I received the last package today so now the fun begins. Actually I have worked on it all along so maybe the sorting won't be as bad. I had a list on which I gave everyone a number. When their package came in, I put that number on each package of seed so I would not give someone back their own seed. Then I made a list of what they sent in for the swap and put it all on a spreadsheet so hopefully I don't send them back the same kind of thing they sent in. I have another list that shows what they would like to have (if I have it). Maybe I can make all of this work. Some of you sent seeds marked for Diane and I didn't do anything to them except look at them. Lucky Diane! Thanks to all of you for caring about each other. George sent a wish list with only herbs and flowers and since I had not included herbs and flowers in the swap instructions, his share will be limited, but he knows that. However, he was very generous in sharing his seeds with us. In return, please offer a prayer in behalf of he and his family as they are experiencing some employment trials at this time. Jay said he was sending a little box with a few seeds. HaHa It was not a little box, nor was it a few seeds. I have repackaged some of the bulk packs that he sent and he says he doesn't want anything back either. I am sending him a couple of things anyway so he can try Dawn's new tomato, and the cowhorn okra I traded for earlier in the year for him. Almost everyone sent more than the required amount and two people want little or nothing back, so we will have some extra packets that will be included in your package. Actually Diane, it hasn't been too much of a mess. I took out all of the packets and put numbers on them, wrote down what was in the packs, and returned them all to the original package. I did this as they came in then kept them all in a clothes basket. Today, however, the mess begins and I have my entire dining room table covered with seeds. LOL I have seen the variety of seeds that Dawn and Jay have, and we still have our own king and queen of gardening on this forum. LOL Now the fun begins....and I will let you know when to start checking your mailbox. Thanks for playing. Carol

Ouch!! You're painting Maple cabs?!?!? IMO...both ECO-primer & Eurolux-primer will be fine. They're both stated for use on wood, walls, etc. You shouldn't have any health issues with either one. Eurolux is "all-acrylic" primer. ECO is the "Waterborne Alkyd". I LOVE the ECO-series paint!!! >>> It's a tish more suitable for cabs. Yes...it's a Waterborne-Alkyd, but I couldn't even smell anything. It was a joy to use. Levels-off great if you don't overwork it. Check my thread for pics of the ECO-project I did on some thin wood trim in our entry. Faron

Buehl, please do! I was just trying to save something of use. I'd been checking the GW all night, turned my back for 15 minutes to watch the Health Care vote, and whammo! all the posts were gone. I kept refreshing, thinking, "This can't be!"

"Unfortunately, in too many professions (including mine), there are a host of untrained, inexperienced people willing to work for very little, and they muddy the market and can make it very difficult for the seasoned pros to earn a decent living." People have to start somewhere, as in any field. Most people can't hire the best, so there is a large market for those who are less experienced. The real problem is the "host of untrained, inexperienced people" who charge us high, professional wages simply because they are in a certain field, so charge the going rate regardless of their skill or experience. That is not the job ladder where I come from. Around here, you will also find GC's (expensive!) that employ cheap untrained laborers. So you do not get what you pay for. Now, if you're talking about paying even more than what people already pay (outrageous), not many people make the kind of money they could afford them anyway. The average American family income is only about $50,000. The real problem is that the construction industry really needs to have educational requirements, certification and strict regulations in place to stop all the nonsense that goes on. It really chaps my hide to hear people say we don't, or are not willing to, pay enough. I've heard this plea for more money a number of times recently. And by the way, I know highly educated people who feel the same way about this and wonder why some of these clowns are making more than them.