HA!!! Mystery solved!!! I got home about a half hour ago from a late night Wal-Mart run (got sunburned to hell driving with my cars top down all the way to Miami and back on Saturday and I needed some Aloe with Lidocaine... regular wasn't helping) Anyway... I got home and stuck out the bait envelope, though no one was around and I didn't expect any activity tonight. Well, I changed and put my magical blue potion on... and I set about getting the cat inside for the night. Looked out back, looked out front... out back... back to the front and wouldn't ya know... someone is walking briskly away from my yard... twas a guilty walk. So I start calling excuse me... and no response... I start briskly following (in PJ pants from Christmas, a tank top from middle school and fuzzy slippers). Down the street I go... I have no shame. Finally they stop and I see that its a girl that lives three houses down from me, the mentally handicapped girl that lives three doors down. *sigh* Well, she had the envelope. She told me she had been taking them and apologized. Here's the deal... she walks all day every day in the same pattern, over and over and over again... we all know it... and we're all used to seeing her walk around all the time (she's up before me in the morning and goes til dusk). So I didn't think much about it since she's harmless and is always around. She used to leave my boyfriend pictures and drawings all the time, she's sweet... just a bit off. I'm not sure what exactly her situation is, never cared to ask... I just take it as it is. I work with autistic children, so I have patience for special needs individuals. She found one of my envelopes one day because the mailbox was open, she knew that it had bubbles inside and likes to pop them. So she took it home. Then she kept coming back and checking for more. She says that she kept all the seeds and notes, and that she'll return them along with the envelopes tomorrow. I trust she will, and I'm going to speak with her older brothers that take care of her. She was very sorry, so I'm not going to report her... just make sure she understands she can't do that. Not the outcome I expected, but hopefully all my missing things will be returned to me and I can get the stuff sent out that I couldn't. Some people I already replaced the missing seeds for, and some I didn't have anymore of the type in question to replace with. So there we go... my thief was an innocent bubble popper gone wrong. Kim PS... she started to cry when I told her we'd have to talk to her brothers about it, she doesn't want to get in trouble. I'm going to make sure that she isn't, and I'm also going to take her some bubble wrap I have leftover from a recent ebay purchase. Hopefully this will mark the end of the seed heist era.

Good to see you, Raeanne! We had a wonderful trip. DH and I joined up at the spa for the 12 days to use the private therapy pool, sauna, hot tub, and steam room. It was heavenly; they even served us freshly squeezed orange juice! Let's see, I took a National Park/Island tour of Antigua, swam at Malibu Beach in Barbados, walked into town in Tortola, took a spice tour in a Best-of-Grenada day, and went whale-watching in Dominica (pronounced Dom-en-eeek'-ca ....like the Singing Nun's song!!) I saw more whales in Dominica than I did in Alaska, so that was fun. We saw a sperm whale and her baby right next to our catamaran...our captain showed us the first spout of water (momma), followed by the little spout of water (baby imitating momma!), so we followed the spouts and found them! So cute, I felt one with nature, ladies; you would all have been very proud of me! LOL!!! Back at work, my director is now flying back to the UK. He gave me rave reviews and did not flinch when I asked for a promotion! He promised to get it done if at all possible this year. With complications, he promised to get it completed next year. Fine with me; as I was ready for an argument like I got from my last director. He told me he cannot run the department without me and has suggestions for a few years down the road of transferring me up to higher management levels. Not sure I want that at my age, but the money sure looks good up there, especially as I still will no longer have to manage people...been there, hated that!!!! OK, gotta run some more metrics on 2007 data. TAKE CARE, EAT HEALTHFULLY, AND NEVER NEVER GIVE UP! DeeMarie

Good Friday all, Lynn, good to see you post. I think the actions of your co-worker are juvenile and I think you should tell her when you are calm and unemotional that you really appreciate her being in the "spirit" but we are at work and it's inappropriate to hide under a desk......geesh, I am trying to visualize this whole scene in an adult setting. Don't bring in crickets.....sorry, BJ, but why should the poor little crickets suffer. Let us know how you choose to deal with it. You should not be embarrassed!! What adult is going to think someone in the office is going to jump out from under a desk???? Hello?? BTW, I love letting my freak flag fly................I love the song that expression originated from too! IN my case however, I really do let my chickens out and it helps me let my hair down!! LOL Maddie, good for you coming to NY! I hope you guys have a blast. I am trying to figure out how I can join you but the time frame is so small for the miles I have to go. Still, it could happen! Besh, GO SOX!! I know your part of the universe is coming to life......or is it death? LOL BJ, thanks for the menu idea. That sounds delish and totally fattening! I will let you know how it comes out. The weekends are the hardest for me too. One of my strategies for staying on track it to have my meals planned ahead and stick with it. I am sure it's hard to avoid having fattening stuff in the house with kids around. I can only suggest that you make a designated area ( a cabinet) for the snacks and goodies for the kids and don't go in it. I have heard that works - out of sight - out of mind - usually! The temptations are everywhere and you have to just make up your mind to avoid them. Since you want to post your menus how about posting tomorrows menu today and stick to it??? That's what I do even though I don't post it here - it helps. Raeanne, when do you leave for your wine trip? I hope the fires are under control soon. I too am thinking of Tikanis and hope she is okay. Maybe she will check in with us soon. DH is heading to some part of CA in his truck...on the road again.........I don't know the name of the town, I forgot to ask last night! Tomorrow I am heading out to Woodstock, VT for the weekend and will be home Monday afternoon. I cannot wait. This is one of my favorite places to ride. There are hundreds of miles of horse trails. It's a very horse friendly place to visit, not to mention stunningly beautiful. The link below has some nice photos. I hope we hear from everyone today. Here is a link that might be useful: Woodstock, VT

Brightonborn, I think we would all love some of your beef stew!! That does sound comforting on a cold night. Shirley, is it still really cold up there? Your chicken patties would be nice on a cold night! Peas are always good at our house. Nicole, Harry would love your soup--he's a big fan of barley. What would we do without our crockpots? Georgysmom, it's better to have too much food than not enough. Someday, I'll learn how to cook for four. (We like leftovers.) Glad your friends all got along well and your evening went so well. YogaLady, you're so funny!! Cooking isn't always fun, but a necessity anyway. Bah! Is your DH doing okay since the surgery? Let us know how you "fluff up" those leftovers ;-)