I grow four of the roses you ask about. Memorial Day is a beautiful pink with wonderful fragrance. It grows well and stays healthy. The only drawback is the frilly edge to the petals on 98% of the blooms. That isn't good for exhibition, but for a garden rose this is a good one. Folklore-and all of it's sports-is a growing machine reaching 8' easily by Fall. The bloom is a lovely light orange with yellow reverse. This one too stays very healthy all year. Moonstone is one of my favorite HT's. The blooms are large and plentiful though scentless. The bush is also vigorous and healthy. Elina is a nice pale yellow. I think it's Fall blooms are the best. They can be very large with very good form and plenty of substance to the petals that make it last a long time on the bush or cut for vases in the home. It too is scentless, which is it's only drawback. I would recommend all four of these roses without hesitation. John

You've got two different issues here. First, the apartment complex may or may not be at fault. Check your lease carefully--there may be a clause that they are not responsible for damage to your vehicle or that parking is at your own risk, etc. If they can be held at fault, you will eventually get your money back. If they can't be held at fault, then you are out of luck. Second, what kind of insurance do you have in California? Where I live, I'd contact my insurance company, which would collect the deductible from the apartment complex if they were found to be at fault. I would *have* to go through my insurance--the contract states that I have to inform them of any damage to the car. Yes, I could avoid that step, but it might come back to haunt me in the future. You need to check your lease, California law and your insurance policy.

Your best bet in a used car will be a well-maintained American car. I don't want to get into the U.S./rest of the world "discussion" being held on other threads. I'll just say that proper maintenance has more to do with a car's trouble-free operation than where it is made. Right now, there are some decent American cars out there, but perception has not caught up with the reality, so American cars suffer more depreciation than many foreign cars. As a buyer of a used car, you can take advantage of that. Some of the cars you might want to look at include the Ford Taurus, or just anything midsize or larger from GM. I'm guessing that, since you got to the age of 16 without being a "gearhead," you mostly want a comfortable, reliable car. These will do the job. They shouldn't cost a fortune for insurance, either. Mikie is right -- even if you're paying for your own insurance, it will be cheaper to piggyback on your parents' policy than it will be for you to go solo. Ask about discounts if you get good grades in school or are willing to drive only a certain number of miles per month, etc. Finally, what else I wish I'd known about cars at your age? Having a car is a joy and a privilege -- and a responsibility. As a teenager, you have the benefit of quick reflexes and (I hope) formal training. You can be an excellent driver. But there's no substitute for experience -- especially at night in the rain and on icy roads. I knew how to steer out of a skid -- until the first time I found myself in one and narrowly missed a fence as I spun into a farmer's field. It's different when it really happens. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you're immortal (every teenager thinks so; so did I). You're in control of almost two tons of metal and glass and plastic, so be careful. When I was 16, nobody had cell phones and we were lucky if the car had an FM radio, nevermind multi-channel stereo systems and iPod links and the like. I know teenagers are better at multi-tasking than they used to be, but you still have one primary task in a car -- driving. Don't be distracted by fiddling with the stereo or talking with friends. It's okay to concentrate on driving. Professional auto racers do. Have fun! Getting my first car was a blast. I hope you find one you really like and have many happy miles with it.

Paige, I'm so happy to hear this was just a scare. Sometimes I wish doctor's would keep things to themselves until they know for sure. I throw a heck of a scare into you and maybe that's not so bad in the long run. I do hope you find out soon what's wrong. May it be something easily resolved. I too have sorry for the loss of your dear friend and having the chore of going through her things. I know how rough a job that is. Talley Sue, I'm sorry for your dh's loss. Jannie, how terrible for you friend Chrystal. That's too much loss in such a short time. Mary Liz, it sounds as though you caught your cancer early. Good for you. I'm terrible about remembering to check for lumps anymore. I'm sure it's because I've so often had scares since I have a tendency to have fibrious non-cancerous lumps. Even knowing that, each time I found one gave me such a scare. I wish you all the best during your radiation and so happy for you that chemo won't be involved in your recovery. I've heard it's worse than the cancer itself. I have to agree with PammyFay on going through the house and deciding who get's what a making a list of things that aren't important. Though I think I'd do like my hubby's Gramma Effie did and make sure those were given to their recipients before I passed. I'm sure it's joyfull for the giver since I saw the pleasure in Gram's eyes when she gave me her three lady head planters. I'd mentioned years before that I had given one to my Mom when I was a little girl and always was fond of them because of that. She remembered that so made a precious gift of them to me a couple decades later. She was 75 the year we married and passed away shortly after she turned 99, still sharp as a whip. I miss her so, so much. I loved her as if she were my own Gram. Our daughter (just 24) has asked if she can moved back home the end of next year when she leaves the Air Force. She'd planned on retiring after 20 years of service, but fell in love with her nephew who was born last December, and can't stand missing that much of his life. She really didn't have to ask. We built this home with three master suites with the intention of her and her brother living her while they went to college. While she's living here and looking for a home to purchase I'll ask her to help me go through things. I have what's left of my folks things stored in our basement. After our immediate family members picked what they wanted I gave much of it to extended family members. My folks were very close to so many of my cousins that I knew they'd want something special that belonged to them. Pink, my Mom passed away suddenly in 95 in the emergency room of a near by hospital with a massive heart attach. She been teated for the last five month so her life for gastritis. I remember her telling me that night that she made sure their home was clean so Dad wouldn't have to go home to a dirty home at least. Not that her home was ever a mess. She'd seen her family doctor that morning, but I believe she knew more than that quack did. McCall, you are too funny. "I was not of a mind set to get things nice an clean for the next wife." What a perfect stand up comedy line! I love it. My hubby has always told me he would never remarry if I passed away. Since he never explained his reasoning I took it upon myself to decide it was because I was the love of his life and no one else could take my place. Of course he never said he wouldn't live with someone. HA! 8^P Birdwalker, I'm so glad that they were able to find and care for your colon in time. What a scare though! LilyDilly, what wonderful news about your Dad! And how wise of him to bring in the guys and have such a great day! My Dad and brother were always joking between each other about Dad's tools. Whenever my brother would visit he's always head to the garage and the storage room behind it and bring up a tool or two that was covered with dust and tell my Dad he was taking it home with him since it was obvious my Dad didn't use it anymore. My Dad would give him "heck" about it, but let the tool leave the house with my big brother. I had a cancer scare in 94, but it turned out to be just precancerous cells on my cervix. It's amazing how something like that can even change the outlook of someone, like me, that always took life as be a most precious gift from the Lord. I believe my having what some would call an "old soul" was because of coming close to loosing my life as both an infant and toddler from pneumonia and the loss of so many family members when I was still quite young. I knew at such an early age that life is very fragile. Because of this my favorite non-Biblical saying is "Everyday is a gift from God". And I try to live it that way. Often I fail in using my time wisely, but still take the time to show and tell my loved ones how much I truly love them. Great thread Paige. Please keep us informed on your test results. I'll be praying for you. ~Becky