My box arrived today. Hubby took it down the basement until I got home and things were nice and cool when I opened it. Darrin packed his box FULL. I couldn't believe how much he was able to put into that box. Amazing!! Keep in mind he went with a patriotic theme beginning with a nice note that included a poem he wrote. Job well done too. centranthus alba Iris (All night long?) rain lilies ranunculus anemone orange trumpet vine, (I have always wanted one of these and although I discovered one along the side of the ditch this year, I want one by the house.) Gladiolas, red and yellow Horseradish, can't wait to read up on this and get it growing. Along with the plants was Bag of tootsie rolls Hand sanitizer Strawberry marshmallow cream lip balm 2 notepads with flowers on the front notepad with a bluebird on the front, (I use a lot of notepads) 2 packages of Jobes fertilizer spikes, one for flowers and one for vegies Patriotic cushie for my cans two small keychain flashlights, handy!! Seed baggies Lady bug magnets a two pack of lipbalm Blue dolphin windchime Pocket phillips screwdriver, (keeping this away from hubby) Squirrel pot hugger, cute Plant markers AND a crocheted patriotic butterfly pin, (I am sure this is another one of Elly's creations. Be sure to tell her thanks for me Darrin) Thanks for the wonderful, wonderful box. I am going to keep it all wet and get it in the ground on the weekend. The temperature is supposed to reach 102 tomorrow so there is no way I am planting these lovely things now just for them to cook out there. Dan, I had one of the best times in this swap. Thanks again for hosting it. You did a super job. Margo

I have to add, though, that in the case of Oscillo, I had no faith that it would work. Although I've had some amazing results from homeopathic remedies (prescribed by a skilled homeopath), I've also experienced some that were duds--at least as far as my treatment was concerned. So I bought the Oscillo thinking it was an interesting concept, but definitely not expecting the results I got. I still can't say with certainty that all of my improvement was due to Oscillo, but I think it's a possibility.

I empathize with this thread. When DS2 was a toddler, we went on vacation and I noticed one morning he didnt look right. His eyes looked puffy. This triggered roughly 100 doctor appointments and diagnoses ranging from spider bite to some macular degenerative disease. When the puffiness spread so that in the morning he looked like the Michelin Man, and he stopped walking(because he was too heavy for his own little legs), and I was afraid he wouldnt be able to breathe through the night, I literally(and I know how to use this word correctly) SCREAMED at doctors. We got a diagnosis. There were a few bad years. There is lifelong disability, but he is strapping. I advise people to "let your Mama Bear out."

It has been interesting reading all of the comments. Who knew serving a plated meal could be so divisive? For small dinner parties with six or fewer guests (eight total diners), I usually plate the food. I am careful about food allergies, but not food preferences. If a guest doesn't like something, they can leave it on their plate. I've never had a guest not eat my food. Perhaps they just have good manners, but most of my guests have eaten at my house more than once. I assume they wouldn't come back if they didn't like my food or the way it is served. For large family gatherings of 30+, I serve buffet style, but I don't have a huge variety of food. There are usually two meats, potatoes of some kind, three or four vegetables and a salad. As, Martha said, I'd rather make a larger batch of an item than to add more items. I'm lucky in that I only have one friend who requires a gluten-free diet. When she is a guest, my kitchen is completely gluten-free to avoid even the smallest chance of cross contamination.