I have found it very difficult to do a self cross and sib takes for me are rare. I used to attempt both but don't waste my time on them anymore. My results turned out like my dad said they would - 'a race of idiots.' Really, most of them produced grassy type foliage with flowers on spindly stalks. I was pleasantly surprised with the growth and bloom on Ring Around Rosie. She has wide foliage and is a sensible grower. Rick introduced quite a number from that cross so it turned out to be a good one for him. I do mix up grandkids and cousins though. Thinking back, weren't Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt cousins? Walter Moores

Boxo, I was going to race back and recheck for AD photos, but my Memorial Day was actually done around 1:30 a.m. before I had to crash out and get ready for the Memorial Day trial. Eluane got a Lord-Blessed Miracle 1st Place. As soon as I get a breather we'll be posting her photos. It was sooo cute because she did not want to leave the competition when everyone had already packed up! She looooves the agility comps and practicing and pulled against the side of the leash and smashed her whole chest against the floor with sad eyes, and head against the floor, not wanting to leave, I was so shocked- if only I had my camera with me!!! it was so cute Boxo. Anyway, I only have a few nice blooms going because my baby roses are hating the heat and won't open up properly in the actual blooming stage. Your Don Juan will have to help keep me from going insane with my DJ, haha! But Climbing Okie has taught me to sit down and stop my Belly-Achin' haha! I am enjoying DJ's fragrance but geeee I hate our blasting suns roasting the blooms. We are having drought and heat sooooo early (2 months ahead of schedule) but I'm sure you'll get some nice weather once your niece's baby shower begins! The Garden will be SPECTACULAR! Be sure to post your favorites so we can celebrate at our Gallery and many congratulations to both sisters! One for being a Mom, the other for being an Aunt! Yes, Boxo, I do remember you not having children, but what a Blessing you've been for your nieces- your "daughters", really and truly! Many Hugs and will talk soon. I'm so thrilled to be back STALKING AD, and he still has fabulous timing! I will never forget what a gorgeous bouquet he made on my Birthday too, haha! That year was a real bad year for me gardenwise and you really helped cheer me up with AD!!! So I know for sure he will indeed go full blast and make a Gorgeous Present for your nieces on the Baby Shower Event too! And yes, I can't wait to see the red companion roses going with AD! :D Oh, so yummy, on the Korean barbecue...James also loooves Korean barbecue ribs. Eluane wants the cartilege ends! and is wagging her tail at the very thought!

I have been all over the web, and I see the same questions regarding the numerous EMS (Electronic Muscle Stimulation) units that are currently being advertised on TV infomercials. You are going to be disappointed in the units , primarily because the start working, and you see results, then they fail. I'm convinced this is due in part to a scheme to enhance additional purchases of "conductive gel, centerpieces, batteries, etc. I made the following post on healthcom.com regarding these units, and the usefulness of EMS. Hopefully reprinting it will be of some assistance. The answer is EMS, electronic muscle stimulation does work, however a lot of those "high profile units" do not. I sincerely believe that there is a failure rate scheduled into the product, requiring you to make additional purchases if you wish to continue using the product. Prime examples would be abtronics, abenergizer, fastabs, etc. Abtronics was the biggest disappointment, and had the highest purchase price. For anyone interested in a little more information on EMS possibly the following will help to answer some questions. EMS has been around for some time, but was really brought to light after the 1972 Olympics when the USSR swept up a basketful of gold and silver medals. EMS was reportedly used on Soviet athletes with benefits reflected in the medal harvest. Since then, numerous research studies have been performed using EMS. Increases in strength, muscle size and athletic performance have all been attributed to this technology. Even claims of improved cardio-respiratory efficiency and reduced body fat levels have been made. EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) uses electrical current to stimulate your muscles (passive exercise). This electrical current is similar to the electrical impulses produced by the brain to stimulate muscle tissue (active exercise). By placing the pair of pads on a particular muscle group, your muscles respond to the impulses that are generated by contracting and relaxing rhythmically as instructed by you through the unit. When a muscle contracts as a result of a unique EMS/TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) signal, the chemical changes taking place within the muscles are similar to those associated with voluntary contraction in "normal exercising". These chemical reactions which result from muscle contractions utilizes glycogen, fat and other nutrients stored in the muscle. These resulting series of muscle contractions will enable an individual to tone, strengthen, and combat flabbiness while improving contour. If you should experience an immobilizing injury, as we all have at one time or another, EMS use can effectively reduce muscle atrophy and prevent large-scale losses in the enzymes responsible for energy production in both slow and fast-switch muscle fibers. In addition, regular EMS use during immobilization improves nerve-muscle interactions necessary for a speedy recovery. As you can see, EMS use is a variable tool in bodybuilding training and has a positive influence on muscle strength and muscle growth. EMS can be used to enhance recovery from bodybuilding training or injury. Increased blood flow to the muscles helps to deliver nutrients necessary for recovery and subsequent growth while the pumping action (stimualtion/relaxation action of EMS training) helps to remove waste products, mainly lactic acid, from these muscles. If you are really serious about purchasing an EMS/TENS unit, save your money for a while a purchase a really good one that will last, and that has a prolonged guarantee to stand behind it. There are any number of excellent units out there so take your time and search around here on the web before spending your money. Check out a couple of the following: http://home.san.rr.com/backstore/ems4000.htm http://www.tens-store.com/ems/ems-faq.htm http://www.4dnet.com/~janne/ems.htm http://www.a1painproducts.com/ems_electronic_muscl.htm Just don't get taken by the infomercials, which happened to me. Remember, you get what you pay for.

Hello I have tried the Igia Elctro Sage 8 and they dont know any more about the product than the people at AbEnergizer. There video you can buy for free but you pay the shipping. What a joke that is. I have emailed customer service at AbEnergizer. Here are some of the questions I emailed them. Of course I never really got the information I wanted. Q: What would the reason be to use 3 to 4 AbEnergizer units as opposed to 1-2 units. What are the benefits to it? If I ordered these two units how much extra for shipping and handling. Ans: It will of course generate increased stimulation, thus providing a more intense experience, hence its designation of advanced. Q: What is the part number (battery number/model) for the (3) 3 volt Lithium Batteries. I called the battery store and they said they range from $2.99 and up. Ans: I am not aware of the part number. I am sure they vary with manufacturer. Q: I asked if I had to replace any parts on this product and you told me no but did mention that I am entitled to two free replacement belts. Please tell me a little about that. (They gave me the wrong phone number so I had to email them back to get it, Goog luck trying to get through to Customer service) Ans: For further information regarding belts, please contact 1-866-517-ABS I recently had back surgury so I am game for just about anything if it will help relieve the pain. I figure the most I loose is shipping from and to so I guess that isn't to bad. The bigest problem I see for me is that the batteries used are 3 3 volt lithium batteries. It would of been a lot cheaper just to use a 9 volt battery. If you don't have a lot of money like me you can go broke just buying batteries. I did find a web site that explains about how long the batteries will last and some common questions. Here is the link http://www.energize-abs.com/main.htm There website is still under construction. www.abenergizer.com and doesn't really explain anything more than what the info commercial does. I will probbaly order this just to see if it will help with my back pain. I was originally going to buy the Abtronic belt but I like the design and look of the AbEnergizer better. Well good luck. Michael