Three cheers for your grandmother and her adventurous sense of color! May we all be bold rather than discreet in our old age. But perhaps we should skip the cheap cologne. I suspect the half bottle was because many people lose their sense of smell as they age and she honestly thought it didn't have much perfume to it. As for rose scents, I love them as rich and as heavy as can be. I love other intense scents, too, jasmine, lilies, honeysuckle. I will say that I prefer most flowers out of doors. Scented cut flowers in the house sometimes give me intense headaches, honeysuckle especially. Lilies are also too strong indoors. Narcissi actually become unpleasant to me in the house, developing a chemical undertone that reminds me of petrochemicals. Roses, though, are wonderful in the house or in the garden. And the same is true of my absolute favorite flower scent, lilacs. Rosefolly

My petunias are getting scraggly too. I always deadhead, because my pots are right by the front door, and I think deadheading keeps everything in full bloom and at maximum attractiveness all the time. BUT. I really, really should have pinched my petunias back this summer. Now they are only blooming from the top of their tall, scraggly stems. Oh well, this is the first year I've used many petunias, I guess you learn from your mistakes each year! I agree with Glen3a - petunias really are troopers, they are still blooming, even though they're dying! northspruce - I also have a volunteer somethingorother growing in with my perennials. Must have self seeded when I threw the dead plants over the deck railing last fall. It isn't petunia, but it sort of looks like the million bells one? I think it is called cali-somethin. :D Kinda neat anyway, even though the bright pink doesn't go with the orange, yellow and red perennials surrounding it! I wish I had the money to replace my summer stuff with fall beauties like mum's and stuff. Then I could have Martha Stewartish pots! Ya right..when I have the money for a second wave of plant buying. Never!

Thanks for all your advice - I think Brickeye did talk me into this as well The ceiling is nearly done - I had to teach the crew about RC - but all were willing - I think they think I'm a little crazy I did Roxul btwn joists - RC channel w/acoustic padded tape (green) - I 'll have them do some chalking too Now I have another dilema - Fireplace - pics inside prior mantle was UGLY veenered -icky - framing was huge I'll try to explain - it's difficult working in the abstract but I'll do my best If you look at pics as ref 1. The top framing which projects out - 3 3/4" from wall right on top brick of is 72 1/8" from begin of left project to end right projection 2 sets of 2x4 framing on either side of firebox from outside of one to outside of other it's 48 1/2" oddly the spacing between vertical 2x4 is different on ea side Left side (looking at firebox) is 9" btwn , Right side is 8 1/4 btwn -"first" set of 2x4's spaced 56 1/2" apart I have a salvaged mantle is 57" top of mantle - outside leg to outside of leg measures 56 1/2 - legs are 5 3/4" wide - top of mantle down to opening is 12" ** That mantle could actually meet the first set of 2x4's but certainly not the 2nd - there is a 15" difference btwn the overall frame & her mantle. which may not be centered ** Even the flooring would be effected by tearing this out there is a 2x4 horizontal at bottom on floor joining those verticle 2x's together Don't know if this is making sense but trying to come up w/a solution to best suit the needs here - I have the feeling it's really not the mantle that is the problem - as i think even i purchased the Rings End mantle that would have had similiar issues - I just think dimensionally a stock Mantle will not work & even if I did the custom route (would rather not $$$$$) - it would be too large in the living room which is 12'x 23' It is how to creatively attach this mantle - do as little demo as possible - keep the existing framing - even if you cut that framing back I don't think you can get it flush to the wall. here's what I've come up with 1st preference - shave the framing back to the wall and plaster from return of mantle over the old framing 2nd - dry wall/soffit vertical the framing that is not needed roughly 8" on either side not sure I'd love the look 3rd small nook type built in cubbies for nice chotchka any Thoughts THANKS eileen Here is a link that might be useful:

Twas the month before Christmas When all through our land, Not a Christian was praying Nor taking a stand. Why the Politically Correct Police had taken away, The reason for Christmas - no one could say. The children were told by their schools not to sing, About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things. It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say December 25th is just a " Holiday ". Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it! CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod Something was changing, something quite odd! Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda. As Targets were hanging their trees upside down At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found. At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears. Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty Are words that were used to intimidate me. Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton ! At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter. And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace. The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded The reason for the season, stopped before it started. So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree" Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me. Choose your words carefully, choose what you say Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday !