How do you think the lawyer ripped me off he has not even done anything yet he is waiting for me to decide what i want to do. i paid him $200.00 for a consultation visit and he gave me options, but you need money to hire a lawyer and i spent all mine on my yard. Remember this was done a year ago and he has been working on it off and on for a while this year. They were just here yesterday and brought 20 yds of good top soil and filled in all the washed out areas, still alot of rough areas to go. His worker had top soil left and no more time to spread i guess or he thought he was done, they had the soil dropped in the road so instead of putting it in a pile he spread it out in the yard about 3 inches thick by 30ftx30ft in a area that the grass wasnt to bad well now all i got is dirt in that area, and it is going to rain tomorrow and wash it all out this is the kind of stuff his guys do, he is not here to see it. He told me he personally was going to take care of the job and work on it. The boss, he is never here its always the same people that screwed it up to begin with. He finally made it over here yesterday tuesday after he told me friday that if he wasnt there monday by 1:00 then he would give me $1000.00 cash well he never showed monday hmmm maybe i get the cash. this is the kinda stuff he does. alot of promises , he is just waisting time and money. i feel like telling him to give me 3k back and i will fix it myself. Do any of you guys think that slit seeding the yard will help. that is his next step. The yard is so rough that it hurts your back just to mow it. let me know what ya think .

Julie, that's a funny story. You're a trooper, love the way you and NDN split the detective work, the tasks, and got the boys to the party. :) (the big honkin' TV on the cedar chest sounds about right for this house, too). Do I recall that you don't drive? Mary, I know what you mean about the testosterone factor in the the building trades. It's not appreciably different in the marine trades. ;) The best way to deal with it, IMO, is to simply tune it out OR smile and tease them right back. I get called, "dear", "hon.", "cupcake", etc. at least once a day and have for years now. It's not uncommon to hear some crack about the "nice view" when I'm on the floor doing a layout. My take on it is that they like me, respect my abilities, and it's just their way of showing it. It doesn't really bother me, personally. Any chance you will be able to share some photos? I know I have to be very mindful of sharing photos of work I've done for customers. Yeah, I think Maine could be a fun destination, Mary. We have oodles of time to set a date that will suit everyone who would like to come and I'm able to get time off pretty much whenever I want to. So start looking at your calendars, everyone, and we'll figure out how much time we want to devote to it and what we'd like to do. Monique and Les. have highly recommended the Maine Botanical Gardens. Sue, I'm impressed that you were a 4-Her, too. I didn't know you had rabbits! is it true they eat their droppings to get some vitamin or nutrient they can't synthesize for themselves? The AWS usually has a few rabbits for adoption (some of them are huge); I had no idea you can get them to use a litter pan, but DID suspect that keeping a sharp eye on their busy little mouths was pretty important. I always wanted a guinea pig but Mum and Dad nixed that idea repeatedly... . It's going to be a real "wash out" this weekend. Wonder if Saucy's kids and husband have planned a camping trip? Had I had my wits about me I'd have taken a few shots of the swamp maples in the marsh area that are beautifully colored up. Cross your fingers that Kyle doesn't blow the leaves off them before I can get a pictures. They're really pretty, but there's still lots more color to come. A quick spin around the yard the other day revealed the extent of my garden sloth... it is clear that I have no need for aspirin to deaden any pain. lol I was fast asleep by debate time; I'll have to rely on the "post game wrap up" this morning on NPR (the Today show is the lamest excuse in the world for a news program).

Hi, Y'all-- Well, Melissa, get ready...the little bird is off again and on its way to you down there in Austin. It's a little ironic to me how a package that I could personally hand-deliver with a quick little 2 hour trip down the highway will take 3 or so days to get to you. Anyway, I claimed a little pot gnome (didn't have a gnome...needed one), a birdhouse windchime, and a cute red-beaded suncatcher (it'll look so good with the rest of my collection in my kitchen window). I added a blue wind-ribbon, an expandable sunhat, and a garden sock. BTW, the robin's # is 0303 2460 0002 3074 7511... This was fun. Thanks, Cherrisa, for all the time and effort I know it took in hosting it. Although my "turn" is over, I'll definitely keep checking until the robin gets back to you... Best to all...see y'all on the next robin!!! Cheryl

Hi all! Jan--omg, I feel so terrible as I missed your post that Bobby passed. I am so very, very sorry. I feel like such a jerk, whining and kevetching about my "problems", when you are going through this. You're in my thoughts and prayers, and please accept my condolences. ((((((hugs))))))) (But I didn't realize that you're my long-lost SIL, b/c it sounds like we have the same MIL--ugh.) Amy--gad, I must have missed your post also--did you lose Heather? ((((((hugs!!!!)))))) I swear, I must start reading more closely. I will read something, and then it just falls out of my pea=brain. Sigh. Can I blame it on school? Marci--congrats on your retirement! What a sweet word that is--retirement. :) Have a great time in FL! BJ--how's your mom doing? IvA--I'm so glad that your treatments are going so good!!! Tikansis--yooohoooo! Come out and play!! Where are you? I hope you're feeling better form that nasty fall! Well, It's quiet on the homefront. MIL showed up one morning ,and and a performed a sob-fest, and then borderlined yelled at me. In.My.Own.House. I apparently have a spine, and told her in no uncertain terms that I will not be spoken to int hat way in my own house, and if she could continue in an adult manner, then I would listen. She blamed everything on me, and blah, blah, blah. Same ol' story, different day. I think I am going tomorrow, just to be sickening sweet... I feel a couple of "bless your heart"s coming on. :) Hope all is well! Hugs, Maddie Besh--I love Maine Coons--Renee that used to psot years many moons ago had one named Moose. :)