I love the blooms of Just Joey the best, but mine really was not happy here in the summer, it did not bloom often enough, and the blooms would blow very quickly unless I cut them and brought them in. So with my limited space, I replaced him. Actually got the Buck Rose Prairie Sunrise, which has a surprisingly similar color to JJ and a bit of fragrance. Very pretty. Unfortunately, that's one that needs a lot of chemical protection from blackspot. I don't grow Marilyn M. Daybreaker I just got this spring and it has bloomed its head off. Interestingly, I've seen absolutely no blackspot--but I do spray Bayer Advanced Disease Control semi-regularly. Are you looking for a certain size bush? Prairie Sunrise will be quite compact and short but bushy. Medallion is gorgeous and HUGE blooms of very interesting apricot, but quite a tall spreading plant. It has relatively few thorns. It's rain-sensitive, but I grew it in Mobile, AL, and it handled the heat and humidity wonderfully, never looked very faded and blooms were generally still 6" even in mid-summer. Sunset Celebration is a solidly performing garden rose with pretty blooms, though not of exhibition quality (no pinpoint centers). Definitely Apricot. I haven't grown it in several years but it was healthy here in New Orleans. Over The Moon I haven't grown either, but I was asking around about it a few months ago and seem to recall hearing it does better in less humid climates, but that's second-hand information. I don't know. I'm wondering now about Tahitian Sunset, an AARS winner in 2006, and an apricot blend. I read it handles all kinds of weather and has great disease resistance AND fragrance on a bushy plant. Anyone here know if that's true? Mike

Awwww sweetie, that just sounds terrible! Though they may be trying to be helpful, other people do say the stupidest things! They probably really care about you, but don't realize that those kinds of comments come across as criticism more than concern. Do your best to let their comments roll off your back. Of course, it's quite another thing to have DH make stupid comments! After 21 years of marriage to an otherwise great guy, I can honestly say that there is just no limit to the stupid things husbands will say. If we were good friends and you were sitting in my kitchen telling me this, I'd say "Girlfriend, you need a vacation! Even just a weekend getaway will help. And if DH does not want to cooperate, then let's plan a girls' trip!" Then we'd pour some more coffee (or wine) and eat something chocolate. I'd give you my unbiased opinion about your hair, but remind you that it's YOUR hair--you can do what pleases YOU. I'd probably then say something like "...and DH needs to either be supportive or STFU. You are not his property!" Then we'd make a pact to power walk the neighborhood 3x a week to lift the mood and get the heck out of the house. Or book a massage down at the spa. Where are your close friends? Has it been a while since you spent time with them? I found an article you may find interesting. The time you spend with friends may be more important than you think! Here is a link that might be useful: how women manage stress

Well Pupa, the IRS says I'm a musician. Reality says I sponge off my husband. The Keeper of the Bishop is a musical contact. The only overt stress he experiences is sperm back-up when he's between polishings. New fantasy - the Gang here goes en masse to one of Keeper of the Bishop's gigs. Between sets he waddles over like he has a load in his pants expecting us to all drop ours. Gatorgirl, of course, will lead the assault... When he starts again, I'll just sit back, fantasize and smile. It'll make him nuts. Ginger, if you insist on going ethnic, a buck in a polka band I played in in college used to sing, "Round, firm, fully-packed. 18 inches hanging slack" when we'd play "Who Stole the Kieshka". He was young and stupid and HE eventually grew up to be a really nice guy. Sultana

Francy -- I've always had TERRIFIC luck with batches of BM turning out the same. The only time I have ever had a mismatch was when I first purchased one of their little samples and then I got a gallon and the gallon was different. Noticeably different. But that had just been a sample and it hadn't been mixed there in the shop. I have absolutely every belief that your next batch will match. It would be one thing if you decided to get a different paint (like Regal instead of Impervo), but if you go to the same store and get the same Impervo, you should be as right as rain!