pnbrown, Texas Dolomite is from ancient seabed limestone which I believe they said it has the traces of the ancient ocean greenery deposited in it as it was formed. Another good source of minerals is Greensand because it supplies marine potash, silica, iron oxide, magnesia, lime, phosphoric acid and 22 trace minerals. It's a boon for tomato lovers, because it has the 'vitamins and minerals' that tomato plants need to produce abundant, intensely flavored fruit With my having been a prospector, I'm fortunate to still have(in many buckets in my barn)the pebbly sand left over after processing for gold and silver which I also use in my potting soil mixtures. This pebbly sand comes from stream bottoms and diggings that I've prospected all over this country adding many minerals not found in Florida soils. Aw heck... now the secret of my potting soil is disclosed. Lou

Hi fellow Cat people. I also have 5 cats. I had 6 (see my page-?- with the pictures). Just recently Heather has decided to go live with the neighbors. She hates Bo the newest one with a passion. None of my cats really love each other but they all ignore the otheres. Heather and Bo though were something else. She would freak out if he came in the room. He could be sleeping but she's act like he was killing her. My cats are in and out since we live in a very private place. Anyway, Heather took to the neighbors and if she's happy there, I'm happy to. The story I want to tell you all though is this... A week ago my sister went to visit a friend. The friend wasn't home so she turned around in the cul-de-sac. This is in a residental area of Seattle. She saw a black cat in the middle of the road looking thin and confused. She stopped and he came right over to her. She took him to the car and saw he had a collar on. She called the number and it was his vet who said to bring him in. My sister did and the cat was checked out and found to be thin but ok. The vet promised to call my sister if the owners couldn't be reached. She'd fallen in love with him and decided to keep him if it came to that. She went to the car and cried, bieng a softie and being also in the middle of some personal challanges. That night the owners called and since she wasn't in left a message on her machine. They were SO GRATEFUL that she'd found Blackberry. The gate was accidentally left open that afternoon and the husband had spent all afternoon looking for him. He was fed and cared for well but he was 25 YEARS OLD!!! They knew he was in failing health and were devistated that he'd disappeared. Two days later they called and Blackberry had passed with his whole family surrounding him with love. An amazing story I think.

Hi. I'm in OC too. Been here since the early '70's. Welcome! The other thing you want to watch out for is Mello-Roos taxes in newer neighborhoods. I paid those on my first condo, but it was based on a mortgage not much over $125k. They can add quite a bit to your property tax bill and they are not tax deductible. Don't rush it. Rent sucks, but so does being house poor. Spend some more time here. North OC is a lot different than South OC. I've lived in both and done a complete 180 on where I prefer to be. In the 20 years I've owned homes, I've been in an equity position and upside down on several occasions. It will work out, but wait until the time is right. Oh, and that thing about waiting until you're married....I think it's nuts. Don't wait to do anything you want (and CAN) for someone else. I know someone who wants to go to Hawaii only when they are married. It's a 5 1/2 hour flight. This person is almost 50. They haven't been. There is no guarantee that two people always mean two incomes. BUT, don't do something you can't afford on your own either.

Perhaps this is asking too much when buying from people far away, but I would also like to see the place and the parents before making a final decision. I would want to know: Are the surroundings clean? Are the puppy's parents good-natured? Are the puppies being raised in a home atmosphere, or is it a puppy mill with lots of cages? Do the dogs look healthy? You are smart to be doing what you can to check out the place beforehand.