I second the message above. File a complaint with the police then take him to small claims court. Sue him for the max, about 5 grand, (which should reimburse you for the cost of the plants, your time for work done in the garden, and the health risk of turning your garden into a toxic waste dump. If you have children or animals, I'd keep them away from that guy and the chemicals he's dumping. Also, 6'high stockade fencing comes in 8' lenghts, cost anywhere from $8.00 to $12.00 (keep an eye out for sales from your local lumberyard) a section and are very easy to install. You just dig a hole for the post, set the post in, pour 1/2 bag quick concrete, (dry) pour water over it to set the concrete up, let it dry, then just top with the soil. Then you just nail the fencing to the post. As an added saftey measure against his chemical dumping, I would dig a trench about 2'-3' deep and 2' wide along the fence line, fill it with quick set concrete too. This way if he does pour more herbicide there's a concrete barrier to protect your plants. I had a friend who had to go through this and the court was 100% on her side. She got reimbursed for all the above and the judge even threw in the cost of the fencing and concrete expenses incurred because she had to resort to this to protect her property and the health of herself and her family. She now has no problem with the neighbor and has turned the fence into a pretty focal point in the garden by decorating it with birdhouses and little flower pots. Really pretty. I hope this helps you. If you are in doubt talk to the police about what action you can take. I'm sure that they will tell you, just like they told my friend, to take him to court.

I came home yesterday and have been mostly sleeping since. I feel better today than yesterday but its still kind of rough. I have my little netbook computer so I can follow the forum posts without getting up but my typing skills are not too good while I'm laying down so I'm not posting much yet. I've been paging through the May/June Fons & Porter quilt magazine and drooling over every page! The little retro tablerunner quilt on the cover is adorable and one I'll have to make! I already have several retro fabrics with cherries so I think I can put together a black/white/red/green version. I can hardly wait! Thanks for all the encouraging words. I know physical therapy is the most important part of my recovery and it's good to have that reinforced. It would be easy to put it off because it HURTS, but I know I can't. PT was supposed to start today but they can't make it until tomorrow, so I was a good little patient and had DH help me go through the exercises we learned at the hospital. I don't want even one day of delay. Hugs to all! Kate

