Nancy, I think Rick hits it on the head when...with all due respect...you're kinda missing what people are trying to say to you. First, I suspect that you were just wanting to vent your frustration about being unable to secure the purchase of all the daylilies you wanted. We can all relate to that. Anybody that's done any kind of shopping for daylilies has run into plants being sold out. I would, however, take a step back and not ascribe negative motives so quickly, especially publicly. Experience in other areas does not necessarily translate into this venue. I heard about a sale and emailed the seller immediately with some choices. It was over a week before I heard back. Of course, the ones I wanted most were sold out. I simply said, "no thanks". Easy as that. I didn't get steamed over it. I suspect that those who visited or called got first priority. The lesson to me was to call, next time...if I want it that badly. Oh, and that was a good seller, someone who sends wonderful plants. Stuff happens. Another thing to consider is that if, say, you called and confirmed availability of certain daylilies, I'd recommend paying right then...either by credit card or paypal. If those options aren't available, I'm overnighting my check...if I really want this daylily. Because, unless you have a long and established relationship with a seller, how do they know that you really will get that check right in the mail? Why do you think there's the expression "check's in the mail"?! I bet virtually every seller can tell stories about people who don't do what they promise. So, if they get a chance to sell it and someone is willing to pay right now, who do you think they're going to sell to? Now, if they took your money and months later contacted you to say they didn't have it available...then, I've got your back there because that's not right. Once they cashed that check, to my mind, we have a contract. I should point out that on the LA you, in essence, have a contract and a guarantee of a plant. None of that's in play when someone just calls or emails or whatever. Something else, take a look around at this forum. Notice the ads that run. This is a very high traffic forum. It may feel at times like it's a small group of folks, but don't let that fool you. It is very public and very open here. So, don't be surprised when people take up for their friends. I would expect no less. Many of us do consider a number of sellers of daylilies to be friends because they're not in it for the money (you've read some of Bob's posts, surely!)...and the longer you play in this hobby, the more you'll appreciate just all the effort that goes into it...and the more you'll get to know people yourself. People say things, usually because they just don't know (although they think they do), that I can guarantee in a few years...when they realize...that they'll wish they could take back. Count me in, for instance, on that issue of postage...remember that one? I'm the one who said sellers don't charge enough. I came to that because when I actually did it...I found out just how hard and how much work it was. Opened my eyes! Of course, if you would have had asked me some eight years or so ago, I probably would have said...then...that yes, shipping is high...ha. Little did I know! I thought I knew, though... Something else I didn't get was your mentioning having to add 10-20 daylilies to at least meet the minimum. Huh? Some sellers do have minimums but it's usually like $35-$50...which, as we know, goes pretty quickly with just a few daylilies. What did you mean? Many sellers don't have minimums...but, I can certainly understand those that do...see above and postage, etc....it's just not worth most people's time for $5 or so. For me, when I look at someone's daylily offerings, I don't ever assume that it means those are all available right this minute. I'll make my choices and then contact them. We'll see what we can work out. It's a fluid thing and many things influence it. I've been to daylily farms and made choices after looking at display beds...and they're out of some. I don't get mad about it. I either try to find it somewhere else or I might ask them put me on a list for next year. Whatever. You sound like a very organized and together person...and that's great! I'm one of those people who has trouble keeping a spreadsheet up to date, so you can see why I wouldn't be able to get listings up to date! Shoot, I don't even have last year's photos organized (don't even ask about previous years) and it'll be time to start taking this year's before I know it. I just do the best I can...and try to enjoy the process. Down the road, it might be nice if some of my seedlings do something spectacular...and maybe even a few will be worthy of registering...and even, who knows, selling. But, gosh, I hope people would give me the benefit of the doubt, if something should ever arise. So, that's what I try...I'm just human...to remember when something happens to me. And happen it does, you know? Hey, it's okay...keep hunting (maybe start earlier...you got that, right?)...save some money from this year, if that's an issue...and use it to do your buying this fall. You did say at one point that you didn't have the money to just buy at will or something like that...but then, you did mention some big numbers like 1k or 2k....that's why I thought that maybe you might just tuck some away....visit and learn some more...and make some even better choices this fall. That's the thing, you just always keep learning things about daylilies...and what you thought you just had to have this year...in a year or two, you'll want something else. Better luck with your next orders!

