I know how all of you feel who did not receive rainfall yet in July and who are suffering from severe rain deficits this year. Last July we did not receive any rain at all, and it was much hotter then than it is now. It was horrible. I hope rainfall relief arrives soon. Carol, That's the driest I've ever seen it in your part of the state and Scott's and Dorothy's as well. Y'all are having my typical drought conditions, but in an area used to a whole lot more rainfall than my plants ever dream of having, even in a good year. I would imagine that makes drought much worse for your permanent plantings since they are used to abundant moisture most years. Heather, I've noticed your area, and the Norman area as well, are incredibly dry this summer. Scary dry. You doing ok there? I cannot imagine being pregnant in this heat, and I hope you're staying inside and staying cool and comfortable. I thought I'd throw in this comment since mosquitoes often follow rain. Yesterday the local news media reported we had a confirmed case of West Nile Virus in Carter County. The woman was treated and recovered. She was lucky. They've already had some WNV-related deaths in the D-FW Metroplex this year, where the WNV is at what they are calling almost epidemic levels. Since I am closer to DFW than OKC, I've been following the WNV progression very closely as it has moved our way. The Carter County case was the eighth WNV case in Oklahoma so far this year. I worked outside this morning early, but as soon as a mosquito started buzzing around, I came back inside. Remember Jay's words of wisdom every time rain has missed his area these last 4 years of drought in Kansas. He always says that today he's one day closer to rainfall than he was yesterday. I repeat those words to myself when we're in the midst of a dry spell here. Even in the worst of drought years, rain does fall. It just doesn't fall when we want it to. Hang in there. I've linked the 'last 30 days' rainfall map. Look at the pattern of the rainfall--mostly around some of the edges of the state, especially in SE OK which still is desperately dry despite the rainfall. There's a nice little wet spot SW of OKC where there's been good rain, but otherwise the interior areas of the state really haven't had the rainfall. Dawn Here is a link that might be useful:

Hi everyone!!! I didn't step on the scale this morning...oops. Will do it when I get home. But just wanted to say good morning to you all! Still not back on my diet, or exercise regime. But worked in the yard for 12 hours on Saturday and 14 on Sunday. Yes, we finished at 10pm on Sunday...had the spotlights out and everything! I figure pushing a wheelbarrow full of concrete for two hours should be better calorie burning than anything else I could do!! Will weigh tonight :) Skinny (goal-jeans) are still able to be zipped and buttoned but are not comfortable. Still want to target my hips/thighs area. But, all other clothes are fitting great, which I feel is the real testimony to weight loss rather than the actual poundage. Also, many are recognizing my weight loss. And they want to know my secret... LOL! 1. Eat fewer calories (not less food!!!) 2. Burn more calories Of course, it can't be that simple, but it is. One of my office mates started her low-carb diet at the same time, but does not exercise very much, and deprives herself of food so is hungry and binges. Also, does not count calories... hmmm... six months later, she's still the same weight. She offered me her low-carb cookbook, but with recipes in there that call for six tablespoons of butter I declined. :)

Lpink came to visit! We had a wonderful day chatting, visiting the local farmers market, and even doing a little canning. I am such a novice it was supre to have her hear to guide me through the intricacies of Apricot CHutney. We also made some awesome pickled asparagus... all the evidence is on the thread called "We Be Jammin"..... It is thunderstormy right now, so no "Dive in Movie" at the local pool tonight. Tomorrow will be our annual Fantasy Football picnic to discuss rule changes that are upcoming and Sunday is going to be a day in the garden again. I really need to get the mulch down in the full sun beds........ Have fun on the Poker Run, Lindaluu! Annie - safe travels to you and Elery - hope you have a wonderful time. Trixie - hope your neighbor is feeling better soon. That is so awesome that everyone pitched in to help. SHelly - hope there are some kicking tomatoes! Katie - send that 75 weather this way - this heat and humidity are aweful! Glad to hear the knee is better though..... Happy and safe one to all! Alexa

Vicky, I have it and I have actually used it LOL!!!!! It made a big difference for me. I watched EB making the 54-40 quilt using her ruler and I didn't want to buy it. I tried using the templates from quilter's cache but I just could not get the block right. I used a 50% off coupon at bought it at JoAnnes. I have Easy Angle, Companion Angle, etc. and like others I find I don't use them. I have fallen in love with JT shape cuts, only prob is you can only cut 1/2 or 1in on mine. The ones I use the most are 6x18, 4&1/2, 6&1/2, 12&1/2 squares and JT shapes. What does the block llok like for Tennessee Twist?? I looked for it and didn't find anything. Here is a link that might be useful: 54-40 or fight