Hi all! Posting a bit late, but it's been a busy day! I'm exhausted from working all afternoon and evening, mowing, sweeping, raking, digging a last few plants...also lugging all these plants over to the side yard. I worked until it was too dark to see, and at this point, not much more is going to get done and the gardens are what they are. The weather looks like it will be partly cloudy, humid, and hot tomorrow. If the sun doesn't come out in the AM, the temperature may stay moderate, which would be good. At least they're not predicting rain for the morning! Ejr, I hope you can make it tomorrow. It would be great to see you! One of the reasons the swap thread is started a month or so before is to give people a chance to pre-arrange swaps and organize their plants. I potted a lot of stuff, over time and did it while dividing or planting out anyway. No way I could have done it all just a few days beforehand. And I hope that no one feels uncomfortable or intimidated about what is essentially a bunch of plants...and I'm telling myself that too, because hosting the swap is a little intimidating!! Well at least there are a lot of blooms in the garden this time of year, although they're a bit water-logged at the moment. The Miss Kim Lilac is in full bloom and smells heavenly, but is drooping from the weight of the water. Here's what she looked like 3 days ago, before the rain: And today:

Oh I am so glad I am not the only one busy busy, I feel like I cant keep up BUT that is cause I just lost a week with K being sick...AND my computer is still down, so this month has been LOOONNG.....not to mention I have had 6 Dr apts, which ALWAYS end up taking most of the day. I have wintersown 70 containers, and I plan on working on them again tomorrow. I have sat here for days working on packing seeds, and fixing my trade page. I have come to the conclusion there is NO easy way to keep track of haves and wants....LOL I have also been working on a game, and the two pinata boxes, answering emails, and messages....going to basketball games for my son, shopping for the kids to go to a dance, (which was last Friday night, and went well) shopping for seeds, YES, I bought seeds....and sooo much more...life is too busy..tee hee Ok, I was soo excited to see that there is a MUCH better selection of seeds out this season, anyone else agree ?? Last year here, they were mostly commons...and Burpee has a lot of their newer seeds here in the stores. Sooo, would ya like to hear what I found ?? Ok, Ill tell ya...Stevia ( SO excited about this one, now if I can get it to grow), cucumber lemon, BES vine spanish eyes, sunflower hybrid, Amaranthus Chestnut Plumes, Casper Pumpkin, Basil Siam Queen ( licorice scented), Calendula sunshades mix, and Tomato Yellow Pear. Soo, what cha think ?? Have you found any "gotta have " seeds on the racks ?? Angie, I moved away from the south because of those severe HOT, cant breath or move days...I honestly dont miss it at all. We use to have to let the kids play outside till 9 am, then inside all day....and let them outside after 7 pm. Well, that is what I have been doing...How is everyone ?? I miss talking with you, and would love to hear how everyone is !! Hugs Kym

Hello All; I received two packages yesterday but did not get the chance to play with either until today. Jan sent a bunch of gladiola bulbs in really exotic colors. I love glads but did not used to plant them because they are not hardy here and need to be dug up in the fall which I do, but they never survive the winter. I know that is my fault but it is still frustrating. But I digress, my new beau loves gladioulas and has been bugging me to plant them. What I want to know is did he contact you Jan? Well they went in the ground today and I can't wait for them to bloom. Then there was the gel notebook, really neat and unusual and also a wonderful windchime. I am embarassed to say that I believe there were more things in both of these packages but I opened them late last night and put the food stuff away and can't remember all that was in them. I think there was some chocolate and coffee things but my mind is like scrambled eggs today. Ellie sent some neat plants, gardening gloves and once again, who knows what else. I planted everything today and I am very excited about the obedient plant. I do not have one and thought I should so it was a great addition to my gardens. Then the Artemisia (which I cannot even pronounce) is going to be wonderful when I put my flowers together in vases this year. Both sent wonderful notes which is the greatest part of this and I wish we were all closer so we could get together. For those of you who have not yet had their "birthday month", it is a great thing. The boxes come when they feel like it and they have all kinds of things from all over the country. It is funny how excited I get about these thoughtful gifts. Thank you all for the wonderful month. I wish I was a May person to have this happen every year. I sent Jan's info to everyone, if there is anyone who did not get it, let me know. I hope you have half as much fun as I did Jan, and thank you for your gifts. Likewise Ellie, I appreciate you sharing your plants and I really needed more gloves (the color is the latest fashion, isn't it? ) Thanks to all. diene

I have to go to work...will try to work on this from there...or when I get home. Nancy