Another variant: passion ennobles; addiction degrades. My gardening makes the world more beautiful and, I think, more healthy, as I garden organically and work by enriching the soil, and grow frugal varieties that don't consume a lot of precious water. I also think there's a difference between buying a plant that has a good chance of bringing me happiness for the rest of my life, and money paid for some pleasure that lasts an hour. And then there's the propagation, the diffusion of that rose and that happiness. I'm a confirmed tightwad, and all these considerations matter to me. Nice roses, Jerome! Melissa

My world looks pretty much like that of UNBIDDEN. There was some melting today, as the temps were in the high 40s and we had a big all-day rainstorm yesterday. Just enough to give a spring-like smell to the air and tantalize. Already the radio weatherman says to prepare for a lot colder weather starting Monday, and possible MORE snow Wedneday. Argh! It's not fair. I've had to plan errands with care. Every errand depended on whether I thought I could get a parking space upon my return, as every other place to park a car was piled high with snow and at the same time competing with the thoughtless students at a nearby college, who think it's fine to leave 3 or 4 feet between their car and the next car fore and aft. So people who own residences can't even park in front of their own home! Having to park 2 and 3 blocks away from my own home, especially when carrying heavy packages, is not fun, especially when it's icy. The students couldn't care less.

Thanks everyone. When I bought my house in Wauwatosa Wisconsin in 1989 there were lots and lots of challenges, But what drew me to the house was the tree out front and I think the tree in front of this house with the three trees out back are helping balance out the blue countertop and carpeted bathrooms. This was what the tree in Tosa (city's nickname) looked like originally. I had it pruned which I had to do because I had the house trim and gutters painted and put on a new roof and the lower back tree branches were dead. I would be staying here at new place for 13 months or so. Right now the current rental home lease ends on December 31st 2008 but I have to negotiate for more time. If you all were landlords what would you think about the offer of leaving a newer washer and dryer instead of the full rent? I could buy a new set if I ever needed to in the years to come. Or shall I just take them with me and store them in the garage until the next house? Another advantage of the new rental house is that the home has no mortgage so if the owner wants to do improvements he has lots of equity to work with. The new landlord lives in Chicago. I think his mother lived here and he grew up here. There are all these pencil markings with names on a kitchen wall. I think I would take a picture of that wall before I paint and send it to the owner in Chicago. Now I will have to read up on how to take care of orange and lemon trees and when to pick the fruit or see if there is a reasonable tree care company. I do have a guy who comes here and cleans up after the dog in the yard. He comes every 2 weeks for $29 a month. I can have him come once a week for $44. That's an awesome service they have here. It works here because it never snows and hardly rains and the doogie doo dries up super fast. It's like picking up rocks. My daughter reminded me that I love to do projects. I love decorating and fixing stuff up. I will certainly pace myself and not overdo it. But first I have to be accepted by the new landlord. Wish me luck. If I get this place I will take and post interior pictures and take measurements so I can start to figure out where everything goes. Right now it appears that my glass top small kitchen table and 3 leather chairs from Pier One will not fit in the kitchen so I may move them outside. And of course this art piece - where it will go. This will be fun! While my friend in Tosa thinks moving now is too stressful for me, I think it might be just the thing to help keep me creative and focused on more positive things instead of my pain and side effects which will get two-three months from now. Plus by the time I have my surgery in June I should have everything in place. Thank you. Eileen in Phoenix

Plllog, thanks, yes, the alder will be just varnished. My daughter has natural alder for all her cabinets, and they are beautiful, but they do have a lot of color variation. I don't mind that at all, it's the look I'm going for, just started wondering what the two woods together would look like. I've been searching all day and can't find anything similar. And, I'm glad you said go real and not faux. I want a clean cabinet look, but it seems like most people say glaze with a rustic look. And, also the brushed look just appeals to me more. I LOVE the look of smooth, white cabinets, but it doesn't seem as "right" as for what I'm going for. About a year ago, when we took some cabinets out, I did try three different glazes on a door to see how it looked, but they appeared "dirty" looking. Lavender lass! Yes! that is the kitchen! Isn't it wonderful? I don't know who Allison is, I read every post on here, but in my own world, it probably has just flown over my head! I'll have to do a search and see if I can find her. I know the top part of the hood looks like it's most certainly copper, with the base being pine, I'm just wondering if it's copper over wood, or all copper. It looks smooth to me, can't quite figure it out. I think her ceilings are a lot taller than mine too, which could make a big difference on if it would work. Thanks for the info!