Most of you don't know me or remember me because I have been absent from GW for a while because of personal reasons. Hello to all who remember me... To address the main issue of this post I would like to say, although I have only been to 2 swaps one in my area and the one there that John hosted in the fall of 2005. So I guess I am still considered a newbie. I for one LOVE SWAPS...OMG they are GREAT!!! >>>>> FREE PLANTS....wow what could be better? I came mainly for the plants, but the people and the food was great too. I drove all the way from the NC/SC line to get there, was it worth it? Absolutely, I picked-up some plants that I would have never been able to get here in this area. So yes, the main reason was for plants. But how can you put a value on being able to spend hours with people who share your enthusiasm for gardening as much as you do. As the other poster stated, as gardeners most of us want to share plants with the WORLD, but not everyone gets it. Being able to meet with a whole group of people who "get you" is incomparable. Swaps are the only way I know this could come about. I am thankful for GW, and all of the people I have shared plants with through this place and the swaps. My budget doesnt allow me to splurge on plants that I want. Without the generosity of the people I traded with at the swaps I would not have the beautiful plants I got. I had been looking for a Chocolate Vine forever; thanks to the sweet lady at the swap I was able to get one. And it looks great; I hope it blooms this year. I would love to be able to come to another swap, when I am able to yes I will be right there with you all. I had a blast! Although I would have liked to talked to a lot more of you I wish they could last longer. (BEFORE YOU READ THE NEXT CLAUSE: NOT TRYING TO UPSET ANYONE OR HURT ANYONES FEELINGS, JUST STATING WHAT I AM JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE, NOT TRYING TO START AN ARGRUMENT so PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Do NOT be offended, I am a parent too, mine are just grown now) ....Just my own observations and opinion.... As for the issue of children: Personally, I think they should be left at home ONLY because I need grown-up time :)Âlol, but I understand that a lot of parents donÂt leave their children with other people, I didnÂt (Where I went my children went, if they couldnÂt go I didnÂt go) or they may be using this as a learning tool, or a vacation. That said, I donÂt have a problem with well behaved ones.What I do have a problem with is those children who are allowed to run around uncontrolled, screaming, and interfering with adult conversations (just for attention, not ones who truly need something from their parent) If children are not made to behave they shouldnÂt be allowed to come to a grown-up function. Everyone knows exactly what I am talking about. I am not trying to be rude or hurt anyoneÂs feeling, just stating a fact...Unruly children are more apt to be hurt, which would be a liability to the sawps in general. On that note, however, the children I remember from the swap I attended where well-behaved. And not getting in the way of the adults. I know Tammy brought her children, who where well-mannered, kudos Tammy for having those kind of kids, even when I followed you home, they did not interrupt our conversation, which is very impressive now-a-days, people just donÂt make their children mind anymore. (AGAIN, NOT TRYING TO UPSET ANYONE OR HURT ANYONES FEELINGS, NOT TRYING TO START AN ARGRUMENT so PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Do NOT be offended, I am a parent too, mine are just grown now)....Just my own observations and opinion..... I am sorry Dana was made to feel like folks had a problem with her daughter, I think she was with her at the swap I attended I would be willing to contribute to a childÂs table for those who are interested in their own plants. Again as the other poster stated for children say under age 10 or 12. BUT those over the age limit everyone agrees should be the "ChildrenÂs section" there is a simple solution for this problem, since everyone seems to be in agreement with the statement that everyone should we name tags and list their GW name on their plants, let those children sign-up with their own GW id. Then they can participate just like ever other GWer member, that way they would be considered a swapper too! As for spouses and "extra-hands" I think in the later rounds I personally think they should be allowed to grab too, especially if they garden too. Heck, I am sure they helped purchase a lot of the plants that contributed to the memberÂs garden who is the actual trader/swapper. As mentioned above, I saw the extra-hands going on at the swap I attended and thought it was unmentioned acceptable behavior too. I, too, asked my helper to get a couple of plants I wanted because I was going to be on the other side of the swap. However, in my case, these where plants that had lasted through several rounds and was unclaimed AND I brought my mother along, who although doesnÂt have a screen name here I had set a few special trades up for her myself, didnÂt participate in the swap outside of her special trades but did bring along extra plants from her garden to put on the tables. So I didnÂt think anyone would mind if my helper grab a plant or two extra because of the extra plants my mom brought, and the two plants he grabbed my mom had been eyeing too, but she would not pick-up for herself, because she kept saying she didnÂt need anymore plants, BUT guess where those ended up at when we got home? You guessed itÂand they look great in her yard! I personally donÂt care what everyone brings their plants in, heck, it is a plant swap. I know a lot of people do not have nursery pots to put their plants in. I had a few of them to use, but most of mine came to the swap in red and blue solo cups. If this bothered anyone, well, I am sorry. It is the only thing I could afford to use, since I brought a lot to the swap. I thought the 20 oz cups would be better then the 8/12 oz Styrofoam cups. I also donÂt mind picking plants out of a bucket of water, I am a true gardener and as long as I can keep them wet for the trip home I am happy. I do agree with the other posters and suggestions posted here (some are good suggestions) for the most part. Anyway, just my two cents, not intended to upset or hurt anyoneÂs feelings, statements are my own opinion. I enjoyed meeting everyone I met at the swap, and hope they continue to participate. I canÂt wait until I am able to attend another swap, I miss having all that fun. Happy Gardening EVERYONE, may this year be super! ;) NCGardengirl

