One of those days, work called so I left a bit later than planned and promptly hit traffic (forgot everyone was headed home after the holiday) I walked around Otto and looked at my options, I had decided if they had a Crocus left I was going to take it. I have looked at it every trip down but skipped buy it, was too big for one spot and might not be big enough for where I want it, but it keeps calling me. I had my list of ideas for a second, but decided I would look at all of the ones on my list and see just how they were handling the inland heat. One stood out and happy, with blooms waving with no crisping, etc (it was only 81 there when today as a high per TWC) A nice size and was on my maybe list, so Lady of Megginch it was today. I hit even more traffic trying to get back to Camarillo, barely made it to Harbor Freight Tools before they closed. So I ended up missing Nopalito before they closed for the day. I did peak at their plants and a few look interesting. Lowes of course was still open so I got my Russian Sage. I skipped the green thumb store, okay I missed the exit and had enough of traffic and was not going to try and work my way back. BUT, Lowes had $7.98 2.5 pots of Iceberg, but not just regular Iceberg, but what looks like 3 own root Icebergs, white, brilliant pink and burgundy. I had to get a pair, now to decide where to put them!

joulesR4me, you know what I would do, even if it might affect the relationship? I might try to find a time soon to talk with him and tell him what your expectations and hopes are for the future. He should not be the only one to decide these things, in my opinion. I think this might be more productive than putting up the wall. I know in the past I've definitely been afraid to reveal what I wanted, that it might risk the relationship because it might not match exactly what the guy wanted and when. But I think it's very important that he also know what's important to you. I recently brought up some difficult issues with my SO that I thought he might get very upset about and maybe refuse to discuss with me. I took a risk. And you know what, he listened, he digested what I had to say, and he came back and we discussed it in a way that brought us closer. I was shocked because he had been dead set against discussing it before. But he had come to the point in our relationship where I felt like taking the risk was important. I knew that if he balked at what I wanted to talk about, that this was a sign that maybe we weren't able to communicate the way I'd like us to. So I took the risk and it paid off. We only have been dropping the L bomb since the beginning of May. My SO sounds a bit like your guy too when it comes to the kinds of relationships he's had before. What I didn't realize, though, was that he had the capability to understand that himself, and value what we had enough to do some work. Maybe your guy should be given that kind of chance, too? You should be able to communicate your needs and desires, too. I'm beyond childbearing years now (I think) so I no longer have the biological clock thing to worry about. In some ways I'm sad that I never had kids but in other ways it definitely takes some of the pressure off. I feel for you, I know that this can really be a tough situation when you have to weigh taking time to get to know each other well enough to decide about marriage or not, and making sure there's still enough time to have kids. And like lpinkmountain said, there's always adoption as an option. Don't forget, a lot of us can't get pregnant as we get older, so there's no guarantee there, either. Best of luck to you! Let us know what you do.

I will sometimes pack lunch for SO. Not often,but when I do he likes tuna or chicken salad with crackers. If I ride in the truck with him I'll do a homemade version of lunchables. Easy for us to eat,no heating necessary. I like eating like that. Cold meats,cheeses,olives,nuts,hard boiled eggs or devilled eggs,chips or veggies with dip, lots of finger foods. Always something sweet. I like those Jif to go cups too. My mom use to pack my lunch for kindergarten. I remember how she would pack a little container of cherry pie filling for me. (Don't judge,it made my day. I HATED school from my first day to my last. The pie filling made it bearable) I didnt like sandwiches because the bread was always soggy so she would pack the bread and meat separately for me to put together myself. My favorite food to make ahead and eat cold is homemade pizza . Best. Breakfast. (or lunch) Ever. I have never liked pasta salad but if your kiddos do then that might work. My nephews like cold leftover quesadillas in their lunches. (Of course,they also like cold mashed potato sandwiches so.....) Another siblings kids like when she makes "roly polys",which are basically sandwiches is. She takes some sort of Arabic or Lebanese flatbread,I forget what it's called, puts whatever the kids want on them,rolls them up and cuts them into pieces so they look like sushi. One of her kids likes turkey,avocado,shredded carrots and hummus,the other likes ham,cheese,lettuce,pickles and mustard. The filling possibilties are endless. You could do them with tortillas too I guess. My mom was a terrible cook and did not like to cook at all and still packed my lunches until I started eating the school lunch. I love to cook,and believe I am quite good at it. As my mother did not enjoy cooking, all 6 of her kids were self taught cooks,and we are all good cooks. But,as we were all BUSY,with school,sports,clubs,the required volunteer work for school,plus the fact we all started working at age 15,and most of us had some sort of racket before then to make money(I shampooed carpets and cut grass around the neighborhood) my mother was happy to help. In the summer,we were on our own for breakfast and lunch everyday. Seriously. Cherry pie filling.

I so wanted to learn ballet when I was younger. The other girls in my small school all took various dance lessons. Couple of years later one of the mothers told me that she was sorry that my parents would not let me join the group. Apparently the other parents were willing to pay for my classes but the girl that was delegated to ask me lied to her parents and I was never asked. I have wondered if my feet would be in better shape if someone had told me that strengthening my feet by standing and walking on the tips of my toes before my bones were strong enough.