Thanks a lot you guys!!! I really appreciate the two birthday cakes! Now, I believe all that icing and the candles was just a coverup for a tasty chocolate cappichino cheesecake and a snickers chocolate cheesecake. I needed 2 cheesecakes 'cause everyone in the FN was able then to have some. They were sooo good! Back to reality. At 3:00am our 20 year old son woke us up to tell us that he brought a few friends home and they were going to use the hot tub. At 5:30 he woke us up again to ask us if he was in trouble...he had driven his friends back to their homes and on the way back here to our home, came across a drunk driver who had just finished totalling her car in the ditch. She asked for a ride to her home and so, he obliged and now wanted to know if he would be in trouble legally. We told him that no, since she did not hit anyone, it would be considered a single vehicle accident and it would be her choice to leave her car and go home for a few hours. By that time I was wide awake. So I got up, checked the FN and made my list/map for garage sales. Yes, Marg and I went garage saling. It was great! We had a wonderful time. What better way to spend a birthday than to do something you love to do with a very special friend. I bought stuff for the new office...2 clocks, coffee table and end tables, leather chair and ottoman...even a garbage can. For me, a spagetti strapped top (its original owner went to Thailand, bought it there and it shrunk so she couldn't wear it anymore...fits me perfectly), assorted scented body lotions (working in the garden in summer makes my feet and hands so dry I use a lot of lotion and love all the assorted scents out there these days), scrapbooking paper and stickers (someday I will get back into my stuff, maybe when things get slow at the office this winter), Partylite candle, christmas ornaments, tupperware (an oval 2 and oval 5 modular mate to go along with all my other modular mates with the assorted colored lids already at home), huge huge shallow wicker basket with a handle to plant up. Marg and I thought that petunias would look great in there. Marg thought it was large enough to plant 12 petunias in. So, today's job... A picture frame with dragonflies all around the frame, etc, etc. To go garage saling with someone who shares the same interests is wonderful...they can see an item and know exactly what you will do with it to make it better. Marg bought a number of baskets that, with a touch of paint, would look awesome. One garage sale we went to had some plants in the landscaping that we did not know. After talking to the owner, she gave me a baby and I will be posting a picture of its leaves later this week, when I get time, for you all to identify for me. She did not know what it could be. I had to make my own lunch and lunch for my DH and DS (who were mowing grass in the yard when I arrived home). I needed to have seafood at least once on my birthday so I made us some shrimp alfredo for lunch. In the afternoon I walked around my garden, taking pictures of my flowers blooming today. My DH and I went back to Brandon and picked up the furniture I purchased in the morning and took it to the office. My DD and her husband came over for supper, played Taboo, went for a walk down the country road (us and the dogs) and then came back to nibble on pineapple and watch a movie, the Wedding Crashers (a very morally wrong, lighthearted comedy). A great way to spend the evening, with family, doing no work. For my birthday cake today my DH bought two 1/4 cheesecakes from the best bakery in town, Sweet Temptations. I had my choice of a cappichino or a Snickers chocolate cheesecake. My DD and her husband gave me $ to buy plants and my DH bought me a new watch. My youngest son has been at a track and field meet near Winnipeg for the last few days and told me that I would get my present from him today. My 20 year old son also today. My DH bought a prime rib roast and we will be having a family supper here today 'cause my DD turns 21 tomorrow. Saturday turned out to be a wonderful day. Thanks for the 2 cakes! You all on the FN share the same passion for gardening as I do, and I am having a wonderful time getting to know you all better! Brenda

Linda, Time is marching on for me too although I caught myself saying dogs instead of dog the other day and broke down, Other than that I've been staying strong. I really like your spooky village! Did you get it at Michaels?? I have 2 buildings from the Michaels line but I don't really decorate for halloween so much. We don't get too many kids here anymore...mostly big obnoxious kids who barely wear a costume LOL!! Annie, Happy Birthday to Amanda and The Princess!! I love the ketchup/mustard idea!! Too cute!! Giane, I love apple butter with pretzels! Enjoy the craft fair-didn't you say there were several craft fairs over the next couple weekends?? Katie, OUCH!! Poor hubby-Poor you!! I will send extra healing thoughts your way!! Rhome, Sorry about your friend...I will join you with that cider! Shaun, every year sometime between Christmas and New Years my friend host a "bring all your grub" party where everyone bring all those little bits of cheese trays, lunch meats, casseroles, sweets ectleft over from Christmas...its really a lot of fun!! Barnmom, Costume changes?? LOL What fun!! Hope you have fun dishing out treats to the wee ones at your friends house!! Sharon, Have fun at the pub...I already made soup so I am staying in!! Gina...that is some devil dog LOL!! Today was fun fun fun!! I took Helenes advice and went over to our target area very early to see what the traffic was like. It took me 19 minutes to get there from my job!! Of course there was NO TRAFFIC since EVERYBODY and their brother was heading INTO Philly for the parade LOL!!! My target area is nearby NJ. So I did see the house from the outside. Very cute!! We'll see if we like it from the inside when we tour it on Sunday. I walked around a bit...even took my mail to the post office there in town and mailed some cards LOL! Then I drove to the battlefield on the river, which is now a National Park (hence the town name National Park). I sat there and read thru some home books. Its really nice to have such a lovely park right there in town!! Tonight I am having one special trick or treater stopping by...dear great neice Alexia!! I don't know what they are dressing her as so it should be fun!! I got her some books and animal crackers!! She is 10 months now and just starting to walk/wobble!! Drew is still at the parade with his girlfriend and her family. Both of us have to work tomorrow-jeez its funny saying that LOL! Sunday we are going on house tours. I hope everyone has a fun Halloween!! Cheers! Susie

THANK YOU my KT friends! What a nice surprise to get on here this forenoon & find your well wishes! I did have a lovely day & evening. I 'power shopped' for about 5 hours with gift cards, received phone calls from my 3 kids in WI,PA & NC and got to hear my 7yr old precious grandaughter sing to me! Then last evening a dear friend took me out for dinner and dancing. We must have danced the night away as my feet & body ache all over today...tee hee. Now-if only my 47 yr old brain would catch up to this 67 yr old body!!!!! ((( hugs to all)))

Ah yes Jim, we suffer from a lack of character even though we seem to be surrounded by characters...and we can't even text about it without characters! Life's a stage!