Hi again cupajoe, I've said to many over some twenty years as a personal financial advisor, "Learning how money works is an interesting hobby - that pays well". Unfortunately, life and health insurance will cost you more, as well, if you're a smoker. Sorry to add to your bad news. Here's an idea, though. Write down the name, phone number and email address of everyone that you know, current, past, etc. Preferably on your computer, for ease of editing. Also, keep a backup, in case hard drive crashes. Write down all the info you know aboutr each: training, type of work, interests, hobbies, other interests, etc. Soon you'll form a habit of remembering such info when you hear it, then adding it to your database on return home. You can ask some questions here and there - but not so numerous and strongly that people will wonder whether you work for the FBI (if you're a U.S.er). When you need something in your life, some info, etc., go to your database to see whether someone that you know may have some relevant information to offer. Most folks like to be consulted about issues that interest them. If you know some funny little stories, tidbits of info that might be of general interest, etc. send out a message to the folks on your email list. Or to some of them, if you think some might be interested and some not. If you offer some helpful hints at times, people will come to look forward to your messages - possibly develop it into a newsletter. Soon some will contribute to the messaging system. If they value your info, when you ask them for something, they'll give it with alacrity. Next time you consider buying a new car ... don't. Nor buy a used car from a dealership, either. Check your database for "mechanic". Ask a couple of them for some basic suggestions to help you easily weed out poor quality cars offered privately. And whether they'd check out some candiddates for you that pass your prelimiary test. If they take one quick look, listen to the engine and tell you to get out of there with that piece of crap - pay them $10.00. If they check one out a little, pay them $20.00. If they like one that you bring and give it a fairly thorough check, give them $50.00. If you pay them $200. total to look over ten or so vehicles, and get one that saves one trip to the garage for repairs - you'll have saved more than the fee. Seven years ago I bought a little Dodge Colt, 1.5 litre engine, standard transmission, 138,000 km. (about 87,000 mi.) on the odometer from a mechanic friend, for about $2,700. Recently it turned over 300,000 km. (185,000 mi.). I've had to put a number of repairs on it, including replacing a cylinder head gasket recently that cost nearly half of my original cost. But I have enough confidence in it that I'm considering taking off on a 6,000 mi. journey soon, without fearing that it may give me trouble. That car owes me nothing. In the meantime - I've been able to put some money aside so that I can buy a replacement, when required, for cash. Renting money from someone else reduces my lifestyle. I will borrow money to purchase capital goods, assets - but not on consumer items. Yes, a vehicle is a capital item - but it deteriorates much faster than, say, a table, which may sell after a number of years for about what one paid (granted, in reduced-value dollars). Or a home, whose value may well increase over a number of years. In Canada, that increased value accrues to the owner who has occupied it throughout the period with no income tax liability. If you get a nice large ego-boost from driving around in a tin can that looks a lot like last year's model, and has drive train much like last year's - maybe you got a bargain when you bought a new car. My ego doesn't need that kind of boost, thank you. In travelling through a rural area the other day I saw a "Fresh Eggs for Sale" sign. Bought a couple of dozen, have one at home and one at recently deceased step-uncle's farm that I'm watching over till it's sold, where I often eat. They were really large - some so big that the carton labelled "Large" eggs sometimes won't close. So, in passing the other day I bought four more dozen - that I'll offer to neighbours - either at the $1.50 that I paid (reglarly over $2.00 in stores) or at a price part way between. Hope this helps with your problem. I'm afraid that I can't be of much further help - for smokers do love making those dollars - go up in smoke. Love ya, old pal cupajoe. joyful guy

Here's an even bigger hug Shelly!!!!! (((((((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))))))))) I know what you mean about how life can change so quickly. Our whole married life my DH and I have made about the same yearly salary which was great when we first got married and it was just the 2 of us, but not as great when you have 2 kids, mortgage, and you have to pay for your own health insurance. It was a struggle! When we merged our company, for the first time we were getting almost twice as much money, plus our health insurance was provided and we didn't have to pay anything except our co-pays!!!! That's why we ended up moving. We had a cute little ranch home (dining room part of the living room, small kitchen) so we finished off the basement and that is where we would have family gatherings. But 2 sisters and a niece were diagnosed with MS, my brother was in a car accident over 5 years ago and used a walker (at that time) to get around (now he is in a wheelchair), my dad passed away and my mom is getting older and it is harder for people to go up and down the steps to go into the basement. With our bigger salary, I always wanted a house with a dining room for entertaining so we bought a bigger house. I have a bigger kitchen, a seperate dining room and a family room which I love but it also came with a much bigger mortgage!!! When I was depressed I kept focusing on the fact that if we hadn't of moved our lives would be easier because the cut in pay put us back to what we had been making. After awhile I realized I can't change anything, we can't sell our house and get the money back that we put into it, we have great neighbors, we are in a better neighborhood than we were and I love all the room I have in my colonial! Normally I am upbeat and believe that humor gets you through a lot of bad spots. After 6 months I realized I couldn't change things so I just have to accept it and move on. It kills me that my kids have to help us pay bills but I am proud that I raised them right because they don't complain about it!!! My hubby does compressor repairs for some of his old customers so every once in a while he surprises me with a little cash and tells me to use it just for crafts, either garage sales or glass because he knows I enjoy doing them. Your hubby does sound like a wonderful person, I assume you have been married about 10 years or more? I've been married 27-1/2 years. I'm sorry you don't have a good relationship with your parents. Do you have brothers or sisters? Remember what they say, "You can't pick your family, but you can pick your friends!" I would say my family (I'm the middle of 5 kids...1 boy & 4 girls) was a lot closer before my dad passed away but that is a whole other story! LOL Barb