Dear Spoonplayer; I hope you have not left for your trip to see your sister yet, or given up on your idea of bringing plant material during travels. I am far from an "expert" at bonsai, but I have been messing with it for about 20 years and have around 30 trees now. I offer the following info for you: In year 2000 I moved with my family, and belongings (including bonsai) from Connecticut to Texas. This is a little bit different event than the one you descibe in your note. However, I think maybe some items will apply to both situations. Firstly, I was told by my moving company that anytime live plant materials are shipped across state lines, the applicable state Department of Agriculture must inspect them for disease and pests. I had to arrange to have my trees inspected. Your state may be less strict I suppose. I did not have them inspected in Texas when we moved back to Connecticut in year 2001. Our movers carefully packed my trees and shipped them with all the other household goods by truck to Texas in February of 2000. Since they were all dormant in Winter sleep mode, they made the trip fine and nothing at all was damaged. The return trip to Connecticut one year later went smoothly also - again packed and shipped by movers in a truck. No Dept. of Ag. inspection was done in Texas - the moving company was not hip to the requirement I think. Understanding your situation is very different, I only offer my experience as food for thought. Things could get very complicated at the airport if your baggage or carry-on is scanned and un-inspected plant material is found. You may wish to consider shipping by UPS or US Postal Service next day service. Not sure if they would require you to have your items inspected though.

hh, as always, you made me LOL with your question about the people. Thanks, I have coffee stains on my shirt now. I have one of these 'climbing men' on my dining room wall between a window and a doorway. People seem to like him. When I bought him, he was at a boutique-y store so I thought he was, you know, Real Art. But if you can get him at the Interior Mall... I guess it's not a rare find. I also have this decal over the doorway in our mudroom -- so this is what you see when you come in my back door. Here is a link that might be useful: climbing guy

we were married in las vegas, at the little church of the west...(used to be on the strip, but has been moved) my parents lived there... dd1 eloped amd was married in a friend's lr in seattle (long story, outlaws got bitter over the planned wedding in vegas) ds1 was married in a friend of the bride's family, garden. dd2 had a destination wedding in fl, on a beach...(and boy was it hot in may!) last, ds2 was married in a chapel on the grounds of turn of the century, greenfield village (ford museum here in mi) of them all, (aside from the elopement) i enjoyed the chapel wedding as for the location..it was in october and they all these pumpkins decorated, the leaves on the trees in full color...(didn't care for the reception) dd2's reception was a brunch for 40 who came down to fl...then a bigger buffet a her fil's then apt rec center...both of them were nice. the backyard wedding dinner was good in a tent, but had to fight mosquitos as the night wore on.. 2 other weddings i've attended were in historical buildings (the first mission in san diego, and one at a place called the mariner's (?) chapel in ca (it's made of glass, and overlooks the ocean) we also have a local historical home called the governor's mansion with a gazebo on the grounds that's a fave spot. it really doesn't matter where the wedding is at as long as the bride and groom ar happpy and surrounded by family...i regret to this day i didn't get on the plane with dd1 and say the heck to her outlaws! if money is a consideration, then have a "private" service and no reception...

Thanks for the tips! DD said they want to do it at a pizza place-we have a couple choices-one has a big game section and lazer tag, I'd like to do it there because the guys (and girls) could always play a round of lazer tag afterward (hey, that could be a prize for a game....) But the other place serves better pizza and the parking is better. I'll need to check with both places to see what their capacity is-I think the game parlor is larger. There were a couple games mentioned, I like the baby photo one. At their wedding they also played some games, so I know that they enjoy doing things like that. Maybe since it'll be an adult party we might do a version of Words Against Humantiy with baby themed words? Definitely want to get the guys involved. I wouldn't do anything cutesy-that's not their style anyway. My SIL said that a lot of his coworkers wanted to throw him a shower! I think that's cute. He's definitely going to be a hands on dad-he's an early education teacher with Head Start and loves little ones. That cake is gorgeous. My DS's girlfriend's friend makes gorgeous cakes-she made the Reveal Party cake, I might ask her to make one for this party too. We know the baby is a boy-no name has been chosen yet, so colors for the party are easier to do now. I just hope they don't get bogged down with footballs!