Omigosh, I would love to find the latter basket on Easter morning! What a cute kittie! I'm sure your son loved his Pokeman goodies. I wish I'd stayed away from candy, but it's all locked up now :-) Did you notice the toothbrushes in their baskets?

Eileen, thank you, what a sweet and wonderful thing to do. I've been busier than a one handed wallpaper hanger to the point where I am throwing together easy to cook stuff for 23 people tomorrow night. College visits, summer planning. Need more time! A happy fast to all my celebrating friends!

I'm not sure *I* am turning out the way I had hoped! LOL. I only have one in that age group, and he's only 12. But I like him so far. I think I'll keep him. I want a growth chart for the emotional/personality stuff. We have check ups with docs and dentists, eye exams, even before we think something is wrong. Even teachers conferences and standardized tests to tell us they are learning the academics they should be learning, or if intervention is needed. So I think it would be very helpful to have check ups with a counselor of some sort. Not therapy exactly, just a set of questions, a test of sorts, to say yep, they are on the right track. To know that self confidence, responsibility, ambition, compassion... those sorts of qualities... are developing normally. It is so important to how kids turn out, but how do I know for sure it's happening along the way at the rate it should be?? I want that sort of check up. I'd rather their personality be straighened out that their teeth. But it's easier to find out their teeth are crooked. It's hard to be objective about the emotional stuff, so I need a chart. I'm only half joking. If there is a chart, I seriously want it!

Aurora - First congrats to you on picking a perfect guy to marry! I used to grow under lights, (and still have a set up for the coldest months down here) a piece of advice - make sure you set up a reflector, otherwise the majority of the light is wasted. I use LEDs made specifically for growing plants - but white light, not the red and blue (was too 1970s for me :) ) LEDs really are a bit different, but my plants do just fine under them. The one thing that is the most noticeable, is the light when you are looking down at it, doesn't seem as bright as fluorescents - don't worry it is giving the plants enough energy. It has to do with how human eyes "see" light. As for myself - although not a Christmas present, I finally was able to get some time with my hubby, and was able to talk him into something I've wanted (dreamed of, planned for etc lol) for a while now. We are going to have pavers put in in a large section of the backyard - and then I'm getting a nice sized pergola. So I spent most of yesterday googling pergola images, and I've decided what design I want. Will call the contractor on Monday, and I'm hoping to have it all done by March. And then during the hottest months, I'll run shadecloth over it, and it will be my new grow area. It should also be big enough for a hammock, and a small table and chairs. BTW - I was on Epiphyitca's site this morning, planning my new order, with all the new space I'm going to have. Happy New Year! Renee