Now Carolina, I distinctly remember you suggesting President Carnot-I knew nothing about that gorgeous thing and I'll probably be thanking you for the rest of my life it is so pretty. Yes Joe I got your card and it is the prettiest one out of so many but I'm going to resist what with Betty Uprichard and Dame Edith Helen and Lady Wenlock and Legendary among other pink roses in my garden. Thanks for the vote of confidence on Mrs Dupont--Gregg said there has been nothing better in the last 20 years so between the pair of you, I am cat in cream smug. Yes Patricia, I couldn't ask for a better friend and every time I hear someone sneer at e-mail relationships, forums and computers, I have to say in all seriousness, "I have been so extraordinarily lucky. My life is much richer and happier for the dear friends I've met here. I'm more greatful than I can say. Perhaps it is that we write and reveal the quality of our hearts, share our humour and this passion for roses that make for such fulfilling friendships.I really was just riffing,Carolina--the post should have been entitled "The sheer joy of Carolina, Fang, Patricia, John, Joe and Randy." That would have just been for starters. Merry Christmas and the greatest new year you've ever had. Love to you all, la

caudata and sigillatis are known to be a little more temperamental (although not really terrors, imo) so I would wait on them a teeny bit. Totally go for the veined leaf bunch for now! callistophylla, finlaysonii, cinnamomifolia, nong nooch, the whole gang ... they are not difficult Hoyas. They may not be the toughest of the bunch but they are very very typical mainstream Hoyas in terms of their needs. H. rotundiflora is a great one for unique leaves but simple needs and I would also recommend siamica and kunming kina in that regard. And maybe cagayanensis/pimenteliana? Shimmery leaves. :3

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome! I look forward to becoming a trainee 'Enablers R Us'! I will definitely post pictures, just as soon as the stuff in the Michael's bags currently spread out on my DR table have been wreathed, swagged, ornament basketed, ribboned... you know, basically frou-frou'ed! :-) (Note to self - yes, turns out I do have to wait for the weekend to finish the DR chandelier, because by the time I get home from work it's dark, and since it's the only light in the room those flame bulbs get HOT, and no, I'm not dexterous enough to swag it, ribbon it, etc and not get burned...) Ahem... so, pics targeted towards the weekend. ;-) Karen - you've got me hooked with the thought of Mikasa holiday figurines at thrifts! Jeannespines, I'm now thinking I need some more snowmen! Marlene - scary! I was just thinking I might need to search out a deal on holiday tableware....slippery slope, isn't it?! Really happy to be here, all - thank you again for the warm welcome!

I'm more a shiraz and brie sort of person. Grandma Utz's potato chips will also usually help. They are cooked in lard. I have to send the whole thing back to them, though they thought they could just send the latch mechanism. My locksmith said to send the whole thing back. Like the rest of you guys who know that beauty is only skin deep, he gave me his opinion on Baldwin stuff. I was amazed to see plastic inside. All of my interior locks are simple rim locks. I can fix just about anything that is wrong with them or pick another up for about $5 in my area. I really wish I had gone the rim lock/deadbolt combo on the remodel part of the house. Live and learn. I bought a plate to put over the hole in the door where the knob used to be. Thanks for the great advice. I'll ask about the upgrade and also put a note in the box.