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

Nana, thanks, she was very appreciative. Punk, I actually should have said vintage, I bought the napkin rings decades ago. F2BH, I had to go to several different DT stores as I found the B-day glasses, but the 1st store only had one of that pattern, and I didn't like the other pattern as well. So it took about 4 stores to find all 4 the same. Marlene, that pie is a favorite of hers and when we got to the restaurant, they did not have one in the case. I explained why I "needed" it and they found one in the back, fresh out of the oven!! Jeanne, I thought the plates were so pretty and eye-catching, I bought 8 of them. I plan to use them in our retirement home. Missy, thank you. Kathe, sorry, but it was a very small pie! LOL Maybe we can go to lunch sometime and have a piece for dessert. Thanks again everybody, Candy

oceanna, your mock up is gorgeous! i am so happy you went with the colors he wanted instead of catering to that rug. i guess i was trying to say that when i suggested i had willed my taupe rug into participating:-) then, this am, i had another thought-- you know, real limestone is both warm golds and cool greys-- basically, taupe. so why can't you pick up on the warmer colors in the carpet, as if it were stone? everything does not have to match....and i think this proves that once again. spirit over rules.... you are a wonderful mom and i laughed so hard as you described his reluctance. i have a male friend whose home i help decorate and i have gotten used to hearing "um....okay, but is it going to be too much x?" i too sold him on a paint color by calling it whiskey and tabacco, alternatively. never thought to call it beer, though-- brilliant! i love the curtains and colors in your mock up. it's everything he said he wanted. he'll get used to the paint color; it's just new and i've noticed that men have a rally tough time visualizing color and accepting change. lastly, i've noticed that men like lace curtains. very, very strange. and same man will start twitching if you mention floral prints or animal prints. where's the taste?:-) can't wait to see a pic when you are done painting! hope he had a great b-day!

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.