Hey dethcheez I dont have any of the seeds you are looking for but I did buy some exploding cucumbers from plant world. They look to be great fun for the unsuspecting visitor...lol. I could send you some if you like. Oh, and I have some cruel plant on order from the netherlands (i dont count it until I actually get the pakage, rather than a note from customs). Just let me know. Thanks!

I sympathize, rosies. You have not failed in any aspect, at all. You have done everything in your power to maintain your mother's health in the face of many obstacles. You must be very tired. I'm in year 3 of caretaking, too. Mum is losing her mental faculties now. Short term memory is waning, though physically she is quite healthy and fit, despite a stroke in '04 (did the mental damage). She has gone from an independent old woman, to one that must be really "cared for"... I get her up in the morning, see that she dresses herself, washes her face, fixes her hair. I prepare her breakfast, helpmeet does lunch, we split dinner. I put her to bed, see that she takes her pills, schedule the "bath lady", all the things that you have to do for an elderly parent. It's really hard! and you lose your own freedom. I haven't been out for dinner with the helpmeet "on the spur of the moment" for over 2 months now. I can't visit a greenhouse/nursery after work... I have to go right home, make sure the urostomy pouch is emptied, she has a glass of water, and that the sign is on the toilet reminding her NOT to empty the pouch again until it's time for bed. From the time I wake up until I go to bed I think about Mum and the next "chore" on the list... You have done as much as you can be expected to do. You've done it well, with love and commitment. It's OK to feel sad about what is changing in your life. But don't spend too much time feeling guilty even though it's part of the deal. (Tell the facility you would rather not have them shove so much garbage food into your mother. You are paying them to take care of her and you have every right to expect them to follow your wishes with respect to diet!)

I am so, SO thankful, so blessed that I had all of you to turn to. I just re-read all the replies again and I'm smiling from ear to ear (and to be perfectly honest...my eyes got a bit teary) and I am about to start RE-decorating the tree....for the second time; thanks to all of you. To read some of your stories....terribly sad yes....those memories. But then I read how someday I can look back at this and laugh and I'm hoping all of you who've had the fallen tree mishap are able to do that also. To all of you: If any of you ever need a shoulder, or need to vent, I'll be here for you just as you were for me-I sincerely mean that. Just holler! (or, at least email through GW and I'll be there for ya...any of ya!) My Dad is doing much better....thank you so much for asking. It was sure scary the night I called 911. The fact that he is diabetic didn't help matters. E.R. Dx'd as severe food poisoning but because his sugar was through the roof and white count was so high they decided to keep him. On day three they were still insisting it was food poisoning. Took matters into my own hands and got a second opinion. Five tests later...... Severely Gangrene Gall Bladder, infection throughout bloodstream, etc. etc. Emergency surgery at 9 that night. Today, Dad is going to the bathroom without me helping him get up and walk there and without me standing outside the bathroom door waiting for him to finish. Thus....I'm redecorating my tree today! LOL My son? My voice of reason and comic relief. I will be showing him this printed thread. Thank you all so much. As for mice, rats and Sterilite....here's some pics I took really early this morning. This is one of the last two Sterilite tubs that we didn't get broken down in time for the curb/trash pick-up. Until now I thought those cute little round mouse holes in cartoons were just that....round mouse holes in cartoons. Nope, those critters really DO make almost perfect holes to get at what they want! And yes, thank you for that tip.....I just finished printing out this topic, all the replies. I want to put it with the pics I took of the mouse holes....so I can hopefully laugh about it some day. If you are squeemish about 'rat and mice stuff', don't scroll down to the pics below.....stop right here *smile* But I did put pieces of bubble wrap behind the holes to keep you from seeing the 'stuff' inside. Considerate of me, no? *grin* ------------------- ------------------- ------------------ ----------------- ------------------

Mikey your hilarious no sloppy Joe's for me anymore when I know I have to take public transit. Yippee you finally got rain you must have been excited I bet you were outside playing and jumping around in all the puddles just like we did when we were young . Mikey very hot and dry no rain here since the last big storm's about 3 weeks ago and Temps have been in the 90's the grass is yellow now . Mikey very excited about the GH do you know anyone that will put it up lol . Have you been getting this intense heat I know you just love it Sugar hates it instead of a half hour walk it's 5 minute walk until it cools off . Hope that your mom and dad and Bo are all doing fine . Have you had your vacation yet ? We are keeping a couple of weeks in September for the move . Take care my friend. Hoby that's crazy , we had a hail storm like that a couple of years ago but thank goodness it was in early October and all my ttrees were already inside the GH . I sure hope your weather improves wait a minute we Canadians know that both east and western Canada can't have nice weather at the same time I take that back lol. The pool is now a hot tub not very refreshing but it does help just a little bit if there's a nice breeze . Hobby it's not your fault we grow the tree's for the fruit and Meyers produce like crazy it will come back fast . I love Meyers they always have fruit at different stages of ripeness and flowers at the same time always something to watch with this tree. Pic of my Meyer yesterday evening. Brian