Cold damage. Vole damage probably would not kill a tree that has been in the ground five years, roots would be too extensive. I have a Chinese Tallow tree (popcorn tree) that I brought up here from S.C. It freezes back every winter, I cut out the dead and let it go. The bottom of the trunk is a nice sized tree now and the top growth gets a little higher each year. The larger stems do not die from the freeze. It is not a pretty tree because it is hard to shape with normal pruning. But, it did bloom last year, but did not have any fruit, maybe one year. One thing I won't have to worry about is it becoming invasive and taking over the woods! It is definitely too far north of its zone, but fun to watch from year to year. I figure it bloomed last year because of our mild winter. There is no way it should bloom this winter. The die back was about the worst I have seen in several years, we got down to below zero one morning. But, the tree is still alive and new growth is out, except in the very top of the branches. They all froze. They do have silverbells at The Arnold Arboretum. I don't know what cultivars they have, but it would be worth while for you to see what they have. Then I would make my decision on whether to replace or not.

Oh Cassie it sounds like you are in trouble! Cichlids are potentially large fish, and they are agressive. The good news is that most fish dont grow larger than their environment will allow, although this is not always true. I recomend you try to narrow the 10 you have down to 2 or 3 especially in a 10gal tank. This type of fish is very territorial, and depending on the breed, they sometimes pair up into a mating pair and reproduce like crazy...convicts are notorious for this. I had 3 of them and they had a new fry about every 3-4 weeks. Breeding makes them even more territorial and agressive. Cichlids need a place to hide...they like lots of plants (get plastic ones...they tend to dig up and rearrange live ones) and lots of rock "caves". They will stake claim to their "territory" and defend it, especially if there are eggs or fry. I don't know about any fish-specific rescue associations, andI am from OH, so I don't know anything about LA, but I recently had to get rid of very large oscar that came with a fish tank someone gave to me. He was too big for the tank (about 8") and not compatible with the other fish that were also in this tank. There is a nationwide organization called "freecycle" where you can GIVE AWAY anything that is unwanted and now "Oscar" has a new home in a 75 gal tank where he will be much happier. The man who took him is knowledgeable about fish and aquariums and I know he will take good care of "Oscar". You can find a Freecycle in your area at www.freecycle.org. On a side note....why did your friend get you so many fish for such a small tank?? Sounds like he isnt much of a fish person and not much help in this situation. Good luck.

Fear of rejection--it's the curse of everyone in sales! Minnie's advice is excellent--start with your friends and go from there. In fact, start with yourself, make the items as if they were only for you to keep, plan on keeping them, but show them to people when you have the chance (you don't say what they are, so I can't be specific about how to do this) but if say, you have a great new design for a purse--make it and use it as your everday purse. Make it in a couple of different colors and keep the spares in your car. If someone expresses an interest in your bag, go to the car and show them the others. Always know exactly what you want for the item, and be ready to talk about why it's better than anything else out there. Annie

I say prayers for everyone in that situation whenever I am reminded of them. Like I said, I was only at the blood center and the families and friends all touched my life. It was scary at times, especially when he had a fungal infection that was not responding to antibiotics. His flesh was coming off and they didn't know what it was until the culture came back. Once they got the right stuff treating it, everything turned around. That was the infection that delayed his transplant, but as I said, he is nearly ready to return home now and was able to drive out for the day on Thanksgiving. It was great. I wish I could be there in person so you could see and feel the hope. I'll send all I can by angel wings.