I can imagine a few design ideas where I think onesies would look pretty. But typically, if I'm doing onesies of anything, it's either THE focal point of the garden, or I'm trialing to see what performs best in that setting. Once I've ascertained what does best, I like to use a lot of the same, whether the particular plant is massed, as in a hedge, or scattered throughout. Three different varieties of roses is kind of a magic number for me in terms of a maximum, since I think a triad creates a rich color scheme. But I'll want to use a lot of each of those three varieties, for a restful, harmonious garden. That said, I'm a big believer in the concept that "imagination rules" in design, and that you should create what you love. jannike

I completely close the dampers to the basement during the cooling season, so it doesnt get uncomfortably cold down there with the AC running. During heating season I open up everything and if a room gets too hot I close the damper halfway. Sure, some locations this probably works pretty well. But for my climate a home owner is driven insane just having to switch from heat to cool on the thermostat in what seems like a continual battle for 2-4 months in my climate. (Katy, Texas) We don't have basements here... the Gulf of Mexico would probably find a way in.... What is a shoulder season? Climates are not the same nation wide. Say what? In my location (Katy, Texas) winter is often times short, can last two weeks and then go back to summer like conditions. Can you imagine having to readjust manual dampers every two weeks, two days, 24 hours as the weather changes? Realize many times I post things as they relate to MY climate. This forum board is a nation wide board so it really pays no dividends to make blanket statements that probably will only work for you. A shoulder season is the season of my climate in between the dire hot of summer and between the dire cold of winter. (winter here [Katy, Texas] is typically very short, can last a few days, a few hours, only to turn hot again for a short time then repeat this process over and over for 2-4 months.)

Based upon all of that, it does sound like either the new GE 755 or the Maytag Commercial is your best bet. I have a GE Profile top load from 2006 and use Tide pods. I've had zero issues with clothes not coming out clean or there still being odors. The key to a good top loader is enough water and agitation. The ones with just the disc on the bottom that use 1 gallon of water are pretty bad when you watch the videos of them, I would never buy one. The GE 755 does have load sensing for water, but once it begins washing if you press and hold the Deep Fill button for 3 seconds, it will fill up the tub. The Maytag Commercial only has two water settings, half and full. Both also have the 2 rinse option. The Maytag unit also includes a 5 year factory parts and labor warranty.

Thank you again Lori! I actually answered this last comment of yours with a longer reply but then edited it to correct a hanging parenthesis. Poof! I did everything all right, but the whole thing disappeared anyway. My laptop is in need of a tune up and it's getting a bit glitchy! I wanted you to know I deeply appreciate your thoughtful replies though, so I'm re-writing it (and the boiled down version, here, is more brief--so that's better). Replying to you helped me to ferret out my own thinking process and formulate a plan. I learned something by asking you about the gloss (that it tends to dissipate over time) but I agree...I don't really like "glossy" on the exterior. (And even if it dissipates, there would be areas which could be seen but would be a little more protected from weather and those would stay glossy.) I've realized, without rationalization nor denial, that the difference is only slight in color. I know myself very well: My brain is wired to first and foremost see discrepancies. It sees discrepancies as severely different at first. Yes, it tends to make me a discriminating (okay, "very picky") person (LOL) but over time my brain adjusts and I see more factually how much of a differential really exists. (Being able to see discrepancies so clearly makes me good at analyzing things, so it has its helpful uses!) Knowing this about myself, I placed the samples at a spot in my home which I walk past multiple times per hour so I'd see the samples suddenly and without thinking about them first. Thinking about other things as I went about my day, my eyes landed on the samples without anticipation of seeing them, and my brain told me they are the same color. This happened 3 times. Only upon closer, conscious glances did my brain say, "Oh, those are slightly different." So, perhaps I could live with the color and, as you say, move on! :) I appreciate the comments and, folks, please keep 'em coming if you have something helpful to add. There may be a new idea out there that can re-shape my thinking and help me to distill my best solution. On Monday, I'm going to call and ask some questions: 1. Can the gutter company provide the COLOR of the High Gloss White in a low gloss finish? 2. If not, can the gutter company factory-paint with my paint selections from Benjamin Moore's Aura line, perhaps with an additive to harden the paint? ...and also... 3. Can we identify places on my home where downspouts cross over the body of the house, if any, and have the gutter company paint those pieces of the gutter system a second color, to match the body of the house? Thank you Lori and everybody. I really appreciate your time!