Mmmmm...Margaritas sound good! I have always said where there's a will there's a way, I think you are on track to make something very cool for your pool! I have amazed myself at the things I can do when I set my mind to it (many times encouraged by someone telling me it can't be done) My first concrete adventure: In second grade, I decided our secret fort in the woods needed a swimming pool, so we stock piled soda cans filled with water in the fort, we dug a fairly big hole with play shovels, and I convinced my babysitter that I had to bring a bag of concrete mix to school for a project, she helped me set it against the side of the building and I almost got away with the plan, but I was caught dragging the bag across the playground at recess and I guess the powers that be didn't really think a pool in the woods was a good idea! Thanks for the cuttings offer, but I am still struggling to get anything to grow roots from cuttings, despite studying up on it and trying every which method. I haven't given up totally, right now I am still nursing one last rose cutting, a couple of vitec (sp?) and 6 lavender cuttings, but I am not very optimistic given how many before them have bit the dust. As you may be able to tell in my "citrus in tufa" pic on the container site, I broke down and bought myself a bougainvillea in a hanging basket. Cant wait to see what you create for your card table! Nik

You don't. We've already established that. That was never even an issue. I was merely trying to ascertain what purpose it served to call the credit company each and every year to tell them to lower your limit back down to $35k after they unilaterally raised it. And now you've answered that question. I'm not sure why we're seemingly going around in circles here. In the post to which you responded, I stated that if you did it because it gave you some sort of piece of mind, i.e., you didn't want a higher limit, that of course was fine. I was just curious if there was some general benefit to doing so of which I am not aware. The answer, apparently, is no.

antiquesilver, that's IT! I may not even be looking & find a single, perfect piece. I do find, tho, if I'm actively looking for something? I almost never find it. It's when I distracted (adhd) with something else that it pops up in front of me, or when I've just decided to (or been forced to) go with good enough? It'll happen. I find the same, though. When the perfect item hits me in the face, it does go with and probalby compliments whatever's going on, anyway. I don't really care about cost (that's the old me talking) but I will now, shop my bummy off. I'm big on asking for layaway, contractor, AARP, DirectBuy, any discount other that might be available. I'll save if I have to, to get exactly what I want. No more good enough for now!! Waste of $$. I found myself in a pretty lucky situation. After a 2005 fire, in 2006 we took the insurance money and a loan, and bought almost all the materials we needed for the house. Windows, doors, fixtures, some lighting, toilets, sinks, things like drywall nails, nuts & giant bolts for the front porch, joist hangers, you name it. If you can name it, I probably have 3 of them. Anyway, in 2008 when I decided I couldn't wait for STBX to put his $$ where his mouth is, I started working to put these materials in place. Windows installed, electricity done & corrected, plumbing installed & corrected, heat & air conditioning, doors, etc. So it was over 5 years that I've worked to do these things. Still got more to go. :) Getting to the point: I continue to be grateful that I still like the fixtures, paint, tile, lighting, etc., that I picked out 5 years ago. The only casualty are 3 flush-mount lights that I bought because DH actually offered an opinion on them. I'd like to sell these. 2 are still in the box! I don't like the cabinets I bought for the MBR. No "ah HA! I also discovered after I bought them, that what sucks me in are inset cabinet doors. No wonder I couldn't find a cabinet style I loved!!! I didn't KNOW what I loved! But I evidently do still like my own "Ah HA!" stuff. What a weird blessing.

This past Wednesday evening I met an old friend for supper at a local restaurant. We became best friends in the 9th grade and saw each other through a lot of ups and downs. We knew we would always be good friends because we know too much about each other and on each other. Work and life got in the way and the last time we saw each other was about 20 years ago. My brother got in touch with her about a year ago and gave her my e-mail address. We've talked via the internet all this time due to conflicting work and family schedules. Her mother moved in with her as well as an aunt and she's been busy with them; me with Anna's schedule since I retired. Anyway we met last week and talked and talked and talked. We still have a lot to catch up on so we are going to get together in a few more days. We had a great time. Linda