Way to go! I found some this week too finally after checking nearly every nursery in town. I have never seen it at Wal-Mart here though. It does grow fast so maybe will be easier to find in the future. I grew salvia greggii, Yvonne's, subrotundra, coccinea and darcyi from seed this year but can't for the life of me get guaranitica to germinate. This was my third or fourth year to try. I planted one of my new Black and Blues between the species (guaranitica) and Argentine Skies so I'm hoping I'll get lots of seeds and can try again next year.

It's only a matter of time before the big-box stores start selling camping gear, umbrellas, and jackets a week before Black Friday at steep discounts. Then they could sell $200 worth of stuff to everyone who camps out in line for 24 hours so they can be near the front of the line hoping to get a shot at buying one of the four $99 flat-screen TVs the store actually has in stock when the doors open at 5 a.m. That way they'd sell even more stuff people don't really need. That way, they can sell even more stuff we don't really need. Me, I decided I could save myself even more money by not buying anything this BF, although it's the first time I've done that this decade. The online sales are better; I don't have to wait in line for those (although they can be hard to log onto on BF, and they too run out of stuff quickly). Really, most of the stuff I bought on Black Friday was for myself, not gifts. I'm way too much of a procrastinator to have a Christmas list ready until mid-December, and these days I just buy slightly-used items online at even steeper discounts than BF sales offer. The real gift-shopping frenzy is usually on the Saturday before Christmas.

Thanks to all. Greenthumbfish, I saw that stencil at Hobby Lobby. I ended up passing on it because the repeat on the pattern was so small. I was afraid it might end up too busy. I wish they would have made a bigger stencil! Parma, I agree with you 100%. I think that day, my stiff upper lip was already starting to quiver b/c of the rest of the chaos I was having to be so strong about. Handling critique and suggestions (albeit harmless and trying to be helpful) that I had not solicited was just more than I could stand, especially when I thought I was pretty clear on the nature of the post. Again, it had nothing to do with the comments, and everything to do with the timing. Sometimes you just can't hear how you can be "better", especially when as you explained, "better" is so subjective to personal style. I will remember your words, though, and will make sure to laugh at myself as I count my accessories! Puna, I have to say I'm pretty dismayed as well. For the life of me, I can't figure out how removing those comments was necessary or helpful. (Yours and several others, including some of mine!) Ugh. LaFonda, yes, my stomach went into knots when the property manager called and said I needed to get over there immediately because water was "everywhere". I thought he was exaggerating. He wasn't. Ugh again. Joanie, I don't think I'll stop, but I think I may definitely change how I post photos. This post has served as very clear reminder of how some people think, and knowing I can't change that, all I can do is change how much of it I set myself up for. Patty, you got the whole point of the post; I was delighted to find something so pretty when I was going through something so horrid. Thanks for "getting it."

You know I think that all of those stores go through certain bi or quarterly yearly slumps. I'm still trying to figure out the cycle. Sometimes they're down and out for awhile and then BAM! they have great stuff (and rotating great stuff) for a few months. I tend to haunt one of my local Marshall's because they still have layaway (my life line to decorating!). Luckily (or not) I have 2 Marshalls, 2 Home Goods, 1 TJ Maxx, the King Of Prussia Mall and Target w/in 5-20 minutes of me. We had a TM but it closed. Got a great telescope there that we haul out on a regular basis still, yrs. later. Unfortunately HG and TJ Maxx will be gearing up for Fall, Halloween and Christmas soon. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I still have my annual July Christmas trip to the Flower and Craft Warehouse in Blue Ball PA. Highly recommend at any time of the yr. if you are in that area for sooooo many things including home decorating - fantastic prices if you don't mind things that aren't of superior quality but still look good. Trailrunner - the black ceiling is phenomenal! Dh still isn't sure, DS1 loves it and had the best suggestion for it (he's 5 but out f the mouths of babes): I bought flat paint and you can see the 'brush' marks even after a few coats. I'm going to do a final coat w/ a roller to see if that helps. DS1 suggested that it be a gloss finish and I thin he's absolutely right. I thought that a lacquer would be amazing and in fact when I'd painted our DR black at one time I though that a shiny finish would be awesome. Anyway - that's another story for about 2wks from now when I post final pics (rather almost final - accessories and all you know!) of the downstairs.