I have done it again. I do not know why I am such a ninny, but "Salty Sam" is, of course, Salty Skipper. I do not know where the "Sam" comes from, but I remember I did it once last year. Deangreen, North Winds Dancer is a delicate bloom that usually twists in the nicest ways. El Desperado has been a bloom fctory for at least five years. Thanks, Avedon. I started with two little fans of El Desperado, and it has grown very large. Yours will probably surprise you blooming. Mantis, Goldenzelle sat for the first two years with maybe 4 blooms. I guess it has to settle. Maybe yours will improve. Rita, Billy was grooming his nether regions when I said his name and snapped the pic when he looked up. He may have been startled. Thanks, Mnclerk. I took pics early. Thanks Debra. I left some pretty huffy feedback and then a somewhat modified piece for Photobucket. I stated downloading while they were making some of the changes apparently. Not pretty, but I caught on pretty quick. I did tell them I hated all of the repeated changing they were doing and that it was very stressful. kay

I would second the idea of packing a little in advance and, if possible, take the packed items back with you in your car trunk so Friday won't be a flurry of moving type activity. Pack at least 7 changes of clothing at first; that will initially give your Mother enough leeway until her laundry facility routine is worked out. Will she be doing her own laundry, or does staff do that for the residents on a schedule? In some facilities, each resident is assigned a certain time slot. Just for your own benefit, it would be good for you to know about the laundry, what time meals are served, what time of the day there are group or planned activities, religious services, hair salon appointments... the daily facility routine. I've found that really helps with picking times to visit, etc. since I want my Mother to interact and socialize with the residents and don't want my visiting to take away from that but be an addition to it. As for stuff besides clothing and personal care items - some family photos, clock radio if she enjoys music, small TV unless they have giant screen TV's in the common rooms. A favorite knick-knack or two. A few different sized plates, cups, glasses and silverware for the kitchenette. Really, at first I wouldn't bring a lot; in a short while you'll know what she needs, would like to have around her or how to decorate to cheer up the space. Depending on how much space there is, might not be room for much more than a comfortable chair, bookcase and perhaps a small table. I wish you well with this venture and let us know how it goes. It's not easy, but just remember that your Mother will be in a much safer environment and you won't have to worry about her day to day welfare.

I would love to have you send me the floor plan of this home! Its perfect! I printed off the original but I like your final with the 3 car garage! I as well have 3 children and live on 10 acres. I love that the home is all on one floor and has a room for entertaining and bathrooms the kids can get to with out running through the house with there muddy boots! Please send to joniconner@Hotmail.com. Thank you!

First-aid kit with a medic-spray on top. Container of handwipes. Scissors. Insurance information. Your address book. Pen and paper notebook for notes [or for the kids to play with]. Books, magazines, and games for the kids. A roll of trash bags. A spray bottle of 50/50 alcohol/water for quick clean-ups. Terry hand towels, at least one for each sink. Put a case of bottled water in the car. If you drink coffee, put the coffeemaker, filter, a couple pre-measured bags of ground coffee along with the mugs, spoons, sugar, etc in a box to be brought in the car. A box of breakfast fixin's along with bowls and plasticware. If you possibly can, the crockpot filled and ready to cook a one-dish meal, for the first real meal. You can prepare the crockpot in advance and freeze it. Carried in a cooler, it will very slowly defrost during the trip, and will be ready to plug in upon your arrival. A new broom and dustpan. The vacuum [if you don't have whole-house]. Remember that it is not a waste of time to label each box, in detail. Be sure the movers put the boxes each in the assigned room. If it is at all possible, hire a babysitter to watch little kids while the actual moving is underway. Everyone has their own method, but I found it easiest to unpack in this order (assuming rugs and carpets are placed): Refrigerated and frozen foods. Beds set up and linens put on the bed. Bath towels hung [everyone can unpack their own toiletries]. Kitchen utensils; pans, plates, silverware. Pantry supplies. Help kids hang/drawer clothing. Hang/drawer adult clothing. Put away the rest of the bathroom supplies and linens. Once the basic living needs are in place, THEN one can unpack and place furniture for everywhere else. Don't remove the furniture's bubblewrap/quilting until it is in the place you want it. Keep handy a misting-spray bottle of water to counteract static as you remove the plastic-wraps. Vacuum everything [yes floors and walls too] after the furniture is unwrapped. After the furniture is placed, the accessories and books can be done, but allow yourself to take time with them. Let others help you. Young folks can stack the linens on the shelves and arrange the canned goods (you can always alphabetize later). Have a big folk do the unwrapping and final placement of furniture. Have another big folk wash windows and sweep the sidewalk and driveway. Have a sure-handed person unwrap delicate items. Have a strong person carry all the boxes of non-seasonal and holiday stuff to the attic [or where ever]. Put a kid in charge of wiping up fingerprints from the doors with the alcohol/water spray and a soft towel; same kid can wipe down the dressers, tables etc with a soft clean cloth. A kid can line the drawers and shelves. Put another kid in charge of [a copy of] the to-do list ~ pre-teens are great at this. Enjoy your new house.