It's a great addiction though, right? LOL..It can be costly but what the heck..There was only 1 plant in all the yrs of growing, where I paid over 40.00, well, honestly, it was 75.00..LOL..and that was a gardenia tree..I remember thinking 20.00 was extravagant, lol..Most of the time I look for bargains, or buy small plants..for instance, we went to HD last wkend..they had different size succulent pots..small was inexpensive whereas larger plants were at least 15.00+, so I stuck w/the small..I know they'll take longer to get to that size, but I figure I can buy more than one type for 15.00.. Speaking of succulents, I don't know how many ppl here enjoy them, but many HD's are having a huge sale and so many varieties..think they're getting plants from another nursery..they're fantastic..I found a baby variegated Kalanchoe for 1.99..it's really pretty, never seen one like it..it was the last left, so I grabbed it up fast..Toni

I know more people who love Facebook than feel about it as I do. If it works for you - great! I did indulge myself in it for quite some time, but since I've distanced myself I find that I resent the notion that it's something that suits all of us. I blame the media and Corporate America in general. If I want to know more about a product, I'm encouraged to "Like" the manufacturer on Facebook. If I want more news from my local sources, I'm encouraged to "check out our Facebook page for more info." It's so much more than just a widely used social outlet - there's a thinly veiled insistence that we assimilate or be left out. And I don't take well to anyone even so much as hinting that I assimilate. ;-) Facebook brought me together with a large number of people from my past, and in most cases it became evident to me quickly why we parted ways and our relationship was left in the past. A couple of people were even downright nasty; one man that I'd dated very briefly in high school made a blatantly homophobic comment when I said something on my page in support of my gay cousin's rights (or lack thereof, I should say). For me, Facebook was largely a lesson in how life moves on and why. Too, when I found msyelf taking photos with the thought of the subject matter being something cool to post on Facebook, I knew it was past time to call it quits.

Last week I saw a list of top 10 careers that have the most sociopaths/psychopaths and lawyer was high on the list. The litigator relative sounds like he fits in well with this group. You cannot change sociopathy or shame these people into better behavior. Look up narcissist personality disorder, for instance. Many entertainers/celebrities and politicians, etc. fall into this disorder. They can be charming personalities, but are toxic and selfish to no end. Avoid these people. Unfortunately, not many people have guts enough to get evil relatives out of their family get-togethers. There are many reasons for behaviors and choices people make: negative/dangerous personality disorders, or autism-spectrum disorders which cause people to not understand "polite" social rules, abuse and neglect from childhood, damage from past bullying, maintaining a bad attitude/complaining or choosing an attitude of optimism/gratitude, lack of education, a reaction to loss, or just a mental disorder not of their own choosing. It's a matter of what family/environment/gene pool people are born into, with what abilities and attitudes and choices they make as life goes on. I use my judgment about other people's behaviors and words to gauge who I want in my life. People who work to be positive or move ahead regardless of what happens to them are at the top of my "welcome" list. Attitude is life and death to well-being, so I don't accept manipulations/negativity/gossip. My BFF and I help each other through our bad days and try to laugh through our difficulties when possible, but we also deal with our problems. Watch an episode of Hoarders and see how the hoarders live in a state of denial in the face of mountains of trash and stinky filth. Their mental health, maturity and choices as life has happened are reflected in their living conditions. Fascinating to see their thinking, but has to be hellish to live with.

moutaineergirl - As you said, your meakin creamer is pre-1897. The other two pieces may be even older if they are English and unmarked, or it's possible that they're American. American ironstone wasn't readily embraced by Americans right away and English was preferred. American potters either left their pieces unmarked, or used marks that looked very much like English marks - basically in an effort to fool people. Eventually, American ironstone came into its own and the marks became more unique. My favorite American mark is a Homer Laughlin (Ohio) image of the American Eagle attacking the British lion. ;o) Your matching pair appear to be in really good condition, but when I clicked on the images to try to see them larger, it wouldn't let me into photobucket. I couldn't make out what pattern they might be. arlosmom - I love the way you've used your pieces, and I love brown transferware too! coll4 - I'm drooling over that giant bowl and the huge pitcher on the right of your lighted cabinet. Wow!