Hi All! Heidi, we just had snow flurries about 15 minutes ago! I almost cried. But it didn't last and now the sun is shining. My mini daffs are up, but not by much, so hopefully the cold and flurries won't hurt them. I don't have any WS sprouts yet, either. Drat! Annie, it sounds like you will indeed have fun on your special Holiday (which, by the way, is the day after tomorrow!), and I'm still laughing over the joke! Good Job, Sharon! Well, Ladies, everyone has received everything they need to celebrate their very own Holiday on the 26th. There is only one thing left to do for this swap: If you have time on the 26th, would you please email your "send to" person, and the person who sent to you, and wish them a very Happy Holiday!? Many Thanks to all who participated, Jeanne and I both really appreciate the time you all take out of your busy lives to take part in these swaps - you are such a great group! See ya all over on the new April FOTESS swap, Shirley!

Wanna, You're very welcome. Thanks for your kind words. My youngest son and I arrived in Ohio a few hours ago. Amazingly, Jeff is still hanging in there but is non-responsive and has been running a 104℉ fever since yesterday morning. Short of a true miracle, I don't think he'll be here long. I hope now that I'm home that he knows it is OK to let go.

Thank you everyone for the beautiful friendship we share here in theses forums. I wish you the best of everything in the coming year! Stephanie, you’re right. Bathsheba is low thorn. It is on my list of perfect roses. Helen

Bestyears, she definitely resembles a Tibetan Spaniel. Tibbies are usually quiet, mellow dogs. They were originally lapdogs of the monks in Tibet, so one can’t really imagine them breeding hyper, yippy dogs (LOL)!. They also would walk the walls of the monasteries, sounding the ”alarm” when visitors were sighted approaching. They were not sold, and only occasionaly gifted to someone outside the monasteries. So, until China invaded Tibet, Tibbies were relatively unheard of. These days, they pretty much still are. They are much more interested in interacting with humans than with other dogs. Dog parks to play with other dogs? Uh, no! They usually just walk away from interactions, ignoring the potential new friend! Tibbies shed a lot. But, they’re also basically a wash-and-wear pooch. They don’t need monthly trips to the groomer, just a bath in your sink or tub and rubbed dry. They do need their nails trimmed regularly, though, as well as weekly brushing. Sasha and India are our second and third Tibbies. India (under another name back then) was actually the top Tibetan Spaniel in the US for about five or so years. She has 125 best-in-show and first place ribbons. Her breeder, a family friend, gave her to us after she stopped showing her. Sasha’s son is now a top Tibbie, as well. But, to us they’re just our ”kids”, much loved, and part of our family. As you can probably tell, I love this breed! India: