Oh Babs., biting is NOT acceptable in dogs. Like you, I'd be more foregiving of an 8 month old animal in a boisterous setting, but I see trouble ahead knowing what I know about dogs (and you know I hate them). Ry. must be OK or we'd have heard about it, but (and this is MY opinion) I agree with you and think your sister needs to take that incident a little more seriously than you believe she has. The "bite threshold" is a biggie with dogs, and with a breed as active as a Border Collie I'd be "on the case" ASAP. Working and herding dogs are incredibly smart and they HAVE to have a job or they can get really out of hand quickly; they have to be smart and "free thinking" to do what they're bred for. That's why German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Corgis, Schnauzers, Bouviers (? 'bug?)etc. have acquired a reputation as "rank". The more complex the job they're bred for the more "independent" the personality and that means MORE TRAINING is required to keep them "with the program" socially. Rex is a big, BOLD dog and if we "slack off" with his training he'll take full advantage of it; he "thinks for himself" if we don't think for him. He has bitten a child and was surrendered for it; doesn't really matter that he was going for a dropped cookie, he still BIT a kid who was reaching for the same cookie. He's never shown any aggression when I've reached for or handled his food bowl, but he has curled his lip at me when he's had a bone. I was quick to command, "Leave it!" and took the bone away, too. I now give him smaller bones that he may enjoy and finish in a shorter amount of time. It was a reminder to me, though. You have every right to be unnerved by your sister and BIL's reactions, or lack thereof. I would be, too! Annie and David remind me of myself, Mary. A total water rat! I recall swimming in lakes that still had ice in them, and well into October, as well... lol. I don't know what it is, but being in the water is natural and comfortable for me. I absolutely LOVE it. And here's my shameful admission... I haven't been swimming in over 4 years. :( I managed to tame the wilderness of Sanitary Ridge today (the bed that surrounds our raised septic system). I raked and raked, cut back the Vinca minor, and assessed the status of a couple of shrubs that may well get the shovel prune. I cleaned out the entrance to our driveway, too. The cats were THRILLED to have their human outdoors with them and put on intermittant and spectacular displays of athleticism. :) Even elderly Floey tottered out and "hung out" with me, lounging langurously in the sunshine. It WAS a glorious day. And I'm looking forward to another tomorrow. We went outdoors after we had and Rex had dinner. It was wonderfully warm (sweatshirts) and the air smelt of wet earth and decay. Yummy! We heard a few lonely croaks and a lone, plaintive "peeper" (the first this season). But more exciting was the appearance of BATS. They put on an aeronautic show in excess of the paltry insect selection available. Jeez, I like them so much! I will listen more carefully for an increase in what I consider to be Naute's edition of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony chorale... the "peepers". If they don't arrive tonight, surely they will speak up tomorrow! I can't wait. I have to make another pass around the yard to collect the missing cats. Both Polly and Vera have been sited but have deigned to be "caught", picked up and carried indoors. This is the evening dance we do every night in the fair seasons... call, play, turn away, and repeat. Ahh yes... spring is here. ;) I have failed yet again, time to call in the "beast master". Night all!

Thanks Gladys1924--always good to know first hand info-- I have looked for over two hours today trying to find a tub to fit where the shower is now but even if we give up the linen closet on that wall to gain more space (and maybe not be able to place it elsewhere) I don't think it is doable... Can someone recommend a website that explains the difficulties in relocating a drain for tub or toilet or shower that is in a concrete foundation? Or can anyone give an idea of the cost to do something like that--- might be worth 1K to really get an improved layout and use less expensive materials... I posted this question about giving up a tub and only having a shower in master bath on local website in my FL area and everyone that responded (many RE agents and flippers) were in favor of giving up the tub for nice shower... so I don't know that it would hurt resale value at all...

RR, that's Ashley sitting on the floor in front of Makayla, with her hair back and the black sweater! She's letting her hair grow, so she just pulled it back. The cake was excellent, especially with the topping, which ran down and made the bottom of the cake sour/sweet and kind of crunchy. Yummy, and the guys swiped the leftovers for the bachelor party. I guess it went OK with beer and Jack Daniels, LOL. Glazed Lemon Sour Cream Cake From The California Cook cookbook Serves 8-10 Note this cake may be prepared up to 3 days in advance, and kept at room temperature, tightly covered. The cake can also be wrapped tightly in aluminum foil and frozen for up to 2 months. Serve with seasonal berries and a dollop of whipped cream. Ingredients: 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature 1 cup sugar 3 large eggs at room temperature 1 Tablespoon minced lemon zest 2 teaspoons lemon extract 1 cup sour cream Glaze: 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1/2 cup strained fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons finely chopped lemon zest Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch lightweight Bundt pan. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda together in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside. 2. In a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, or in a food processor fitted with the metal blade, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs, zest, and lemon extract and mix for 2 minutes. 3. Reduce the mixer to the lowest speed, add half the flour mixture, and mix until well combined. Add half the sour cream, mixing constantly, and then add the rest of the flour and sour cream, ending with the sour cream. 4. Pour the mixture into the prepared Bundt pan, and bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a cake rack. Make the glaze. 5. Using a wire strainer, sift the powdered sugar into a small non-aluminum bowl. Add the juice and lemon zest, and whisk to break up any clumps. 6. Place the cake on a wax paper-lined rimmed baking sheet. Using a long skewer, poke holes in the cake almost going through the bottom at 1-inch intervals. Slowly pour the glaze over the cake, making sure it�s absorbed as you pour. Let the cake come to room temperature. It's very good, so thanks to Beth! Annie

Myfampg, it was I who was referencing "always buying a gift" - and maybe if I explain further you'll understand. I was not talking about showers for close friends and family, but rather the constant onslaught that I went through in my twenties and thirties of showers for co-workers (held at work), neighbors, long-lost friends from high school. I'm talking about being invited to a shower for my boss' fiancee, whom I had barely met, and the least expensive thing on the registry was $150. I'm talking about the sense of entitlement that some people have regarding showers. I started to lose some of my happy feelings regarding showers the first time that I happily spent all of my "fun money" for the week on a bridal shower gift, and the bride to be (who still lived with her parents, by the way, and had few bills of her own), proceeded to complain about how she'd been hoping to get more, and of all of the things that she was still "going to have to buy" for their new house - said house being a wedding present from her parents. Apparently she was under the impression that getting married entitled her to a free start in life? I went to a shower once to hear one of the other guests, whose shower I had also been to, explain in all seriousness how she felt that everyone should get to have a five year anniversary shower because her sheets and towels were wearing thin. I found out years later that, at least here with some of the various ethnic groups, one of the reasons that I was invited to so many showers of people I barely knew was tradition. For some people here, for bridal showers hostess invites close friends and family only, except for never-married women - where hostess invites pretty much every never-married woman the bride knows. Apparently the theory is that then when I got married, I'd "get my turn" to do the same. I've got to say that this tradition would have been great if I'd gotten married at age twenty - but tends to become a bit pricey after twenty years of being invited to showers for next-door neighbors' niece whom I'd met twice. (Yes, I did have a small shower but only family and close friends of years standing.) So perhaps I am just jaded. I still love showers for friends or family, and I actually don't mind showers for new mothers who really need and will appreciate some help, even if I don't know the women all that well. But best believe that unfortunately there are plenty of women out there who are more than happy to receive a gift given out of "obligation".