What a great idea for a workshop topic! I would love to come but know already that I can't unfortunately. I have at least 2 unidentified roses in my own garden right now and would love to learn how to give them their proper names. Is there any way to obtain the information that Cass will be giving at the workshop? Did/will she write an article about this topic or something like that? Or does someone know any other source of good information about identifying roses? Thanks for answering my questions in advance. Christina Here is a link that might be useful: Organic Garden Dreams

Oh Michele, hon, you're not going wrong. I have a big problem with both the "N" and the "W" words. My kids learned really young with the "N" word, I use to smack them in the back of the head for it and they would even hear me say something to my parents, who are very old, deep southern, about that word. Like you, I find it degrading and rude as all daylights. It's used in the derogatory fashion, not the true definition of the word, which has no racial connotations.So they know well and better than to use it, but to be honest, each of my older boys tried it again when they hit pre-teen and at about mid-teen and still got smacked. Tiffy still hasn't tried it since she was young and heard her grandmother spout it. She's almost 15 now. I don't doubt that Vincent and Devin will try it again at least during one phase or the other. And they'll get smacked and talked to seriously at that time. Tommy and Jarret tried the "W" word when they were young teens, it had just become the latest "hot" word. After trying,and failing, to convince me that I was just behind, they never said it in front of me again. I told them that I found it as degrading as I did the "N" word and the "B" word to describe women in general. I don't physically discipline my kids very often, so when I do, they know it's serious. And more so once I explain the meaning of the word and why it's degrading and show them the correlation between it and other degrading words. Like Tommy likes to wear his ballcap backwards, does that make him the "W" word? Jarret likes rap, does that make the "W" word apply? They all use slang any more, so the same question again. Once they realize that it doesn't really apply to them and they wouldn't want others applying it because it would hurt their feelings, they stop using it... at least in my hearing. The same as using the word gay. Some people live the way they live regardless of whether others approve or not, as is their right in this country. Applying a label to them doesn't help the situation. My kids eventually learned to use a person's name when speaking about them, not applying labels, at least when talking to me or where they think I can hear. I keep adding that part because two of them are completely grown, so their choices are their own, but if nothing else, perhaps they will remember what I've taught them :)And at least I can sleep at night knowing that I did what I could to prevent another bigot in this world. And once they're grown, that's all we have. Hugs, Kathy~ getting off her soapbox.

My entire house is filled with used stuff. LOL! All my rugs are either inherited or found cheap. There is a picture in the album I've linked to below. It's the one with me kneeing down with my curtains in the background. That rug cost me $100. It was made by the Whittle Company and a rug just like mine lives at the The Smithsonian Institute - as an example of the industrial age. My rug was made by the first company to ever mass produce area rugs. It's 'Bird of Paradise' print. My dining room rug is made by the same company and was $150. Karastan copied this print which became one of their most popular prints ever. Both rugs are wool. Course, my Stickley table was another great score. It's the round one in front of the window, near my lace curtains. Yep, I am a huge fan of recycling. LOL! Here is a link that might be useful: House pictures

rufinorox, I'm sorry to hear you are still having splashing issues. I guess what can you do other than replace the faucet. I was hoping for you... However, I disagree that splashing goes with the territory. I didn't think of my previous sink when I saw yours, lovetoshop, but the only difference is that mine didn't have a third bowl. I totally understand about the big pans; that's one reason why I am switching to a single bowl. But I don't recall ever having general splashing problems with my faucet in either bowl. The only time was when the water was deflected off of something in the shallow side, hardly ever in the deeper side. If the reach of your faucet is able to hit the drain instead of the sink itself, it should be fine. That is why I had the faucet offset from the center on the old sink. If rinsing dishes in the center works for you now, I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work with a gooseneck pulldown. And I bet you will find yourself using your sprayer for more than rinsing the sink or washing the dog with a pulldown, because it will be so much more handy.