My Earth Song--about 8 years old and moved at least 3 times--has RMV and has never had rust. The RMV hasn't seriously impacted my Earth Song, as far as I can tell. Here are a couple samples of its spring performance: Earth Song--bottom right corner My daughter's pic of Earth Song several years ago and in a different location: Heavily pruned Earth Song--couple years ago after winter-freeze damage due to a lot of freeze-thaw-freeze-thaw fluctuations in early spring. That is the most severe pruning I ever had to give Earth Song, but as you can see, she bounced right back and had no trouble blooming again although she was shorter than usual as a result of the heavy pruning. Earth Song close-up--from about 6-7 years ago. Another Earth Song close-up from about 7 years ago. Wish it would hold that form for longer period of time. My conclusions, based on my experience with Earth Song: 1. Earth Song is NOT a "rust-bucket" in regions where there are NOT high rust pressures--which is most of America, I believe. 2. Earth Song is a fairly heavy and willing bloomer. 3. If Earth Song suffers from late winter freeze damage, heavily prune it back to good canes (with white centers) and it will spring back willingly with abundant blooms. 4. Under normal and usual Midwestern growing conditions, Earth Song exhibits good disease resistance (including good BS resistance). 5. My pics above show what a RMV Earth Song typically looks like and how it blooms. I can't see it is suffering much from being RMV. Sorry I don't have a picture of a leaf with the zigzag marking on it, but it never occurred to me to take a picture of it. I just had to come to the defense of this good rose, given the beating it has taken on this thread. Kate

I don't like it. I think the elevation (especially the entry) is very dated-looking. Maybe not in your area. Perhaps this home would look great in FL, AZ or areas of CA. But aren't the areas where this style is popular usually areas were basements are uncommon? Does you lot accommodate a walk-out basement? Do you have some reason for wanting a three story house? It seems like you are building the house you need on the main level and half the basement and then adding extra bedrooms just for the heck of it to fill up the footprint. If you were to tell me that your are a family of six plus live-in help (or grandparents) or home-schoolers with the need for classroom space, or two work from home professionals then maybe I could understand the layout. Plus, I was just shopping for TVs yesterday and your media room seems strangely large? Have you spec'ed out the components you will use? Finally, as an adult I always find it odd when people entertain in their basements. What is the main level space for if not for entertaining? And as a parent, I would not want a wet bar in the kids' area. I would also not want my kids entertaining in an area so remote from me. Maybe you have some reasons for this overall layout that you haven't shared, but if not I strongly second Rhome410's suggestion to get an architect. I think you should spend more on design and less on square footage.

Last nights game was a nail bitter that's for sure!! Lakeguy had too much lake yesterday...LOL (at myself) caught the second half and was a aspleep on the couch with my laptop... LOL at myself again! Not a big fan of the NBA but I'd had my eye on the Thunder. Our first NBA team for OK. Couldn't pass up a bet with EJ so here you have have it folks.....thankfully NO Speedos involved Cathy..LOL...that was fun too. I'll be ready for College and Pro FB again. EJ, not sure about those biscuits....found them in the cheese section of WF. I'm thinking they were a special thing as I've not noticed them there before. As far as packing up one of those boxes....I've had practice sending them to Justin. Keep the Gold too! It's next on the list of canning. David

No thanks. We have good ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato and soft serve readily available. Much is locally or semi-locally produced. I know how to make ice cream at home. This is just another gadget for people who want everything one size fits all and requires no effort at all. Like getting off the sofa and going out for ice cream or making your own for real.