KUBlackBird: I can't find an e-mail address for you.If any one would like info on the plant exchange e-mail your mailing address and I will send flyer and map. The plant exchange is held at my flower farm(Mouse Creek Flower Farm) in Lee's Summit Mo. on June 25th. Every one brings a covered dish and a one gallon perennial plant. I funish drinks, plates, flatware and you furnish the fun and getting aquainted with fellow gardeners. There will be door prizes (hand made garden art) and good times. It is an RSVP Happy gardening Donna Groovey Junk

Got in at 1:30am Sunday so we really did miss the get-together by a mile. So how did it all go, folks? Although I got to see some nice wildflowers along the highways of western and northwestern US, it was certainly nothing like what was to be found at Kat's place... will definitely have to schedule vacation time around next year's hootenanny. ;-) And while I was gone the crabgrass had a grand time moving in across my unfinished beds. :-P Oh well, something to do for the rest of the summer, right? ;-) I did save some seeds of an unknown wildflower/weed in South Dakota; it was the only thing with set seed that I could find. I'll let you know if I ever learn what it is. Looking forward to hearing how it went. Did everything I donated find homes? :-) Terri

No decision yet - it's still a possibility - they're in the reference checking stage. Ironically I was talking to someone I work with who relocated to KC a few years ago - asking more about where she lives. She lives in Liberty!! And another person I work with is thinking about relocating to KC - family from there. Of course I haven't talked to these people much as I would not want anyone thinking I'm leaving if I'm not. After my day today it couldn't happen fast enough - if it meant getting out of this rat race. I also posted something on the buying/selling houses forum. The idea of all that is a little disconcerting - more the buying than selling. I'd hate to buy, decide not to stay there long term, and then be stuck with a house I paid too much for. I'm thankful not to be in that situation now and really don't want to get in that predicament. I'd also be relucatant to rush into selling/buying until I was somewhat sure the whole job situation was going to work out. You know how you never know what you're really getting into until you're in it. I've been looking at the real estate listings - I found a few places with trees. Lakes and water are scarce though I saw a few bodies of water - nothing like the land of 10,000 lakes though. We have a lake cabin in MN which we would keep - and if "retired" I would probably spend a good part of the summer there. It's interesting to hypothesize about the change - I think I'm ready for one.

I don't consider HVAC contractors--whether they're performing installation or service to be a lower life form. @Charles Ross Homes: Installers are rarely considered HVAC contractors. To be a HVAC contractor in most states and localities requires an HVAC License. In my case that HVAC License took me roughly 13 years to obtain for a variety of reasons. Currently that span of time makes about half my total career in this field. Lower life form: Knowledge is what separates amateurs from professionals. A good amount of knowledge is attained by experience. (doing it). This has nothing to do with being a lower life form. I realize after the fact how I stated that comment how it could be misconstrued as to what my role as an Licensed HVAC contractor truly is. As an example skill sets in how most HVAC companies are run: From highest to lowest Skill sets refer to what the title has the knowledge to perform. This doesn't mean you are a 'lower life form'. Skill is what? Licensed HVAC contractor >>> technician (working with supervision of Licensee) >>>> Installer >>>>> helper >>>> Dispatcher >>> Office personnel What separates these is not 'lower life form' --- it's knowledge. Knowledge = Skill. I service the Katy, Texas area. (Note: I fill all the roles I mention above. I am all those roles in one.) --- that is what makes 'a specialist'.