Thanks everyone! She is absolutely well meaning, and is definitely NOT a gardener! I will explain to her that it is not something I can keep, and the reasons why I can't. Shermann - unfortunately, there are a LOT of plants on the invasive species list that are sold at everything from Mom & Pop Nurseries to HD, Lowe's, etc. Here is the link that I use most often. The ones I could easily find today are the Barberrys, Privet, Euonymous, the Olives, the Jap Spirea, most of the honeysuckles and bittersweet (which I actually planted, but it didn't survive the drought 2 years ago and I will not replace it). Recently added, are butterfly bushes and bradford pears, both have been favorites of landscapers all over my area and have escaped and are crowding out the natural plants here now. Here is a link that might be useful: PA Invasives

excel spreadsheets? lists? rooms dedicated to wrapping? Sheesh that's far too organized for me. I thought just getting the ornaments organized by tree was a HUGE undertaking! For wrapping I use the desperately rushed, christmas is in 4 hours, need a bottle of wine approach. I spread out the entire mess of crap with a hole in the middle for me and the wine, and begin digging my way out carefully :p I actually am organized when it comes to the decorations though. I have one attic for trees, one for ornaments that go on the trees that are on the 3rd and 4th floor as well as the decoration, and then I store the decorations and ornaments for the first floor and second floor are kept on the second floor. Less hauling down (and up) stairs that way :) I also label the boxes for the appropriate tree which is helpful when distributing boxes around the house. WHile I can obviously see what's vintage and what's traditional as well as all the other themes of a tree through the plastic boxes, I don't know how many vintage go to each tree unless I put them in separate boxes. THat leaves me just enough ornaments for each tree without taxing my little brain. I wish I could apply that kind of organization to presents LOL I do actually wrap all but the Santa ones in advance (so that's the 23rd verses the 24th btw) and those can go out under the main tree. I have been known to buy the same thing more than once...perhaps that list idea is a good one LOL Gad a room dedicated to wrapping and holiday storage...well I'm a bit nutso over christmas (major santa barf is in EVERY room) so that would have to be a big big big room! But it's a lovely fantasy!

I like yours best, especially for a little 8 year old. I think a stanza with something like this might be helpful too: I know you'd like to be with me But God has a special plan for you - you'll see So do your best and happy be, I'm proud of you now and forever will be. I know when My GD lost her Daddy (my DS) at 8, she thought a lot about dying too.

Probably the most meaningful is from the song Caledonia: I have moved, and IÂve kept on movin Proved the points that I needed provin I lost the friends that I needed losin Found others on the way but seeing Desiderata reminded me of the Lampoon parody which I had not heard for a long time and although it's humorous, there's a lot of truth in there. Deteriorata You are a fluke of the universe You have no right to be here Deteriorata Deteriorata Go placidly amid the noise and waste And remember what comfort there may be In owning a piece thereof Avoid quiet and passive persons Unless you are in need of sleep Rotate your tires Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself And heed well their advice even though they be turkeys. Know what to kiss.....and when Consider that two wrongs never make a right But that three do Wherever possible, put people on hold Be comforted that in the face of all aridity and disillusionment And despite the changing fortunes of time, There is always a big future in computer maintenance You are a fluke of the universe You have no right to be here And whether you can hear it or not The universe is laughing behind your back Remember the Pueblo Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle and mutilate Know yourself If you need help, call the FBI Exercise caution in your daily affairs, Especially with those persons closest to you That lemon on your left, for instance Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls Would scarcely get your feet wet Fall not in love therefore, it will stick to your face. Gracefully surrender the things of youth, the birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan And let not the sands of time get in your lunch Hire people with hooks For a good time call 606-4311... ask for "Ken" Take heart amid the deepening gloom That your dog is finally getting enough cheese And reflect that whatever misfortune may be your lot It could only be worse in Milwaukee You are a fluke of the universe. You have no right to be here And whether you can hear it or not The universe is laughing behind your back Therefore, make peace with your god Whatever you conceive him to be Hairy thunderer or cosmic muffin With all its hopes, dreams, promises and urban renewal The world continues to deteriorate Give up You are a fluke of the universe. You have no right to be here And whether you can hear it or not The universe is laughing behind your back ...... The recorded version is better than reading it. You might recognize the voice reading it. Here is a link that might be useful: National Lampoon