Kay, I loved that bloom too. Kathy, Seems you're correct : ) Elizabeth, Lol, about the pot ghetto. I'm already looking forward to us going next year. I know Hilde is. She already emailed me about how we should plan for late July next year. Cindy, Lol, no, he only picked on me! Like lying that a $5 lily cost $200. He probably felt bad about the stray bag. Driving away without everything sounds like something I would do. I'm so glad you enjoyed your trip! : ) Oh and I did something dumb. I found my NOID daylily from a post I made about a week ago. I had purchase what was suppose to be Storm of the Century in a plant coop. So going through the field, there it is. I forgot to take a pic of the tag!! Here's a pic. Rita, It is not difficult to spend all day there even in less than ideal weather. NJMomma, I'm glad you enjoyed them. Remy

Lucy 2222, I'm glad that your credit card debts aren't at the usual high rates that they charge - usually 15 - 18%. That makes it much more difficult to get the amount still owing reduced, as so much of the regular payments must go to pay interest. If it's any consolation - store-issued cards are usually much more difficult to clear, as they usually charge 25 - 28%. I'm glad that you don't have any of them to cope with. If you can have the persistence to keep plugging away at the payments without getting the feeling of satisfaction that comes with getting one paid off fairly soon, I prefer paying the extra amount monthly, or at least most of it, on the HELOC, as it carries the highest interest rate. And if interest rates go up, it could be raised even higher. On a larger amount still owing. As credit card debt is unsecured, in case of serious problem, the credit card co. can hound you, but not take your house. As the people that carry the HELOC have secured debt, the loan being secured by a lien against your house, they could cause your house to be sold, if things go really bad with that one. That seems to me another reason to get rid of that one as soon as possible. Are the interest rates on the Visa debts fixed throughout the full term that the amount is owing? Sometimes they offer low rates, but that rate is for a limited period, e.g. a year or so, or even only a few months. After that, the interest rate becomes much higher. And usually if one doesn't make the full minimum payment, or the payment is a day late, etc., the rate goes to the usual higher rate immediately. I hope that you won't run yourself down into the dirt for getting into this problem. Lots of people have sort of wandered into a similar kind of a bind. It's really easy to get bogged down in debt - really easy: as you've found out. But while I ask that you not hate yourself for this mistake, I also ask that you be honest with yourself, and face the real issues and choices that you have made that are hurting you now. You have made a really good start, in recognizing the problem, and making a reasonable plan to get the problem fixed. A plan that is, according to your evaluation, do-able. As someone has suggested, I agree that it would be a good idea for you to get some information from the library to help you along the line of learning how debt works and how to manage it. It's really a situation where you gave yourself a pay cut - for, as you bought the goods that were more than you could afford on your current earnings, you set up a situation where you had to pay for it out of future income. Not only that, you had to pay rent on the money that you borrowed to buy goods before you had saved enough to buy them with your own money. That rent on the borrowed money is an expense to be paid in future , that you would not have had to pay had you been less impatient, could have waited until you could pay for the items out of your income at the time. After you get the loans paid off, please follow the suggestion offered above, of saving most of the $900. monthly to build an emergency fund to be available in case some unexpected but necessary expense crops up. When one has a such a cushion, it eases one's mind greatly. And can I offer a further suggestion? But that you go even one better ... get some materials that will help you learn how to manage your investments so that they produce better results for you than many obtain, plus reducing or deferring income tax, etc. In over 20 years as a personal financial advisor, I've told a number of people that learning how money works is an interesting hobby ... ... and it's a hobby **that pays well**!! Maybe you could retire early. Or retire a millionaire. Dream some great dreams ... but not of the castles in the air kind, but of ones that can be brought to pass, with increasing skill, effort, some self-control, and persistence. You can do it - and when you need some advice, or support, or to cry on someone's shoulder - come any time. We want to see you succeed in this noble enterprise that you've chosen. Good wishes for getting these debts whittled down. ole joyful

This is so awesome!!! You are so generous to post and share! I am trying to figure out if these are the same recipes from a magazine that my late mother bought me a subscription for when I got my firsta partment in 2001. The only recipe I have handy s is the Secret Chocoalte Chip Cookies (still a hit). I'm tyring to find the lasagna recipe...it was like "Grandma's Best Lasagna" or something...had cottage, ricotta, parmasean, and moz cheeses. I had so much fun with these magazines, and exploring the recipes each month was such a great way to learn how to cook!! Thanks again!

Thank you all bunches for the feedback on the border idea, I think that is what I will do then to keep it simple 6" forest green strips on sides and 6" x 6" blue squares in the corners. I love my parents, and I know they will love this quilt and it will be kept in the family for generations to come. My dad was hoping I would have it fully quilted by this Christmas, but I am no miracle worker. Later this fall after I get some projects cleared off my desk I will cut and hand-sew the border on. Then I plan to store it until closer to late winter/early spring and then start the hand-quilting of it. Ideally I would like to give it to them as their 2014 Christmas present. Best to you and thanks bunches, Sandra