Awwww, Mr. Gary, how very nice to have such lavender pearls for all the ladies. Don't worry about it, WW, there is lots of time before dawn. I just was told hosta obtained thru charitable means do not count...Bev said it and she ought to know. So I can whip out the ole (short) Wish List and feel perfectly entitled--ENABLED is the word I need--to find the dream hosta....(if he had not approved of more hosta, wouldn't he have given me something besides MONEY....something such as an electric screw driver?) so he knows......he is ONE OF YOU -- AN ENABLER TOO. .... My my my-my-my MY, isn't this a happy birthday for sure. G'night Ludi... hello to the AFTER MIDNIGHT crowd.... welcome through Stargate to another world in the Back40. I recommend that you open the below linked Clapton number in another window and then read the forum posts for a better sense of being CONNECTED to one another. Not just our eyes, but our ears are sharing. Our thoughts lifted beyond the garden fence to times this music brings to mind. It is my way of saying thank you for sharing your warmth as well as your wisdom. I have a greeting card I never can bring myself to give away because of its message. Never mistake information for true wisdom. Here is a link that might be useful: Clapton...

I was SO glad to see so many posting. Welcome back everyone. NH Suzanne~So sorry to hear about your job. I know that you will land on your feet though. Nickname people call you: Patti Hair color -or dye color! and eye color: It is a golden blonde? eyes are blue Where ya from? How did you get there? Is there any place you’d rather live? I am from the panhandle of TX, moved to Midland, TX & back & forth from Dallas to Midland, then have been in FL for 10 years. Moving back to Midland sometime in the next 2 years Married/Divorced/In Transition/Widowed/Single (Check all that apply) Divorced twice, Married to my hero! & best friend Tattoo?-WHERE/Piercings?-HOW MANY? !!! ears are pierced once What do you do all day long? On computer, sewing, fun with friends & family, watch the wildlife, meetings, scrapbook, read, there is a ton of things to do Kids? How many? Genders? ok, I had 2 boys that are 32 & 28, 2 miscarriages, I have a son, 39 & daughter, 38 that followed me from another marriage, & a daughter 28 that came with this marriage...I have 6 or 8 grandchildren (the 38 y.o. is contemplating marriage & he will gain 2 children in that marriage...the 6 children are 9, 6, 5, 4, 1, & 11 months. 3 boys & 3 girls...the other two are 1 boy & 1 girl...a 10 y.o. & a 9 y.o. Pets? What kid and names. Why’d you name them THAT? not right now but I normally name my dogs after detectives just as a ha ha Sisters? Brothers? 1 sister, 21 months younger than me & 1 brother 16 months younger than her What object do you cherish the most-and would find hard to part with? I'm not much on objects but the one thing would be the table my grandmother left me b/c when we moved here I gave the rest of her things to my brother What memory do you love to think about? I love thinking about my grandmother & anything we did together & hope to make those kinds of memories with my grandchildren Favorite place to just hang out for and by YOURSELF? haven't been able to do that here in Florida since we only have one car & logistics make it difficult but I had a couple of spots in TX that I went to when I had difficulties with my exes. I guess here I would have to say my scraproom? If you were a crayon, what color would you be? teal Favorite smells? Name 3. lilacs, cinnamon, fresh bread Favorite FOOD (that means ONE.) Lobsta Name your potluck party never-fail dish: (we might ask for the recipe!) You know we almost always end up taking a brisket w/bar-b-que sauce so there will be a meat Last movie you saw? Despicable Me in 3D BEST movie you ever watched? For some reason I always go back & watch, "Little Shop Around The Corner" The TV show you just can’t miss! Right now it is Survivor & Hell's Kitchen Best book you’ve read? To Kill A Mockingbird Book you’re reading now: a fluff book What special talent do you have? I too can pick up anything with my toes Do you have a secret? TELL US!!!! I'm another open book! LOL What do you do when you’re frustrated or angry? I normally let it out fast. I'm not one to stay frustrated or angry What are your favorite shoes-or boots? WHY? If I have to wear shoes it is going to be sandals What would you donate to an auction? not sure What makes you happiest? being with family & friends Pet peeve: backstabbers or two-faced people, I want you to say what you have to say to my face not say one thing to me & another behind my back Greatest fear: Alzheimer's, just lost my friend to the disease & I think my Mom may have it. Some say my Grandma had it. Favorite journey or travel spot: Anywhere I go with Dave! :) Tell us more! We might want to go there! (Favorite place to eat, favorite sight, etc) If you haven't been to San Antonio, TX it is a lot of fun or you should try out Tarpon Springs, FL if you like Greek influence. It is fun! & good food too. What 3 qualities do you look for in a long-term friend? honesty, unconditional acceptance, & a sense of humor Favorite fictional hero? I don't know that I have one but I loved the answer Atticus Finch! :) Phrase you most overuse: probably, "awesome" What’s your motto? "You grow up the day you learn to laugh at yourself!" Think that was by Eleanor Roosevelt If you were forced to, what song would you sing in front of a crowd? I agree that Happy Birthday is the one you probably would most likely be forced to sing Favorite kind of music? I love Smooth Jazz & 60s rock What kind of a vehicle do you drive? 2011 Kia Sorento & love it. (Built in Ga!) If you could go anywhere, where would you go? I would love to travel the USA--particularly Alaska & the Grand Canyon What do you value most in life? the love of family & friends: without that what do you really have? can't wait to see the other answers! ;)

