Hello ladies and happy every Holiday I missed. To those of you who do know me, I am back and mentally back on track (I think). To those of you who don't, well I was I am a member, love everyone here. Went away to do some great mission work and had some very tragic things happen. Many hours of therapy later, and actually returning to the Dominican I think I have healed, I am not bitter, sad, or frightened to leave my house any more. I am able to talk about it and I feel that I can share with postive feelings now. But enough of that. Am I to late for April? Please tell me that I can play in April? Max is 4 and we just looked at Co-op preschool. HE is a mama's boy and didn't want to go to big boy school yet. Maryanne~ I have a box for you that I need to send, but um lost your address.. So Merry Christmas when it comes. Ahh. I just don't know what to say or who to say it to because I am scared I will leave someone out. I tried to read as many posts as my brain can handle, but I am sure that I will need some help. Babies and ornaments, tornados and ahhh.. I am not in Kansas anymore. Please feel free to email me with any personals that you'd love to share. I apologize for being gone so long. If there is anything that you want to know email me. If I need to re-join let me know if there is room. Mayanne_ my big sis.. I hope all is well, miss you and thanks for all your support thru this, even though I was a bad lil sis and became an introvert. But guess what? I am back and better. Missed you all Laura.... beans

The best food I had was on Canadian Pacific (they served great filet Mignon), and the second best was Air France, where I had Crab Louis. My best friend in Mexico City said that SwissAir had the best food (and sterling silver flatware), but I also had real silverware on CP, and for that matter on the Santa Fe train, when I used to take it between Houston and Temple when I was at Rice. My favorite meals were on trains. In the 1990s I used to ask for Kosher meals when I would fly so that I could get lactose free food. I also used to ask the airlines what color scheme was used in the decoration of the airplane interiors, so that I would not wear something that would clash. Unfortunately, they were unable to furnish me with this information and I sometimes had to be embarrassed - mostly notably when I flew Alaskan Airlines, which had horrible brown interiors with hideous brown upholstery. I happened to be wearing turquoise linen pants, a magenta shirt, and purple shoes on that flight between Seattle and San Francisco. After that, I stopped flying into or out of Seattle and only flew to Vancouver when visiting the northwest. That was in the 1980s, however. Lars

If you're coming this weekend there's a huge sale at 'United by Blue' - in Old City. It might be something that would appeal to the girls. Both DD and DDIL have picked up cute T's there. I don't know if it would be a madhouse or not during the sale. http://www.phillymag.com/shoppist/2016/05/13/united-by-blue-nyc-expansion-and-sale/ http://unitedbyblue.com/collections/womens They do more of their shopping in Northern Liberties near their apartments but that area isn't as cohesive and Center City or Old City, and too far to walk from your hotel. The April issue of Philly Magazine had an article titled "The 50 Best Shops in Philadelphia." Unfortunately their definition of Philly includes Wayne, Chadds Ford and Lambertville - but most of them are in town. http://www.phillymag.com/shoppist/best-shops-philadelphia/ I hope you have great weather for walking. For something a little different you could always take the girls to the Mütter Museum. Maire

Wow those are some beautiful plants! Very romantic looking :). Actually, the more I read about it, the more I'm interested in the Lamarque there. I'm also trying to research to see what any of the Chinas or Albas have to offer, as they apparently have a wonderful scent. Gallicas kind of have my eye too (all that history appeal and talk of medicinal properties is seductive), but I'm not so sure how much luck I'd even have with that group here in Ocala. So far it seems my best bet is probably gonna be something from the noisette or the china group... just gotta find which ones can deal with that sultry florida sun and humidity lol. Your guys' advice is wonderful, by the way. It's really helping me to focus on only a few groups to find what suits my needs, as opposed to all roses ever. (It's kind of spurred me into a days long research fest on comparing the different rose groups ^_^). Anyone know of any white scented chinas that do exceptionally well in central FL?