I know, years ago I planted several apple trees and 2 or 3 of them were in the ground 8 years before making an apple. Now they are reliable every year. Right now I have an Empire and a Honey Crisp that have each been in the ground 6 years, and this year the Empire has.... Wait for it... 5 apples. Honey Crisp still holding off. I don't care a ton, as I get loads of Earliblaze, Red Del, McIntosh, Haralson, and State Fair. But it is funny how things work sometimes. I planted a North Star Cherry tree in '11 and last year I got a handful of cherries, and last year's handful looks to be the bumper crop, as there's maybe half a handful this year. Meanwhile, the Carmine Jewel I planted in '11 & '12 all look like they have a nice amount of fruit set. Maybe I'll get to see what a CJ pie tastes like...

Rest of the photos: View of the island: Computer Desk wall: Sliding door wall Fridge corner: Here is a closeup of the backsplash options I am considering. The middle one is my favorite. It is a gray blue glass tile. The right most fits the budget. It is Adex subway tile. The size I am considering is different. It is a 2X4 beveled subway. The color I am thinking is also different. I would like a big favor from photshop experts. I would like to visualize the gray blue fully in the window wall and the hood wall. DH wants us to tile the computer wall too. Also, is it possible to photoshop two more options. One is Adex celery 2X4 beveled subway tile too fully on all the walls. And the other option is to do the celery/bone with everywhere except beneath and above the hood. I would like to try the gray/blue glass tile just above and below the hood. Please help me make a decision and give your suggestions too. Here is the link to the adex beveled subway tile: http://www.adexusa.com/viewproduct.php?id=532 Backsplash options: Family room sofa: Rug under the sofa fireplace wall: tv wall: Another tile I like is this: http://www.covefinishings.com/MS01.html#

Yeah, even Raquel Welch and Bridget Bardot are seniors now! And Sophia Loren, Farrah Fawcett... Cheech and Chong... ALL the rockers! That's why the commercials for seniors are using the old rock music. VIVA Viagra! Then they show a semi-old looking guy with an obviously young woman. I resent that. AARP has a Silver Sneakers program. DH belongs to a health center at the local hospital. Formerly it cost him $350 a year to belong even though his doctor ordered it. With AARP membership, however, his membership to the health center is free. AARP provides a medigap insurance policy that, if you enroll in it during the month that you turn 65, there is no waiting period for pre-existing conditions. DH had total knee replacement in both knees last summer. Medicare negotiated the costs down to an incredibly small percentage of the original bill, then paid most of it. The part they didn't pay, the medigap policy picked up. We didn't have to pay a penny. Prior to his taking out the medigap policy, we were having to pay his cardiologist about the same amount of money per year (after Medicare's negotiations and payments) that the medigap policy premiums cost per year. So even if he doesn't need additional care or procedures, we break even. Plus I have the security of knowing we won't have any trouble paying for additional stuff he needs. If you are 65 you can get your home property taxes frozen at the current rate. They will never increase for the rest of your life. I don't see many discounts offered to those who are only 50. But several offered at 55 and 60. I've never had anyone ask to look at my driver's license, however, to prove that I'm a senior. My hair's salt and pepper at 62. I have a friend whose hair has been pure white since she was in her 40's. Our Goodwill store really handles the age question well. They say, "You look too young to qualify for the senior discount, but we have to ask everybody...?" I guess that's a touchy subject for some.

It is fantastic that you have stories around your decorating. It's easy to go to Tuesday Morning and buy decorating pieces but "Decorating with purpose" is what one of our Decorating Forum members taught me and you have taken it to another level.