I despise creeping charlie. It sends me into digging fits of rage...digging up established perennials just to eradicate the area of CC. HOWEVER, you can only get to the CC if you get get past all of the wild strawberries...ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! *LOL* When I first moved in 2.5 years ago I saw the little yellow flowers and tiny red berries and said, "awwww, isn't that cute". Ahem.... As for "real" stuff that I planted... Pink primroses..pretty when they flower but spread like crazy and look like crap most of the time. Lambs ear is pretty crazy, I have it growing MANY feet from where it started. I didn't plant it but I left it when I moved in and not IT'S moving in! Still, I love the fuzzy leaves. I have sweet autumn clematis eeeeverywhere. I love my huge "planned" vines of it that I transplanted but WOW, the seedlings are outta control and you can't ever get the whole root. I, too, have lemon balm, mint and ribbon grass. They get huge and rambling but I haven't had much problem with digging it up where I don't want it. The mint actually makes me laugh because I can't BELIEVE where it'll pop up! hehe

Thanks Susan! I knew I was in trouble when the nurse couldn't get the cannula in correctly. Then later when they went to add the steroid, it wouldn't work, so she tried my other hand - couldn't get it in and another guy came to do it. I have a lot of bruises on the backs of my hands. I have very thin skin on my hands but they usually do it there because of my rolling veins.

LOL Gayle maybe I'd better rethink? Susan I am already thinking of painting inside, and maybe a few other things. But NO remodeling I got that part! Wedding planner is great, I told her to get a notebook for now and jot everything down! The in-law and out-laws, yep seems every family has to have a few of each! :) SheilaJoyce, nothing is set in stone yet except the date and attendants! We are going to set aside a date here in January or Feb to go look at dresses etc. She found one online that she loves tho, and she is thinking fall colors, browns,golds,red etc. Errr Video? Oh lord another thing to think about! LOL Julie, dear Julie!! Its fantastic to see you here! I know what you mean, the first wedding of DD went so fast, it seemed like it started and was over in a flash. I will get more help this time and hopefully enjoy it more! Vikki I forgot about that! I hope you handle this better than me! LOL It doesn't take much to throw me into a tizzy! LOL Maddie is flower girl and Drew and Hunter will be ringbearers! I HAVE to get a family pic taken!! I don't have one! Here is a link that might be useful: Brdiesmaid dress she likes....right now anyway

1. The idea that competitive bidding a set of plans will save you money assumes you're able to play the game better than much more experienced players. Not likely. Architects will try to convince you that their many-splendored set of plans will safeguard against any overage, but once you've signed a contract, you're at the mercy of the contractor for inevitable changes as well as dealing with errors and omissions on the part of your architect. Yes, architects, like builders, are human. Both make mistakes. 2. There is no such thing as a "perfect" set of plans--at least not without infinite cost. Know that you won't be able to do the elusive "apples-to-apples" comparison. 3. Your architect doesn't purchase construction materials or trade labor as part of their day job. Don't look to them as the authority on what a home will cost to build, particularly in an environment of rapidly escalating costs. 4. No you don't have to go over your budget and you don't need a 20% contingency. You just need to align your expectations with your builder's and choose a builder who does a thorough job investigating the site and estimating. A good set of plans and specs goes a long way toward this end, but refer to nos. 1 ,2, and 3 above. Get your builder on board during the design phase. 5. The m.o. of many builders is to tell you what you want to hear--including the price you have in mind for your project. They'll make the necessary margin to stay in business by a combination of less supervision on your project, lower quality materials, lower quality trade contractors and not servicing your legitimate warranty items. Hey, who doesn't love a surprise? 6. There are professionals whose word is their bond, who value their clients and who take pride in their work. Their "brand" matters. They won't cheat you or do something less than their personal best. You just aren't likely to attract one of them by competitive bidding them against a pool of builders much lower down the contractor food chain. Explore alternatives to competitive bidding to get the kind of contractor you want. 7. HGTV is not a good resource; their shows should be aired on the Disney channel. 8. Consider that you're not the right fit for every builder. Be willing to at least entertain the notion that you may even be the "client from hell." 9. This entry has been intentionally left blank. 10. You don't need to be a subject matter expert in any/all aspects of residential construction. That's what you hire your builder for. Choosing wisely enables you to focus on your day job while you build a home.