Toni, thank you. I really enjoyed looking at your album of plants on yahoo, and that is when I set mine up, after viewing all of you pictures. I don't own a digital camera yet, so I borrow dh's work camera. I will remind him to bring it home so that I can take a new close up picture today and load it up to the albums (way too fun once I started yesterday). Hopefully it gave you an idea of how the tree will grow once it is older. Right now mine is still decorated from Christmas ( the kids and I can't bear to buy "live" trees even though we live in a logging state). That was actually the motivation for purchasing the Monkey puzzle tree - to have our Christmas tree growing year round. It is sooooo sharp though, that the ornaments (very light or miniature) may stay on it year round too as it has continued to put out new growth - lots of it since Christmas. I did read that the Monkey Puzzle is a relative of the Norfolk Pine, maybe all pines are relatives, who knows, which may account for the similarities in their appearance from a distance. Sara

Oh Anita I am so sorry that you are having this problem. You have had so much to deal with this last year. We will put you on our prayer list. The baby has gotten so big and handsome! He must be Grandmas pride and joy. To everyone else HELLO! LOL Yes I am still alive and kicking. We are still fighting for our dear Miss Julie. It will be 1 yr on Sept the 12th that we have been a family and not one of us are willing to give that up! She is getting so very big. As well as more beautiful everyday! We go to court again on the 18th of this month. There are so many DRs appts its hard to keep it all going. School starts back on the 26th of Aug so I am hoping to get back to my much needed gardens. They seemed to have missed me as well. LOL I am very excited about being able to swap this month I have sooo missed it. Could some let me know how we are to pick our 2? The best thing about this Summer other than our dear Miss Julie is that I have lost 107 pds!! Can you believe it cause I sure cant!!! This has actually been since Feb. LOL So getting a little girl and joining the Y has been my salvation. Sorry I dont mean to brag but am going to anyway! I went to the DR yest and they didnt reconize me. He thought he had the wrong folder! It was fantastic!!! Its so hard for me to see, that its amazing when someone that dosent see me that often has that kind of reaction. I have a friend that is a member here and on another garden site that would like to join us she is a wonderful trader, gardener and friend. Pins2006 her name is Carmen Perrotta. I am sure some of you know her she is a very special person. A most generous trader. I would also like to Thank each and everyone of you for all the kindness and support you have shown Julie and I this past year and many more to come! Cathy If I could ever figure out how to post photos here I would share some new ones of Miss Julie.

Sundance, please don't massacre your lively medallion drapes. The pattern is too large for short curtains, and look so pretty on your large window. Just take a calming breath. You don't have to make all your decisions in one day. Blue is a classic color in kitchens, and blue and white is beautiful. In deciding what color to paint the chairs and island, instead of colors, think of light and dark. Do you want a light and airy look, or darker, contrasting look? You have a nice window in the room, but would too much dark paint darken the room by day or night? Next think about subtle changes or more drastic changes. Think about longevity of design. Might you tire of a drastic change or fret over the exact color of navy paint? You may decide on contrast or calm by the feeling you are trying to achieve. No one should tell you what to do, this is your kitchen, after all. We can give you our opinions when you ask for them, as you have, but don't take them as The Thing That You Should Do. KWIM? Over all, have fun decorating your adorable kitchen. Oh, and take your time. Hang your bird fabric in the window for a few days, and see if it is cheerful. Keep the sample until you finish deciding. When gathered, the birds won't be so prominent and if it doesn't work so be it. Think about if painting your chairs creamy white would allow another change down the road, or if navy chairs would make your heart sing. If your heart isn't singing, let it rest. Just remember that when you ask a group of ladies for an opinion, you will get a bunch of different answers, which leads to frustration. You are the queen of the kitchen, hold your chin regally high and own it. ( : Smile : )

Growing up, ate out a few times a year, typically to celebrate a special occasion. Both parents worked but we always ate a home cooked meal together as a family. As newlyweds, DH and I were focused on saving for our future and ate out only occasionally. When the kids were old enough, we'd eat out on occasion but otherwise home cooked meals together. Now, as semi-retirees, we enjoy local international restaurant meals when traveling (approx. 12 weeks/year), but otherwise our preference is, with some exceptions, to eat at home. Our DD was given an assignment for a college communications course in which she was to choose an occasion and give a talk celebrating the guest(s) of honor. She chose to give her talk at her parent's future 50th anniversary party. This was unbeknownst to DH and I until she gave us the video later as a Christmas gift. In this talk she referenced the importance of our family meals ("every. single. night. no. matter. what.") and how much they meant to her and our son. I had absolutely no idea the impact our family meals had on them until then. (Another mention was our frequent family walks and hikes, referred to as "death marches" at the time, but apparently weren't really all that traumatizing and are activities they continue as adults.)