well hi all, i am back to breathe for a moment! lessee, the contingencies are thus--the house has to appraise for the selling price, or they can back out. it's going to be close i think--but they really want it so i think it will be ok. they can also back out if the inspector finds over 5000 worth of repairs needed--seriously doubt that will happen. they asked us to move the dates up a week so inspection in tow days on monday, lending commitment decision on the 14th of june and close on the 21st. i have five weeks to empty apprx 4000 sq ft of 24 years worth of living and keeping livestock here. so i have two yard sales scheduled already for the first two weekends in june, plus next week will visit all the local used funriture dealers to get them out here, and i will have to rent a storage unit for whatever doesn't move. we're moving into our rv and plan to travel the countryside, so we're basically walking away from it all------winter clothes are first on the list to go, lol! i'm working hard at not being completely and totally overwhelmed!!!!!!!!!!!

Always looking to share ideas with a fellow Hoya grower in Southern CA. I am in Santa Monica. Several I left outside all winter are about to bloom. Can't say we had a winter though. Gwen

Well finding your turtle is great news! I feel ya with the wet winter. I lost a lot this year, but you know what that means? I have a valid excuse to buy more:)! Spring should be starting to show her face for you so that's a good thing. Succulents can look so ugly over the winter, but as soon as they start getting that sun and heat they make a turnaround. There overwinter look starts to become a distant memory. I wish you a happy beautiful spring. 70 mph winds sounds horrible:(. ps- In June I'm going to visit my cousin in Nevada. She lives in Nevada in a town called Winnemucca. Nevada is a beautiful state. I remember once visiting her when I was 17 she was 18. We were out takin a drive, and I just remember being in awe of how beautiful the desert was. During our drive it was dusk. On the left side of me it was clear and the sun was going down, but on the other side there was a beautiful lightning storm. It was like a postcard. Never seen anything like it:).

1. If you were given a $100 bill to spend on yourself-what would you do with it? Probably buy Lego set for my grandson 2. What is your favorite brand of dish soap? Palmolive 3. What is your favorite brand of laundry detergent? BioKleen Free and Clear 4. Favorite candle scent? Don't use anything scented and don't burn candles since a friend's house burned down because of one. Also don't think they are safe in earthquake country. 5. Have you ever met a celebrity? If so, who? I'm the worst celebrity conscious person ever - I just don't know who anyone is. I can't recall meeting anyone, but on my frequent trips to Santa Barbara and Montecito, I've had some crossed paths over the years. I wouldn't have known, but for the awareness of my friends there: Ate sushi next to Rob Lowe (many years ago, my first sushi experience). I didn't realize who he was (West Wing years) but when my friend quietly made me aware, I realized he was just as beautiful as on TV. Had breakfast next to Harrison Ford (who I did recognize). Stood in line at a store behind Kenny Loggins (had no idea, but my friend again filled me in). Sat on a plane next to a young man the flight attendants were going gaga over, getting autographs, etc. I had no idea who he was, but his name was Shaun or Sean and was in a famous boy band (this was probably 20 years ago). My son figured it out, now I can't recall. (I just looked it up...Boyz to Men). Maybe not a big celebrity, but I did meet Roy Yamaguchi once at Pebble Beach and was treated to dinner at his restaurant there. 6. Can you touch your nose with your tongue? Close but no cigar. 7. Have you ever ridden a)horse b)motorcycle c)helicopter? Yes, yes, no. 8. What is your favorite 'odd' food combination? Peanut butter and dill pickle sandwiches. 9. What is the last movie you watched? The Book Club - I am not a fan of movies at all, so seldom see them. 10. If you could go on Antiques Roadshow, what would you bring? Nothing I can think of. 11. Do you like Pina Coladas? No, I hate coconut. 12. Getting caught in the rain? No, no, no. 13. Or the smell of the ocean? Yes, yes, yes. 14. Or the taste of champagne? Yum, yum, yum! (and now you have that song as an earworm!) And I guess I don't know the song, lol.