Cena, I know you didn't imply to make a mint off of Creme de Menthe. (pun intended) Cutting any of it off seems such a shame. Unless I had someone I trusted enough to share a large amount with, someone who wasn't going to be prone to abandon or neglect it, it will probably stay at least mostly intact. In the spring I'll take a few cuttings for an extra plant. Maybe I can make it asthetically pleasing enough that it will be showable. The question is, what would I do with as many cuttings as it would take to make it a bit more even, or even not be low enough to be kitty salad? Just one branch would be enough to fill a 10 in pot with cuttings. I'd have to fill at least 5 or 6 gallon sized pots with cuttings, and then some. That's too many extras, even for someone who is prone to kill anything. I just didn't realize it was so big when I asked my husband's friend to get it for me. I joked with him about it being big enough to constitute as a passenger for the car pool lane hehe. I may have to rig up some sort of hanger or clear off the top of my metal shelf, but there is still the problem of it being lopsided. I wish I'd of known it was so large. For that price, I would have asked him to pick up Canary Princess also. Maybe she still has it, but I'd have to find someone to foster it until I could get down there to pick it up. Our friend is not plant savvy at all, so I can't ask him. Now that I've about filled my house with plants, I need to think about buying redwood lumber, screaning, and plastic for a plant shelter. That way CDM won't need to be trimmed at all, unless someone asks nicely. No more plants, Rhonda, not one more! No more plants, Rhonda, not one more! No more plants, Rhonda, not one more! I need to keep telling myself that, No more plants, Rhonda, not one more! It'll last all of maybe a week if I'm lucky, but it's a noble idea, isn't it?

Justin~ I have actually just been using the Sears detergent w/ Oxy Clean, also doing a prewash on the heavy duty cycle (longest setting), so far it's been working great! There are sometimes when his white t-shirts still have a few spots on them, but you have to expect that when dealing w/ a construction workers clothes! We are very happy to finally be moved! We were living in a small town & now we're way out in the country... Very quiet & peaceful! I also like our new house MUCH better than the old one... Seems like we (& our stuff) just fit better here. :)

Do NOT let him get away with this. Do not allow it. My dog, when I was younger did this and we got bit a lot. He even did it with tennis balls. When we got another dog, the other died, I was older and every time she would eat, my hand would be in her bowl and I would move it away occasionally. I would also pick it up and then give it back to her after a minute. I was determined not to go through food aggression again! My dog wouldn't bite if you smacked her in the face with a chicken leg but prevention is the key. When you put the food down. Tell him to sit or lie down. Hold it above the floor, keeping eye contact, hold it there for a minute. When YOU'RE ready, put it down. Maybe pick it up a few times before he can get to it. Make sure you stand between him and the food. Block him for a while. Only let him eat when you decide it's okay. If he starts growling, step between him and the food. Tell him to drop it. Don't sound excited, just be very firm. You may need tough shoes or a garbage can lid. No stick or anything! Keep at it and it should stop. The dominant dogs in the pack eat first. AFTER they're done, then they move away. Even if a lower dog made the kill, the dominant dog will move in and take the kill. The insubordinates will move aside. Your dog isn't respectful of your dominance if he's challenging you. If this is his nature, then you just have to be persistent. The problem may stem from other situations. Does he get down from the couch when you say to? Does he beg even if you say no? Is he pulling on the leash? People may disagree on the importance of this but just think, what if your dog gets into some chocolate? How would you be able to yoink it out of his mouth? Teaching him to "drop it" is very important for this kind of purpose. If I don't know where my dog got something and don't know what it is, I tell her to drop it and some times she doesn't but I have no objections from her when I reach into her mouth to pull it out. Take the food away from him some times and give it back. Display your dominance. If he senses that you're a strong leader, than he'll realize he doesn't have a chance of pushing you aside. Animals pick on the weak. All these things need to be a constant practice so that he doesn't forget and it's not stressful for him.

Beautiful children Joan! And excellent shots! Thanks for sharing! PS - The weather in Florida has been awesome. We have a cold front going thru right now. Only got up to about 70 today but plenty of sunshine. Daytime temps supposed to be back up in the high 70's low 80's by Friday. Lows in the 50's. Perfect! Aren't you in the Ocala area? I'm in Palm Coast (south of St. Augustine). We should try to get together sometime this winter! ~Betsy