Karen, yes, I know what it is like to live on air and Ramen noodles. Not just as a university student. Congrats on the dog! Coconut, you hit on two of my favorite things in life, California woods and basil. Be sure to make a pesto dish to share with Jesse. Houses on stilts. You just described my favorite childhood vacation M. It was Nagshead. The most perfect place with rocking chairs and hammocks next to the kitchen window with smells that come out while the ocean lapped down below. You stepped from the stairs onto the sand. Heaven on earth. Enjoy it tremendously! I am doing so well right now. I have dug my way out of financial ruin and have been on trips, paid off bills, and have actual savings. Real life savings. It's so wonderful. I was doing next year's budget as we get raises in July and I realized, my landlord may not want to renew the lease in August. There are no guarantees in life. I got to wishing LF and I could move somewhere that was a house all our own. No neighbors upstairs. We love M, but a four year old is something we're not as thrilled with at 6AM on a Saturday morning. Sure enough, J and L are considering adopting another child and the costs are so astronomical they would have to move into my part of the house and rent the upper part. Raising my rent wouldn't work. I can't afford it. So there I was with the real possibility of having higher rent and being farther away. Yesterday, I looked on Craigslist, and there is a house, triple the size of any home we've ever owned for 33% less rent than our current home. They just want someone who can be self-sufficient at taking care of the home. Um, you mean someone who can do plumbing, drywall, replace things? Do you mean someone like me? It's so awesomely wonderful. I am absolutely keeping my fingers crossed. And. And, it's only a mile from where I already live. It's exhorbitant to rent here, so it would literally be a miracle. Win-win for both of us. If she hasn't already dedicated herself to someone else. Crossing fingers, toes, legs, arms, hair, you name it! I hate to move, but we'll all be happy. I think. Except the moving part. :)

Amazing! Absolutely amazing! Cindee, I wondered what happened to you, but I sort of disappeared myself with life's mishappenings. I was very particular that year about documenting, and I suspect that your double is an Exotica X Dancing Queen. I didn't cross a double with Charisma. I do hope that eventually, you and Huan will share a division with me, so I can see the results in person. Gee! I wish school wasn't so hectic. I would absolutely love to hybridize, share and watch all of the results. Both you and Huan have treasures! My heart is pleased to have been part of it... My notes from that year. Exotica X Dancing Queen Exotica X Ster Van Holland Exotica X ? Picotee X Pasadena Emerald X S&H Papilio (4 pods) Voodoo X Supreme Garden Santa Cruz X Amourette Cocktail X ? La Paz X Misty Lemon & Lime X Limona Santa Cruz X (Not)Royal Velvet San Remoes X Pink Impression San Remoes X Pink Impression Exotic Star X La Paz Supreme Garden X Ruby Meyer Misty X ? Ruby Meyer X ? Red Pearl X Black Pearl Exotic Star X La Paz Exotic Star X ? Royal Velvet X Santa Cruz Red Pearl X Dancing Queen Lemon & Lime X Santa Cruz Supreme Garden X ? Exotica X ? Limona X ? Voodoo X Voodoo Voodoo X Sumatra Voodoo X Gilmar Voodoo X Gilmar Santa Cruz X Amourette Black Pearl X Red Pearl Amourette X Santa Cruz Black Pearl X Red Pearl Voodoo X Sumatra Voodoo X ? Gran Cruz X Charisma Charisma X ? Voodoo X ? Supreme Garden X ? Voodoo X Sumatra Voodoo X Sumatra Voodoo X Sumatra Voodoo X Sumatra Limona X Santa Cruz Santa Cruz X ? Red Pearl X Lavender Pink X ? Red Pearl X ? Red & White X Lavender Charisma X Scarlet Baby Charisma X Lemon & Lime Black Pearl X Red Pearl Red Pearl X Lavender Charisma X Scarlet Baby Charisma X Lavender Charisma X Lavender Ann

Thanks for the reply Steve. I think I'm agreeing with you as to the cause of the flowering. The plant was rootbound to the point of busting the plastic pot, so I'm sure its grateful for the space and new soil to grow in. The flowers are so amazing in detail, the colors almost look painted on the interior. I've even noticed that minute amounts of ginger-scented nectar are collecting on the rubber tree below. This afternoon I noticed that a second tall spike in the back had also developed a flower bud. I manged to angle is so that the bloom will be within eye-level once it opens. I've just decided to put the Curcumas back into the sun and start watering them around the first of march...Likewise with my plumeria and an as-yet unnamed ginger which is dormant for the winter. Anywho, thanks for the help, I appreciate it. Peace, Nate

My cat Nala, though we just call her cat. Turned 2 on January 5. This is my Chihauhau Sophie. Turned 1 today actually, January 22. Thinks she's a little human girl. This is one of my rabbits, Efram. He'll be 2 on June 25. I have 5 other rabbits (Ruddigger-2 on May 30, Dingo-2 on October 27, and Loki, Spockles and Chester-all 1 on March 25) but I don't have pics of them uploaded on my comp yet. And this is an old picture of a wild jack rabbit that I found as a little baby and raised to adult. His name was Boots and he's just a baby in this pic. Maybe a month old or so. Fed him with a syringe until he was old enough for solid food. Sadly I couldn't keep him because, well, he's a wild rabbit. Had to let him go. But I'll always love him.