Plot, I'm surprised that you had that experience; they have always answered the phone when I called them. In fact, I called them today, since I just sent them the list of seeds I will offer in 2007, which was actually due _there_ today. (Kicking self in sitting muscles) Seeds which I have already made available on GW, for the most part. :-) I wonder if you called the correct number? At the bottom of their home page, there are 2 numbers; one is for fax only. But since this is their off-season, and they are beginning the difficult task of entering data for the new Yearbook (a massive annual undertaking), I suppose it is possible that the phones could have been left unattended for awhile. As to their customer service, I confess to having been frustrated at times myself. While their response on the phone (or in person, during a visit) has been satisfactory, I pretty much gave up on letters & emails, because they often went unanswered. I would like to hope that they were read, since I have addressed some important issues... but I'll never know, I guess. And ironically, that is one of the issues I addressed in a letter, and which I commented on in my first post above. If SSE is a grass-roots organization, I think the lawn's getting a little brown. ;-) It needs some fertilizer, and a little TLC, from the landlord. They have been in a building phase, increasing the size of their property, updating their facilities, and making better public access to their grounds. They have increased the numbers of varieties that they are able to grow each year. Their ability to raise money successfully has made many of these improvements possible, and I dont want to diminish the magnitude of what they have accomplished; but I wonder if along the way, they have lost something equally important. That is, the closeness, the sense of family that you would expect from those who share a sense of purpose. True, one of the trademarks of a grassroots organization is that it is made up of mustangs, free spirits, people who seldom fully agree on anything (lol). But I still believe that SSE management can - and should - do more to bring its members together, and provide some training & encouragement. This wouldn't cost a lot of money, or take a lot of time. It just takes leadership. They have been successful at selling seeds; but they should be just as diligent at selling the dream, and recruiting new soldiers to the cause. Its not a question of informing people of the urgency of the mission, they already do that with their publications. Its more a question of empowerment; of seeing to it that every new member feels welcome, knows that they have a place in the organization, and receives recognition for the part that they play. When they paint their grand vision of the future - a vision I and many others share - they need to paint their members into the picture, too. Plot, your experience illustrates that problem. I would like to see a "welcome aboard" and "thank you" program aggressively implemented. New members bring a lot of enthusiasm, and that should be nurtured & harnessed, not discouraged. Heck, if it were up to me, all new members would receive a sample of an accession not being offered by anyone, and a certificate appointing them as the custodian! Obviously, I wouldn't use anything really rare for this... but the point is that SSE would have demonstrated their trust. I think many new members would respond positively to such a move, and might go on to become listed members. I firmly believe that the future of the organization hangs on the issues of recruitment & encouragement, as the level of involvement by the founding members continues to diminish. Absent the devotion of the many listed members keeping seed publicly accessible, regardless of their many other noteworthy accomplishments, SSE becomes just another faceless seed bank. There are other things that would contribute to a more welcoming atmosphere, but those are issues I will address to them personally. This kind of conversation is very difficult for me, because I _am _ totally loyal to the organization. Theyve got me for life. Regardless of their failings, or what I or others may think should be done differently, they are still accomplishing great things. But just as a true friend will tell you when youre wrong, I will continue to disagree with policies (or lack of them) that I believe are not in the best long-term interests of the organization. I just hope that SSE management is eventually willing to listen to those concerns... or at least acknowledge them. Sometimes when your vision is focused on the far horizon, you trip over the rock at your feet. Im the one going "Look out! Rock!"....."Sorry, I meant look out _for_ that rock". (lol) In closing, Plot, try not to let the little things get you down. You will find that the contacts & opportunities that present themselves will more than compensate for the inconveniences. And by all means, express your reservations in a letter to SSE; when the voices rise to a chorus, maybe theyll listen. Just keep it civil... have some oreos first. ;-) And from me to you, welcome aboard!

That's good news and good timing for the swap. Added to my bittersweet job situation is that I've got a good feel about a job possibility I have up near Burlington VT (zone 4 ugh!) I really love it up there though, and options I lose due to zone I can make up for by getting a place finally with some sunny spots (tomatos!!!). It's sad though because I started 5 years ago with a desolate yard, and couldn't tell a daffodil from a rhododendron. Now my utterly random scattering of plants is atually starting to really get established and is so nice to watch grow now. Anyway, I should know by the time of the swap and will definately attend if I'm not going to be moving. Tricia: I can definately bring some ajuga, and would love bleeding hearts. Are you going to the swap? Giboosi: Thanks a lot for the offer, let me see where I land. Pennyviolet: The spruces will be coming out whether I move or not because they look pretty shabby. They are about 3' tall, and have pretty bad bare spots. They are alive though, and might look OK in a couple years of good sun. I'd be willing to dig them out for you if you wanted to come by. I can even send a pic if you were considering it. Thanks for the offer on the sedum but I think I might be a bit too shady. I'll chime in on the swap thread when I sort things out. Thanks all.

It's understandable on account of the prior gate how the neighbors could make the wrong assumption. And it's irksome that they would presume it OK to use your drive for taking the trash. Since they're new and you don't know them well, this could go either way. If you need a solution that basically gets you off the hook, remember there is always available for use, the miracle phrase: "FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES." This phrase gets anyone to stop anything without any questions asked, or even so much as suspecting that the messenger is the originator of it, provided you accompany it with an innocent little story ... "We went to renew our homeowners insurance. They asked if anyone else had regular access to any portion of our property. We remembered that gate (that formerly went unused for X number of decades) to which they said we were going to have to pay a small surcharge on account of there being an additional access point available to non-residents! $60 more! I was shocked!! If you want to pay that surcharge we don't mind your using the path. If not, I guess we're going to have to return to not using that gate anymore except in emergencies ... which is why, I guess, the old neighbors put in, in the first place. The insurance company even said we had to put a lock on it!" Later, should you become good friends with the new neighbors, and wish to have them using the gate, you can throw the restriction out the window ... "Oh, it's OK. The insurance company is never going to know about it anyway." Never forget it: FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES. :-)

I feel like when I post something I like, I get told to just go in person and that I'm not being helped to go forward and how it's not helping when when I just posted stuff I like. Ideas thrown here has helped me. I agree with those who are saying go with neutral, quieter, go with what you like, so I feel like I am moving forward. So it can get discouraging/overwhelming here so I don't know...I might take a break from here. Bluemarble, is exactly right. I've said before too. I'm not interested in shopping in person for many reasons including the pandemic. Even if it wasn't for not going out, I've still always been an online shopper mostly when it comes to furniture and what's what I feel comfortable with right now. And bluemarble is spot on that I knew I didn't like the table the next day I got it and it's what I felt threw me off and once it's gone, I'm trying to go back to neutrals/cozy and what I like - earthy colors, minimalism, metallic, grays, neutrals and yes......a cozy feel. Even if it's industrial or farmhouse, scandinavian, or boho, I can't worry about that. As long as I can focus on neutrals/cozy room idea, then I should be fine. As lindacottonwood says, there are too many irons in the fire. Thanks for everyone's help.