Oh boy - I said thanks again this morning, earlier, but it looks like it never made it to the thread, so I'll say it again. ;-) Thank you, guys! I really appreciate how well almost all of us work together to help the folks that need help & to share our experiences with each other so we can all learn and have fun. You all make it a LOT of fun to share, and I do soo appreciate the birthday wishes. Thank you again for your kindness - I'm a pretty sentimental guy, so your expressions do mean a lot to me. AL

Happy birthday, Carolyn! Your advice on the Tomato Belt (40° latitude, +/-2°) is what convinced me to move from Tennessee to Ohio, and I have had nothing but great tasting, bounteous tomato crops ever since. So thanks for all your great advice over the years, and wish you many more happy returns of the Day! Terry

Thanks for asking Annie. I'm one of those people that spend a week celebrating. This past Sunday was my biological family. We had lunch out and then cake at my mom's house. Tuesday night was the big night out, that in the past would've been my husband (still not ex) and son, but since I am separated, just me and the son. We went to Ja Alexander's and had grilled artichokes, baked chicken and smashed potaotes. I had a cappuccino and carrot cake and he had carrot cake. :) Wednesday was lunch with the work friends, emails from friends accross the US (including here on GardenWeb (((big smiles!!!)))), and the research nurses, lab, and my counterpart had two cakes (my counter part's birthday is today). I did't do anything last night but slay the cake dragon. That is, I made the cake with too much baking powder again with less baking powder and upped the butter on Sol's suggestion. It actually looked like a cake! I ate horribly and loved every morsel. Gravy covered livers in a crispy coating, bad girl! Mmm. I'll probably do one more big night out with my mom who wanted to take me out last night, but I didnt' feel like it and she needed to meet with a realtor last night anyhow. She seemed disappointed, and I think that her not coming over was why. It's been nice, but I am getting so much sugar I am ready for some veggies! I appreciate all the nice wishes. I really do. Thanks

Awww....thanks, folks! It was a 'milestone' birthday -- but, I'm not going to say which one. ;) We're going to celebrate it next week with my mom's birthday, so yesterday was a nice, quiet day. I even let my husband go to the hockey game without inflicting too much guilt. :P I treated myself to some hard pear cider and some grilled naan and feta cheese. Thanks again for the well wishes -- I really appreciate it! Tamara