Ohhhhh, how beautiful. All the detail in the larger photos shows how much I missed the first round. WOW. Everything is beautiful....house, decor, decorations, yard!! The blue and white on the coffee table is so pretty. What I especially love is all those high ledges you have to decorate! I'd be in heaven putting stuff 'up there'. Tho hopefully in Florida you don't have to deal with the dust we do in Phoenix! That's the only bad thing about me liking stuff everywhere. LOL. hugs, Karen

Vickey-MN, my feeling is contrary to that of so many. To me, true friends are far more important than family. Sharing a gene pool means nothing if they are slimeballs. Sometimes the gene pool needs some chlorine and you're just the person to give it what it needs! You know right from wrong and you have not only the courage to stand up, but actually HAVE stood up for what is right, even to your own detriment. I first said "possible detriment", but changed it. You have been damaged. I know how it hurts you to take sides against your family. Oh, how I know the conflicting feelings. I'm sure you've shed more than a tear and had some sleepless nights over this. I'm sure you've had an upset stomach or something too. Doubtless your blood pressure doesn't need the strife. But I also know how good you must feel knowing you're doing what's RIGHT. And that takes guts that few people have. What really makes me respect you Vickey-MN, is that you don't just take a quick view, form an opinion and go off on it. You've agonized over it, you've considered it carefully. You've rationally reasoned out that there's other possibilities. You've weighed the evidence and made a calm and logical decision. Not a lot of people do that. Though we have never met, I feel confident that you are doing the right thing. You're following not just your mind, not just your heart but both coupled with logic. So, hold your head high. Stand tall, be proud. You are a rare person and one of which this world sorely needs more. Not just a hug here, but a pat on the back to ya! I know that what you're going through is not easy. But hang in there. You know you're doing the right thing. You wouldn't do it otherwise. And your friends know you're doing the right thing too! Have a great week and don't let the stress make you forget to change your clocks!

Best halibut I ever tasted was at The Sea Chest in Cambria, CA. DH was the wine and liquor salesman at the time and we were up there letting the owner have a wine tasting. Just before the tasting was over, a local fisherman had come in with a 40 pound halibut he had just caught and wanted to sell it. Owner bought it, the cook cleaned the fish and grilled some of us. I bet the fish hadn't been out of the water more than 30 minutes. Yum! (And, no, I hadn't been tasting any wine.....was the designated driver, as always.)

get over to the fruit forum real fast ... because of time constraints .... get him a gift cert from the best seller recommended in that forum ... there are very specific planting times ... and it usually has nothing to do with xmas.... but that might not be that big an issue in your zone .... this way.. he can do the research ... and find what he wants ... they arent the best trees ... with 4 kinds on one tree ... but they are fascinating.. for a newb ... and while they last ... part of the problem.. is that all 4 varieties may not bloom at the same time.. so there might be pollination issues .... and that is why you really need the experts in the fruit forum .... clay soil is irrelevant.. see link for planting guide and dealing with clay soil .... though the fruit nuts might argue with that ... as they do things differently than us tree peeps ... let him enjoy the whole process... from choosing... thru everything ... good luck ken Here is a link that might be useful: link