Paula, I think the decision to overhaul the "jungle" was the catalyst. The Hostaholic was already buried deep inside me. Just needed some freshly tilled dirt to come out and spread its roots through my bank account. I am not new to botanical addictions though. My other passion is orchids and I have about 80 cultivar in a room upstairs under grow lights. It is a 3 year old collection and also growing. We can't afford real food in my house so we eat fertilizer and perlite . . . kidding . . . well maybe not after I get all the Hosta I have my heart set on. I have not "been" to Hallson's since I am in PA but I did call Chris the other day to see when the earliest was I could place my spring order. He was so delightful and courteous I felt so bad I kept him on the phone for like an hour just basking in his knowledge (I am full of questions as we all know by now). It was awesome talking to him. I will def be placing an order . . . and then another one . . . and another. I can't imagine actually going there in person. I would probably suffer mild cardiac arrest upon entering just at the sight. Your Fire and Ice is awesome btw !!! I am sure in time I will come to own one of those as well but I am a bit scared with my inexperience to tackle a fussy little guy like that at the moment. We will see how things go with Cascades first. Babka - I am already making arrangements to talk to the neighbors and see if I can rip all that Liriope out of the lower part of our side porch to make more room for Hosta since my garden is going to be filling up quick with all these giants. Was thinking about putting some of the spreading types that HH was mentioning to help with erosion control since as we all know it is much more pleasant to look at Hosta than Liriope IMO. Alexis - yeah I am a sucker for the big variegated types. I notice this when deciding what I want and am trying to balance it out with more characteristic solids. My whole thing with Guardian is I want to be able to see that beautiful spring variegation all year and the virescence would almost be like a tease as I watch the colors fade. Same goes with Warpaint. I forgot to mention in the earlier post: Raspberry Sundae Lionheart These two are also in the spring order list. Raspberry for the variegation and red petioles. Lionheart since it came recommended by Chris as a solid white leaf grower. Thanks again everyone for sharing, Ludi

Blue Pearl has been around a long time, and will be around a lot longer... When I first started in the "slab side" of this Trade, some 23 years ago, Blue Pearl was one of the first kinds of Granite that I had ever worked with - still love it today, except there's a whole lot more choices now - then there was 23 years ago... I think the "regional" thingy has some validity, but in the end, it's strictly a personal choice issue - I saw alot more of Blue Pearl in the Mid-West than out here in Phoenix... But I'm just a Fabrimicator - not an Inferior Desicrator!!! HA!!!! my .02 cents worth kevin Kevin M. Padden MIA SFA Fabricator, Trainer & Consultant to the Natural Stone Industry www.azschoolofrock.com

ilene-84, Happy Birthday to your Dad! Is he a WW II vet? I hope all the medical issues are behind you and your family now. Spring is around the corner and it's such a great time of year. And, I'm sure when your kitchen is all done, it will be great simply because it has been a labor of love. It's good to know I am not the only one sleeping terribly. I wake up every day with a terrible headache and neck pain. I also wake up in the middle of the night repeatedly adding up cabinet sizes, trying to make a list of events of what should come next, what goes and doesn't go, if I do this then I have to do that and the infamous DID I MAKE A MISTAKE and what are my options now if I decide to change the layout. I started keeping a pen and paper on the night table to be able to jot down the ideas and make notes. However, one kitty is a pen thief, the other is a paper tearer. So when I get up to find the pen, big doggie has to come over and inquire as to what I am doing but more so to make sure he is not missing out on a food tidbit. Then DH starts in, what's wrong, is everything okay . . . it's so pitiful I have to laugh because I would cry. Now I try to get back into bed and find out that another kitty has stolen my warm spot and I just can't bear to move them so to the couch for me where I wonder, I just left that bed with all of them so how did we fit on there before! At least I'm off the kitchen biz. So much for the couch idea. There is usually the shy rescue cat there who so prefers DH to me. Then if I manage to lay down, it's impossible to get my back comfortable but then I finally fall asleep out of sheer exhaustion and then there is DH waking me, come back to bed, you know the couch is no good for your back. Argh . . just leave me be! This is a daily routine for us. I almost want to quit my day job and get a night job just so I don't have to go to sleep. I am sure also that the massive amounts of junk food I am eating is not helping the situation either. I am actually craving veggies so I don't know what that says about the diet. But in the end I will have a nice enough kitchen that I have built out of a labor of love. I am so looking forward to cooking again for us so hang in there! Christine, thanks for sharing your perspective on things. I must say you must be one strong resilient woman! You go girl.

Thanks again everyone I just called my sister and she said Stephen had a great night sleep first night he slept all night long. And today they have the bed in the front part of the motorhome made out and he is riding comfortably!! So your thoughts and prayers are helping tons. He is breathing better she said and his color is super! Thanks so much again!! Stacy