Luanne, did you, perchance, prune less this year, inspired by Gregg? I've been noticing that roses that were pruned very lightly or not at all are in full bloom. In the cemetery, and at home, I don't prune any of roses "hard," but those that got a moderate trim are still thinking about spring, whereas those that barely got shortened, if at all, are busily blooming. I've always thought that roses can either put their efforts into growing canes and leaves, or flowering, in the spring. We have examples of the same cultivar pruned two or three different ways in the cemetery, and there is no doubt that the more the roses were pruned, the less bloom they have right now. Common sense, right? But perhaps it had nothing to do with the pruning, and everything to do with the fact that they learned about the party and are just misbehaving. Things look gorgeous in your garden, and I hope the cemetery doesn't pale in comparison. Luanne and Sue, and other NoCal folks, hope to see you in Sacramento this weekend! Anita

I WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM CALICO CORNERS. Two months ago, I walked into Calico Corners for the first time. I went to the store in Greenbrae, California. I was the only customer in the store at the time. By my count there were at least 4 employees in the store. One employee was actually training another employee, from what I could tell. The store was not very big, so it was no secret that a customer had walked into the store. I walked around the entire store several times. I stopped repeatedly to look at fabrics, trims, etc. I was there for over half an hour. I was never acknowledged by a single employee at that store. Nobody said "hello" let alone "may I help you" or "do you have any questions." Instead, I had the pleasure of listening to two employees standing in the cash register area arguing about whether or not to charge a customer about fabric. I do mean ARGUING. Not discussing. ARGUING. In the middle of the store. In plain sight of anyone in the store. When one of the employees had enough of the argument and huffed away, she walked right past me and didn't even look at me. The other employee then proceeded to recount the argument to a third employee and complain in length about the first employee. Now, I've worked in retail for much of my career, from working in stores during college to working in the corporate headquarters for a major retailer. The calibre of these employees was no better than what I have experienced from teenagers at discount retailers. I certainly expected more from MIDDLE AGED WOMEN in what is supposed to be a REPUTABLE source for interior decorating. Needless to say, I was completely disgusted. I stood by the front door, called my husband and said, in a voice loud enough to be heard to the back of the store, "We will not spend a penny at Calico Corners because they cannot be bothered to acknowledge a customer, as they are too busy arguing amongst themselves." I promptly walked out. I tried to submit this feedback via the Calico Corners website, but I kept getting an error message. Apparently they don't want the feedback. So, please share with their leadership that they missed out on a sale of several thousand dollars. I was planning on buying a sofa, chair and ottoman, as well as having curtains and a window seat made. I have also made it my mission to deter all my friends from shopping there. Thanks!

Mom of 4... this is my advice take it or not ... but DO NOT get in the way ...or try to appease either parent by running around getting the "stuff" they forgot or left at moms or dads that the children need. Let the parents do it they are going to battle over this its a pi$$ point on both sides. Its a way of marking their territory showing who has more control. I wish someone had told me not to be available to the them to do their running around .... If mom can't stop at the house for 15 minutes while they change then oh well she is responsible for dropping off the stuff at the house the next day before they need it. MY SC have a duffle bag they bring back and forth with stuff they need ... and they keep it in the nurses office at school until the end of the day. We chased teddy bears blankets coats I will never chase anything again ... If they need it and she has it she is responsible for dropping it off where they need it. If they need it and we have it we are responsible for dropping it off where they need it. I ran myself ragged getting their stuff ... So please do not chase their stuff let the parents take responsiblility for their stuff ... its going to take cooperation from both parents to work this out. But stay out of it ... do not offer to get any of it. I know you are thinking I am around I can do it whats the big deal ... but believe me it won't stop at football pads. School year visitation is the most difficult for the kids because of "stuff" ... they forget their homework books whatever and if the parents can't cooperate its tough on the kids. But the kids will learn not to forget stuff ... eventually. Do not play hero and gather up their stuff ... let the parents do twice as much running around getting the stuff.

I hope I'm not too off topic here, but, MamaP, I have 4 dogs. All small, and I use disposable wee wee pads a lot of the year because they don't tolerate Minnesota winters well, especially my senior Chinese crested. I am interested in washable wee wee pads, not for convenience obviously, but because all the waste from disposable materials. Hearing that you use them, and you wash them at the laundromat, makes it seem....more workable. Any advice on quality of fabric wee wee pad, or your washing routine would be enormously appreciated. I wouldn't think their is enough interest in this topic to start a new thread, but who knows. And I haven't figured out how to pm yet, so I'm asking here. I realize you have a lot going on at home, so no rush, and I hope all is well. Harlow