1. Is it a perennial??? yes (tender above zone 7?) 2. Does it have colorful or unusual foliage? NO (NOT COLORED FOLIAGE) 3. Are there many varieties? No 4. Does it bloom more than once a year? Yes 5. Does it grow taller than 12"? Yes 6. Is it a shrub? No 7. Is this plant valued for it's flowers? Sometimes 8. Is it collectible? YES, not by groups per se 9. Is it considered an Herb? NO 10. Is it a tree ? NO 11. Does it get taller than 36" ? NO 12. Does it bloom in spring? YES 13. Does it grow from a bulb? NO (not a bulb) 14. Can it grow from seed? YES (from what I have read) 15. Does it grow from a tuber? YES 16. Does it bloom all summer? YES 17. Does it come in red colors??? YES (?) Nope Bunny, guess again, I love callas. This is a plant I would LOVE to have too....I know doesn't help much... :) Fran

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NHSuzanne! YAY! It's your birthday! I hope that your family finds a way to make it very, very special for you! We love you here and are glad to hear your stories, detailing your outings on your baby, Sweet Pea. Hope you have some time today to spend doing something for YOURSELF, since your recent time has been so devoted to your DH. Cheers to you, sis! Have a great b-day! It's been quite a year! Marci~ Thanks for the cool picture! Very appropriate! Brekky: 1/2 bagel (but I'm going hunting for Marci's brand Monday!) 16 oz latte, n/f milk, s/f vanilla Snack:: Bag of pretzels: 220 cals Coffee w/ cream Late lunch at 3:30 (service went long): Lots of roasted veggies and a tiny piece of roast pork left over from the other night Dinner: (went to a housewarming party) About 6 rice crackers with homemade hummus - delish! Small square of phyllo-covered spinach something 3 sausages (small cocktail type - "Danger!") Lots of cucumber slices Dessert: The icing off of a 2" serving of chocolate cake Some red grapes Water, water, water, water! (Lots of wine flowing at this party, but I did not go there-stuck with spending my calories on food instead of wine and this morning, I'm glad I did that!) Going out to brekky with my family, then I hope to finish laundry and scoop my house into order! Also, my teen kids babysat twin boys all night for the house-warming couple and I hear them stirring, so before brekky, I have to return the boys to their parents! So fun having boys in the house tho'! Maddie~ (((((LOVE AND HUGS!))))))) Special thoughts going out to you and your kitty today---and every day. And tell Rog to GO SUCK A LEMON! Raeanne: I resorted to printing a cute photo I had of the housewarming couple and framing it, then wrapped it in a ribbon and DH brought along a bottle of Berritage wine for them. I love your idea of a Feng Shui basket, but you're right, it takes a certain kind of person! That would be a great idea for the holiday exchange HERE though---something with a Feng Shui twist! DeeMarie~ Miss you, love you, can't wait till you're back! And I'm never giving up---! Tikanas~Hope your finger is healing nicely. Be careful out there! Everyone have a RELAXING Sunday! Mind your menus!

