PUDDING CUPS: I buy these from time to time for my kids, and the plastic is recycleable in my area, but before I toss in the bin I use them several times each in the summer to make bigger ice cubes for packing coolers or filling the big water jug on outings (or cooling the water for when I am freezing beans/corn), or cut holes in the bottoms and use as little planting pots for some of the seeds I start for my garden. Since they are clear I can tell when cuttings have rooted well. Thanks for coming forward, all of you, and pointing out that although many are striving to be energy wise and cutting back on waste, it is difficult to do it all and still live our lifestyle the way we've been used to. Just today dh took kids into the bigger city close by to buy them shoes, and I asked him to pick up milk on the way home. Pick up milk he did, and he let the clerk bag both jugs! I will speak to him later on this, I don't think he is aware he can ask for his items to NOT be bagged (I do 99% of the shopping in this household, and just assumed he knew how I felt about those plastic bags). Or that anything that size WITH a handle needs no bag! Oh well. I'm still trying to influence change within my own little world (family). kioni

Treefrog, An Ipod is a skinny version of a "Walkman". You can listen to your favorite songs via ear pieces and tuck the Ipod in a pocket. I normally don't wear one when I'm gardening, but there was a neighbor cleaning his truck with the doors open and the key in the ignition. Listening to "ding ding ding ding ding ding ding" for 45 minutes drove me to go get my Ipod. (More polite then running over there and yanking the keys out of the ignition, which I actually considered.) Tony, dude, I feel your pain! Did you succeed at grafting that tree though?

Fortunately last sat's weather was great since a neighbor threw a pig roast with a wonderful bluegrass band. I enjoyed inspecting her new garden esp the whimsies and the birds visiting her feeders. We took our feeders in April 1 due to bears. I weeded in the morning because the pigweed in one veggie patch is way ahead of me. Sunday was drizzly so I wrapped my head in a scarf, turned the compost and weeded some more. Plants from swap at Annie's are still alive but not planted. (was away for a week) We're headed to Maine and Camden's House and Garden tour on July 16. Discussed with DH cleaning out a shady spot next to a tiny brook. Stood on location of future porch. Ogled newly cleared spot on north side of rickety old barn. DH had cleaned out years of debris and weeds. Good thick stand of ferns along the barn but plenty of room for other things. Need to research. Have to weed new area between garage and barn, part shade garden. DH built steps down steep slope and top half is terraced with stone, planted ... and needs weeding. Yellow climbing nasturtiums are beginning to think about climbing part of an old apple picking ladder tacked to the barn. DH did not know value of antique ladder before he cut it in half. Top half is in a sunnier location next to the door waiting for scarlet runner bean to climb. Almost there. White and pink impatiens in old wash tub next to granite step and rhody beginning to look good. A terra cotta planter needs to be planted. An assortment of potted plants, mostly scented geraniums are still by the kitchen porch so DH could water them (ha!) while I was away. Plucked 3 stems of variegated ivy to put in small green bottles in kitchen window over the sink. Put tomato cages on and swore that next year I would put them on SOONER. Harvested some lettuce, sugar snap peas and giant mustard. DH did not care for mustard greens stir fry but I thought it was yummy. Nobody cared for last night's yellow split pea and mustard green soup so I'll have it for lunch today and the next day and ... Harvested garlic scapes in mid-June. Made wonderful hummus. Thrilled to see volunteer pot marigolds/calendula blooming in the tomato patch. DH helped me build a bean teepee for yard long beans. Planted beans. Flunked rustic weaving. Next year need longer branches and need to use while still supple. Trying to decide if I should prune the bush planted last summer. It has about 5 branches that around getting much taller than all the others. Admired planter containing flowering lemon thyme and lemon verbena. Made note to self that I need to start taking some pictures. Surveyed holding bed from 2007 frantic move. Trying to keep a good record of what's in bloom, what color, when for future landscaping around future porch. Picked mint for spiced zucchini couscous. Looking forward to having our own zucchini. DIL brought over a gorgeous concrete leaf bird bath she made from a huge rhubarb leaf. Her aunt taught her. It still needs to be water-sealed and needs a place of honor in the garden. I missed her Wed night get together to make more bird baths with squash leaves. Despite the rain, a big huge feeling of contentment fills my chest when I spend a few moments in the garden or just looking from the porch. But time is passing so quickly. Massive renovations to first floor of house are completed. DH is taking care of heavy outdoor work. We have plenty of sun but not a lilac or rose planted yet.

To play devil's advocate- two yrs ago, they may have had different employees since turnover in most service industries is high. Also, termite inspections are only good for the day they are done. You could have a swarm the following day, and have them start damage then. A year and a half later, and implying they didn't do a good inspection, is being unrealistic. If you are in an area known for termites, the only way to guarantee you won't get them is preventative treatments. The ones I've seen done treat quarterly. Skipping a yr and a half would allow for new infestation. And if you didn't replace damaged wood, then it allows even a better chance of them infesting previously rotted/damaged wood. And even then, you can still get them, but most pest control companies have warranties that handle that. Implying a realtor somehow benefited by recommending them two yrs ago is unfair. I've never known a Realtor to take kickbacks or get favors from pest control companies, inspectors, etc. I use the same people on my personal homes (own 11...one homestead and 10 rentals) that I refer to my clients. I use them because they do a good job and I trust them. I refer them for the same reasons.