Sherry, my MJP is doing very well. She's still small, and I've had only one bloom from her, but it was lovely. Cream and apricot and pink all washed together. She seems quite healthy and is currently putting out new growth - I think she is just a quiet little aristocrat who doesn't take giant strides, just little dainty steps. Another small rose that I got even later last year is really leaping ahead, and has given two flushes already (only two blooms each flush, though!). But I don't hold that against MJP - they are just different from each other. I am also facing the problem of less sun this year (the trees have grown), so I have been moving them all around for maximum exposure. Also I'm repotting the ones most in need of it, one at a time (I'm not known for my stamina), and this has helped the ones that have been done. In the ground is not an option for me, but it sure sounds like it helps! Your SdEV is exquisite. Laura

They are all beautiful. My favorite out of this bunch would be Sugarplum Glaze. The hybridizer for APH (Emily Olson) lives about 5 miles from me. I think she still does mail orders. I haven't been to her place in a couple years. Had to go to the grocery store here today also. Spent the rest of the day steam cleaning carpet. yuck.... Not sure how much good it will do with all this rain and 4 children. lol But we're having a birthday party this weekend for my daughter. Hoping the rain stops before then so they can stay outside. Michelle

Here's my BOP for this year. The tree is so large all I added is my deer. I think I have a smaller purple tree but it hasn't come out from hiding yet.LOL If it does, I may do some tweaking and repost. When I found this little purple dress ornament couldn't resist and thought it went well with my purple hat tree topper. I was hoping to bring the veil down on the hat but didn't want to cover up my little ornament under it. Here's a closeup of the feathers on the hat and the picture on the ornament. Photobucket is not wanting to resize so it's really a closeup.LOL Hope others will continue to fill up this fun post. I had never heard of decorating the bop before coming here. I love telling others about it for a laugh. And to think some think all we decorate is tables on Holidays.LOL They really should get out more often and check things out before being so vocal. Punk

Not a "flush" story, but rather a "no-flush" story. Helping my MIL pick out her cabinets at a froo-froo kitchen and bath place. My three kids were sitting at the table coloring, while she and I looked, talked to salesperson and walked around. At one point, youngest son (age 2 1/2) came running up to me with his pants in his hand saying "I did it! I did it all by my-helf!!" What did you do? "I poo-poo'd!" Looking around, I asked the salesman "Where is your public restroom?" He said "out the door and down the stairs".... Knowing my son would NOT know where that was let alone leave the store without me, I asked "Where did you poo-poo?" Yep, you guessed it... around the corner in a beautiful Kohler bathroom display, with a toilet that was NOT plumbed to anything. And the "poo-poo" was of the, let's just say, softer persuasion. Took a cardboard scoop and a strong Hefty bag, and LOTS of bleachy cleaner. On top of that, MIL didn't find cabinets she liked, so we left in a hurry. But the moral is, that was the day DS became potty trained! He was so proud!!