I think keeping records is useful to remind you of what may have happened when you sowed something years ago, and what you may want to do differetly. Because of my work, I tend to go overboard on record keeping, and I use binders, with one lasting for 2 or 3 years. If I had a notebook computer that I could take outside I would probably use the computer but I use file paper and sharpie pens (sometimes different colours for different events).I keep records firstly on trades sent and received, seeds purchased, plants purchased. I list the sender's or recipient's address and the items. My sowing page consists of few columns with number, date, name, origin (sender) and results. The results column contains dates of germiation, plant out, flower, fruit and probably an indication of a picture (I photograph everything I grow), and how I liked it. It is a bit much, but that's just me. I take the binder out when I am planting direct so I can update as I sow, and don't have to rely on memory. There are many guides online with templates and suggestions of what you should record. I selected the ones that suited me. I think it's all a matter of preference. I like being able to curl up on a sofa with my binder when reviewing and planning the garden for the next year.

I see this was so many years ago, but I would appreciate a copy of the spreadsheet if it is still in circulation :) acroy25@yahoo.com

Hi Harold, I don't know if the offset function is still giving you trouble, but here's a little info guide if you need it. Enter the following data into a blank Excel worksheet: A1: Name B1: Dept C1: Age A2: Henry B2: 501 C2: 28 A3: Stan B3: 201 C3: 19 A4: Mary B4: 101 C4: 22 A5: Larry B5: 301 C5: 29 Enter the following formulas into cell E2 (or any available blank cell): =OFFSET(C2,2,-1,1,1) C2 The referenced cell. 2 Indicates the number of rows to move. Positive numbers mean move down, and negative numbers mean move up. -1 Indicates the number of columns to move. Positive numbers mean move to the right, and negative numbers mean move to the left. 1 (second last value) - (Optional.) Indicates how many rows of data to return. This number must be a positive number. 1 (last value) - (Optional.) Indicates how many columns of data to return. This number must be a positive number. Examples: When you use this formula, the OFFSET function returns the value of the cell that is located two rows down (2) and 1 row to the left (-1) of cell C2 (which is cell B4). The value in cell B4 is "101". Therefore, the formula returns "101". If you want to email me the spreadsheet I'd be happy to tinker with it for you, and I'd like to look at it anyway! I love Excel and am an experienced user (my geek is showing!) silver_sword808@yahoo.com

I didn't want to bore everyone with all the details, but the only way to get this house will be an all cash offer. This is an off-market sale; the seller is a licensed Realtor in my Realtor's office and is in a difficult personal situation that requires her to sell fast and quietly. The seller is already in contract with another buyer. The buyer has missed his date to remove his financing contingency. The seller is going to give the buyer Notice to Perform as soon as we have a signed backup contract. The lender has told the seller that the buyer's loan will come through by the end of this month (3 weeks) but the seller can't wait that long. If we have a financing contingency, even a 15-day one which my mortgage broker says is possible, we won't give the seller enough incentive to sell to us. Instead, she will put her house on the MLS and have an all-cash buyer within 3 or 4 days. That's how hot the market is where I live. She seems to be willing to do this. We'd lose the sale or have to come up with a higher price due to the bidding war that's likely to occur. Just for background on this zipcode, there have been 3 houses on the MLS in our target area of 20 square blocks in the past 2 months. We bid on the first one and lost out to a higher bidder - there were 5 bids. The 2nd one we didn't bid on - it also had 5 bids. The 3rd one we didn't bid on - it had 2 bids. All 3 houses sold at 3-8.5% over asking. Since this house is a lower price than the one we bid on last month, we're confident that the loan won't be a problem. We were pre-approved for the higher loan, and my mortgage broker has been working through the process since then to make sure everything's in place for a fast turnaround on a new loan.