And now, after many, many years of WS. My hubby says around Christmas: "have the seed catalogs come? How many seeds did you save? Are you trading yet. You better hurry if you haven't started". In the summer "I was driving by someone's trash and I found some garden flats and a bunch of 4" cups. Where do you want me to put them?" Around now "How many flats have you planted yet? Do you think you've planted enough? Don't you need to order more seeds?" In the spring (especially for seedlings that don't go out for another 6 months or a year) - "When do we set up the holding area, and do I need to water the seedlings before I go to work in the AM or have you got that under control"... After years of winter sowing, my hubby fully knows how much money we save by winter sowing. I have also earned money winter sowing! I ordered $120 worth of perennial seeds this year. That translates into $4,000 - $6,000 retail worth of plants, shrubs, trees. I just saved us a LOT of money!

Carrie, I was in Charlotte this weekend and thought about you as I was riding a motorcycle past your exit. We need to get together again soon. I'm visiting Charlotte a lot more these days. The gardens around here are sometimes neglected in exchange for other activities with friends. Glad you're doing well. We'll talk soon. No plans to visit in the next couple of weeks.

First, tell the painter you need to reschedule because you can't find the color you love. Second and so on, Remember that a couple of coats actually can create a "richer" look. Now remember this next question comes from the colors' resolution on my monitor: Do you realize everything in your home is pretty much the same value? Value is light or dark. Everything is of the same grey/white/tan/hint of blue + your black appliances. Shoot! Even your dog and your dog's toy blend in. IMHO, you need something to make that lovely granite stand out. Something darker. Chocolate is dramatic for someone afraid to invest in paint, but I agree it might be a great choice. A darker, steel blue perhaps? I'm one fighting with my greens turning turquoise in natural light. grrrr... Finally found the perfect color with the Valspar, which I tried simply based upon their current TV ad. Look. It's just paint. It's not a lifetime investment or affecting peace on earth. Buy some darker colors and paint one wall. Make certain your granite and cabinets are involved. And live with it for a week. Pick the paint chips you've looked at, liked, but immediately dismissed as too dark. You've got a gorgeous kitchen and some cool chairs in your family room. Show 'em off!

"There are times when I feel like vacations are more trouble than they are worth, except when I am actually on vacation." LOL . . . . So, so true, Ded!!! And, yes, both times I threw so much food away. But, this morning, I love seeing how clean and organized my kitchen fridge is. Hope it stays like that for awhile! NoGreenThumb: what a thoughtful thing for him to do! Schoolhouse: Yes, I think I will send them. Debi saved me so much money and gave up a pretty significant commission to do it. Her thoughtfulness has me telling all my friends and neighbors about her, but I still want to do something more.