Hey Guys, Im been MIA for a few days, but super busy. I had a fair amount of catching up to do here! Lots happens around here is short amount of time! NHSuzanne~ FIRST------Happy belated B-day!!! Howd you celebrate? Sounds like you and DH are all set for winter now! I was wonderingdoes your tractor have an all-terrain mower? If so, what brand and which attachment do you use? I have a large uneven area I need to mow and was thinking of renting. Is your sis better? Does she live pretty close to you? Its nice you can see her and take care of her. I hope you get in a ride soon. I miss going to the barn so much! Bith my older DDs were riders---19 yr old DD was a Western rider and competing in games and 17 yr old was an English rider. 19 yr old DD REALLY misses it and wants to work at a barn next summer. Ill have to work on that! DeeMarie~ Congrats on your doc visit and weight loss! Everything in line? Your concert a week ago sounded fun. I love live performances of any kind. I am happy I got you as my Holiday buddy! I cant wait to ship off a Northwest themed package to you! BTW, Im all caught up on the laundry front today! WHERE ARE YOU CRUISING TO IN JANUARY? Milkdud: Your Thanksgiving sounded wonderful! When is your sis coming in December? Is she a natural decorator type or does she do it for a living? Hope you are getting settled inand decorated :-) Glad the Atkins induction went successfully! Sounds like youre staying motivated! And how fun you get to baby-sit! I love the little ones! BTW,you sound very motivated about organizing. A little every day really makes a difference, doesnt it? My GF is not organized and she is a hoarder---well, now she has to sell her house and move (due to divorce) and she cant seem to get rid of anything. She was supposed to have her house on the market the 2nd week in October and it still isnt on the marketbut her friends are helpless to help her---shes afraid well throw her stuff out! So, we sit, frustrated, and wonder what shell do. RaeanneGlad to hear your trip to CA was mah-velous! How did like that weather? As far as your colonoscopy goes, think about the day AFTER, not the day before! That reminds me that I have to have my mammogram done this December. Glad you got the Thanksgiving travle plans worked out and it all came toegther! DonnaSNJ! Congrats on the online program weight loss! WOW! Terrific! Jen! You too! Great job! How was the vacation in Hawaii? Did you and DH go alone or did you take the pumpkins with you? Maddie---Audit report---howd it go? Done yet? Thanks for doing the holiday exchange list! Its so much fun each year! Besh: Did you find out anything else about the job situation? I can look at your resume and brainstorm if you email it to me. DeeMaries offer sounds pretty darn good, though. Glad your DH is back to work and his knee is better. Too bad about DSs bronchitisis it the weather? Hope the result was ok on your colonoscopy. Patti: When is your Christmas trip, where are you going, and for how long? Glad you got to have a traditional meal for Thanksgiving! Amy!!!!!! So glad to "see" you again! Whats the holdup on the power chair? Your eating plan sounds VERY healthy! I dont watch much TV (an hour and a half a week at MOST: only Boston Legal and The Soup), so I didnt see the show with the green drinks. Have you REALLY been in Hawaii for 6 YEARS???? I remember when you moved! John, HI! Always like it when you check in. Hope you had a quiet day at work on Thnxgiving Tikanas: YAY! Glad you can join us! And congrats on the NEW home! ----------------------------------------------------------- Wellall the kids were her for Thanksgiving and we all ate way too much all weekend long! Sounds like everyone had a great holiday food fest! We passed our house inspection (last week) with flying colorsI was a nervous wreck about that. My interview was last week and DH and oldest DDs are on Tuesday. My youngest 3 DDs have their interviews for Wednesday. Im doubly nervous this week and Ill be glad when the application process is overwhatever the turn out! I gave up tracking food because I was getting discouraged about the small amount of weight I was losing for such a concentrated effort. When I read Marcis post about putting the scale away, I decided to try that---and get on a regular exercise plan. I have been seriously walking the track at the local "Y" several times a week. I am testing out an MP3 player at the same time! Love both the walking and the music. Its pretty neat just to have some TIME to think!---or to not think! Well see how it goes. In addition, I am skipping the neighborhood cookie bakes and holiday dinners this year. I dont need the calories and since I am moving next summer anyway, I am taking THAT end-of-the-year stress out of my life. For the WHOLE holiday season, we have one dinner planned with a friend from out of town and then were off to the island (on Dec. 21st) for the holiday and DHs mom and dad will come to the island for Christmas and the few days surrounding it. Make this week a great one!

On my 50th my daughter Carri had a surprise birthday for me. I thought we were going out to eat. We had to stop at their house to get them....the lights were dim...I didn't have a clue. My oldest daughter and her four little ones (at the time) had come home from Minn. Carri had them hid there at her house for two days... When I walked into the dinning room they turned on the light and my grandbabies all came running to hug me and wish me Happy Birthday...of course I started crying. I don't remember what we did after that...if we had cake or supper or anything... Just remember being surprised by those little ones I was missing. Was a great birthday. The one that was just a baby is now 16....WOW I'm getting old...I'm about to celebrate another one. patti