Thanks Chris. I am not sure if SG R1 is a dip or a tet since it's one where the markers were washed off. She behaves like a tet. Strong sturdy stalks and the flower is thick and almost waxy but, she has a resemblance to Bonnie Pink Ruffles which is a dip. I don't cross to many dips anymore in fact, I didn't cross any last year. They were all tets. LSB is probably an Ed Brown kid but I don't know the cross again. I will probably find it when I transplant because they are so thick in that bed, I can't get in to my markers. So anything that is LSB can probably be found.. Jill, I still have the runner up for thr Doody Pants award ( that went to Jan ). The one I have is Brown Trowsers and it's still in my garden. I have several nice bi-tones this year but time will tell about them. I just found one of the spiders I have is a bi-tone or she seems to be to me. If Photobucket straightens up so I can use it, I will post it. Well Ann, sometimes they get better but them sometimes the change so much it's discouraging. If that one just stays as it is, I will be happy. This is it's first year so I don't know how it will be. Thanks bunches.. Thanks Ladies for your encouragement!!! Ellie

Good Friday morning all!!! Crunch,crunch, crunch......really enjoying my celery. Thanks! Thanks for the accolades! I hope I didn't jinx myself for posting it here since I have at least 10Lbs to go.... I have 4 5LB bags of sugar on my counter to remind me of how much I have lost.......... Marci, I had no idea this child was so bad that she needed intervention. Wow, sorry you have had to deal with that but I am glad it's you because she might not get the care she needs otherwise. I hope things go well and I hope you get some rest this weekend. Losing sleep over it is not good for you. Are you able to do some yoga to help you unwind in the evening? Just a few minutes of breathing exercises and a few relaxing postures may help you sleep better. Try these breathing exercises: 2-to-1 breathing This breathing pattern relaxes the body by subtly stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, thereby inducing a state of relaxation. As you lie in bed, gently slow down the rate of exhalation until you exhale for twice as long as you inhale. You can coax a longer exhalation by contracting the abdomen slightly. Dont try to fill or empty or empty the lungs completely you are simply changing the rhythm of your breath. In the beginning it may help to count to six on the exhalation and three on the inhalation, or four on the exhalation and two on the inhalation (or any other 2-to 1 ratio you find comfortable). Focus on the smoothness and evenness of your breath, gradually eliminating any jerks and pauses. Counting Breaths Using the effortless 2-to-1 pattern described above, lie in bed and pay close attention to you breath. It should flow smoothly, evenly, and continuously. When the pattern is well established, take: * 8 breaths lying on your back * 16 breaths lying on your right side * 32 breaths lying on your left side Very few people complete this exercise. Sweet dreams! Try the 8 poses in the link below. I do the child's pose each night and it helps immensely. Raeanne, I know I can't do anything about it. Ommmmmmmmm but I want to find a comfortable place with her. I know it will all work out just the way it's supposed to! Beside, alot can happen in 9 months!! Maddie, you should try those breathing exercises and yoga poses too Sister! Night sounds very like very painful reading to me. Let us know how it is. I am glad you are writing the note.......it will help you go through the grieving process. BJ, thanks for your words of support. You sisters are all great! Besh, I know, I AM such a loser! Have you watched the Biggest Loser? IT's a great show. Today I am leaving at noon to go to the ride/drive that I host in my town of Hancock, NH for my driving club. It's going to be a splendid weekend which is great. Unfortunately, due to drought, the foliage is mediocre at best right now. Plus we haven't had a hard frost yet which is an essential ingredient to fall color. Sweet Pea will be styling as her cart is back from repair and actually looks brand new! It's much lighter than the old cart which we've had to use so she will be very happy with the lighter load. If I don't get a chance to check in again............I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe weekend.

We also have a square table that seats 8. Typically we have it in it's smaller 40x60 size because there's still only the two of us (for a couple more months!), but with one leaf in, it is 60x60 square. With the second leaf in, it's 80x60 and comfortably sat 10 adults for Thanksgiving dinner. There's plenty of room for the chairs to push in and plenty of elbow room. It's from what I would call a semi-custom furniture company called Canadale. We chose the dimensions, the finish, the edge and leg styles and the chairs. It is really a beautiful table. I only have a picture of it in it's small 40x60 size, otherwise I would post it for you. The only downfall is that it really is impossible to find table cloths for it when the leaves are in. We just use a runner or placemats instead, but if anyone has any good leads for wide tablecloths, please let me know!

What would be gained by deleting old posts? Diane's cousin and her mother KNOW where the girls are. They know the girls' names and ages. I can see being less specific in future posts -- not posting where you are going on vaction, the girls' special friends names, news of school field trips, etc. Perhaps if they knew HOW the girls are, how well they are doing, some of this possessive 'attitude' would cease -- if they can see how this benefits the GIRLS. I am impressed with Toni's post on holding out the possibility of some future contact for Megan. It could accomplish several good things -- one being to get Megan off your back until/unless she shapes up -- setting 'the rules' in stone. IF she can put the girls' welfare first, and if the girls WANT IT, she could have *supervised* contact with them from time to time. It's hardly surprising that Megan showed up at your door. You handled it, but YOU WERE NOT PREPARED for it. I don't know if the girls would benefit from counseling. I have thought all along that you could save yourself and the girls grief by seeking some help in advance of crisis. Given the lives they've led, it would be foolish to think that the girls will somehow mend on just biscuits and love. (Goes a long way, but really...) No law will change the fact that these are Megan's children. She's not mothering them. You are. They may need to know they will have the choice of seeing her one day. Maybe they just want to know her whereabouts, to be CLEAR about her role in their lives and your role. You can't 'erase' her -- that makes her a scary ghost. You don't want paranoid kids and you don't want to live behind barbed wire with a snarling guard dog. It's not easy. You knew that. Other people have experience with how to make it less hard on you and on the children -- and, yes, on Megan. There are some win/win possibilities. I am NOT saying you should ignore all danger of 'snatching'. I AM saying there are ways to defuse the situation. See what family counseling is available. Try it. You can always decide to accept or reject what you learn. There may even be a support group of parents in similar situations. (I like self-help groups!)