Don't mean to hijack this thread but I have a pertinent questions. I have three potted figs that are in the same boat. either dried out or tops died from being too cold(unheated detached garage in zone 4b/5a). If the tops are brittle and snap off like devilpup's is it best to prune the tree down to where it's flexible and green wood or just leave it until it (hopefully) breaks dormancy? Thanks -Luke

Good Morning and APRIL FOOLS DAY TODAY!!! Soups I like to make: Yellow Split Pea & Lentil or Carrot, Onion & Zucchini Basically I take the largest cooking pot I have and the heaviest...for the pea/lentil soup, throw in about a cup of split peas, 1/2 cup lentils, chopped up onion, bay leaf and gently simmer for half an hour, add more water if needed and as many chicken broths cubes as I fancy. Let sit for an hour, boil again for another half hour, let sit and do this on and off a few times and then let it sit to cool - the sitting inbetween lets the peas swell and soften more. I figure for WW about 3.5 for a large bowl. My other soup is fast, easy and 0 WW points. I mince an onion, shred the zucchini and carrot, throw in a pot, throw in water and a couple of chicken broth cubes and simmer gently for 20 minutes. You can add milk to this just before serving but then you have to adjust the point value. I prefer not to and just enjoy the flavours. I also enjoy adding 1 point by adding a teaspoon of low fat margarine to my bowl (great flavour boost). Those are my favourite home made soups. I do the pea soup on the weekends and alternate what soup I make so I don't get board. I loved stewed tomato but usually use them to make lowfat pasta sauces by mashing and gently simmering with onion, spices and throw in a beef cube and pour on my pasta followed by a LIGHT sprinkle of parmesean cheese (low fat if I can find it). I hope everyone is going to have a fabulous day today! Alice, really, really happy to see you posting and getting on so well with all of this. Its really not bad at all...if you enjoy cooking then it's like exploring your cooking/foods all over again and an opportunity to get creative. I too love steamed veggies and I agree that they really punch the flavour up! Cheers! Let's make today count! McPeg

Thanks so much everyone for weighing in. I definitely think LVP might be the winner. I realize it doesn't conduct the heat as well as tile but maybe that's not a big deal. I think a wood look would be my preference, maybe with a couple area rugs to define spaces within the wide open rec room, make it feel cozier and provide extra cushioning for kids. I grew up with a basement with wall-to-wall carpeting and my sister and I did a lot of roughhousing down there (mostly pretty safely, although once she accidentally broke a friends' collar bone with a wrestling move!) so I was just picturing all that on a tile floor and cringing.

Thanks for more comments and perspectives. Arcy, when a debt goes into collection, the debtor is always assessed fees. If it goes to court and they win, they get court costs and attorney fees in addition. The collection agency 'buys' the debt and can assess fees and interest. They originally wanted to charge me $40 fee, but when I called and they looked at the situation again, they realized they had goofed for taking a check that had never even been deposited or stamped by a bank, so they just offered to get it settled. They canceled the $40 fee and I have a receipt for the credit card payment of the debt. Whether they give him 100% of that money, I don't know yet. Normally, they take a fee at that end, too. 3katz, The person who had the original claim no longer owns it and so even if I paid him directly, the collection agency would still own the debt and could legally expect to be paid. I think the laws are such to prevent the collection agency from doing a bunch of work to collect a debt, then be 'stiffed' if the debtor goes directly to the person they owe money to and settles the claim. If they hadn't settled it like this, I would likely have protested the debt and maybe it would have eventually ended up in court. The collection agency was very receptive to hearing my side of the situation and didn't dig in insisting on payment of fees; they were very reasonable in working with me to fix this. I'm going to call today and see about getting the check back, so I don't have to stop payment on it. I was assured it would not go on my credit report, but I'll keep checking to make sure. Thanks Jojo and Nicole!