Hi Baci, The neem tree idea, sounds really cool. I have jungley longings, but little space. That is a really intruiging idea. The neem oil, I usually use outside. So I'll wait for the next really warm day that I have time to haul a bunch of pots outside, and fuss with warming the neem. That's a bit of a project, so neem use is usually May to August. A neem tree, hmm... I couldn't figure out why my stuff in the window didn't have mealies, like my neighbor's big stuff, right there, on the floor did. The scenteds seemed to do the trick, meanwhile, the other 2 clivia were upstairs, wasting away. The aha! moment hadn't happened yet, to save them, and they gave up. They hated the fairly strong doses they got of the alcohol, and the vinegar, in their already weakened state. The concetrations I used were stronger than those that I recommended. I used 70 or 90 on the alcohol and may have uped the vinegar concentration to to over 3/4. Just a little vinegar, say, 1/5 is just as effective and doesn't seem to bother the plants. Most of my experiments, start with other people's successes with a similar problem in a different situation. They're kind of variations on a theme. Various forums here on GW, have great ideas. Gee, except for mealies and getting water in the leaves, they are hard to kill inside, too. The trick is, to make them happy enough to bloom. I definately defer to the experts on this forum for that. Up north here, they've done it only when they've had a bright [just out of the sun], humid, cool, place. My clivia get very little filtered morning sun, probably not quite enough. The scented geraniums are mostly away now, in the sunniest window, except for ones being rotated to protect the clivia. Mealies seem to slow down when watering is cut back, too. Right now, I only have a couple of plucked s. ger leaves, tucked between the straps. Two or three times over the winter, it had a light puff, of weak vinegar water, up into the air, over it. There's still no sign of mealie bugs, and it's been months, yay !

I was initially pretty happy with my order from Arrowhead. Then, a few days after the order arrived, the 'gold drift' died suddenly. All the needles fell off and the thing just went kaput. A few days after that, I noticed a worm on pinus contorta 'spaans dwarf'. A month later, I found more worms on the same tree. My 'goldilocks' has not done much at all since arriving (looks quite similar to your 'chief joseph' in stage of growth and age). So, that are three plants that are dead or might soon die out of 13 ordered. IMHO, not a good ratio. I can't email because there is none, and I'm afraid to call because of the reactions I've heard sometimes happen. I did purchase several plants labelled as "older" and still think that the high quality of THOSE plants makes up for the three that kicked/are kicking the bucket. The older plants would have cost 2-3 or more times what I paid purchased somewhere else. That said, I probably won't mail order from Arrowhead again. Next year I plan to drive to Gees, that looks like a great place and I've heard only good things, to cherry pick what I want. I did see 'chief joseph' at a local nursery two weeks ago - Iowa City Landscape had two amazing 3 1/2 foot specimens, I believe they were $199 each, dirt cheap in my opinion for what they were. I have not gone back to see if they are still there, but gosh I hope if someone bought them they are going to a hope that will appreciate them! Elizabeth

LOL, Bbstx, the manufacturer went out of business this year so you're safe. Serena and Lily carry Lee brand chairs and they have 20% off sales, if you wait. Their shipping is high, but I've never compared the chairs with 20% off and delivery with other vendors' prices. Also, if you go with CR Laine or Century, make sure you get a quote from Lexington Furniture in Kentucky. I have found their prices much cheaper than others--$375 PER CHAIR less than Furniturelandsouth on some Laneventure chairs we got a couple of years ago.

Just wanted to let all of you know their decision. We tried out all kinds. She liked a lot of them, but they both liked the Joya best for their room. The size and style fits them and it is a little firmer than many of the others which she liked as well. They are getting it in navy. Mtn, in re your comment about the child's rocker, there was one chair at Crate and Barrel that she tried out and her feet did not touch the floor. She looked liked Lily Tomlin as Edith Ann. I thought of you! Ha. So, thank you all for your ideas, suggestions, and kind words. It gave the search some direction, so she wasn't overwhelmed with way too many possibilities-they all seem to blur into a mishmash after a while, don't they? It was also such fun to read all your posts. What a generous group you all are!