1.) i had taped it all down to water-proof it, and she said that i cant tape over stamps and that the postage couldnt be used now... Well that is the one thing she said that was correct...sheesh. 2.) all bubble mailers, even with nothing in them, will go as Parcel Post, because they do not have an absolutley uniform thickness (the pressed edges and whatnot). Egads...another postal employee that doesn't know what she is talking about. I imagine she meant to say that they go as First Class Parcels, which is different than Parcel Post...but that is still wrong. Taken from this link...Physical Standards for Flats 1.4 Uniform Thickness Flat-size mailpieces must be uniformly thick so that any bumps, protrusions, or other irregularities do not cause more than 1/4-inch variance in thickness. When determining variance in thickness, exclude the outside edges of a mailpiece (1 inch from each edge) when the contents do not extend into those edges. Also, exclude the selvage of any polywrap covering (see 301.1.5) from this determination. Mailers must secure nonpaper contents to prevent shifting of more than 2 inches within the mailpiece if shifting would cause the piece to be nonuniform in thickness or would result in the contents bursting out of the mailpiece (see 601.2.3). I suggest you go to that link and print it out and take it with you the next time, so the clerks can be trained. I would ask to speak to the post master, or post mistress, so they can be informed that their clerks don't know what they are talking about and that they need to be properly trained and then supervised to see that they are doing their job correctly. So my 1.8 oz mailer had to go for $1.39 (1.22 + 17 cents for each additional oz) That's so sad...overcharged by 34 cents since it should have been $1.05...and so the stealing by the USPS continues. They have been stealing from unsuspecting customers since May 2007 when the USPS initially went to Shape Based Pricing. She said it can be a large envelope if its a flat paper thing only. Aka no padding. Padded mailers used to go for a first class stamp postage and then so much additional for a non-machineable charge. So long as padded mailers meet the criteria at the link below, they can and should go at the lesser rate of First Class Flats. That worker needs to get familiar with the Shape Based Pricing Template. I wonder if she even has one. Anyone who is interested in A Shape Based Pricing Template should be able to get one from the PO, for their person use. She was really friendly about it- Yes, but she still ripped you off. but i dont see anywhere where the USPS website makes a comment about pricing or rules about bubble mailers. Ok, but do you see anywhere that is says that padded mailers (aka Bubble envelopes) must go as Parcel rate? NO, that is a fallacy believed to be true by so many USPS workers across the country. Here ya go...Postal Bulletin 22218 Clearly states down under the First Class Mail Quick Tips: "For padded bags (e.g., ReadyPost® “cushion mailer”), when the thickness is 3/4" or less and the item is flat-size and somewhat flexible, the item should be classified and priced as a large envelope. I'd print that out for your PO too. Sue Here is a link that might be useful: 1.0 Physical Standards for Flats

On the inside put the bubbles up towards your film. MollyD

I don't sell my stuff, either. I get harassed and hounded by family and friends all the time because they feel I could really make some money off of my stuff. They don't get that I wouldn't make what it was really worth and to make a good amount, I would be so bogged down trying to fill orders. It just wouldn't be fun anymore! I enjoy using the items I make in my home or giving them as gifts. I don't just give things to anyone, though. I have to know it's something they'll love and use. I know one thing if my SIL doesn't STOP mentioning the dang tiles I painted for her and how everyone likes them and wants some, I might flip a nutty. I think she's telling people I will make them for them. She kept mentioning to me that we have to go to their house warming party because others will want to meet me! Oh, please! @@ Her home is not an art gallery and I'm not some up and coming artist! LOL

Diane - Thank you for nice comments - especially from such a great gardener! Just wanted to say a bit more about Leander's size. I often refer to the book below by Clair G. Martin who was the curator of the Huntington Gardens in San Marino, CA as a helpful guide to many of the older Austins. Martin has been very accurate in his descriptions of the size and character of roses like Brother Cadfael, Happy Child, The Prince, and Prospero to name a few. His guide distinguishes between warm and cool climates, and offered a more realistic idea of what a warm climate grower of Austin roses could expect given how different the climate of most of England is compared to most of California. Here's what he says about Leander's size: Stature and Habit: 6 feet x 8 feet (warm climate); 6 feet x 5 feet (cool climate) "Like 'Cymbeline', 'Leander' shares a problem with others of the same habit: It grows much wider than tall, and unless self-pegged, it flowers only at the ends of the long, sinuous canes. Self-pegging will help to control the size and encourage more flower production. Otherwise, this is definitely a rose for a low wall or fence where the arching canes can be trained to display the charming flowers to their utmost." He says a lot of nice things about this rose and he clearly likes it, but wishes the growth habit was different. Here's a collage I made of photos I took of Leander today using my weed bucket as a reference point for size. After six months, he's about 18" high and about 2.5 ft wide. The lower right corner shows how the blooms are sitting on top of the canes, which corresponds to Clair Martin's description. Leander and Brother Cadfael (which I've had for 5 years), share Charles Austin as a parent. My expectation is that Leander will be wider, about 5ft compared to Brother Cadfael's 3ft or so, but about the same height, 6ft as the tag from DA says. I'm sure there's someone out there who grew a 14' Leander but I'm going with Clair Martin's experience, and my experience with BC in my climate. Here's a lovely arrangement from the Celebration of Old Roses earlier this spring which was aspirational! I had already planted my Leander but was happy to see and smell this beautiful bouquet. I wish I could have talked to the grower; many people kept coming back to Leander to check it out and smell it. My Madame Ernst Calvat is a sport of Madame Issac Periere which is a darker pink version of MEC. Both are beautiful and fragrant, but typically I prefer a medium pink over dark pink. MEC is a bourbon rose and not a once bloomer; she has bloomed sporadically since the spring flush but she's still so young, and not too developed yet. I've heard that if she's "well grown", she'll do very well in terms of re-bloom, but we'll see. Recently a bird dumped a huge amount of poop all over her and I had to clean all the leaves after it had dried for awhile. So if well grown means poop cleaning, I guess I've done my part. :)) I have considered Chianti, but I'm afraid I don't have room for once bloomers. It's a lovely rose though! Ann