Wow...I have never heard of "no personal photos on the first floor." Ever. And I've actually never met a person in the flesh-and-blood that had a "decorator." Heck, most of my friends don't even having cleaning ladies (me either!). I am an avid amateur photographer and have been for years--since I've had children, the focus has obviously been put on them. I absolutely LOVE my candid B&W shots of my kids...lots of sandy, windswept days at the beach, in our garden, or asleep in bed...wherever or whenever. I proudly display them, in matching, tasteful frames all around the downstairs of our home--kitchen, living room, playroom, etc. I would say the only room that won't probably have pictures of the kids is maybe the dining room...since it is the most "formal" of the rooms in our big, sprawling Victorian. I love going to other people's houses and seeing the same types of photos--funny, touching, memorable times. Makes life (and people) seem real and worth cataloging. Personally, I'm not a big fan of formal photography (the studio kind, anyway)--most likely because I NEVER like the pictures they take of my kids (or me for that matter!) as much as the ones I've taken! I do agree that it does take a little money, time, layout, and planning to make them look good. I love matching frames but mismatched sizes. Not a big fan of collage frames. LOVE LOVE LOVE white matting (why can't I convince my mom? Does she feel like she's "wasting space?"). I try to glean ideas from Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, and especially Exposures--then I try to recreate in a less-expensive way (pretty much my mantra for decorating, I guess, if I have one!). Anyway, just didn't want anyone to feel badly about their pictures all over--I love seeing them! Keep 'em coming! Sarah from Albany, NY

Our son lives 30 minutes away, but comes by once or twice a week. When I go to his city, I usually call him and we go out to dinner. He usually calls me or his father or sends a text regularly too. Sometimes when we need to help him with something we wish he was closer, but DH is retiring soon which will make it easier. Our daughter lives one block over and is expecting her first baby. Her husband asked about the house next door to us, as he would be interested in moving there. That would work out very well, as we are good at giving space, but we all, son included, help each other out with various things. Actually, a couple of times our SIL's parents have pitched in with us with projects, and I have done things for them too. It's a very, very nice situation. Can't see a con as none of us cramp anyone's space. Oh, and in the day time, the kids are in various cities for work, and on break they often initiate three way texts with me and them to discuss issues, chit chat about a podcast we all listen to, or something like that. They both have busy lives, so it's a nice way to stay connected.

Lots of Golden Books (some from garage sales) that all had that brown horse, with the black main and tail...and little white mark on his head. Do you remember those? My husband blames all these books : ) Loved the Betsy books, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, and of course....A Wrinkle In Time. The book is amazing! And I'm still trying to figure out what Charles Wallace's model of a tesseract looks like. But the description of the shortest distance between two points being a line (with apron strings held out far apart from each other) then bringing the two ends of the strings together to step across....best explanation ever of how a worm hole works!

Hi Nguyen, They are all lovely and thank you for sharing these with us! I've got at least 2 pots full of papilio x Exotic Star as well as papilio x La Paz and papilio x Chico seedlings and only one has bloomed from any of these crosses! Now I have renewed hope that I may have something that looks like one of yours lurking in one of my pots!! I especially like Ppm2 as well as the graceful softness of Ppm4 and I agree with Fred that Wfes4 is lovely indeed!! Donna