Butterflyalley, Oh, I don't know if you can be more impatient than I am though. ;-) I see all these beautful butterflies that other people get and I want so much to be able to get them here at my place, but I guess I'll have to wait and see. I never real good at waiting. I'll tell you, I didn't have to wait at all for the Monarchs. I started my garden in late 2005, I guess too late for the Monarchs to lay eggs on the milkweed plants that I had bought (there were only two anyway). Last year I planted 26 Butterfly Weed and still had the two Swamp Milkweed from the year before. I ended up raising 70 Monarch cats to adulthood and released them and just loved it! I never dreamed that I would have that many so soon. I'm planting even more this year than I did last year and have learned so much here on the forum and know more now what to plant to get what butterflies. I'm trying to plant at least two host plants for the butterflies that I'd like to attract here, but then it's up to them to find me. I was hoping that the biggest my garden the better the chances of them finding my place. I'll have such great fun watching them this year! I shouldn't set my expectations too high though since it is just the first year for these perennials I just started indoors a week or so ago. I doubt if they'll be big enough to host anything this year. I did plant snapdragon seeds indoors to plant out in another few weeks, so I can always hope that some Buckeyes will come here and lay eggs on them. I hope you can attract a lot this year. I got pretty many butterflies last year, my first year. I don't count 2005 because I was just starting to plant a few things in early September. Ha, yeah, that would be funny watching you get those willows from the boat. I'd almost be afraid to do that because knowing me I'd fall in the water. That is so very nice of you to offer to mail some to me. Let me see how I make out for sure and then I'll let you know if I need any. I'd hate for you to send some and then say later, "Guess what..." Wow, you must be really happy with those trees that you have. Best of luck getting cats on them! Cathy

newhomebuilder--Just saw your thread, hope you check back here. Just wanted to share my experience with you. We were finishing our basement (on a 15 yr old home). The tile layers troweled on a solvent based, outdoor only adhesive on the floor of the basemtn on areas that were to be tiled. Fumes built up and 45 seconds after they left my house--an explosion in the basement which almost totalled the house since the fumes went through every crack and crevice (including all vents and cold air returns). My 8 month old twins and I escaped the home by the skin of our teeth. You need to be aggressive here and find out exactly what was used in your basement, and soon. I think someone screwed up here--I would not sleep in this house until you find out. The product that was used in my basemnt had all kinds of health hazards and should never have been used indoors. Plus remember that after you smell fumes like this for awhile, you reach a point physically where you think the fumes have dissipated when actually they have not. Please let us know what you find out.

When I am alone in the afternoon I make a cup of instant coffee. I mixed the coffee in a mug and apparently put the container of instant coffee in the micro. When I came inside about 4-5 mins later I had the most awful smell of something burning. When I figured it was the micro I couldn't even recognize what was melted in there. I cleaned up the mess and scrubbed forever with windex, vinegar and baking soda. It was improved but still smelled when I used it for about a week. It is completely gone now. I also left the door open for a few hours.

After wearing a modified mullet (short on top, down to my behind in back) for a lot of years, my daughter convinced me to get a new style. I loved what the designer did, but the $60 price tag is more than I can justify every six weeks. So I armed myself with a photo of my new cut and six weeks later took it to a less expensive salon. In addition to showing her the photo I took care to explain it as well. She assured me she understood exactly what I was talking about, then proceeded to give me an entirely different style. Tears? You bet! But still, I went back to her again and again, telling her each time how to make it more closely resemble my previous style, and eventually it was very close. I thought we had come to an understanding and then the next time she cut my hair it was a whack job again! I've had the flowbee for many years and used it to cut my husband's and grandchildren's hair, so I began to use it on myself, too. It did alright, but not the style I wanted. It has been more than 2 months since my last haircut and I just didn't know which way to go. In a moment of desperation I drove down to the little shop that my 81 year old mother goes to. I asked for the owner (she cuts Mom's hair and is in her late 60's). I had printed out my photo to show her, but in my haste, had forgotten to bring it with me. I proceeded to explain my style and she said she knew exactly what I meant. I knew I was going to drive home in tears, but I just couldn't get up and leave. And guess what? When she was done I WAS nearly in tears! I couldn't believe my eyes. It was exactly the style I verbalized to her. Bless you, little old Lina!