My DH, being Canadian, is a big Rush fan. I didn't know that they were touring this year. I thought that I'd surprise him with tickets to their L.A. show, that way we could visit our daughther at the same time. Last night I checked the prices, and they are spendy, but guess what? When I got to work today there was a bonus check on my desk for approximately the cost of the tickets!! I work for a small RE company, and business has picked up and they decided to give the staff a bonus. I'm just worried about buying the tickets as a surprise, because I don't know if he has any business meetings that he has to attend. (the concert is on a Wednesday) Maybe I'll make a card with some faux tickets inside.

Hi Sue and Laurel! Sue I did get my furnace fixed and it is working great. When the furnace didn't come on when it got cooler out my boss thought it might be the thermostat since I wasn't seeing a spark like I normally did. I went out and bought a digital programmable thermostat and a friend put installed it for me. When the furnace still didn't come on my boss came over and checked out the thermostat to see if it was installed right (it was) and he checked the furnace. I thought the pilot light was out but when Mark removed the cover we could hear it. He fiddled with some wires but the furnace still wasn't coming on. My furnace is over 38 years old but it worked great still and even better since my friend and her husband cleaned the blower for me last winter. I called heating and cooling company where my 2nd cousin is a co-owner because I thought that way I would get good service and not be told that I needed to replace the furnace or have unneccessary repairs. My 2nd cousin doesn't know me at all except from meeting at funerals so I was surprised when I was given a discount on the service charges. Turned out the gas valve was stuck and needed to replaced and the thermal coupler needed replacing. The kid worked on the furnace for over 2 hours and said that my furnace would last many more years since it was in great condition. I know it is not energy efficient but I keep the temp in my house low and a new furnace is not in my budget at this time. I really do like the new thermostat though because my furnace doesn't run as much as it used to. Oh my gosh, I just saw my first snow flakes out the front window! Anne

What a wonderful day you and your group had, Raven! Thank you for sharing it with us. Looks like you did a great job of getting it all together, too. I love your pictures, especially the zebra. He almost looks like he was painted. I never realized their stripes are so definite, doesn't look like there is a hazy edge anywhere on him. All the pictures you posted are great, so sharp and clear, but that zebra really caught my eye. It's been probably around 45 years since I last visited a zoo, I would love to see one like this, where the animals have lots of space. Glad Marilyn was able to join y'all, too. Wouldn't it be great if she inspired some of your group to get involved with animals that need help? Rusty

Sandy- that's so sweet! I imagine that was a wonderful Christmas :) Mazerolm- that's fantastic, it's always good to have great neighbors! I know I've ended up sharing plants with some of my neighbors too and they're always thrilled. Gardenho and functionthenlook- those sound like great places to work! Part of me wants to ask my bosses if I can take tiny cuttings of some of our evergreen shrubs and try to root them haha. Somehow I don't think they'll agree to that one though Babs- no clue what kind they are but here's some photos (five pots in all -thats all I could carry at once hahaha) very fine, soft texture, dark, tall, bendy stems.slightly squished from the car ride Anyone know what kind these are? Or if they'll survive outside in zone 6a?