Greetings from the Puget Sound region of Washington State. My name is Noni, but I also go by Liza here. I am a seasonal gardener, meaning that, because I run a cut flower business, I can't focus on the amaryllis during the spring, summer or early fall. They have to take care of themselves then, with occasional watering. My goal with them is to provide me with flowers for cutting over the winter. I am also working on developing my own hybrids that like living this way. My seedings are subjected to total neglect over the summer and those that survive and revive with fall watering are the ones I will grow on. One little fellow got left out over the winter last year during severe weather that froze 100 of my 130 dahlias, and is back growing in its 4" pot so it has some real possibilities! I am just now turning my attention back to my collection and getting them watered, fertilized and primped up in my new greenhouse. I currently have about 130 mature bulbs and 130 young survivor seedlings from the past 3 years of breeding. There are another 30 or so new Amaryllis on order for this year. I am looking forward to many hours of amaryllis tending in my greenhouse this winter.

We did our plans without ever seeing our architect face to face, I'm sad to say I wouldn't even recognize if I saw him in person. It was a little rough and yes the entire project took *much* longer than I think it should have. Granted we didn't ride him as hard or as often as maybe we could have to meet deadlines and we were partly to blame with design changes that stemmed from the fact we didn't know what the heck we were doing.. Spend the time and get it right in the planning stages tho because if you are working remotely (like we are) its even harder to communicate changes that need to occur during the construction stage when the plan looking them in the face says otherwise and you aren't there to drive the point home that the plan is wrong.

Hindlimb weakness and loss of bladder control are most likely due to a problem in the lumbar-sacral spine, probably something causing inflammation of the spinal cord or something pressing against it. There are many many conditions that could do either one, and not all of them would signify "the end." For example, many dogs get fibrocartilaganous emboli in that area, and get slowly better. Or he may have intervertebral disk disease which sometimes responds to steroids or NSAIDs. Or he may have a tumor in that area. Or he may have diskospondolytis which responds to antibiotics. The point being that without being examined by the vet, there is no way to know whether or not his condition can improve. He may need spinal radiographs to look, or the vet may find something else and I'm completely wrong which is entirely possible considering I haven't seen him (and neither has anyone else here.) I would not base your decision to kill your dog based on responses from a message board from people who are not vets and who have not seen your dog. You can't take back euthanasia. Only your vet can properly assess your dog and give you and idea of his prognosis. Please go into the appointment with an open mind, not planning to just let him go. If it comes down to that, then you are prepared already. I hope something can be done for him. But if not, it sounds as if he's had a wonderful life from a loving family who is always willing to do right by him. My thoughts are with you in this difficult time.

Hello, My name is Jenny, I am a junior at the University of Iowa and i have been scrapping for about 6 months. I started because i wanted to do an album for my brother as his gift from me for his high school graduation. That is my current project, but i plan to do many more when this one is finished. I had no idea it would become this addictive (instead of clothes, i spend my mall gift certificates on stickers and scrapping supplies). Don't worry though, i still buy my fair share of new clothes too. =) I love this message board and try to visit atleast once a day, everyone seems so helpful and encouraging. Have a Great Day! -Jenny Can you do a swap soon- I read many of the posts from the previous swap and it sounds like fun! I would love to participate.