HI, thought I would introduce myself. I'm Maureen, 44 (will be 45 on Thursday :-) . I have a 12 yr old son Michael whom I live for, and my dog Lucky - a 3 yr old black lab who is my very best buddy in the world. I also have a crazy cat named Tiger and a russian tortoise named Spikes. I love gardening, roses, daylilys, plumeria, clematis and african violets. I'm going through a rough time in my life right now, my husband just told me 2 wks ago that he is not happy and left. He is getting on with his life so I guess eventually there will be a divorce. It broke my heart but with friends and family prayers and support I'm doing better today than I was 2 wks ago. If any of you pray, if you would pray for me and my son I would be so very grateful. I work f/t for a Union and have been there for 10 years. It is strictly a financial thing---i'm not really a "career lady" - just need to pay the mortgage and have a home for me and my son Michael. I come from a large family, have 4 sisters and 1 brother. Mom and Dad are divorced for 10 years now and live locally. Dad is remarried, Mom's single. I'm close with my Mom, she is a gardener too. We go for walks together, shop together and work out at the gym too. I'll go see if I can find some pics to post so you can see me and my son and pets. Nice to read about everyone here, look forward to getting friendly with you all. Maureen p.s. I started with daylilys last year, and ended the season with about 80 named varieties. I've purchased another 15 from Maryott's this week and am sure when I get some money for my birthday next week I'll have more I want to order. I bought most of my daylilys from Flynn's daylily garden. Ida is a great lady and her daylilys are awesome. And I traded for some of my daylilys. This summer I will get to see most of them bloom -- can't wait.

Hey Lou, I haven't been on here in a while and look what I almost missed. Beautiful girls Lou. Congrats to your great granddaughter! The picture of you and your wife is wonderful. I know you miss her! When you have a minute send me an email and catch up. I'm wondering about your physical injury? Karen

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions! Lyban, love the idea of using the black napkins with the points coming down! Fun2BeHere: Good idea for the centerpieces. Just love those little suggestions to stick the centerpieces down with tape! kswl: We are like you as far as serving alcohol at family parties. Touch wood, we've never had a problem with under age drinking (too excess or combining with driving) and also allow our own children a glass on special occasions, though understand desertdance's concern as there are many teen parties where parents are oblivious with sometimes tragic consequences. I appreciate her concern. Annkh, we're in CA so the weather is pretty good. That said there was light rain at DS's party which was larger than this one as he was co-celebrating with DH's 50th. We had to put up an easy-up over the buffet tables, some ate inside, but then it cleared. DH had some problems with the patio heaters so he knows he'd better work it out this year! We can all fit inside between family room, formal living/dining and garage with ping-pong table though will be tight squeeze. Love the suggestion of a rootbeer keg too! This time I'm going to make sure to take before pictures!

I think I need the wine this morning already. Power company has showed up, worker has drawn a circle around the power pole in back yard in fluorescent paint, says he doesn't know why, he's just the messenger, the army is to follow, but he suspects the pole is coming down for some reason. Meanwhile, the DH the Sweaty Equity has taken a day off to look for morel mushrooms and get some r&r. Our temp. kitchen is a camper and it's in the path of the power line work and I cannot do anything about the positioning of it because the tow car is also gone for mushrooms. And the whole camper has stuff strewn about because the kitchen has moved into it, but I'm not going to pack it up again in order to move the camper unless I know I have to. So it goes. Naturally, it's overcast and threatening rain, which we can use, but it does nothing for MY morale. On the good side, though, I can see progress in the new space. DH has figured out how to shim the marriage of two floors and has hired a consultant to help him think through some structural and electrical issues. And the landscaper left on Monday giving me the assurance about the driveway and sidewalk that "this is going to work out." Her drawings will be available soon! Come to think of it, I'll stick to coffee, at last until noon.