Interesting individual. I read a bunch at the top of this thread and then gave up, so I haven't read the more recent postings. One thought that kept popping up in my head is that she probably is sick--clinically mentally ill. Perhaps with addictions issues on top of that (self-medicating perhaps?). Some of you posted quotes from her. The ones where she is responding to direct confrontation sound a lot like someone who is mentally ill. If that is the case, then she probably can't help what she's doing (at least not without mental health treatment and her own committment to deal with her illness). It would also account for the fact that her behavior is completely illogical (plant the damn things--you'll never have to beg seed again!). I find, when dealing with someone who is seriously mentally ill, that one of the most therapeutic ways of dealing with them is to remain calm, non-judgemental, and set CLEAR, CONSISTENT boundaries. So the blunt messages people have sent her telling her they will not trade with her under any circumstances are actually a good thing! This is sounding preach-y---NOT what I meant. I really want to say to everyone out there who has posted, thanks for protecting the rest of us! If she's really ill, then she probably won't go away, but at least we have the good souls on GardenWeb looking out for us and spreading the word! Diana Lynn PS--Could this post be kept near the top of the Seed Exchange page as a sort of permanent alert? Would that be appropriate?

Hi Bee, I am so sorry you are upset by all of this. Often when we learn about our vulnerabilities on line it is feels like we have been robbed or taken advantage of. Innocence is lost. And I really do know how upset you feel. I have been there too. It is easy to forget we live in vast world or unknown entities. I urge you to use your knowledge and protect your computer at home. And know that your post is heping 1000s on GW. Truly this post is a future archive of how to protect yourself. This is a gift to future users. I like Photobucket. It is tricky but 80% of it is fairly safe. When you set your settings and protect yourself. Right now if you click on a picture that I posted, it will take you to PB. And lets say you are curious to see what else Boxerpups has on the album you might try scrolling to see the rest of the album. Ironically none of those images are mine. PB does not say this but they are not mine. Trust me, I know what is in my album. PB does not want to loose potential surfers so it takes you to ANY public photo-album with pictures similar to the original name of the picture you first clicked on GW. If you click on a kitchen picture of granite in my post from a week ago and follow to PB it will not be showing you other images of mine (Unless I let you). It is showing you anything with the word granite in it. Someone could have a picture of Granite State College or Granite tombstones or Cindy Granite (a stranger). I would worry more about your e-mail access on GW. I do not have my e-mail active on GW because of a past experience with a stranger e-mailing me through access of GW. Creepy!!!! GW is a great community but we all need to be careful. A few ways to protect yourself in all areas with your pc. Change Passwords often. Passwords to get onto GW or any online photo account or any place you frequent online. (I do this every 3 months and even this is not often enough) Use numbers and letters. Make it complicated and never repeat numbers or letters within a 12 month period. Clean our your history folder and your cookies. There are setting on your Mozilla, Internet Explorer, or Opera... (not sure what you use) Find them and reset them to extreme privacy. If you need help, find a teenager or college kid. Hire her to help you set your pc or go to your local library many times they have volunteers who can show you how to set up your own laptop or home pc. Shut your PC off every night. I know some will think I am crazy but this really does make a difference. And lastly I linked to a great FBI website that might help you too. Thinking of you and knowing this knowledge will be power to protect yourself. ~boxerpups Here is a link that might be useful: FBI ways to protect your PC

Say what you wish about a Houzz member already having registered my user name. I don't buy it in my case or many other cases, but that's the reason they gave me. But answer me this, why is MY e-mail address not usable? Houzz claims it is already being used. Well, they are wrong. It's my e-mail address and has been used on GW since 1998 when it was THS. Plus, it is the one that I have been communicating with Houzz to remedy my user name and my requests for them to unlock my e-mail address for my usage.. It is my opinion the notification plan was poorly done. and the migration plan was even worse. DA

Mudhouse, you are correct. I didn't notice that It was just to send a link about the discussion. That seems to me to have limited applicability. Scrappy, yes, I'm trying to message you by clicking on your username in comments you've made subsequent to your original post. As I might to someone else participating in the discussion. I too changed my setting so I could receive a message. Now the trick is how to send one.