This spring I had 2 variegated weigelas that died. Later, just as it was about to bloom (late May), I had a rose of sharon that died. A section at a time. Now in July another weigela, red one, is dying. A section at a time. All of these bushes had been here for more than 10 years. The weigela that is dying now bloomed profusely this spring. What is going on? All were in my back yard. None with any direct north wind. The 2 that died in early spring were right off the patio and the rose of sharon and other weigela are along the back fence some 20+ feet away. Makes no sense!!

Matthew Cowles played the villain known at Billy Clyde Tuggle... He was what I always thought of as a truly funny villain... what a nut...he always made me laugh... I used to watch AMC all the time from the time Susan Lucci was a teen... and only have it on in the background now and then.. but love watching the old timers and how their story lines go. Wonder if Erica will run off with Caleb?? LOL

Such happy news, Fran! Congratulations! You sound so happy in your post. Good to hear you're getting back into quilting... it's hard to find time when so many changes are taking place. That special man might just need a special quilt just for him! Hope to have you more involved here, again! You were definitely missed!

Both of our kids were miracles and because of that, I probably looked at being their mom a bit differently, as I was beyond grateful to be "gifted" with each. I was told in my early twenties that I'd probably never be able to get pregnant, due to severe endometriosis. Bad enough to have had two surgeries and several procedures for it. Sixteen months after we married, we were presented, out of the blue, with the opportunity to do a private adoption. The baby was due in 3 months, so a decision had to be quickly made. We said yes, and our beautiful son came home to us the day after he was born. We were madly in love with him from that first moment they put him in our arms. He was a mellow, easy, happy, very affectionate toddler and little guy to parent. Such a joy! But, that said, I'm the oldest of nine kids myself so being around young children was second nature to me. Anyhoo, nine years later, I was totally floored to find myself pregnant for the first and only time in my life! But, at 5 months. I developed preeclampsia. At 6 months it was severe enough that I was put on strict bedrest. At 7 months, I went eclamptic and our tiny 2 lb 14 oz daughter was born by emergency C-section. She spent her first 2 months in the NICU and it was a very frightening time for us. Right before my physician took me to the delivery room, he told my DH and myself that I would never live through another pregnancy and highly recommended that he tie my tubes while doing the C-section. We agreed and that was it. So, with each of my kids, I pretty much loved and appreciated every stage of their lives. Both are natural born leaders, and did very well in school. Thankfully, both were easy teens to parent, with no drug, drinking or discipline issues. DH and I are pretty mellow parents, and both our kids did like spending time with us, although they were active in sports and had good, close friends as well.. College years were also easy for them and for us. Both attending DH's alma mater, the University of Oklahoma, which is about 8 hours away from us, so we didn't get to see them as often as I would have liked. Now, DS is 34 y/o, happily married, and living in Augusta, Georgia, which is where his very specialized career took him. He's now the boss of his own group/office or whatever they call it, which makes him very happy but it also makes it more difficult for him to get away long enough to fly home very often. I very much envy those of you whose adult children live close by! And DD, at 24 y/o, is in grad school up in Colorado. Like me, she's an organizer, with her home and with her friends, and seems to be always the one planning outings for her group. So she stays very busy, but we have a happy, close relationship and she calls me pretty much every day just to chat. DS calls us about once a week. If I had to choose the best time, though, it was those years when we were all together at home still. Before DS went away to college. I miss having my son and daughter close by!