Hi Everyone! I am sorry I haven't been on GW for so long. I will try to do better. Skip has been gone for almost 4 weeks, and I have had a lot going on around here, with the business, the house, the garden, looking for a job, etc. He will be gone another 6 weeks. I went down to Georgia last weekend to see him, (14 hour drive) and to pick up Devin. I have been working in the garden a lot, and my garden looks pretty good this year. I have been helping the kids a lot. Mary Kate is pregnant and she has been really sick. Throwing up 5 and 6 times a day. She had to go to the hospital once to have an IV because she was dehydrated. There were a few days that I had to go over there to help out because she could barely hold her head up. But the past three days, she hasn't thrown up, so that is good. She is due the day after Christmas. Bug, your clematis are amazingly gorgeous! Thanks for putting the pictures up. I have 4 of them, and my favorite is Betty Corning. She blooms nonstop all season. I hope all is well with Leo. I see you mentioned he had to go to the doctor, but I can't seem to find an earlier posting. Julie, glad TCS enjoyed his school year, and sorry to hear about your knife accident. Kathy, the pictures of your trip are beautiful. What a treat! Cindy, how exciting that your brother hosted a tour! It's fun to have family who has a common interest. Woody, looks like you are becoming quite the clematis collector too! I love the picture of the neighbors house on the garden tour :).. Glad you enjoyed it! Your gardens look really nice, and I wanted to tell you that I have been looking for a Bressingham Blue all season with no luck to far :). After seeing yours, it is on my must have list! Michelle, that penstemon is gorgeous!! I saw a pina colada red at the garden center yesterday, but it looked more like a foxglove. Couldn't find yours. Mary, sorry if you have been feeling out of the loop. I plan to go to Idyllunion this year, and can't wait to see you! It seems like it will be a smaller group this year, but we will have a lot of fun, of that I am sure!! I have to go now, and take the dogs out, feed the herd that I now have hanging out in my backyard, and do some laundry. Hope you all have a nice evening!! Drema

Hi Guys! Well, I finally have time to post a little! Raeanne- Glad to be back in the swing of things. I have been using my SAD light a little when I'm at work at night...helps the mood...a lot. NYSuzanne: My DD (11 yrs old) started raising quail, chicken, and pheasant for a science fair. Well, as soon as the fair was over, the racoons invaded and had a bird hunt. Soooooooo sad for everyone and every bird involved. The racoons, foxes, and deer on this island are a HUGE problem for humans- but that's nature for ya! They have no predators, so there are millions of them. I finally gave up planting anything that I could eat since the deer ate it ALL before me! I bought a 40 pound bag of clover seed and grew a front yard of clover for the deer - now I have people pulling over in front of my house to take pictures of the deer in my yard munching clover! If ya can't beat 'em, join 'em! Maddie - My dad gave me Kentucky Monthly magazine so I can read all about what's happening in your neck of the woods...and think of YOU, sister. Muh-wah! Ivamae - CONGRATS on your weight loss - what an inspiration you are! Tikanas - SAVE SOME TIME FOR YOURSELF, girlfriend!!! And when are we gonna meet up? Next time you're in Portland, Seattle, or whatever, let me know. I'll drive to you!!! :-) DeeMarie: I just got a cruise brochure and instantly thought of you! It's been so long since I've cruised... WAH! Isn't it strange how something (by happenstance) will make us think of each other? That being said, whenever I wash bras, I think of Besh - haha - she's the one who gave the sage advice of "Never put your bra in the dryer." Remember when we had the "Advice Week" thread? Ah, well...Let me see - other reminders: Whenever I think of cruises, I think of: DeeMarie Anything Salem-related or the bra thing (lol): Besh Horses or Sweet Pea Wine (We have that here): NHSuzanne! ANY wine or Chippino (We had that when we were with you): Raeanne (HAHA!) Hawaii and Futuristic Painting: Amy Kindergarten! & Successful SS: Marci ALF, Cats, and Cooking: John Harold's weigh-in thread and success!: Ivamae Austin Powers & "Who Cares About The FREAKIN Scale?": NJKaren "YUMMERS!": Happyto I have more, but I gotta get some work done... ...what are YOURS?

I am - a day late. Funny how it took me 30 years to figure out that the most important thing to have a working kitchen is the SINK!!! Can't do much in there without it- hope the day went as planned and you now have a functioning kitchen. My hubby's snoring is coming through the floor boards and drowning out the whine of my computer! Wonder why I'm not more anxious to head on down there...:>)

I am and as usual, it has to be applique for my job. So, I kit things up during the week. I would also like to get a quilt loaded on the frame but not sure I'll get there. I get so excited about new things I forget to go back and finish up the mundane projects, last month's "excited" things.