Papou, I am fairly new on this forum, and I remember one of the first things I did was open your website. I was stunned with the amount of beauty and information on it and was actually looking forward to winter when I would have it to study and enjoy during my "down time". As I was calmly reading this thread last night, I was stunned when I got to your announcement. I am devastated with the news of your health. However, I stopped believing diagnosises years ago. I had colon cancer in 1987 and breast cancer in 2000, and I'm still going strong. We have so many meds and procceedures that are continually being updated and improved, and I know your doctor will do the very best for you. In fact my Oncologist told me that they now treat so many cancers as a chronic illness. We are not willing to give up your pictures, information, and enthusiasm as well as the wonderful calm dignity you always project in your posts. I love your new porch addition, and your prize hosta growing along your new steps. Stay busy, stay in touch, and God Bless You. We only have one Papou, and you are our treasure. I hope all our prayers will bring you comfort. Your fellow Hosta lover, Mary.

good work steve ... bottom of the pdf at page 9 bottom, per the steves link, and it specifically addresses sieboldiana: Variability in Veining Count. All species show some variability in the number of veins and so the count given in the descriptions is the average, maximum number of principal veins normally seen. Occasionally, this number may be exceeded by one or two, and, while the younger summer leaves may produce fewer. It is best to make a count on one half of a leaf to arrive at a number of vein pairs and make the count on several, mature, vernal leaves and then take the average count of vein pairs. Abbreviated Veins. One significant point must be made: The outermost vein or veins are often abbreviated and do not extend to the leaf tip usually terminating at the leaf margin between a third and half way up from the petiole intersection. Although these veins end at the margin and are thus incomplete they must be counted. In some cases they are hard to detect on the upper side of the leaf so it is helpful to search for them on the underside, where they are typically more prominent. In the taxa belonging to section Helipteroides (H. sieboldiana) these outer veins are usually submarginally connected (conjoined) and appear to merge with the next vein, but close examination shows they actually terminate and are merely cross-connected. Conjoined Leaf Veining (W.G.Schmid Photo â Hosta Hill 1988) Abbreviated Leaf Veining (W.G.Schmid Photo â Hosta Hill 1988) 10

You are getting lots of good advice especially from kellyeng, teacats and egbar. I had a fabulous realtor couple when selling my last home. We interviewed 3 full-time (don't go w/ a part-timer) experienced (at least 5yrs) real estate teams (2-3 people so you're covered ) who were good sellers in the area and who seemed to have good marketing skills. One team clearly was not up to par and we selected the best. They hired a pro photographer and paid for a stager to come in after we had things clean and decluttered and somewhat staged. I wrote, or tweeked, quite a bit of copy and made a sheet listing highlights of the property and recent improvements. That was well received by our realtor (who shared the goal of selling) and buyers. The realtor did a great job of marketing to other realtors and managing showings, feedback, offers, etc. We sold fairly quickly in a tough market. I have also sold 2 homes in more rural areas w/o a realtor but working with an experienced real estate attorney who provided me with appropriate forms for disclosure, offers, etc. Of course, I did all of the marketing. One was sold to a neighbors sister after we had an open house (not common in the area). They were not even looking to buy a house! I would expect your agent to do an open for agents and another general one shortly after listing even if it's not customary. I also made sure the house was presented well -- better than the norm. Clean, decluttered, and simple repairs and staging done. It sounds like that is what you have done and it should make your home sell quicker. But there is a time to say "enough" and get it on the market. It sounds like you are at that point. Good luck. Choose the best of the lot, don't sign a long listing so they will have to continue to earn your business, work with the agent on getting marketing set up then let them do their thing.. Mutual respect will go a long way to achieving the end you both want--a sold house.

Only pee fest will be DH and I as we enter senility LOL ! Thanks Kelly...we love the rugs and always take them outside 2x a year and vacuum them front and back. This was the 1st ever that I decided to clean them with water. I don't know what people thought...probably that I was taking in laundry...who in their right mind has this many rugs ??? ! lk: I mean that when you smooth your hand over an oriental rug there is one way that is like velvet and the other is against the nap. You want to follow the smooth and not rough up the fibers. The home machines will not work half as well. The Rug Dr is only 26.00 for 24 hrs so it is very cheap. I got the wide one. You pull it toward you as you hold the sprayer and it is scrubbing and sucking at the same time. You then tip it up and push it back to the beginning and just pull it to suck up any wayward water. Then I would cover that same area again spray/suck and then just suck and move on to the next strip. Believe it or not you get into a rhythm. It is easiest if you have a couple sunny days in a row in case you need a little longer drying time. You need to bring them in at night if you have dew like we do here. Or not if you want the odor removing attributes of the dew/night air. They really are only damp on the surface and the backing didn't get even the least bit damp. Only two are back out there this AM and that is cause they were the last two and I want to be double sure they are dry. You can get a pet odor removal treatment at the Rug Dr display. I am sure other brands have it too. But I would not use soap unless you are going to go back over each rug with clear water 2x to get it all out. And to get out the pee treatment stuff too. oceanna: you gotta post pics...LOVE red doors...you know they bring great good luck and wealth to you !! c