trfanatic: I think I'm grounded back in 2008 now. Think maybe the hot stuff got to me before :) pbishop: I grew 1 plant from one seed. (had great germination of all seeds I received from John) I transplanted PI 238051 into a 12 inch diameter, 10 inch tall pot on my south facing patio using Promix potting mix. I fertilized a few times throughout the season with a generic Miracle Grow-like liquid when the leaves looked a bit yellowish. The PI 238051 grew well, as did all my other peppers. My season wasn't long enough for much to ripen so I took the pots inside and have them by a south facing double patio door. I think only a handful of the PI 238051s ripened before coming inside. The plant now has over 25 ripe, bright red pods, and the leaves are still dark green. Looks like I should use it instead of buying Christmas plants! The plant is compact and bushy, about 15 inches tall. It looks like a suitable houseplant to me :) Some of the other pepper plants have had aphids that I sprayed off but so far the PI looks fine. I'm not a good person to ask about taste since anything with much heat overwhelms me and I don't notice much else. I did just taste one of these before replying, though. The bottom end was mild, and sweet with maybe a fruity taste hidden in there. The third nibble up was hot, but not "oh, no, I can't stand it" hot. And the burn went away after only a few minutes. So I'd guess most of you would consider it only slightly hot :) Hope yours grows well for you next season.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. I didn't do a lot because I really couldn't between a busted finger and my other BIG bobo. We had the best weather today that we have had in a very long time so sat outside on the louge chair with dear dog, Elvira, and took an afternoon snooze in the sun. Boy, that felt good. Sometimes the simple things are the best. Clare

The one thing to check, I think, is if the GC was trying to warn you off. Does he really want to work over the holidays? Do his subs? Are they taking their kids on vacation just when you thought they'd be working? The GC might want the job too much to tell you no-can-do, and figure he can probably make it work out, rather than being eager for your start date. If you're sure he and the subs are on board, go for it! And maybe add an incentive bonus for them to be done, cleaned up and signed off by January 25 (sooner if that's the quote), which gives you a week to get your act together before your party. Plus a penalty if it's not done by February 1. It can be done if everyone's on board. I only worry that less than 2 months over the holidays is awfully tight, if you really want them done in time for the party.

I have not scheduled surgery yet and am ignoring the suggestion of having them both done at once. When I was a newly graduated RN I worked ortho for a year ( some disasters but hips have come along way) and my mom had a horrible hip replacement outcome, so I am putting it off for as long as I can. Don't wait so long you are too out of shape ... it's best done while you are still reasonably spry with muscle strength left for rehab instead of totally crippled and weak. And before you have wrecked the surrounding support muscles and tendons compensating for the pain and lack of mobility. (SO has a prosthetic knee, his brother has 2 of them, and another brother has a hip replacement he loves). Yes, it's come a LONG ways, even using 3-d imaging and custom manufacture of the prosthetics if needed. They can build a copy of the joint, figure out exactly how things need to be altered and dry-fit the prosthesis without ever lifting a scalpel.