This is not a common practice. I have been trading on GW, OBF and Garden Decorating for 13 months. August and September of 2007 was the first time I have EVER sent a late box. I posted and emailed when I could. Before I could get the boxes to the postoffice and mailed my father in law was taken back by ambulance to the hospital. I am sorry for being late. Those that I have traded with previously on Garden Decorating and OBF know I am never late and always send boxes above what is required. My father in laws heart surgery and complications were the only thing I could deal with at the time. I have no computer access at the hospital because I never took the time to order the laptop last spring. I have now gotten all GW issues clear as far as boxes being sent and someone (my sister or another member - to be determined as of yet) to handle the seed swap. I will not be participating in swaps until my personal life is taken care of.

Couple of thoughts....from my own experience with father and many friends who had "bypass" procedures over the decades. Youngest 52. Oldest about 79. 1) There's no way to know what the specific outcome will be for your mom. Among those who have the procedure and follow the rehab instructions about 20% pop back to terrific condition. 20-30% never really come back to a particularly satisfactory place. The rest are someplace in between. Everyone I've known who has been through it, has had some level of impairment afterward. Chest-cracking procedures are significant trauma events. Healing takes time. 2) Those that resist rehab instructions, pretty universally have the worst outcomes. From your description of your mom, I would be concerned about this. Especially since you say she can barely walk, normal rehab will likely be much different for her. A big part of rehab is exercise -- a lot of walking, usually starting right away - and if she's unable to do that, she likely will not recover as quickly as if she was able to. I would cover this ground with the rehab folks to get a clear perspective of what will be involved in your mom's particular case. 3) Caregiving can be pretty light or arduous, depending on the individual patient's progress. 4) They've been doing these procedures for quite a while, now, and have become very good at them. They should have a pretty clear picture of what you should expect in your mom's case. Talk to them about your expectations -- whether over or under. Get a better idea from them about what's reasonable to expect. 5) Prepare to upgrade her standard of care from mere "assisted living". In the beginning, she'll almost certainly need more attention. With a good outcome, this period may pass quickly but the burden for you as an individual in the beginning may well be too much to undertake. 6) Get connected with private-care people whom you can call on if you do find yourself overwhelmed. If/when such a thing occurs, you won't be thinking straight. Make these arrangements in advance so you don't have to think about it if the need arises. 7) Let the rehab folks have their way with her. It will be very uncomfortable for her. She will probably complain. You may feel like intervening. Don't. It has to happen. They'll have to push her a bit. They know what's needed. Stay out of their way. You may have to explain this to her and deal with her resentment. She'll probably forget it all in due course. Everyone does. But keep her moving and excercising. Regularly. Every day. Couch potatoes, don't do well. If they did well in the beginning when it was forced on them, they begin to decline when they stop. It will be a lifestyle change. New routines. She will become depressed a little or a lot. You'll have to deal with it and keep her moving. 8) Knee replacement or other procedures may or may not be deemed wise later on. One step at a time. Right now, this is the only thing. Keep focused on this and this alone. 9) The procedure will NOT change her personality. Your present annoyances will likely continue as before -- but at least you'll have some new subject matter to talk about. There are a lot smarter people than me around to ask about this topic. Find them and talk with them.

Awww, thank you all so much. It's getting a bit easier every day, but the hole in my heart still hurts a lot. Today was the first day I left Ronin and Sasha to meet a friend in town for lunch. The "kids" did ok while I was gone and we went for a nice walk when I got home. Today is the first day Emily has not called me from college sobbing because she's mourning her Chloe Bear. So, I'm hoping that she's healing now, too. Stratfordroad: thank you for that. I truly believe that we will, and since I've had dogs I've loved pretty much my entire life, there will be a huge, happy pack meeting up with me someday. That's a good thought to hang on to :^ )

Wanted to wish every one a Merry Christmas..this is out my kitchen window. I am presently restoring my great grandfathers kitchen table (100+ yrs old) that I came across in my late father’s shed. Then we’ll work on a new re decor of another room, still loving my living room. Hanging ivy’s are thriving well in their spots and received a 10x12 photo taken of a purple thistle flower bordered in navy blue taken near The Royal Palm Visitors Center Everglades National Park signed by photographer. Very proud of this gift. Going to add to my collection. Safe and joyful holiday season to you all, Alice