That turned out great Anj. I'm so impressed by all the details. I like the "water" and the rocks and the working drawbridge--awesome! The "straw" on the roof, and the banners and knights and horses and all the other equipment really adds that realistic touch. I still remember being very impressed with the other one too. Tell DS it turned out great--and that's saying allot because cardboard is NOT that easy to work with. Luvs

Rosie: When I was growing up, my mother made me clean my room, help with the cooking, clean the kitchen after dinner and other miscellaneous chores (my mother didn't work). I did not however, mow the grass, scrub the floors, do the grocery shopping, wash the families (6 of us) laundry, help the others with their homework, pay the bills, plant the garden (although I did help weed and pick the vegetables), maintanin the cars and other household appliances. My mother worked very hard at home raising 4 kids while my father worked 12 hours, 7 days a week at Fords to provide for the family. I also went to school and got very good grades, participated in the band and played softball in the summer. At the time, I thought she was the meanest mother in the world, but when I got married at 20, I found out that I had no problem keeping a house, working full time, going to school at night and eventually having children. I was capable of doing all this because my mother prepared me for adulthood. I am very gratefully for that now. Take my stepdaughter for example. I entered her life when she was 15 (she is now 18). She lived with her mother for a few months in the beginning, but decided she preferred to live with her dad and I (and my boys)full time. She did not assist me in any way with anything to do with the house, but was very demanding about being driven here and there and asking for money as if it grew on trees. I asked for her help ie: taking her own dishes off the table and putting them in the dishwasher, etc, and she said she shouldn't have to do that because her mother made her do those things when she was 4 years old. This seemed to be a common excuse which her father and grandmother (who lived with them for 4 years) says did not happen. I didn't want to be a b**chy stepmother , so I didn't press the issue. She was getting good grades in school and was a cheerleader so I figured her time was better spent on those activities. Big mistake!!! She is now 18 and can't even make it out of bed for a 10:00 class at college. She has been late for work many times because she "just slept in" (I can't believe they haven't fired her). Her claim now is that she is 18 and is legally an adult and we cannot ask her to do anything. She began college in September and has now dropped out because she cannot balance, work (20 hrs wk), school 4 classes and socializing with her friends. She demands to be treated like an adult,but was never made to accept any responsibility, so she doesn't know how to act like an adult. I firmly believe that if she had been made to be a part of the family and take responsibility for helping in the running of the household, she would be better prepared for "adulthood". So now we have a disrespectful, inconsiderate, lazy 18 year old in our house that causes a terrible disruption to the rest of the family. How am I supposed to teach my boys how to be proper, respectful, considerate young men when they have an example just the opposite in the household? We have now thrown away $2500.00 in college tuition (which we can't afford) and she has forfeited a $2500.00 MEAP scholarship. What a waste!!! But let's not forget, she has lots of time to socialize with her friends now!!!!! That is really going to get her far in life. Kids need to know that life is not easy and having them help around the house is not going to cause them any harm.

I had a case of 'walking pneumonia' when I was a young healthy 19 yr old. I was living alone renting a room over a store, working a job, and attending college in a work/school coop program. I knew that something was amiss in my lung area, but being a young squirt with little cash, I thought I could tough it out and that it would get better, like a cold or flu. That did not happen. When I bent over while playing ping pong, I felt like something was loose around the bottom of my lung. After ice skating on a park pond, I walked to my room and went to bed. A 4 am, I awoke with an awful pain in my chest, became nauseous, and had difficulty breathing. I sat on the edge of the bed and leaned over because that seemed to be the most comfortable position. I sought medical help as soon as business opened that morning. The verdict: pneumonia and lung collapse. I could have died. The bottom lobe of one lung had collapsed and 1/3 of the other lung had a partial collapse. The Doc shot my rump with a double dose of penicillin and ordered me to go to a hospital. I rode a Greyhound Bus back to my hometown where my parents lived and entered was hospitalized. I was there 3 days while they monitored my lung because if the lung did not refill and re-attach, surgery would be needed. After 3 days, I was sent home with a week's amount of pills and was told to lie around, do no heavy work, and periodically perform a lung exercise to aid re-inflation. I wondered why I was so groggy and sleepy much of the time. I did a lot of daytime napping and that was not normal for me. It worried me a bit and made me wonder how long it was going to take to get better and regain some pep. After a week, I took the last of a little white pill - and then I woke up! It had been a sleeping pill. The label did not identify it as such. Among other pills, the Doc had given me sleeping pills to insure that I did not feel like going outside for activities. My advice: If you got pneumonia, do not mess around. Get medical help. It is too dangerous and your lungs could be damaged beyond repair.