Luvs, We haven't done much on the pond at all, but DH promised me the liner will go in this weekend. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. My backyard is a mess with everything laying around waiting to go in or around the new pond. I've been doing as much as I can get done on the rest of the backyard so I'll be ready to devote all of my time to the new pond. I have 3 tons of rocks waiting and need about 3 more tons. My poor back. LOL I planned my Memorial Day table in my head, but didn't get it done. I'm glad Karen posted her stacking plates. It made me feel better just to see someone else's. Kathleen, Please do post a pic of your calligraphy. Wow, 300! You sure got them done fast. How are your hands? I hope your DS's house sells quickly. Our yellow pollen is past, but we are over 9" below average for rain. We need it very badly. Tam, You've been really busy. Isn't it rewarding though to just get your hands in dirt? I saw on TV that there is something in soil that helps depression. It's hard to believe there's been so much rain in some areas and none in others. Gotta love Mother Nature! Karen, I love your tipsy tower with the painted pots and silk flowers. What a cute idea to paint the pots. I have 2 in back, one with terra cotta and the other with the plastic "terra cotta" looking pots. One tip...if you use real terra cotta put a plastic bag from the grocery inside before you add your soil. Just tear a hole in the bag over the drainage hole. It helps to keep them from drying out too quickly. I bought some large pots to do a big one in my front flower bed, but haven't gotten it done yet. I saw a pic somewhere of a tipsy tower decorated for Christmas. It was a really cute idea that I want to do also for the different holidays. Kathleen, the tipsy tower is EASY! You can use any pots you want. Jaybird, I wish the rain would rush through TX and come to NC. We're desperate. You've been super busy also. We would love to see pics of your new spread, etc. Please share. I'm wishing really hard for a day of rain so I can stay inside and sew some napkins for 4th July and save some on my water bill.

Yes! Yes! Yes! I really miss those dishes filled with yummy meals. I thought about taking pics of my shrimp scampi the other day and posting it but, the 2 hungry guys at the table started chowing down before I could get the camera out and whined about starving until I gave in!! But the new dishes were pretty! Betty

Nice to hear from you, Kathleen. Maybe we can help some with the boredom. I hope so. I know its hard to take it easy when your mind says 'go' and your body says 'no'. I got the pneumonia shot last year, and don't know why I waited so long to get one. Its good for 5 yrs, and covers 28 strains of pneumonia I was told. Actually I don't worry so much about catching pneumonia with the exception if I had to be hospitalized! THAT seems to be the worst place for getting it. And after my Mom and a neighbor both died from it IN the hospital, my fears are huge. My doc told me to avoid hospitals...LOL, like I'd go willingly!...as my immune system is no good. (Fibro is an auto-immune disease, which means your body turns on you). Anyway, I sure am glad you are 'back'! Take care of yourself, we need you here. And those Fattening Fotos. LOL. hugs, Karen

Thanks for the compliments everyone. Let me see if I can answer every question. OA and Sandi, The raven napkin ring was one of a set of four different-spider(YIKES),skull,raven,and I can't remember at the moment what the forth one was. Got them at Target as well as the napkins,tablerunner,purple skulls, and little black metal skeleton. The black and orange haunted house plates came from Michaels. DD, I never saw Psycho. Too chicken for scary movies! Luvs, the spiderweb plates came from Walmart,but the black cat is just a cut out shape from a package I bought. I liked it and laid it in the plate for some contrast decoration. Sorry. But I love your black cat. Judith, I can't wait to see the tree you create with all of that silver. Kathleen, I love your ghost placemats. Thanks Prosperity. I'm sorry you didn't have much luck finding Halloween items this year. I hope you find more next year. I had a fun day shopping. Looking forward to the good times next year with the grandkids. My 14 year old with participate too if I have food!! He will eat anything. Betty