Ricky, I apologize for the lateness in posting but I also have been battling my own illness in the hospital for the past three weeks and was just released today. Even in the hospital I knew something was not right. I was extremely restless and edgy and catching up on mail today I now know why. I will always remember the way Karen made me feel welcome and a part of your home. I can still hear her laughter and see the love that shone in her eyes whenever she looked at you. You are most correct when you state that Karen was a most unique person. I just wish I had had the opportunity to get to know both of you better but my life will be forever blessed and enriched by the brief time we spent together. I agree that there will be tears and believe me many of them. There will be times when the smallest event triggers memories that shake you to your core, but there will always be those special moments when you feel her near you, smell her scent in a room and hear her whisper quietly into your ear. Your life will be enriched by dreams and special moments when she will be with you in spirit and though we should always celebrate the life a person lived there are times when we as humans find it almost impossible to carry on. I have been facing my own mortality over the past week and it is difficult to realize that life is passing me by and what do I have to show for it. I have not traveled a lot, I do not have family that consider me close and I have a handful of friends, but I know that somehow somewhere I have touched someone�s life and that gives me comfort. I am thankful that you had so many years together and that you promised Karen to continue living and enjoying life. She would most definitely desire that of you. I would love to read whatever stories you wish to share about Karen and laugh along with you. My heart goes out to you along with my prayers for strength to find solice over the weeks to come. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful and wonderful trobute to a most wonderful lady. Can you please pass the tissues now. Hugs, Linda

Sue----that was wonderful...great job. Hope you have tons of blooms next year. I also went on a fabulous vacation thanks to Annette. Hi Shirley and Family, Pack your bags for your vacation to Myrtle Beach, SC. You will be staying at the Myrtle Beach Resort condos (2 bedrooms, 2 baths, full kitchen, queen sleeper sofa and balcony facing the beach.) ROSE CHAMPION will be at the desk to check you in for your week vacation. AMBER MIST (coneflower) will be available for anything you need in your condo. The Resort is beautifully landscaped with lots of daylilies, HEADY WINE, SMALL GESTURE, LUCKY DRAW (which has a very big red eye) and WATCHYL LAVENDER BLUE, planted in lots of beds. One shade bed had TOAD LILIES blooming, even though they are small they make a statement. One bed was full of COLUMBINES blooming in all colors. Enclosing a Grand Strand coupons and map of Myrtle Beach. Also a magnet for your refrigerator to remind you of this trip. Also a keychain with sand from beach on inside. Myrtle Beach guide with coupons inside as there are lots to do at the beach. Many places to eat, lots of golf courses, great shopping, water sports, flea markets and theaters for entertainment. Have a great time at the beach, "Sun Fun City" Thanks so much Annettee it seemed like I was right there. I love all my plants and it's always fun to vacation at the Beach. Shirley sends to Remy - Sent - Received Melissa sends to Carol - Sent - Received Jeanne sends to Vina - Sent - Received Carol sends to Sue G - Sent - Received Annette sends to Shirley - Sent - Received Vina sends to April - Sent - Received April sends to Annette - Sent - Received Remy sends to Jeanne - Sent - Received Sue sends to Melissa - Sent - Received This swap is officially over and I do hope everyone enjoyed their wonderful vacations. Shirley

Hi Carol, Yes your box did arrive and let me share with Everyone what I received! The plants look great! Our temps have been really chilly, I've been afraid to send anything 'live' lately. The heuchera's my favorite, I love the foliage! Cranberry & Pear bath soak (I need a few hours to revive, LOL) Gardening gloves (always need these) Fridge pad of paper w/magnet (paper never lasts in this house, we always need it) Rain gauge (really neat, I've always wondered how much rain we get with our crazy weather) Cute picture frame (Daughter ran away with this) Package of plant markers (I always need plant labels) Jap Iris/blue (love Jap IRIS) Asiatic lily (love Lily too) This is going by my Mom's house in her landscape Heuchera with reddish leaves (another one for my Mom's house) Earring set with earrings (Daughter ran away with these too, LOL) Sweet pea body lotion set/gels (I'm hiding this) fruit delight (looks so yummy) Pink sweet pea candle (smells wonderful) Nice notebook (I need this by the computer desk) Journal, photo frame (Daugher ran off with these) Chai spice tea (Never tried spice tea, sounds really good) purple elephant (MINE, LOL) I'm putting him in my car, let's see how long I'll have him. ;) Thank you Carol for such a wonderful box! I loved everything you sent! This swap was so much fun! Better make this short, It's so late and I'm jumping in the shower to try Carol's shower jel, yummy smelling lotion! Hugs, Deb

Splurge Coffee - like French Roast but buy Costco Kirkland which is a good deal. Beer - DH likes small breweries beer or imported. It is one of his few expenses and he works hard so deserves it. Food - Occasionaly we will buy something special like the expensive creamy blue cheese or lobster. But only a couple of times a year. Egyptian cotton sheets/towels - After 32 years of cheap towels and sheets I finally broke down and got some nice ones. My old skin appreciates it. Kitchen Appliances - Finally remodeled our 1971 kitchen and since we DIY, we splurged on the appliances but nothing else. Hobbies - DH occasionally has to buy new tools for the remodeling projects. I buy tools and materials for my metal and glass art projects. Dog - Elvira get special diet food, she needs and deserves it. Anything she needs medically she gets and once a year teeth cleaning (so expensive!). More expensive TP - My old B*t can't take the scratchy stuff anymore. Don't Clothes - I buy a lot of them at Ross and other discount places as well the thrift store. Shoes - Buy them at Payless or Kmart. I hate shoe shopping! Purses - Buy them at the thrift store. Books & DVDs - check them out at the library. Dinners out - we only go out on special occasions. DH says I cook better healthier meals at home. Wine - $2 Chuck is fine with us. Latest electronics - I wouldn't have any of it if we didn't need to but DH does need a cell phone for work, got the cheapest prepaid we could fine. Basic Satellite - We are in a rural area in the mountains so we get nothing without it and keeps DS happy, but again got the basic package. Manicures & Pedicures - I finally got a manicure at 56 YO and wasn't impressed so never again. Haircuts - Go to the cheap chain places. I had my haircut by a stylist 28 years ago and I am still in sticker shock. Hair color - out of a box when on sale. Furniture - All bought used or unfinished (32 years ago) and refinished. Vacations - Haven't had one in over 8 years. DH uses the time off to work on the place and do remodeling projects. (Should remodeling go under the Splurge category?) Cars - We buy the less expensive ones that have been returned to the dealer after a short period. You save a bundle that way. And keep them 11 to 13 years. House - Bought a small place on 2.5 acres that needed a lot of work and have been doing that for 22 years. We could have got a mega mansion and really gone into debt forever but don't need the space. Veggies & fruit - I have a big garden and fruit trees. I can, freeze and dry a lot of what I grow plus have a garden all year long with the basics like lettuce and carrots, etc. Hired Help - Never use any, do all the work ourselves. Have only hired someone when it required big or specialized equipment. We dug out our septic tank, cut down 80Ft trees, ran our own trench lines for watering. You get the picture.