Sometimes projects just do not work out grrrrr...I tried this new spray paint on the lamp...it was Rustoleum hammered spray paint and it has a funky spray nozzle that literally takes 2 hands to work...then the stupid little nozzle broke off so paint went everywhere...I highly do NOT recommend this paint...then when I finally got it all painted the top part of the lamp would not sit on the base correctly....then I realized that is why they threw it away... so there was not way I could plant it because it just kept falling over as soon as I put dirt in the lamp shades double grrr...oh well it had sat on the curb geting wet for several days before I rescued it so I would not have wanted anyone else to get it and accidentally plug it in and get zapped...I hope I am not the only one who had a project not work out

Karen, so glad you added to your nutcracker collection with these beauties. That tall one has such a pretty paint job. It must of been so hard trying to decide which ones to buy with such a selection before your eyes. My favorite is your Lenox "Polar Magic" Santa. That is just awesome! It will be beautiful with the rest of your collection. The snowy s & p shakers and booty with cardinal are keepers. All three are just so cute and no wonder you couldn't resist them. Your new purple hurricane is HUGE and you got a great deal on it. It looks marvelous! I'm so happy for you to be able to get out and find so many special things. But so sad to hear those darn legs don't want to play well with your feet after all that shopping. Sounds like you accomplished quite abit tho. Having your lights on the mantel must be a wonderful feeling knowing that's done. Punk

My3Dogs, that picture of Rooney and Riley is just so sweet. I LOVE Brittanys and that picture shows how wonderfully sweet and snuggly they are. I am sorry to hear about your friend's pup. :( I have been thinking about that, on our search of a dog . . .how short their lives are, esp. Goldens. Even in the best circumstances, dogs' lives are just too short! Maire Cate-- wow! 3 out of 5? That makes me feel better, I guess! They are such sweet and funny dogs in so many ways, but I guess it's hard to find ones that are trustworthy (esp around children). Someone told me they are the mascot of a store in the UK where they'd have actual Wheatens in the store all the time. I wonder if aggression is just becoming more and more of a problem in general among all breeds. Would you say it's a good idea to go visit the breeder and the parents before we make a final decision? I hadn't thought to do that, trusting what the breeder says about them, but that is a good idea. Athomeinva, I'm sorry you went through it, too! I am trying to learn all I can about dog body language so that I CAN feel comfortable again, but I know it will be a challenge. We stayed with family last week and they had a dog-- I was watching the dog with my kids constantly. The difference was that this dog would just walk away if he'd had enough vs. nipped. I am so glad to hear your Golden worked out! Maddielee, I can put up with the shedding! I can put up with the typical puppy nipping and biting too-- the kids have been warned about the land shark phase . . .and they will be highly monitored. If our Wheaten had nipped out of play, we would never have rehomed her. In other words, it wasn't the nip itself but the intent behind it, along with the air snaps/warning signs she gave. She just wasn't comfortable around young children. Sadly, too, once a dog has exhibited this kind of behavior, it's a huge liability, too, esp. since I had documentation of professionals telling me she had to go. Roseseek, how lovely! What a beautiful trio you have! Hee hee about the Fox "Terrors"!

Meyermike(Zone 6a Ma.) Actually, I’m in the northern part of the island, where rain is scarce. But when it rains it pours and it can rain 3 days straight. I water weekly but should be watering 2x weekly. Also, I keep these in the smallest possible pot that’ll accommodate them. The rule of thumb is no more than 1” space around the fattest part of the root mass. Soil is mixed with lots of perlite and course construction sand. All this translates to less soil and quicker dry time. BTW, I have lost a few younger ones. You can catch rot by always checking your plants. Prune weak tips and watch that caudex. I’ve conducted a few surgeries to ”scoop out” rot in a fat root. It’s good practice for learning. But it doesn’t happen frequently for me. I love plants, particularly succulents. However, my plant philosophy is ”If it’s not pleased to dwell with me, bye!” My real estate is at too high a premiun to coddle non performers. LOL