of the tech. Hopefully you will get good news on the 14th. Donna - There was a mother cat and 2 kittens lurking right outside the preschool. We were worried when the weather turned cold, so one of the church members made them beds out of boxes, straw and blankets. I was feeding them each morning when I got to school. They found someone to adopt the two kittens, but the mother is still available. She is a beautiful calico and was obviously someone's pet at one time. But she wasn't chipped, and there are no signs posted looking for a lost cat. We have a lead on someone taking the mother, but I think she really wanted one of the kittens. I always think of you and your rescue dogs when I see an animal in need. Hugs to anyone who needs them and have a great weekend. I have errands to run and a family Christmas party tomorrow night. Marci

I didn't care for Christian Mingle... it has the very same weirdos as the rest of the dating sites.. I found my fella on Senior people meet dot com.. I had lunch with a lot of toads before I met Larry. But some were fun and there are two of them that Larry and I are friends with .. one takes care our pups when we travel someplace that they can't go with us.. There are so many scammers out there.. it is scary.. so you really do need to be cautious.. When Larry contacted me at Senior people meet. he simply said he had folks in Linden.. and being curious, I asked who.. and lo and behold.. I knew some of them.. We got together the first of Dec. 2011, and hit it off. He went to Iowa to spend Christmas with his kids, and called constantly while gone.. Then he and his son got their heads together and wanted me to come there to Iowa for Christmas... instead of my being alone.. Larry drove all the way down to Tennessee and picked me up and off we went to Iowa.. I have not regretted one moment of my time with Larry.. We are now engaged and have tentatively set a wedding date. but I am playing it cool and slow.. We are presently living under the same roof.. and he is taking care of me.. paying all the bills except for a few like insurance and stuff.. I recommend them, but be careful and if they come on and say I love you realy quick... Run like heck.. and if they say they are in Europe or any foreign country and their parents are dead and he was schooled in Ireland.. RUN.. There is a whole boiler room filled with nigerians that are running that scam.. You can have lots of fun and great lunch dates.. but the moment they "forgot their wallet" or anything like that.. pay for YOUR lunch and let him sit twisting in the wind.. Carolyn

Mid-week the ballast burned out in one of my laundry room lights where my sewing desk is, but all laundry room lights are on the same switch, so I did not get lights back on until Friday afternoon, so did not get any sewing done during last week as I had planned. Friday evening I did laundry and helped my son start his science project. Then Saturday finished laundry, helped my son finish his science project, decorated the Christmas tree and decorated the house for Christmas. Went to church this morning. Now am fixing to start making 1 of the 2 saw tooth star pincushions I have left to make for Christmas presents. Hoping this week to get organized and fill out Christmas cards. I also have my brother's scarf about 25% done so depending on when my side of the family gets together I may be able to finish his scarf for this Christmas, we'll see, if not I will put it away until next year. Still have a little Christmas shopping to do, not looking forward to being in stores packed with people all in a hurry. M-I-L flies out of town right before Christmas and she normally prefers to do all the cooking, so I am trying to get meals/cooking organized for me to do while she is gone, simply stuff like tacos, and steak/rice/gravy, pizza, etc. I am feeling a little last minute and rushed this Christmas season. And the house has a draft to it with all this freezing weather, luckily we did not get any ice, but the highs are only like low 40's ... brrrr! And I am trying not to get sick, though am reaching for kleenexs a little more frequently than would like, really hoping I am not sick over the holidays. Quiltnhen the snow looks beautiful, something we have not had since 2010. Hope everyone is safe and warm this week. Best to you, Sandra This post was edited by quiltingfox on Sun, Dec 8, 13 at 15:43