Drama and more drama. All pointless. I grow a lot of these. Mine lose leaves like crazy. The lower ones will start to get a little brown, a little pale, brown on the edges and then fall off. Often after we've had a few days of rain they will have a growth spurt putting out new leaves and dropping the old ones. Don't worry about it if the new growth is green and healthy. You're always better putting a time release fertilizer as it's less likely to burn. Just like a time released pill, it's going to release a little at a time. Even if you put waaaaayyyyy too much fertilizer it's still only releasing a little at a time. I've experimented by dumping an entire bottle of time release fertilizer in a potted brugmansia, the recommended in the pot next to it and none in the next pot. What did I find? The 2 w/ fertilizer grew better but no difference in the one with too much and the one with the right amount. I know what a milk glass is and the nickel reference made perfect sense. It's thumb, digit 2, digit 3, digit 4, digit 5. We prefer not to use terms like ring finger or pinkie finger, there is room for misinterpretation, who wants the wrong finger operated on? I don't measure with my fingers, I possess tape measures, rulers and other devices to accurately measure things. I have no idea why it would matter the size in a question like this, very simple is it the rain or is it the fertilizer? Neither factor has anything to do with a lot of the questions that were asked. But I think some people would like the exact age of the plant, the exact measurements of the pot, what time of day? what were the weather conditions? can you weigh the mixture it's growing in and provide exact weights for each ingredient? what phase was the moon in? did you eat prior to adding the fertilizer? what directions were you facing when you added the fertilizer? how much wind? what direction was the wind from? what time did it rain? how much rain fell between 0100 and 0115? What was the temp of the rain? Stupid! My policy is KISS!!!!! And darlin' you did a great job, nice simple question. Tally HO!

What a great month it has been...Thanks Melinda for hosting this month. Maryanne-If you check in just a reminder that you are the host for December. I will try and remember to send you a message on facebook. Another day to spend with family tomorrow. DH's family has a get together the Saturday after Thanksgiving so it's tomorrow. His family is so huge we rent a school house so the kids can have the gym to play in. Of course us adults have to play to so we always have a volleyball game after lunch. Mellen-I actually went to Wal-Mart last night and stood in line for a fabulous sheet sale. If it's one thing I like it's good sheets and these were 700 thread count for $24.96. DH and I were the second ones in line so we got 7 sets. Some I got for family members, there was no limit. Shirley

Good Saturday afternoon from not-so-warm SE Texas. It's only 30 F. right now and the sun is shining brightly. It got down in the low 20's during the night. BRRR! I know it's nothing compared to what most of y'all are experiencing, but I admit it - I'm a weather wimp! ;) Maddie, congrats, girl, on being your skinniest! Now to modify your food to healthy! I know that you can do it because you've conquereed so many other things. Jan, that's quite a daily walk, and I'm so impressed. I'd also love that soup recipe. It's actually one I DON'T have. lol Suzanne, bless your heart - having walking pneumonia is no fun at all. I'm happy that your dh was home to take over though. What a blessing that was! Hope you're feeling much improved by now. Tikanis, about this time last year, my dh was told to give up caffeine because he was suffering from neuropathy. Well, he had us go cold turkey without telling me about it, and I had sick headaches for 3 days in a row and didn't know why. He had switched out our regular coffee for decaf which he makes every morning. On the 4th day, we had an early lunch where I ordered a Diet Coke, and after the first sip, I felt almost human again, and by the 2nd refill, I felt like a million bucks. Once I understood what was going on, I adjusted my coffee intake with half & half caf/decaf, and my headaches disappeared. I gradually cut out the caffeine slowly, and now I'm fine with decaf. I wish you well in weaning yourself from the cokes! Donna, I'm excited for you about your renovations. I'd love to see the photos, too. Congrats! Dee, how did the reviews go? It must be a nerve-wracking thing. Helen, I like it cooler than the temps we usually get around here - especially in the summer. And I agree that the Michelin man comment was hilarious! Raeanne, once long ago, my preacher gave an entire sermon on saying "NO". I only remember what I want to about it, but it stuck with me that the kindest thing you can do for yourself and for others sometimes is to turn things down if it can't be done with your whole heart involved. Now, when I try new things around here, I preface it to myself, and to the ones involved if it's necessary, that I want to make sure I'm the right person for the job or if I'd be good at whatever it is. I'm much improved now. I think it's been the huge change in the weather lately giving my sinuses fits. I don't have a headache today, TG! I'm going over to my friend's house this afternoon for a 'girls' day out' of movie-watching/knoshing/solving world problems. Susanne is hosting us and wants to fill her empty home with laughter and human warmth. It's a beautiful day to get together with all these great women friends I've been blessed with in the past 2 years. Wishing everyone a wonderful Saturday!

Oh yes! The BBB is gone!!! It sure sounds like a little maturity there.....especially being seen with parents! @:) I see the sun is trying to shine through the trees. Nine year old DGD has been noted for her creative writing at her school and was chosen to go to a Harlem Globetrotter game tonight and interview them.....this will be interesting! SharonG/FL href="http://www.wunderground.com/US/FL/Crystal_River.html?bannertypeclick=gizmotimetemp">