Tell me what you really think.
I hope 2005 gets better, and better, and better - and that you 'live long and prosper', while never ever having another year like 2004.
2004 did suck. I hope 2005 is a much brighter year (for both of us) and that you do not have to sell your home. That kind of stress must be almost unbareable to live under.
I don't know what happened (you've alluded to it a few times) but I sure wish it hadn't happened. You seem too nice a person to have real bad things happen to you. YOu don't kick puppies do you?
I am in 100% agreement over lilacs. Someone bought us one when we bought our house (3 years ago). I was lazy about getting it into the ground and I pray every year that it gets strong. Its still kind of twiggy. They only bloom here for about a week or two in May and I refuse to burn lilac candles, etc. because that lilac scent is special and only to be smelt (smelled?) for 1 week a year. The week before my son was born. We have them lining my grandmothers long driveway so they have another special meaning to me.
Enjoy your fierce little lilac, may she bloom strong and bring good luck!
I have a lilac bush in my yard as well. I love to pick bunches & put 'em all over my house...YUM.
I sincerely hope you don't have to sell your house. 
As for the geodes...I have one word of advice~~eBay! :D
What the others have said. I'm so sorry that you are under that kind of stress and I hope it is resolved, soon.
I love lilacs, too. I almost had my wedding 3 months early just so I could have lilacs, but then I found out MIL would sneeze her head off if I brought those lovely things in the church. Looking back, I should have had the flowers and skipped the MIL. The day would have been 100% better.
I recently bought some hollyhock seeds to plant in the arbor in my backyard. Don't know that we'll be in our place long enough to enjoy them, either. Shame...I'd like to try making dolls with them!
Hear you on the financial worries but I have the belief that 2005 will not only bring BETTER times, but our struggles from last year are preparation for GREAT times in the near future.
I am barred from buying anything at Lowes since I have the kiss of death with plants/shrubs/etc. Nothing grows in this house except my butt and hips, baby.
Here's hoping 2005 improves and that you can hold onto your house. It sounds like it has all kinds of special memories.
Besides, it can take 7 years for a lilac bush to bloom if you plant an itty bitty one. I know--we've planted one in every house we live in, and this is the first place we've been long enough to see it bloom! Lilacs are one of the things I do miss about upstate New York.
Not the winters, though. Don't miss them one bit.
I think we would all feel better if you would TELL US WHAT HAPPENED!!! C'mon, its just us.
*HUG*
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