Reminder the plant swap is this Saturday. Yes, our group doesn't post much. Probably like me and can't always remember my login. Here is the basic outline for our swap. The swap usually starts at 9am sharp and we usually do door prizes and a potluck lunch around noon(or before if we get hungry!). It's usually all over by 1:30 depending on weather and how many people come. As for what to bring, the options are wide open. Plants of course, either divisions of your perennials, or cuttings you started or seeds you collected and labeled. Sometimes people bring whole plants they decided they didn't like anymore or didn't have room for. Also, if making new plants is not your thing, you can bring gardening related items, books, terra cotta pots, tools, etc... People are generally very generous and eager to make newbies feel welcome so there are no hard and fast rules about what you can bring. Also, most gardeners just don't want to take any of their own stuff back home so they are often not expecting an "even trade". Please do not take an item from someone's area without asking. A good idea is to bring an extra box to put under your table for the plants you have swapped and are taking home. Items under the tables are off limits. Also, we do have a donation jar if you want to help with the pavilion rental fee. There is also a list of things you may find useful to bring: camp chair or stool card table (there are no tables provided at the Buda pavilion) extra plant labels and marker extra plastic pots - usually someone needs these plastic bags for transporting goodies plastic nursery trays for transporting goodies gardening item to donate for door prize (optional) Your favorite food or drink for the potluck. Drinking water rain jacket (for some reason our swap usually causes a shower!

Auto accidents and the prevailing insurance issues has always been a hot topic for me. Recently, my 20 yo daughter who has had 2 auto accidents in the last 2 years as well as 2 speeding tickets has me paying premiums in excess of 8000/yr. I have a 17 yo who has been driving on a permit for a year who is itching for her license but my insurance company of 25 years tells me my rates will go to 9900/yr, something I just can't fathom as the current rates are really putting a choke hold on my family. Concerned about my own daughters automobile, (the one that has been in 2 accidents totalling about 9000.00 in damages) I ordered a carfax report, I think it cost me something like 29 dollars. It came back Clean! Can you believe it?!! My first impulse was to call and complain, before the duh factor kicked in. Her car was put back together with parts that fit but weren't necessary made for her make and model; i.e., non-factory parts. It also should have been totaled but the repair shop did quite a bit of work before determining the damage was more extensive than first appraised. Oh well, like I said, auto insurance is such a hot topic with me, it always pushes my buttons, I just had to jump in. If I were the OP and I had the stamina, I would raise cain with the insurance company to be compensated for the depreciated loss. Kathy

NHSuzanne~ (((((((((HUGS and DOUBLE HUGS)))))) Ouch! That kind of situation hurts! Even tho' they may not have meant any harm! The first thing that came to my mind was the same thing Raeanne wrote. We have a group of 4 gal pals here and when we do something in groups of 2 or 3, we rarely share- it spares hurt feelings. Sometimes I'm the one left out, but we still love each other. It just works out that way. The second thing I thought was: Have you offered to sell Casey to Linda with a payment schedule? If you're going to consider selling Casey or get another rider if Linda stops riding her, why not work out a deal? Obviously, Linda cares a great deal for Casey and has had a year-long relationship that's good for you, her, and the mare. Linda seems to be acting as though she wants her "own" horse; a reasonable deal that you may be able to facilitate if it can be worked out in a memorialized agreement. The other, third thing I hate to mention, but will stick my neck out here anyway. Maybe the 'other' gal pal has a less strong connection with animals than yours and Linda can look at the horse and get a feel for it better by herself. You are very good with animals and sometimes, I'm certain, they are rather drawn to you. Linda may feel like she needs to be alone with the horse to see if she gets the right fit going. Who knows? But it's another idea. Why not buzz Linda and talk to her about it over a tea? It'd be worth it to clear the air before the road trip. She may feel trapped if you decide to wait until the car ride to bring it up. Again, ((((HUGS)))) and I hope the answer comes to you. Tikanas, I am going to STARCH your UNDERWEAR if you send me any laundry! :) Raeanne~ Your costume sounds like --- wild, man! Have fun! Besh~ Thinking of you! My kids are going to be: 16 y.o. - Goth fairy (don't ask!) 14 y.o. - The scantiest dressed witch I've ever seen. 8 y.o. - Red web witch. Very cute! 6 y.o. - a piece of candy corn! Me - A line from Top Gun. DH: Probably nothing - he hasn't got the spirit yet this year. Too much work, not enough play, I'm sure....lol. All for now. My clay mask went to the kiln today, so I'll see it next week. I am starting on a terra cotta sculpture of a very muscle-bound man in a kneeling position at a prayer bench-naked and crying. I don't know why I'm doing this particular sculpture, but that's what happened when I started fashioning the clay. Everyone in the class thinks I'm wiggy or something. Ah, well, what else is new? Maddie~ Hope you are causing trouble where ever you go! Amy~ SO glad you checked in and that life is comsuming you! Feast or famine, eh?

julieblatt: "We had one in April from the previous contract and I gave him a copy of that and told him the things that came up." FYI, in this case it may be a non-issue, as the buyer intends to remodel....however, it pays to bear in mind that the info obtained during a home inspection is valid only under the following circumstances: 1) The info is for use only by the party who paid for the inspection. If potential buyer #1 paid for the inspection in April, potential buyer#2 would have no recourse with the HI for potential buyer #1 or his insurance (if any) in the event that something was missed. Consequently, the sellerÂs liability is increased in the event of a lawsuitÂ.as the seller provided a report that was not theirs to provide and, that was also outdated. 2) The info only pertains to the condition of the home on the day of inspection. That said, anyone who would consider the findings from April still relevant in October is only fooling themselves...as ANYTHING could have occurred since that time. 3) If a wood destroying insect inspection was performed, it is no longer valid for financing purposes, as the National Pest Management Association dictates that any inspection that has been performed more than 90 days prior is no longer valid. That said, if the lender requires a WDI, another will have to be performed in order for closing to take place. Last but not least, the buyer is foolish to not have another WDI performed anywayÂeven if it is a non-issue for the lenderÂas WDI destruction is at the very least just as costly to repair or rebuild in a remodel as it is otherwise. That saidÂhope all goes wellÂhowever, forewarned is forearmed.