Hi Ruthie, I grow some hybrid teas here in Northern Michigan (zone 5) that could be exhibition quality (I don't exhibit). Some are Marijke Koopman, Gemini, Helen Naude, Jema (in a sheltered East wall spot), Chicago Peace, Silver Jubilee (own root), and some Romanticas. They are more 'high maintenance' than my Bucks, Austins, OGRs, Explorers, etc. I have to winterize them, they are more prone to blackspot (except Helen Naude & Silver Jubilee) and they do have more winter damage. But they come back every year, and provide me with lovely roses, so I include them in my garden.

Cutting board or small table for plant: Best thing I have next to my stove: I set my olive oil, cooking spoons and spices on a raw edged piece of granite. Cutting board is good: but cutting on granite will dull your expensive knifes! that's on the do's and don't list ! lol! Keep it! You can take a hammer and a chisel and make the edges raw and make a small table top. It's yours don't throw away. (If you have 3 cm (1 1/4"): not fun to cut down to size for inserts for the splash. best to buy 12x12 piece of granite and have cut up in 2x2 pieces for splash.)

We have a house built in 1984 (we bought 4 years ago) with single pane + [questionable] storm windows. Some do a sorta-OK job, some do a meh job. But if I was spending the money, I would get all new windows. Why? Well, in the winter, some of our windows have condensation, and I never had that with houses with double-pane vinyl windows. That, in itself, is telling me that single pane + storm windows is not sufficient for our area in the winter. I also like the idea that the new low-e can block infrared on our southwest side, which cooks in the spring before the leaves come out on the trees. I live in Fairfax county, so same metro region.

Close blinds on sunny side will help to reduce the heat in your home. if your husband likes to leave the blinds open maybe he likes to flash the neighbors! Also do you still use those old heater light bulbs. Change out the old singlw wire bulbs for more energy efficent kind or go find the new led bulbs. heat makes the a/c work harder to keep you cool. I'm a man and i do know better. Do you have ceiling fans? Replace them if they are old to a better kind that moves more air and uses less electric power. Want to know more look here. http://www.gossamerwind.com/ http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?id=100317614&jspStoreDir=hdus&catalogId=10053&marketID=401&productId=100317614&locStoreNum=8125&langId=-1&linktype=product&storeId=10051&ddkey=THDSiteMap