Hi everyone, I haven't visited the forum much lately and boy have I missed alot.... Dorothy, so glad to hear Susan's surgery went well and that she's recovering nicely. Kym/Flwrs, my first try at WS has gone pretty well. I've been transplanting on/off for the last few weeks. I had started over 150 jugs of seeds. Finally planted the last of the annuals/veggies a couple of weeks ago. So far I've potted WS sprouts of Broom corn, castor bean, various hibiscus, coleus, desert willow, Tx. bluebonnets, milkweed, tons of Joe pye & nasturtiums, I even had two Red Delicious Apple seeds that sprouted!!! I still have alot of sprouted containers left to pot up (columbine, hosta, lupines...) but most are still small for transplanting yet. Our warmer, zone 8 climate sure helps things sprout fast! The boys and I are visiting our first local plant swap this weekend and with the WS seedlings and more tropical type seedlings I had started indoors, we should have lots of stuff for the swap! I know we'll have tons of fun too meeting other local gardeners! I think WS is my new addiction! I actually managed yesterday to start the last of my seeds....my seedbox is now empty!!! ..That is until the package from the Tropical swap I'm in arrives!!! But at least I'm caught up for now. I haven't even built my greenhouse yet and its already gonna be full! Still need to get the gardens ready for planting time soon. Spring is such a busy (& fun) time of year! Hope y'all have a great day!!!

I received two more cards! One from Highalttransplant (Bonnie)who sent me some Alma Paprika Pepper, Marigold Safari Primrose, Asclepias Tuberosa, Purple Ruffles Basil and Lime Basil. I couldn't be more pleased - thanks a million, Bonnie!!! From Proudgm_03 (Becky) I received Coreopsis Tinctoria, Celosia Pink Candle, Celosia Burgundy and Marigold Sweet Cream! Wow - what a great gift of seeds you sent me, Becky! Thanks so much!!!! - Lisa

1. Is it a perennial??? yes (tender above zone 7?) 2. Does it have colorful or unusual foliage? NO (NOT COLORED FOLIAGE) 3. Are there many varieties? No 4. Does it bloom more than once a year? Yes 5. Does it grow taller than 12"? Yes 6. Is it a shrub? No 7. Is this plant valued for it's flowers? Sometimes 8. Is it collectible? YES, not by groups per se 9. Is it considered an Herb? NO 10. Is it a tree ? NO 11. Does it get taller than 36" ? NO 12. Does it bloom in spring? YES 13. Does it grow from a bulb? NO (not a bulb) 14. Can it grow from seed? YES (from what I have read) 15. Does it grow from a tuber? YES 16. Does it bloom all summer? YES 17. Does it come in red colors??? YES (?) Nope Bunny, guess again, I love callas. This is a plant I would LOVE to have too....I know doesn't help much... :) Fran

Hi All, thought I would give an update on the birthday party flaps. So, I extend invitations to SS29 and SGS 8 1/2 to DS7's (he's now 7 hurray!) birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's last Saturday. DS7 chose the guests, short list including his 1/2 brother SS29 and SGS 8 1/2 and a few other kids friends. SS29's girlfriend, mother of his children, common law wife, calls and says they don't have bus/train fare to come! Nothing new but still a lot of nerve. As they have moved out to the desert, picking them up has become even more of an inconvinience. BUT, for the sake of DS7's birthday, DH does drive to pick up the crew from the desert. He gets there, then gf announces that the baby, SGS 2 1/2, is also coming to be cared for by DD36. Long story short, the crew shows up at Chuck E. Cheese courtesy of DH. Have not eaten, no gifts, dirty clothes it was unbelievable. SS29 spends the whole time playing with SGS 8 1/2, spends no time with my son, the one who invited him, DS7 whose feelings are hurt by this. SD 36 shows up with two more uninvited cousins from BM's side of the family but at least she pays for their play tokens. I won't continue the blow by tacky blow except, Because they live so far, we invited them all, SS29 included, to spend the night at our house, have a nice brunch and take them home. I get home with the balloons and gifts, SS29 has split, taken the bus for which he had supposedly no money to his mother's house to collect some items and basically dumped his kids on us to take care of over the weekend! No clothes, toiletries, no diapers or diaper stuff for the baby! I run down to Wal-Mart to buy pjs, Pull-Ups, diaper cream and a sippy cup. This time though, I let DH handle his people. I went on to church and brunch with my friends the next day after setting the kids up with some outdor games. Did not cook for them and put the Wal-Mart receipt on the counter. By the time I came back, he had insisted that his son, SS29 meet him at the train station to pick up his kids and take them back to the boondocks. If you want a nice LOL, SGS 8 1/2 left his library book at our house. SS29's gf called me and asked that I overnight it to her so it wouldn't be late. It took me a minute to collect myself from her gall. I told her I would pass it on to SD36 who could pass it on to BM, the grandmother, who could pass it on to them. Haven't heard from her since! Geez, they got a bag of new pj's, clothes, diapers, toiletries and fresh toothbrushes, I thought that was pretty good swag for some unexpected and not entirely welcome guests! Anyway, my son enjoyed his birthday admist all of the silly drama. The 2nd party planned at SD36 has been nixed.