Last year, my first trading, I did over 80 trades, including many SASBEs. After a couple of round robins I had some seeds to trade and would offer to trade when I responded to the SASBE. Most did not want more seeds but some responded turning the SASBE into a regular trade. With encouragement from other posters I started collecting seeds which enlarged my exchange list. This year I have done only 20 trades as now have more seeds than I can ever use in my own gardens and share with family, friends and neighbors. I have also responded to a couple of SASBEs for specific seeds that I wanted. Occasionally I will initiate a trade after reading a posting regarding seeds that I would like. Bakeman, though I did not get seeds from your Newbie project, (I was no longer a newbie by the time I found out about trading) I do admire you for all the time and efforts that you spend in the Newbie Seed Project. Thanks to those of you who share your bounty through SASBEs. I have not offered general SASBE but have privately responded to those in need/Newbies to share, passing it on.

It has a little soil left from when I dig it up, but usually just a little moisture and sun gets them started. If you let them grow too much they may wilt or die, but if you get them to just start to sprout a little, they will be ready for planting and you wont have to wait for them to sprout in pots outdoors because they will already have some leaves coming up. They are also usually in zip lock bags which probably helps keep the moisture in too. Just watch out for mold. Good luck!

Hi Doc, Thanks for the thoughtful question. I am trying to walk again and trying hard to enjoy life after my husband's suicide, 53 days ago. Since his death happened after an incident of domestic violence in which I did not how to react, I am still confused. My doctor thinks that my husband could have murdered me and commit suicide. His son also thinks the same, but my heart is still in denial, how could this man who said he loved me ended up doing something like that. My recovery will not beging until I finish executing his will and take off from his children at all. My husband was a health professional, he was abused by an older cousing when he was a child, was a captain in Vietnam and had a very unstable life in every aspect you want to look at it. He had many lawsuits when he had his practices and after when he was working for others. The last complaint was about 2004 when I met him. He was introduced in the clinic I was a patience as a very nice man. The woman who introduced as in a blind date told me he had some health problem (stomach) and problems with his children, but he loved them very much. After dating 2 years I told him I did not wanted to continue the relationship because his grown up children did not respected me and he was also unable to draw the line between his girlfriend/fiance and the wife either. His daughter was 35 and his was 38 at the moment we married. They never left him alone. They always wanted something. His son was still living at the house when we got marry and he only left the next day we came back from the honeymoon. Since I was working in a different city during the week and coming home on the weekend, his son always managed to come and sleep in during the week. His daughter required the inheritance before our marriage and promised not the request anymore more after that. Unfortunately, she continued requiring money with different threats and strategies. Last years she obtained 13 thousand dollars from my husband and this year in March and April she came to the house to "live in " for two weeks expecting that my husband fixed her car and gave her a monthly allowance. She was briefly married between 2005-2006 and she was still requirind money. After many conversations and arguments we agree with my husband to give her an allowance of $400 a month. My husband was very depressed with all this situation, he felt bad about his children, he was worried about them, and he also felt bad about himself for not achieving more in life. Two days before dying he said I have worked 40 years and I have nothing. That was not true. He only saw life through a dark filter, he was unable to draw a line with his children. His son was convicted and jailed twice for DWI. Hi spent three years in prison. His daughter was on morphine for extreme pain that over 15 doctors could not diagnose. My husband considered himself a failure. Hw would not even like the blinds openm or get out to the porch on weekends. I really did my best. I tried to give him love, but the family system my husband had with his children was too big for me. His Psychiatric has been of great help in my understanding. My husband had a personality disorder, was ambivalent, had great anger due to the abuse and PTSD. In the last meeting his doctor told me that my husband only could love his children and no one else and that he was literally married to them. It's sad but I have to accept that there was no much for me in my marriage, that my husband was so sick that he could not see me, neither hear my pleads to save his life. He was totally decided to end up his life that day. After holding him for hours, he finally got one bullet in a gun a shot himself in front of his son in the backyard. I left the house and the city that same night. Two weeks ago when I was in the front of the house organizing things, his son showed up in the drive up and frightened me to the point that my body was frozen, rigid. The police told him not to come without my permission because I was in charge of the house.I called for help and there were no neighbors around.He left an intimidating message in my phone. Next day, my lawyer called the police and I file a complaint that was labelled harassment and family violence. So, How I am doing? I am trying to recover, I am trying to understand that my husband was sick and that his son is a danger to my own life. I am trying to execute the will and get out of this nightmare. I am so confused, sad and angry. I have not had the time to mourn my husband. The thoughest part is to be responsible for a vacant home with 82 guns that with the help of other people managed to storage in 2 vaults. My heart beats fast when I have to go to the house because he died there and because I am scared. I really hope I can recover. His clothes are still there, I think the end of this will be me resigning to my homestead rights and return the house to the children. Even 100 miles away from the house, I still can't sleep. Once in a while I take an anxiety pill, but every night I need a sleeping pill. My only consolation is that my husband's sister and her husband understand the situation and they told me they love me. I am alone in the US, only my children (medical and engineering students) are here with me. And you guys, have been wonderful in this forum. Sorry for the long posting. pucky

I too am doing well for the most part,hair has grown back and is down over my ears now,not as thick as it was b4,but i can handle that at least i have some.My feet still bother me,that burning,walked on glass shards feeling.However my biggest problem now is my arm,from what i've read on the cancer bd.it looks like i may have Lymphadema in it.I go see the dr on monday.It's swollen and hurts like he**.I can only type for a couple of minutes or use the mouse,so my time on the computor these days is limited,and also can't do any stitching,or sewing,Bummer!! But as they say,"This too shall pass". I've kept the 47 pounds off that i lost during chemo and am now on Femera for almost 5 years,so the weight loss is a Great thing!! Keeping those prayers and good thoughts going up for all of us. Kathi