Thank you all once again for kind thoughts and encouragement. saintpfla ~ Dabbling in photography is fun that is for sure. I've taken a few night shots too with old camera and look forward to trying it with this one. The macro with this camera is 150 cm (W) (0.4 in.Â1.6 ft. (W)). I was right down on the flowers. There is a lot to read in these manuals, I just plod along and practice. It's a learning experience and a fun one at that. treefrog ~ I've also tried to capture the color of the blue sage with old camera and never could. There are a couple of roses I had the same trouble with, so I hope they come out truer with this new camera as the blue sage did. Evelyn ~ You are so right about picture taking being addicting, almost as addicting as some flowers are. : -) Ambersky ~ I looked up what you thought the purple unknown might be and I'm not sure. Someone else told me something else and that didn't quite look right either. I'll try to get out tomorrow to take a picture of leaves and flowers so you all can see the whole thing. You could be right though. Nancy ~ It is a long time isn't it? I think of you everytime I'm around the two roses you gave me, Smith's Parrish, and I think the name of the other one is Old Blush, which is in the main garden and doing terrific. Thank you again for giving them to me. It was nice meeting you also and having a little visit at 2Jay's. I've worked at my job yesterday and again today, so haven't been out to take more pictures. I'm off tomorrow so maybe I can get out to shoot some more then. Thanks again for encouraging me to get out and take more pictures. I always enjoy seeing everyone's beautiful gardens and flowers. I get inspired to get out and work in my tropical/cottage gardens. FlowerLady

MagicKitty - I saw 6 Feet Under - I am also glad that it's back. It was the first time DD#2 ever saw it and it was fun to fill her in on all the quirky characters. DeeMarie - I thought of you this morning as I was on goold old Rt 17 and passin' all those diners LOL. Sounds like you are having a fun-filled time. Marci - I am glad you have your dream job. I like mine most of the time, but it has it's moments. I often think of what else I would rather be doing, but right now this one suits my needs - close to home, part-time, meet a lot of nice people, most of the time we all get along. I have always wanted to have a B&B - the notion seems quite romantic to me, but I think that there may be too much work actually involved for me to fall in love with it LOL. Maddie - I am sorry you didn't get the job, but as we always know, there must've been a good reason - why doesn't that statement ever make much sense at the time? Besh - I am glad you are getting a lot out of the book - I love it and need to reread it. I have gone through so many copies, I buy one and then give it to someone that needs to read it. I had a fun time in NYC. We met up with 10 other people at a great restaurant, our 2 DD's met up with us there and then we went to the Art Show, we were there until nearly 10 and the group was heading to a club in the Village, which we took a pass on. We had a long day already and I just couldn't muster the energy. I need to go to the kennel and pick up my pooch. Will check in tomorrow.

YES I did get married on my birthday so both are today the 20th. I am surprised to hear of so many others that did that also. But he does have to get me 2 gifts (at the very least) LOL He always buys me the number of roses for the number of years, he said it was a really good idea when he started but it is getting pretty expensive now! I have a lovely vase with 37 beautiful roses here to admire.

Thanks you guys! We're doing well. Always busy, and always something going on. I'm still employed by a large company during a 5500 cutback. In fact, busier than ever. When I hear about all these companies cutting back, I count my blessings that I have a great job with good benefits. We have a Plan B for when the time comes, and I'm glad it doesn't have to be in the forefront of my mind. DH is almost a second year resident. He is finishing his intern year by spending a rotation with his dad. It has been a great month for both of them to spend time together. DH has a bedside manner very similar to his father's, and I'm glad that he's had the opportunity to spend more time watching him practice medicine. They are both wonderful, caring physicians, and I'm glad they are both a part of my life. In July, DH starts concentrating on neurology, and he's very excited to spend time learning more about his favorite area of medicine. Three more years to go until private practice. Jacob is five and a half, and has graduated from pre-K. He's spending the summer at a day camp, and has aged 2 years in the past 2 weeks. I think it's because he is surrounded by older kids. He's maturing, and I love watching him grow into a school aged kid now. I love the things that excite him and watching him interact with Tyler. He's always had some reflux problems, and they've been escalating lately (vomiting, breathing problems, and lots of pain). We are scheduled for an endoscopy soon, and hopefully we'll get some answers and a long term plan. He's a very, very smart kid, and always keeps me busy with questions and finding the answers. His recent interest is the weather, and each night we watch the radar, look at patterns, and discuss the conditions for a proper tornado. He starts kindergarten in the fall, and we are all very excited. Tyler just turned three, and has started outgrowing the baby feel that he's carried around for a while. Tyler is on the small side and his speech is slightly delayed, but a perfectly healthy three year old. He's cute as a button, but still felt baby-ish. Not that I mind; he's fun to snuggle with. With some speech therapy, he has blossomed. He is more intelligible, and now we are working on some language comprehension. Potty training is on the back burner, as I refuse to make it a battle. Potties and underwear are plentiful in our house when he decides to no longer use his pants :) He's adventurous and loves imitating his big brother. We've spent the summer going to the pool, participating in summer reading at the library, and taking day trips to smaller Indiana towns. We had planned to go to Destin, FL in July, but those plans are on hold pending the oil spill migration to that area. We'll either make last minute reservations or we'll head north to Lake Michigan. Sorry for the novel, but I thought an update was in order :) Thanks for the birthday wishes!