You mean a lot to us BJ, so spill away. That is so sad about the 20 year old. My former neighbor, 22 years old, killed herself a few years ago after a breakup with her boyfriend. If only she would have realized that life does go and that one day that ex-boyfriend would have been a mere memory. Now her family is left with painful memories. Her sister is getting married today and I know it is going to be hard without Jamie there. They were a close group of (3) sisters growing up. Raeanne - I hope the service goes well. I have been thinking about you. And I wanted to ask, what part of Pittsburgh did DD get to see? Where does her friend live? Is she downtown or in the suburbs? Besh - I did have yesterday off and I spent it shopping and relaxing. DD's birthday was yesterday (she couldn't come home) and DS's birhtday is 12/5, so we will celebrate them both at Thanksgiving and I wanted to get their shopping done. It was a beautiful day and I was just happy to be out and about. NHSuzanne - How is DH doing? Is he behaving himself? DeeMarie - Did I welcome you back? If not, welcome home. I too immediately checked out the story about the "pirates" to see if it could have been your ship. Aren't we all mother hens! LOL Gretchen - I miss you too and wish you would post and let us know how you are doing. Magic Kitty - Are you there? How's the weather in Florida? DS has been in Iowa the last 3 weeks, so he hasn't been able to enjoy the nice weather. Joanne - Good to see 2 posts from you! It is so nice to have some of our MIA's back on the boards. That was a nice poem, thanks for sharing. Oprah's show on Thursday closed with her asking, "What have you done lately to make yourself proud." She challenged her audience to make every moment count and make themselves proud. Made me stop and think about the little things that can mean a lot. Patti - So glad you are posting again too! What are you reading lately? I went to the half price book store yesterday and added 6 more books to my TBR pile. Like I needed 6 more books, but those bargain prices drew me like a magnet! LOL Give Dave a hug for me. Tikanas - Sounds like you have such a busy schedule lately. Are you taking time for yourself? Jen - I need to shop for a 2 year old for Christmas. What is Tara into these days. My Little Pony? Hello Kitty? What size does she wear? Maddie - Sounds like your long wait for a great job has paid off. Congratulations! Having nice people to work with is a great perk. Our new teaching assistant is working out great and I am so glad we waited for that "one last interview" and hired her. And thanks for organizing the Christmas exchange again. Thursday's menu: B - 2 pieces 100% whole wheat toast with 1 T natural peanut butter and 1/2 banana L - Wrap made with whole grain tortilla, 2 oz. lean turkey, 1/2 oz. Swiss cheese, spinach and cranberry mustard. Mott's SF applesauce S - Last 2 pieces of Halloween candy (DH wouldn't take it into work! Grrr...........) D - Chili with grated cheddar cheese and 1 slice fresh Italian bread Friday's menu: B - 4 oz. yogurt with 1/3 C Kashi Go Lean Crunch, 2 T sliced almonds and 1/2 a banana L - Wrape made with whole grain tortilla, 2 oz. turkey, 1/2 oz. Swiss cheese, spinach and cranberry mustard S - Skinny Cow peanut butter ice cream sandwich D - Barilla whole grain spaghetti with my home made sauce S - Amaretto Sour (It was Friday, what more can I say! lol) Make today count! Marci

Wow, thank you everybody for the birthday wishes!! And happy birthday to you, kayjones!! I'm 63 today, so we are practically sisters!!! I had a wonderful day, lots of fun. I spent time with my horse, friends and family. I can't ask for more than that!! Thank you all very much.