Watergal, good for you. Which ones did you get - of those that are named? Post pix if they're blooming. I have the opposite problem. DH and I don't celebrate Valentine's Day. This year, though, he got me an orchid. Called up Orchids Ltd. Jerry Fischer answered. DH said, "Doomsday is upon us." Jerry laughed, man-to-man about the V Day thing. DH asked if there were anything I'd been eyeing. Jerry said he'd call him back. Next day, he called back and suggested Onc Twinkle 'Red.' No doubt, he looked at the record of what I'd bought there - musta taken him that whole day. :) Jerry asked about a card. Oh, yes, says DH, saying to write on the card "Another vegetable for the salad." Silence on the other end of the line. He lost Jerry right there. :) Ever since I exhibited some orchids in the Agriculture Bldg. at the State Fair, DH has called them vegetables. Before that, he asked if we could eat them. No. So, what good are they? The Twinkle is a lovely, full plant with 7 spikes..... and I wouldn't buy that large a plant today.... and I already have one that didn't come from O. Ltd..... and I hope it lives forever and ever because he gave it to me. So, Watergal, if your DH gotten you an orchid, it might not have been one you'd buy for yourself. Double-edged sword. Whitecat8

Nice story, lucky find! The first time is always the best. I never reared those myself but I would love to... to much moths in my house at the moment...lol. Thats so great that they all survived; must have been very encouraging for you! S.B.

According to my colleagues, who are licensed structural engineers, "...all concrete is cracked concrete." For the purpose of running structural calculations of mechanical concrete fastening systems. Manufacturers like Hilti publish load tables with data for cracked and uncracked concrete. The structural engineers go with the load ratings for cracked concrete for all applications. They say the uncracked concrete is just a hypothetical situation; it is impractical to engineer something to the minimum standard for uncracked concrete. This is because virtually all concrete will develop hairline cracks as it cures. It may take several weeks or months, but eventually the hairline cracks will appear.

He didn't come from a pet shop. He came from a breeder in PA who sold him to a kennel owner in my area. They now breed puppies there and have the mixed breeds. maltapoos, labradoodles, that type of thing. Anyway, we bought Cody when he was six months old. He has papers stating he's a maltese and even stating his parentage. However, at 6 months he weighed 10 lbs already. He doesn't have the smooth silky coat. It's somewhat coarse and very fluffy. I fell in love with him anyway and knew he needed us. (we found out later he was days from being euthanized for being too old). I could tell he spent most of his life inside a cage and maybe exercised on the floor of the kennel only, I saw no fenced in area. He acted so funny when I first put him in the grass. Like it was a strange feeling on his paws. He had no clue how give or take affection. He still after 3.5 yrs will cower a bit if a hand is raised too quickly to pet his head. I don't even want to give my ideas on that. He didn't have any major health issues just an ear infection that reoccured every few months. To this day, he does not like kids, strangers touching him. I haven't been able to help him with this yet. But we take him everywhere we can to get him around other people. As for his weight, I really did mean he's 15lbs. The vet says he's very healthy and thinks he's an Italian Maltese. Never heard of it myself. Although we saved him from almost sure death, I don't think I would ever go this route to buy a dog again. I was lucky that he adjusted as well as he has. He's very devoted to my husband and me. he's quick to learn and just a loving spoiled pooch. Oh, I almost forgot. We brought him home Nov. 7, he spent almost a week in a crate when we'd go out and at night. On Nov. 17 he was sleeping with us. Around 2 in the morning he woke me, I thought he had to go out. He didn't. I felt a little strange but I thought it was because he had just woke. I went back to bed and a little while later he woke me again. I got up again but this time my left foot felt like it was asleep. I got a glass of water and my left hand wouldn't hold the glass. I realized I was having a stroke. Cody must have sensed it and made me get up. The stroke was mild and I had a full recovery. Thanks to my puppy mill puppy. The papers I have for him are for registration with American Canine Association. Ever hear of it? Thanks for your time. Robin