Happy to be back look at my photo bucket now, pic of yard work and mackinaw island last yr lilac fest. some family pic. Most of the flowers are our yard and the fenced in lot is our yard. let me know if you get to see it anyone email me, You have to wait to load and slide mouse over black page to see all the wonderful flowers. Here is a link that might be useful: http://s927.photobucket.com/albums/ad120/homegardenbon0/

Yes, those look like privet flowers. The question is, were those flowers fertile and produced berries? Sometimes flowers are sterile and don't produce fruit/seeds. Yes, the X does mean it's a hybrid. Being a hybrid just means it has two parents that are different and you can not infer good or bad ... unless it makes it self-sterile and you wanted something self-sterile ... then it would be good, right? But then sometimes a plant is self-sterile until someone introduces a plant that makes that self-sterile plant fertile ... that happened to the cultivar 'Bradford' in the ornamental pears. And now thousands of 'Bradford' pears are producing unwanted seedlings. Even though I'm in Georgia, I was referencing information about the invasiveness of this plant's parents in the midwest. Down here, the problem privets are the chinese and japanese ones. So glad you are willing to learn, phyl! Hopefully others will chime in on this.

Thanks for the sound responses. Needless to say I did not sleep last night. Instead, I took the list of invoices the framer presented to the GC and my DH and I went thru item by item with our resonse. I typed it all up, very matter of factly and presented the facts. I then called the GC this morning and told him he better resolve this issue by Tuesday morning so that A) work will continue and we can get thru the framing stage or B) we are looking for a new framer to complete the job and he has the bill, since he was aware of every single issue before they were commenced with the sub contractor. I reminded him I was the customer and did not need to feel like the enemy. He made the right step and is currently working with the framer as I type. He has my write up, and all of my documents I have faxed him, before all of this, that I reference in my response. I would recommend this to anyone just beginning to build: Among a thousand other things, add this to the list- 1. I had an addendum to my plans to try and catch some of the things that I wanted but didn't make it on the plans. Ie, shelves in closets, niches, etc. This addendum has saved me numerous arguments with the framer, GC since we went over this addendum line by line before they bid the job. Everyone agreed to the plans and the addendum. This is worth its weight in gold. 2. Every day, I note items that we have questions on, maybe items that need to get resolved, whatever the case, but I note them down, date the occurance, and then email it to my GC in the morning once it's updated from the day before. The items completed are left on the document, only not highlighted. The items in progress are highlighted red, with updated comments on their progress daily until it's marked "done". This document serves as my memory on what was said, agreed upon, etc, to make sure everyone is on the same sheet of music and understands the issues correctly. This document involves all aspects of the house, tile guy, electrical, plumbing, etc., it's been invaluable, especially when issues like this come up. 3. Pictures to document work progress, site cleanliness, safety, good things and bad. It's been written here before, document everything, record everything and keep it safe for if/when you may have to use it. 4. If you have a change, get it in writing, agree beforehand and then get all parties involved to sign it. I thought I would be good about this, but as you can see, as things get busy, all smiles, everyone happy, you forget, feel it's not an issue, whatever. Get it in writing. Nuf said. 5. Save everything. Thankfully I have a very good spreadsheet I started from day 1. I have documented every penny spent, every estimate given, every quote received in columns and catagories on my spreadsheet so that I can see the freight train coming down thru the end of the tunnel. doesn't make it all go away, it makes me feel like I have some control as I spin out of control while building this house. Just a few lessons learned, thanks again for the wise words and I will keep you posted. Humbled with the Build :(

I'm busy from 3 a.m. until 9 p.m. Even though I'm retired, my whole day is filled with what I laughingly call "make work programs" which contribute to our healthy food sources (sprouting, growing wheatgrass, micro-greens, fermenting, a WindowFarm and an AeroGarden - for off-season indoor gardening), and I spend time researching food and food science on-line and working on lesson plans for classes I teach at different venues (Food Bank, Extension Office, Senior Center, 4-H Clubs, Women's Shelter). I make time each day to knit or crochet and for reading. I participate in two message boards on-line, and that's enough for me. I do bulk food preparation - cook once for many meals - so meals don't take much time to prepare, and our home food storage takes some time each day to make sure I track rotation, use, and inventory. I like to try three new recipes each week and like to try new foods and ingredients. The great outdoors takes a big chunk of time during garden season. At least an hour of exercise 5 mornings a week from 4-5 a.m. - in our basement and/or outdoors. I've finally cut back on my volunteering so I can spend more time at home doing things I enjoy. jemdandy - My last PC was a reconditioned business model and I got it inexpensively through hubby works. NO GAMES!!!! If I want to play solitaire I have to find a deck of cards now..... No more time-sucking "free cell" (LOL), but I did love it so.....