Well, hello, everyone! What a nice surprise to see emails from cottage gardeners in my inbox. I hope you're all doing well, and I know you Northerners must be on pins and needles awaiting Spring. I hope it's sprung for you guys. We're in the throws of Spring down here in Florida. The weather has been gorgeous. Yeah, I've been pretty dull for a while. I'm still gardening, but I haven't been on the forums in ages. I miss you guys! The City Code Enforcement seems to have seen the light regarding my modest garden. It was nonsense, and the City Manager seemed to agree. So I shouldn't have any more problems. Crossing fingers... Gene and I went to Ireland in Sept. 06, and I was so inspired by the small front yard gardens and all the lush hanging baskets. Most of the yards had a rock wall, or a tidy hedge in front, then wild abandon behind it. So I decided to redo the front of my garden to have a more "orderly" appearance like the ones I saw in Ireland. I made a short picket fence/edging and put tall red pentas behind it. I keep the pentas trimmed as a hedge. Anyway, I think this makes my garden look more like a garden, and not just random "horiticultural overgrowth". Here's a few pics, and I included a link, too. Hugs! Happy Spring! Happy Easter! Ooooh. Easter candy... Cadberry Eggs... Excuse me while I run out for chocolate... Nicki Here is a link that might be useful: More photos

Oh, gdogni. I tried to make this short, but it can't be said in a few sound bites. Who was doing the jobs before the illegals came? They were being done. Have we been quick to buy the idea that Americans don't want to do these jobs because we, ourselves, wouldn't want to do them? Americans have done jobs for many years I wouldn't want to have to do. I would do anything I could do, if necessary, but I do have my 'druthers. I wish you could have talked with the young woman I just spent time with the other day. She was almost in tears because she was pretty sure she was going to loose her jobs because the company had just brought in a new group of illegals. She commuted 60 miles - one way - to work on the assembly line of a chicken processing plant. I've been just in the office of a processing plant and my stomach lurched from the smell. It's a job I don't want to have to do - but others have for many years. She said, in a shakey voice, 'I've just got to have this job.' The shocking thing she told me is, if this company lays someone off, not fired for reason, but laid off because of slowdowns, etc., they will only rehire you one time. That means you can be rehired, but if laid off again (because a batch of illegals come in) you are no longer 'qualified' to work for that company. By way of their hiring practices, they are creating 'unqualified' workers in the area. People know to not apply for the job again. So when the news media goes to the spokesman for that company he/she can say things like 'we just can't find qualified workers', or 'we just haven't had any applicants' or the old stand by 'no one wants to do these kinds of jobs'. Neither they nor the media are going to tell you they fixed the situation. When you see jobs being filled by illegals - the only thing that means is they have the job. It means absolutely nothing else. We don't know how many others applied for the job, and didn't get it. One thing you have to realize is that in many areas, people are aware that only illegals will be hired, and they don't even apply. I saw illegals building the houses that got built in the frenzy of the last few years. Can we assume that Americans no longer wanted to do carpentry, dry walling, electrical,plumbing, bricklaying?? I don't think so. I know a lot who wanted the jobs. They are a bargain to employers because the employers have no responsibility. They don't have to comply with overtime laws, collect and match taxes, worry about OSHA regulations, workman's comp. If one gets hurt, they are taken to the hospital and the taxpayers pay for it. The media and the politicians are not giving out the true story on this. Now the reason I mentioned illegals was the fact they are working here. Americans already are competing with them for jobs, and if things get bad, it will be even more so. There is nothing wrong with mowing lawns and bussing tables, but that is not the only jobs they are doing. We will be hampered by the fact employers will have to work within the labor laws when hiring Americans, so given the choice, they will take illegals. The illegals are also getting benefits that are going to be needed for American families who loose their jobs. Again, just because Americans aren't doing the jobs, don't assume they won't or don't want to - now - but especially in the future.

Hope all is well Kim, haven't seen you post. I don't want to hijack your post but to respond to mike and mzen. Yes Mike the market is well off, over 26k houses are on the MLS now. You picked a good time to visit, great weather! Mzen, I have electrical with GFI within 8 feet of pool edge. pool is 14 years old. Building codes were revised in 2006 and all jurisdictions in the valley are updating to meet them. Henderson is the easiest to deal with, they were right on top of all changes we needed for permits for patio covers and concrete, we don't do electic. I would double check with Henderson as they are the ones that sign off on permits. Be glad you aren't in the city of LV, they are a nighmare to deal with right now. Kim is in Boulder City. I'm going to start another post to Vegas members regarding theft so I don't take over Kims build. Barb

Thanks, Steve, What i meant by "milled badly" was that at one end of a board it would be 5.5inches width and at the other it would be 5.375inches. This required me to go thru all the boards to try and find matching width ends where they butted, or re-rip ten foot ipe boards on site using my Sears 10inch Harry the homeowner tablesaw. It wasnt pretty. The quality of the wood and the sanded sides seem good to me, just gotten dirty and a little gray. Its really noticeable whenever I wet it down. Wet looks incredible, but soon dries back to dusty gray. I will be testing a 50sqft area with sanding then finishing and if I like it better, I will tackle 50-100sqft every weekend until done. Or hire some helpers and get it all done in a week or so. Thanks again for the advice. And if you or Celeste is ever out here on the left coast near Santa Barbara, you should come by for a marguerita! Its really nice here when it isnt on fire, or earthquake, or flash flooding, or locust season, or an election, or... :)