After watching the documentary, "The Cove", I wouldn't put anything past Japan either. If they are willing to try to pass off mercury-filled dolphin meat as other types of fish, I would not be surprised at other contaminated fish being sold also. Some practices by the Japanese gov't that The Cove reveals are horrifying to say the least. It's an excellent film, although extremely difficult to watch. Here is a link that might be useful: The Cove

Marys100- I wasn't trying to be mean by telling you that I don't have time for Goldilocks. I thought like you before I got into the business. The truth is that a lot of buyers waste our time. I don't have a problem working with someone 3 years, if they are up front about it and don't go looking at properties with someone else. If you would sign a buyers agreement with me for 3 years, I would gladly work with you per diem. The problem lies in the fact that buyers don't want to sign an agreement for that long. They tend to be very cagey & lie. You have no idea how disrespected this profession is. Sometimes it makes me feel like a doormat. I love parts of my job and I HATE other parts to the point that I'm thinking of restructuring my way of operation. I work for a large outfit and must abide by their rules for two looong years. I would like to make this profession work. I think there must be a better way. The RE industry as it exists today is very clicky.Most agents are protecting the system because they don't know any better, and are afraid of change. I would welcome to work as an agent/broker for myself, like someone mentioned-like accountants. The fees have to go. It's a monpoly and people are paying for it. If I worked for myself with just the licensing fee and the MLS, I could afford to give people a big break on the RE charges. It would be a win, win situation. NAR & local Ars are very powerful. IMO,they want to make sure that the public doesn't figure out the monoplized system. Before I got my licemse, I helped many family and friends buy and sell, for no compensation. This year, I decided that I may as well get paid for what I love. The truth is that it's not all fun. Most of it is a lot of aggravation and hard work. Many agencies are getting sued nowadays, so as an agent, you have to cover yourself with a lot of extra paperwork. It's costing me over $4000 in fees this year (including the school, E & O insurance). That does not include my own advertising. That can cost thousands more. RE is not what people think. There are too many agents out there. In today's economy, the commissions are not coming. If you haven't been in the business for many years, your commissions are tiny. They are split many ways. The broker keeps a lot of it. The fees eat up most of it. Most agents are not reliable and are not very bright. The funny thing is that the good "sales people" are not very bright, but they have a knack for getting clients by gabbing, I guess. They have the best sales pitches. Who doesn't like a dippy and gabby REA? You need a friend? Go work with a realtor. They'll be your friend forever-lol. The intellectuals, the responsible ones with integrity spend too much time being informative and self-rightious, rather than procuring clients. Many agents are busy doing non-productive work, because people are abusing their time. Many are not responsible, no matter what they would do for a living. When an agent gets burned by many buyers, they tend to let the good ones fall through the cracks with the users. That is why you don't get a call back. Heck, I cannot get a hold of some agents in the office. Some don't return my call when I have a question while I'm writing up an offer on their listing! Anyway, there you have it-confessions of a frustrated with the system realtor, who honestly loves helping people buy and sell. The money is secondary. However, I don't want to be used, either. Respect would really be nice, too.

No pics yet because nothing's been able to be "redone". Still plywood subfloors, no appliances, and a ripped out bathroom. I realized yesterday that the refinished floor has areas that are duller than others, so now I need to get the guy back to recoat. It didn't show up until the floor was fully dry and starting to "cure" but it's very noticeable. :-( The entire finished basement has to be ripped out (walls, ceiling and all insulation) and the floor and all the framing disinfected. Environmental companies don't do this and not many pest control ones do either. I've gotten estimates ranging from $4400 to $9600 for the same job. It involves guys wearing chemical suits, respirators, extractor fans, disinfectant spray, the whole 9 yards. The neighbors will no doubt be appalled at the goings on. Then I have to get an electrician in to examine the visible wiring for damage. I'm sure there will be some. Haven't been able to address the garage floor issue because the old refrigerator is sitting there waiting for my son to arrange to remove it, which apparantly is a more complicated scenario than hosting the Olympic Games. Nobody rents a truck with a power liftgate, nobody we know has a trailer hitch for one of those tow-behind things, and none of his friends have time to assist. When the rest of the house gets painted, the walls will be sealed with BIN first. I realized that the garage floor is actuallly painted (the grey stuff) so I may be lucky and perhaps a good scrubbing with Mex will help. (TSP isn't allowed to be sold in our state) I have to say, the rodent stink is just as bad as the dog smell. Different but equally disgusting. This has been a huge financial sinkhole. What should have been no more than $35K in renovations has already surpassed $65K that in outlay to date, and there is still another $40K committed to (and necessary) but not yet done and paid for. In the end this house will have cost me $100K more than its selling price and neither the house itself nor the area justifies that number. I could have bought any of a number of houses listed at that level over the past 3 years which would have gotten me more square footage as well. And fewer problems!