I'm a relatively new rose grower that was, and is, still planning on joining the ARS. I've read all the arguments pro/con and I'm still joining because I believe that change comes from within. Who will be there to replace the "old guard" and give voice to those enjoy growing roses as garden shrubs, pieces of history, wonderful smelling flowers, and objects of beauty? Depending on who you are and what you spend your money on, $50 could be a lot of money. Personally, I've spent $50 dollars on much more fleeting/"dumb" things than a membership to an organization. Would we be having this conversation if the dues cost $10 a year? Just a few months ago, I joined my local rose society. I'm the youngest member there at 34, most members are in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. The leadership of my local rose society fall into the exhibitor camp. The highlight of the society's calendar is the annual rose show they put on. The focus of the pre-show meetings was on exhibition cultural practices (all the pruning advice was for HTs) and preparation/grooming for exhibition. However, I'd say 75% of the society's membership does not exhibit, like myself. The show came and pretty nobody from the society came except the leadership/hardcore exhibitors...the reason? Most of the members, including me, thought our roses weren't "good enough" because we had the strict judging standards drummed into to us. The competition aspect of took precedence over the fact that this was an opportunity to show off flowers to the public. I think the exhibitors were mad because they didn't have other roses for their roses to "smack down" :) The next meeting after the show, the president made a plea to the members to bring roses to the show, no matter what they looked like. She said the public just likes to see roses, they don't care if there's a petal or leaf out of place, or if there's spot. Like Jeri said "Rose Societies SHOULD BE ABOUT ROSES." I'm going to be pushing the idea for more frequent "rose celebrations" and I've been bring bouquets of roses from my garden to each meeting. I have been, and will continue to be a voice at my local society offering a different story about roses other than traditional exhibition HTs. I've planning to approach the society about giving "novice talk" about what I've learned about OGRs, and make people aware of resources such as HMF and GardenWeb, where I've learned so much valuable information. I'm planning to also check out HRF as well, and will spread the word at the local level. You'd be surprised how many people are out there that like roses, but are so bewildered/intimated at the thought of growing them. It seems like for better or worse, ARS is the organization a lot of them have first contact with. There's a lady in my society that "only" has 3 rosebushes, but you can tell she's so eager for advice and information, a lot of which she gets from ARS publications. People think that HTs are the only roses out there for a reason. Throwing one's hands up and walking away is certainly one's choice, but I want to help shape the next generation of rose growers (hoping there is one). Eric

I went ahead and moved the highboy and bed position. Bad news is that I don't think the daybed centered under the window idea is going to work as it leaves only around 20" per side which seems a waste of space. So then I will need to scratch my plan to use the panels--unless I can shorten them? I can get a top valance in either pattern--DD likes the sheer dots, though will wait to finalize until other items are finalized. I also had ordered a lime lamp in case it started looking like too much aqua. On the paint front, DD has one lime green accent wall now. I don't think the desk really works with color. If I keep furniture the present color I will need to go with a real light wall color--still sifting through my options here and will wait until my FLOR samples come in on the 13th. I feel a solid rug is best for her as her room starts looking very "busy" easily with all her paranephilia. I mostly want the rug to protect my hardwood floor (only three years old). Already there are 3 ink stains which I've mostly gotten out--but if there are any stains, I'd rather the rug is stained and not the floor. I didn't much care for the desk next to the dresser as I had before so moved it. I do like that oak hutch bookcase for the storage, may keep it awhile or swap it out with the new bookcase at some point. I can definitely say I am glad for the additional storage of the highboy since DD is a pack-rat! Old dresser will go but am keeping there for now since it has all her clothes. So, what do you think in terms of furniture layout? No where else for the bed really if I want to have access to the trundle. I did find another bed couple of daybed options on CL. I'd rather not paint this one since it's part of a set. DS has other bed. Funny I've toyed with painting his black, but can't seem to paint either because it's a "set." Either of these grab anyone? Would paint the wooden parts. Wooden one with slats. May be more comfy? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/fuo/1544828496.html Or this one? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/fuo/1545041069.html Or this one? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/fuo/1544721809.html Or keeping looking?

My desktop computer faces a wall mostly covered with cork; the cork is covered with inspiration pictures and some impt info (like the kids' annual medical forms), tickets (got to go see Duran Duran earlier this week -- be still my no-longer teenage heart!). I see it everyday but I see what is important to me: my eye doesn't see it is a mess. But I just took a pic for you and looking at the photo I can see how others will see it as untidy, messy, not pretty ... but that's okay. That's how we live here. I think it's nice the way you're thinking of making yours pretty. So that's me being "on-topic." This is me being "off-topic": thank you both valinsv and ttodd for your responses. We moved out here (Boulder, CO) from up the peninsula from Val(Woodside) -- I'm making the assumption that "SV" = Silicon Valley, which I think of as Cupertino / Saratoga / Santa Clara, but maybe Fremont, too? Omigod -- Afghani food & chaat houses in Fremont! ttodd -- I absolutely know what you mean about being where you are meant to be. Doesn't mean I don't sometimes resent it, but I know that for whatever reason I am needed here and can best serve here. To my core I understood what you wrote, and I'm grateful you're there for all those children, too. Thank you. But I also hope you get something *just for you*!

Fishies - I LOVE that big, white tile you're holding up with your french manicured hand! The colour looks luscious, and it looks like tin, except white. 'Tin' is probably not '50's vintage' but it's kind of cottagey, so we're on the map. In my mind's eye, I can super-impose that tile onto your inspiration pic, and it looks good, so I figure it'll look good in your kitchen. I also like that the size is a little bigger than you'd expect. How does the colour compare to your original tile? How does it look with the marble? I guess making sure it matches the marble is key. Your kitchen will be predominantly yellow, brown (wood counter), off white, and greyish white (marble). I think it could handle a textured backsplash like the ones your showing us. (Sometimes I get bogged down with your accessories and fabrics, and I have to remember that those are just small touches against the larger backdrop of yellow, white, greyish-white, and brown.) I don't like the marble mosaic idea because it's lacking the 'cute cottage' feel. White is plain, plain, plain. It's not like you're doing a multi-coloured backsplash.