Thanks to everyone who looked at the pics. It was an unusual day for beautiful groups to bloom. When I first saw Moldovan's picture and description of Flying Trapeze, I had to have it. It is still the most expensive daylily I have purchased as I could find only one vendor who had it. It is increasing nicely, and it is a good bloomer. I love that day lily! Clown Parade also affected me like that, in fact. the hybridizer's picture was my desktop for a long time. Then, I had to have Cerulean Warbler (thanks to Debra's picture.) Whenever I see one that I just keep looking at, I might as well buy it. Those have never disappointed me. Renie's Delight also fits into that category. One of you posted some tour pictures in the off season and a clump of Renie's Delight was identified. I kept looking at that picture and I just HAD to have it. Rita's Emmerich selections also did me in. They are so beautiful and they bloom reliably. Those of you who liked Rowdy Red should know it has many, many blooms over a long time. Marietta Sent me two large fans of it, and they have really bloomed. Once again, thank you for looking and commenting. I am enjoying everyone's postings, and always on the hunt for the next "gotta have it:. kay

Many women have told me that when they were single and had a career, that they would see a friend or relative who was not working, (stay at home moms of babies or toddlers) and they thought they were lazy when their houses were so messy, and chaotic. Only when they had children of their own, and walked in the shoes of a stay at home mom, did they understand how hard it was to take care of babies and toddlers, and keep the house clean and meals prepared. While working, they could not imagine why their friends or relatives could not get things done, because they thought they were just sitting around all day long. Only when they too became mothers, were they able to grasp how exhausting it can be, with each child needing soooo much from them. Perhaps if you could imagine yourself as the spouse working, and supporting your husband who is home all day, you can imagine how you would feel if you walked into the house after working all day, to find the place a wreck, and chaos, and perhaps no dinner ready. You would be really angry and disgusted with him too. Because you would feel like you not only had to earn the income by working all day, but that you would be expected to do his job too! And so it is with perspective. That explains where he is coming from. But for all those women who have walked in your shoes, you are only one person, and a new baby and toddlers take enormous energy, and you are living the reality that almost every mom with such young children experience. A grumpy husband who has no ability to imagine or grasp what your day entails. I imagine that this senerio is played out all over the country. And yet, you and countless other women walking in your shoes "get it". Can you understand that things will get so much easier as your children get a bit older? You are in the midst of the harder times that take sooo much energy. Hang in there. It would be too hard to be a single mom having to earn a living and care for such young children on your own. Perhaps before your DH is due home, you and your older children can put some music on, and play the clean up game, where you make it a fun game to get everything back in its place, as best you can. Crock pots are a great way to have dinner ready when you have the energy in the morning, instead of when you are so tired at night. Pull up 5 star crock pot recipes on line. Find a counselor that will help your DH understand how hard this time is for new moms. And help him to understand the importance of supporting you during this time. But I want to encourage you that it does get easier as the kids get a bit older. Have a heart to heart with him when he is in a good mood. Tell him that you understand from where he is standing what it looks like. But that he needs to understand that at one time you may have thought the same thing about someone else. But that the day to day reality of a stay at home moms role with such little ones, is so much harder than you ever imagined it would be. And that you both will get through this, and life will get so much easier as your little ones grow up. And that you need his support, and you will do what you can to try and do this for your family. Tell him that yelling at you only makes you want to give up on your marriage. And that these children deserve a family that is working together to make it. Remember, you are in good company and are not alone. When you are struggling, remember the young moms all over the globe that are walking in your shoes, and struggling right along with you in the same senerio. Hang it there and take it just one day at a time!

I know a lot of people use a pressure cooker for ribs and it makes for quick ribs (and other foods). I thought about buying a pressure cooker, especially an electric one but decided against it. I usually brown the ribs, give them a seasoning rub, then into the Nesco and slow cook for a couple of hours. Buffets, Inc. closed down over 80 of their locations but all of the ones in MN stayed open. Guess we patronize them enough to stay open. It's interesting to see peoples' choices. I'm not into "people watching" much but sometimes get a kick out of how people dine. I used to be one who liked ribs drenched in sauce. After trying the "Memphis style" at Chili's I enjoyed them so much I went on a search for different rubs (and found hundreds, well, way more than that!) and now experiment with different rubs. I sometimes add some sauce afterward. And I'm really a fan of country style ribs and yes I know they're technically more of a "chop" but when you cook 'em like ribs and the pork boys are satisfied with the name, that's good enough for me. Hi Sooey. I like the Cook's Country and America's Test Kitchen shows and agree, they have a good website. They don't talk down to you like so many of the cooking shows do, they seem to try to teach. Some of their recipes get a little overboard to get the "perfect" whatever but I still pick up some tips and stuff from the show. Once you know the basics of making ribs, they're not difficult. And usually they're always good if cooked tender. (I'm still full from yesterday!) :)

I think that you have the 4-day stomach flu. Both my wife came down with at the end of September - can't keep anything down - Have to be careful how much water you drink at one time. I was very sick for 3 days, then began to recover. Lost 5 lbs. And I had a flu shot 3 weeks before this flu. Apparently, its a much different flu than the ones the shots are for. By all means, do go to the doctor. If your boss gives you a hard time, ask him if he'd rather you'd come in and Urp! all over his desk! and expose everybody. A note from the doctor's office will verify how sick you are. In fact, if you call the doctor before going in and describe your symptoms, the doctor may advise not to come to his office. If its the same stuff that made the rounds in my neck of the woods, the gestation period between exposure and getting sick is 4 to 5 days. Your ability to "think straight" diminishes as you become dehydrated, and you'll become dehydrated if its the same thing I had.