Monday isn't, as far as I know, Linda. The holiday is on Sunday and they weren't off on Friday, my SO, Cliff, is a postman :) So,tell me more about this school. Is it very expensive? Is there somewhere I can get more info on it? Is it nationwide or just in your area? I gotta run to the store and get some stuff. Cliff's Mom invited the children and I to Easter dinner and an egg hunt at her house. Neither Cliff nor his siblings have children, so she's pretty tickled to have mine as grandchildren :) I think she's more excited than the kids! I also know that his whole family is hoping we'll get married. It's very tempting, despite my issues after my last marriage. He and his family are so wonderful to us! Well.. maybe we'll see once he gets his divorce final.. odd story on that.. apparently Oklahoma is a common law marriage state and if you file taxes as married filing joint, then you're married, even if just living together, as he was for 7 years in his last relationship. I wasn't aware that H&R Block could act as a justice of the peace or licensed minister, but apparently it's so. He didn't really pay much attention to it when he filed his taxes last year (after they'd ended the relationship). But they told him again this year that he'd have to get a legal divorce if he wanted to file as single again. Considering he wants to present me with a ring in the next year (which he's already purchased and it's GORGEOUS!), that caught his attention. So,he's gotten it filed and since they had no children, it should be final in like the next two weeks or something. So.... and I'm still kinda shying on this.. well, if he pops the question, I'm probably gonna say yes. This man has restored not only my belief in good men still existing, but the kids' as well. They are all encouraging me to marry him and already calling him Dad by their own choice. So..hmm... we'll see when the times comes that he proposes.. it'd be kinda nice not to have to have two houses and everything.. and we've both gotten a good handle on debts from our last relationship.. anyway.. we'll see. Heh... there I go again, using this as a 'sounding' board. Sorry, sometimes it helps me to write things out, then examine it. :) Kathy

More info about the snake: (thanks Missing, for the NC snake website) *BLACK RACER* Coluber constrictor DESCRIPTION: Racers are large, relatively slender snakes known for their speed. They have rather large eyes, smooth scales, and in North Carolina are solid black as adults, although some have a whitish chin. As juveniles, racers are gray or brown with dark reddish-brown spots running along their backs. FEEDING/DIET: Racers do not constrict, but chase their prey down and swallow it alive. They eat a variety of animals, including small rodents, lizards, frogs, insects, and other snakes. ACTIVITY/BEHAVIOR: They are active only during the daytime and have very good vision. When out and about, they are very alert and often hunt with their heads raised above the ground. HABITAT/RANGE: Black racers live in a variety of habitats, but are often found in somewhat open areas where they can bask in the sun. REPRODUCTION: During June or July, the black racer lays 4Â31 eggs, which like its relative, the coachwhip, has small bumps like grains of salt all over its surface. MISCELLANEOUS: Although they are often confused with the black rat snake, the black racer can be easily distinguished by their smooth scales. Although racers will often aggressively defend themselves and will usually bite repeatedly if picked up, they do not chase people as is often claimed. When pursued, they often climb into bushes or trees to escape their would-be captor. Though they are fast for a snake, a person can easily outrun one on open ground. + Racer range map:

Besh! A happy belated birthday to you! I hope that you celebrate all weekend! Zig. I am cracking up about you and the DH's ideas on the perfect date! Donna, I have never had an "official" pedicure before. DD gave me a foot bath, a water filled foot massager with various attachments. I'll bet it was WONDERFUL! John, I hope you have a GREAT time camping and 'yakking. I'll be camping vicariously thru you and NH Suzanne. I am going to consider a solo camping trip as most of my friends are "camping weenies" and won't go. Please let us know how it goes. Raeanne, I'd like to be prepared to do both scenic touring AND white water kayaking. We have kayak demo days at the bay about 30 miles away. I have put different rigs in the water and tried a bunch of them out. What I haven't done is made up my mind.... :) I am also just "window shopping" right now. I will buy as a reward for a goal I have set for myself. Thanks to you and John for your yak stats. Oh! And CONGRATS on your loss! I am down 2# this week! I have had a rough few weeks here. I want to thank everybody here for standing by me and helping me out. I haven't gone into too much detail but I have really had to work on having a better attitude. I miss my DH. I also don't seem to "fit" in a lot of our old social circles as a single person. Even church feels a little awkward. I have called my mother in laws house several times just to hear his voice on her answering machine message.(he taped a message for her machine 2 yrs ago) Work has sucked... gotten blamed for other peoples incompetence and in my book, when we are talking patient care, this is unacceptable.I can't work like that. What I do, I feel, is a calling, not a job. Things have changed dramatically since I became an independent contractor. Still a lot of adjustments to be made. I have made a point of "fake it till you make it" and slowly but surely it has been working. I participated in the Cooking Forum swap and that certainly cheered me up. You guys are terrific. Thanks for all the emails and the phone call AND the accountablity. Don't stop now!! : ) Love, Tikanas

Make sure and wear a full mask and eye coverage and long sleeves. Get the most expensive mask at Lowes with filters. I have used the spray on my wicker and it works great. Will hold well if the surface is clean and intact. There is no protection from just being outside when you spray paint so don't be fooled. If you can smell the odor of the paint then you are breathing in the particles..think paint covered lungs !! I preach on this all the time on the forums and about 50% of the folks listen. It is worth the price of the protective equipment . You really got a great deal !! c