If you want to try again, do you have Trader Joe's where you are? Their orchids are super and not expensive. The only catch is that most of the time they are planted in spaghnum moss, which is a tricky growing medium. Too wet. Check to be sure the orchid has viable roots (you can lift it out of it's ornamental pot and easily see the roots through the clear plastic) The orchids at least are in pots with slits already, though they are temporary (inserted in other more stable pots. Also some roots above the "soil" line are good, as they are usually in great shape. What you do, is get one you like (phalaenopsis is a really good choice as they are pretty tough), and be prepared with a pot slightly bigger than the one they sell the plant in and medium orchid bark. do not hesitate to repot it immediately. Like the moment you get home. You can cut the plastic pot off with scissors, two cuts opposing each other. Make a nice BIG mess carefully extracting the spaghnum, starting in the middle where the roots are likely dead. Be careful of the roots, only removing the rotten ones. If it smells bad, be sure to dust with Rootone, otherwise not really necessary, though I usually do it. Hold the plant suspended over the new pot in the right position with one hand, and gradually pour in the bark with your other. Give the pot a shake or knock periodically to get the bark to settle amongst the roots. Water once in your kitchen sink, set it in a tray or on a plate in moderate light, then don't water for a couple weeks. meanwhile, it shouldn't even blink unless something was wrong with it to start. My feeling, and others might disagree, is that it is more risky to leave the plant in the soggy spaghnum than to repot immediately. As for your one that is dying, you can see water in the bottom of the pot, so for some reason it didn't really drain. Orchids REALLY need good drainage. Good luck next time around! Janine

Thanks for your welcome back, yes I've posted on the cooking forum, but the quilting scene has been dry around here (just nothing hapening) until just recently. I made several quilts last year and somehow this year I've stayed out of the sewing room pretty much. I just got tapped out! I hope this comes to an end soon what with all this fabric, it would be a shame if it just sits. I also occasionally post on the Florida Gardening forum but it's been dead lately for me, too, it's just so hot out there to think about it and with all the rain we've gotten the ground is so soggy that it's hard to even weed. I know - excuses excuses.

Hey Patty, glad to see you are still here! Not sure when or how we lost touch. I have really missed emailing and chatting with you and keeping up with all that you have been up to, sounds like some fun get aways you have gone on!!! Are you still keeping your booth at the Antique Mall where you are? I have stayed very busy over the past year (it's been 2 years this December that I started my first booth at the mall). I have had a really great time at it all and it's been overall very productive which is also good. My sales have been pretty consistant this past 12 months which really helps. I do feel pretty good about my pricing, I have always been very aware of the importance of the right pricing and even when it's tempting to drop things lower, aside from occasional sales etc, I try to keep things priced a bit higher than most others. I also have inventory that is (IMO) better than most and I take a lot of time and effort to make the pieces I work on extra special. So people are paying for custom work when they buy from me. And pretty much to date, I'm still the only one who has painted furniture, there are a few others, but they only keep one or two pieces in their booths. In the PB link, I only showed a fraction of what all I have worked on. (my photo organization is sorely lacking and it was really hard to find older pics). I'm selling anywhere from a couple to a dozen or more pieces of furniture every month, so I have to stay on top of things in order to have other pieces ready to go in when something sells. FYI: as I add new pics and b/a's I'm using that same albumn I listed above, so it should stay updated with new projects. Thanks to all for the warm welcome back, and I hope to get re-acquainted with everyone.

Hi!! I still check in every now and then. Don't really like the new setup. We have all been super busy as well. I am painting for a boutique in a few weeks and have been doing a little yard art biz. We have started a rabbitry and have a bunch of chickens now so the farm and garden and family keeps me busy. Glad you are still around! ~Anj