This country is so into an over abundance of laws in all areas of modern life. It is becoming impossible to be a law abiding person. We can't keep track of them all. I just learned that it was $150 fine for not turning ones brights off accidently. This concept of changing to a white list was supposed to be for nurseries shipping in and out between Canada and the USA. All natives were not on the white list. So there was to be no trade of native between countries. What was weird about that white list was that Whole plant families were Xed off of the White list for no reason at all and only 12th of known plants were on it. It had only the normal trade type plants and nothing very unusual. I took Sally Waszowskis book on gardening with Texas natives and over 2/3 of the plants mentioned were not on the list. I looked and many invasives were on the list. It was crazy. I am amazed that this concept of White list versus Blacklist is becoming the norm. One gets lost in the detail and can not focus on the true problem plants. I am really concerned that I won't be allowed to grow my natives. It was not originally to be turned on the populous but be a import export vehicle. A way to control the professional growers. I agree, it seems so arbitrary , so draconian and unenforceable. We are now all possible criminals. Guilty till proven innocent. That Ruella (chi Chi ) is a monster. I got hit in the I eye by some seeds. I won't be sad to see that one go. Some plants should have warning labels. The fact that we make plants illegal that are inhabitants of this world shows how nuts we have gotten.

Aww thanks for the wishes! This is really a special group of people who became friends. My DD asked my today if she thought we would ever all meet and I told her that I thought we all probably would. We seem to be that type of group. What fun we would have! The town would not be same! NOW...DeeMarie's gifts were WONDERFUL and perfect! The first gift I opened was a BEAUTIFUL scarf that looks great with my black jacket. I wore it today. The next gift was a small red purse. I LOVE IT! Once again, DeeMarie you were right on. I would have picked out something like this for myself. The last gift I opened was two books about ITALY! Now I really need to go and visit. The photographs were gorgeous. Thank you DeeMaire...your gifts were great. I had a great birthday as I am entering my last year of the 40's. I was able to have all my children with me today. My DS came in from CA and my other DS came home from school and ofcourse DD was here too. I have not had all of my kids with me since I moved to Chicago. It was truely a memorable birthday. The SO is planning on buying me a brithday gift that will cover this birthday and next. We have been looking at very sparkley things...Has anyone ever been a Movado store?? They are well known for their watches but OH MY GOSH they have the most beautiful jewelry too. I really like jewelry that you don't see in every jewelry store. I like white gold or platinum and they have 18kt white gold. I was drooling..so we shall see what happens. So thank you again for your birthday wishes and words...BJ you have a way with words...thank you! Catch you all later and thank you! Gretchen

Over the years I learned to make my own chain’s lengths form chain stock and used or new chains (due to expense and dirty wood causing premature wear). I learned to match chains with my sprockets or change my sprocket. There are kits with some common sprockets at the address below. I purchased Laser Tip Bars that had no sprockets that cost more but paid for themselves due to no sprocket (they Last and Last). <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Bars with sprockets will last if they are cleaned, greased and oiled “Regular”. Cutting green wood makes a big difference if you have a choice in cutting volumes of Firewood. Noticing that you have good chips from a sharp chain helps “ALL”! Attached is a good and bad fit of a chain to an open sprocket. On a closed sprocket as in the link attached below, the chain should show a common fit and rest on the diameter of contact. Plus, the electric saw is no longer self sharpening with the stone that has been removed as that style chain. http://www.oregonproducts.com/pro/products/sprockets/sprockets_powermate_system.htm

Patty or anyone else. Do you happen to know when they will be back from vacation? I got a gift certificate, but had trouble using it, so he's going to put my order in for me. I asked him to write me a email to let me know when he got it done, mostly so my mind would be eased and I would know that I got my roses. This was around Dec. 27th or so. I have tried calling the last couple of days with no luck, so I figure they haven't made it back yet. I was wanting to add one if it was going to be one they put back in stock and ask a question. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone knew when they were planning on coming back from vacation. I wish I could afford one as long, lol