honestly, cinder blocks had never occurred to me but that is such a good idea! And they are so inexpensive!

I just wanted to take the time to say, "If you can read this, then Thank A Teacher!" My author ( 's and 's father ) has been a teacher for 26 years now, currently teaching 7th and 8th grade science in an suburban middle school. Even though he was not my teacher ( mine was Harriet the Wise ) I have learned a lot from him, like how to make a musical instrument from a drinking straw to delight the grandchildren and annoy the other patrons at Chipotle. Happy Day Of The Teacher to all teachers out there. Go and make some music!

First I want to say I'm soooo sorry, I missed the last day of gathering flowers! Thank you for flowering me even tho I wasn't here - you know who you are - and so do I! I'll get even next year!

With my crazy life I wasn't around as much as I'd like to have been BUT I have extra coins. I would love to know is there anyone who needs some help picking up things they want from Esthers this time around? There seems to be a spinning void under the 2012 tab .. stands to reason the same thing could happen to 2013 so if theres somethings you would like from there before that happens - or anywhere in Esthers, please let me know, I would love to help ya out. (don't make me stalk wishlists.. seriously!)

I did have time to read up on Glitter's exploits.. girlfriend, cinder blocks are a really good idea! They're inexpensive, rarely get stolen and can be a good workout for the upper body if y'all haul 'em around enough ^^ I'm really glad things went so well!

(please tell your author) and other bears who teach that I know I'm overlooking accidently, Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Me, my children and my children's children and their children thank you SO much for all you put up with, and all that you do!

Freddy I don't know why I thought your author was a resperatory specialist, teacher makes so much more sense!

It's getting late so I'm gonna call it a night - if you're shy, please sMail me a few things y'all would like from Esthers, otherwise ping me, comment me, something! I wasn't able to gather flowers like usual, and would love to share the generosity that was shown by others even when I couldn't repay their kindness! Pay it foreward = words to live by and it would make me so so so happy.. so do it!!

How goes the bug war? I've never heard of the bugs you're talking about.

ohmygaaaaaaack! They're terrible! And they bite! They actually bite! They're waking up from what I've read and "just want to go outside" - as if I care. All you can do is suck'em up and empty the vaccumn cup outside and hope for the best. The house will be buttoned up tight before fall when they return in droves so they'll have to find another hibernating home. Or die.. lol! They're even in the papers - oh, and the actual name are Asian beetles. Here's some about the infestation last fall.

Via Google last October:

http://www.startribune.com/lady-bugs-are-bugging-minnesotans-to-no-end/332168222/

http://legacy.kare11.com/story/news/local/2015/10/13/pesky-asian-beetles-return-in-great-numbers/73865704/

Yuck, they sound awful! I love ladybugs, these are like their evil clones. hugs

I got the 2012 tab to load?

Thanks :) and great timing! I finished up finals last night, so summer break starts right now!!!

Good morning, everyone!

Good Morning one year when I lived in Illinois, we had those asian beetles all over the subdivision, they were everywhere and in everyones houses and yes they bite. I hope you get rid of them soon.

Dear anon: Thank you so much for the thoughtful gifts. Your heart and soul are so giving and I am honored to be your friend.

@blackwolf_2009 I get the spiraling dots.

WooHoo! Start jammin' to Schools Out Doc, you're free for a few months!

They get so bad during fall people don't go outside. There's something straight wrong when that happens and the reason isn't even native to the state/country. Whoever's bright idea it was to bring them to the states is a complete idiot.

I was here earlier and saw your comment Tammy and remembered I had gotten two amazing anon gift boxes just when things got amped up for Vesnali. One of them had the berries I kept missing from the TS and said "we missed you, too!" <3

The other had far too much to give to me - gorgeous stuff from the Atebus shop and this heartstoppingly gorgeous dress and simply said "Try to make at least one person happy every day" <3

I teared up, I really did. Such random generosity amazes me but it's more than that. I absolut'ly love the dress.. one, its beautiful and two, its called Figurine of the Marine Fairy. I've wanted one since the day I added it to the lodge <3

Whoever it was that sent them, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope I said as much earlier but I know how I get when things get chaotic - I forget. Your kindness touched my heart in a way that I can not express. Again, thank you.

Mine loaded. Let it set for a while, I did that and it came right up.

If you need anything from it Laurie, let me know! :D

: I told him what you said and he was very pleased. He said Thank You and God bless you. He did both at the same time. He only retired from Respiratory Therapy last year after 34 years. He still has 4 years left before he feels he can retire from teaching.

: You are so lucky, My Author has five weeks left! He is seriously thinking of investing in Jack Daniels stock. ( and not the financial kind, the 'stockpiling' kind. )

I looked them up and they look almost exactly like ladybugs! It's just not right that my favorite insect should have such a nasty relative.

and we have those same nasty beetles here too I think they are taking over the whole fricken country there everywhere

I haven't seen any here in my area.

I think they came from the east and are traveling to the west but i could be wrong

grumbles We already have fire ants and Africanized bees in Texas, not to mention wild hogs. Don't need another invasive species.

they could be heading that way there really bad here where I live we have to vacuum them up every day in the spring and fall if you dont they will take over the house

whimpers Please no, not in my lifetime.