Thumbs up: Removing truly invasive, non-native plants (japanse honeysuckle for instance.) Thumbs up: Using plants that (once established) can get by (most years) on whatever rain falls. Thumbs up: Plants that provide food and shelter for birds--and realizing that snakes and hawks gotta eat too. (One of my neighbors asked me if I'd figured out a way to keep the resident hawk from eating the birds who came to my feeders (I've never seen this happen.) Same neighbor was horrified when she learned that Fred the Black Snake had gotten the second round of cardinal nestlings that were in my Rose bush. Nature at it's finest! Thumbs down: Rubber mulch (except in a playground situation)and synthetic pinestraw. Thumbs down: Neighbors who ask me to design THEIR gardens...just becasue mine "looks so good." I could be flattered, but-- 1) I garden by "feel"--my designs are the product of trial, error, plant obsession, plantwalking, and some great guidance from THIS group. 2) I actually TAKE CARE of my garden. Neighbors in question will not. 3) My garden is built around serious hardscape--it provides the structure for what I plunk in place. The yards in question have little-to-no hardscape. melanie

I have to give Aldi some credit. A month or two ago we had a major snowstorm moving into the area. Not that I really *needed* anything since I keep some groceries around but nevertheless I decided to go pick up a few things and then I'd just ride out the storm at home until I was dug out, the accidents over with and things back to "normal", whatever that is. They open at 10 on Sunday. I timed it to arrive at opening and I got there a couple minutes before and there were 15-20 cars in the lot! I knew they don't have that many employees and there were people coming out of the store. Went in and talked to the cashier and she said the the honchos had called and asked if some people could come in and open early because of the storm! I've never heard of anything like that before. Many placed *closed* early because of the weather but I've never seen anyone *open* early because of the weather! I hope the employees got to go home early that day. It was quite a storm too. And for the store, I'm sure they had a lot of sales in that 30-60 extra minutes. And one other, kudos to Target. There's really several examples but this time warrants special recognition: I stopped at a Target I don't usually patronize since it's a long way from home but I was returning from an out-of-town trip, they had sale on cat litter (and a few other things) and I was going right by this one so it'd be an easy stop. To top it off, I had a gift card or two to use too. I used one of the electric shopping carts since mobility is getting worse and worse. Got my stuff and checked out and while paying the cashier waved for someone to come over and this young gal said she'd help me with the stuff. I was a bit embarrassed, said oh I can handle this, I'll just put it in a cart and I'll take that out to the car but both of them insisted no, I was to use the cart to go out to my vehicle and she'd come out and bring it back in. She kept saying "It's a nice day and gives me a chance to go outside on company time!" And when we got to the van she insisted on loading it for me, refused a tip and bid me a pleasant day, saying "Goodie, they don't let us drive these very often!" Once the astonishment wore off, all I can say was it made my day. Bravo to the employees especially, but cheers also to a company that keeps their employees happy enough to want to do that and I seem to see that a lot in Target stores, especially compared to a couple other discount department stores who shall remain nameless. I'm really proud to have Target headquartered in my part of the country. And BTW, Target has really gained respect from me. I used to shop there regularly but then they got to be a bit too "yuppie uppity" in my book. Their prices weren't great and I just didn't like the stores. Over the past 5-6 years I've gone back in there and am a convert again. Dramatic change for the better. Plus now Targets are all getting larger grocery departments and giving the local big shots some competition. Competition can be very good. They're doing something right too because the last two price comparisons done by TV stations put Target far and above over the store with the big "W" in their name who has a reputation. (Like I said, I won't name names!) That was a surprise until I went and saw some of their pricing.

Hey you guys I realize all of these posts are pretty old but I myself work at a lowes in Louisiana. I have been working there for about 3 monthes now. First off to the people who needed help measuring the board... seriously you don't know how to use a measuring tape.. thats said you shouldn't even be buying wood. We don't have time to walk around babying every single customer. there are usually no more than 2 or 3 of us working at a time and every piece of equiptment requires a driver and a spotter. Second you have to think about it like this if we hold your hand over to your board and measure it for you thats 2 or 3 other customers who are getting pissed off because you are the only one available to help them. Ok third your coming into the store to purchase wood right so how many carts did you waLk past in the parking lot on your way to the door. Stop being lazy fuks and you won't have such a problem. Oh and one more thing lowes price matches so if you can find it elsewhere cheaper bring proof and its yours at that price. You people need to think about the people working there we are not supermen especially not for $8.50 an hour the people making your hamburgers make more than we do. So please think twice before you go downing a place based off isolated experiances. Oh and by the way thanks for shopping at lowes :) the store is making money so we must be doing something right! One last thing you saying your going to home depot makes us laugh lol especially when the closest one is a half an hour away. Dude we just work here not like we have stock in the store seriously it doesn't offend us.. not in the least...

"Y'all have all struck out. No one that has commented on here is the person or post that I had in mind, but I do find it interesting that you see yourself in it. Have a nice time. I have found and signed up for several groups not in here. Guess what, they are much more polite (and they even have the buttons). This account will be deleted. " Is this the internet equivalent of slamming the door in someone's face or hanging up the telephone? It certainly doesn't resemble a mic drop.....to each his own but deleting one's account over not having a particular "vote" seems a bit overboard. If Sherry ever comes back to read this thread, I hope she's found a bit of peace and happiness in her internet worlds.