Absolutely right, Michelle; and imagine how incredibly precious those roses must have been to the pioneers. I knew my roses would make it; I just wasn't ready to see them looking like they'd had tiptop perfect weather for the last six months. The aquifer could run dry, but if the roses got a thunderstorm once or twice a month through the warm weather, they'd probably be perfectly happy. Robert, your Old Blush might behave differently than mine, but in my roses' case this happens only in certain years when conditions are particularly favorable. I remember I had wonderful flowers on Clementina Carbonieri that year as well. The first open flower on Mme. Antoine Mari is very double and has good substance. Paula, Pam, thanks for your good wishes! I hope we all have wonderful gardens this spring. Ingrid, I'm planning on doing so, just studying how to do so. I take it that I need to upload photos to PhotoBucket or some similar website? I'm not crazy about putting my photos out for all the world to see, even though I don't doubt they'll be lost amongst all the billions (literally) of pics posted, but I guess I have to. I've been taking photos recently, am not much of a photographer, and find it hard to capture the beauty of this place. At least people who are curious will have some idea of what our project looks like. One day when someone who's good with a camera comes to visit, we'll be able to show some good pictures. Melissa

It is true that modern high efficiency condensing boilers can be vented horizontally through a foundation wall with a PVC pipe but any non-condensing gas or oil fired furnace or water heater that can be vented by natural draft (i.e. a chimney) can also use a side wall vent system. Such a system is powered by a fan with special controls and must be installed by a licensed professional. I haven't used the example linked below but I have seen these systems installed for more than 20 years. Don't rely on the internet; you need to talk to an experienced plumber who can tell you if your system can be modified and what it will cost. Don't assume you can safely remove a masonry chimney yourself. It is backbreaking dangerous work that is likely to cause you permanent injury. Hire someone who is experienced with the demolition of buildings especially masonry and has the necessary skill, tools, dumping permit and insurance. Here is a link that might be useful: side wall vent system

Yes, I'm afraid it will be comming up soon. We own a rental home,we just purchased it about year and a half ago, and rented to a couple that have had many tragic events. A year ago husband had a good job, she was working, shortly after he lost his job.. she then lost her job. and just a month ago the're 10 year old son died suddenly.. they are really good people, and they have been taking excellent care of the home, but currently they are $5000.00 behind in rents.. We are making payments on this home, and we cannot continue to do so without some rent comming in, so we will have to ask them to leave.

modar - I painted my dining room in my last home dark burgundy! Deep, dark red, not purple-ish. My DH thought I was nuts, be he did his best to keep his mouth shut, and he ended up loving it! It was a small room, and I think the color warmed up the space and made it feel cozy and rich at the same time. We got lots of compliments. I chose Georgian Brick for this house because I was trying to coordinate with my brick fireplace and brick floors in another room. I love the color! Good luck with your choices, bloomin...