Hello Renee, I live in southern Cal. Sunset 19 as well, perhaps a bit hotter and colder than Simi Valley but very similar and have been trying different Conifers to see what did well and was less commonly planted. I have lost many more than have made it. The following is a list of what I know does very well and looks good year round. Many are not normally planted but are very choice. Not on the list for the most part are ones which rapidly grow to large trees. Cedrus all types of Cedrus do well as do their selections. the dwarfs do very well. Cedrus libiani 'Green knight' & 'Green Prince' Cedrus deodara 'Descanso Dwarf', 'Devinely blue' Firs Abies pinsapo - Spanish Fir slow growing,like a hedghog. Abies guatamalensis - Guatamalan Fir looks more like typical fir. Pines many types of pines will do well ,these are less common and are exceptional. Pinus bungeana - Lace bark pine, from asia slow, small tree,very nice colorfull bark. Pinus flexilis 'vanderwolfs pyramid'-great color, structure. Pinus heldreichii - Bosnian pine,small deep green, great form,like a xmas tree,white bark. Pinus lumholzii - weeping Mexican pine very pretty. Pinus maximatinezii - Mexican nut pine,big cones, blue when young, thrives. Pinus mugo - the dwarf ones, great around rocks. Pinus pinceana - weeping mexican pinyon small, nice form. Pinus quadrifolia - blue/green nut pine, nice pyramid shape. Pinus thunbergii 'Thunderhead'- deep green color,large white candles, makes a neat large Bonzai. Low Growing. Chamaecyparis obtusa'Split Rock' - small,blue and round. Cryptomeria japonica'koshyi' - a small round bun Juniperis horizontalis'Limeglow' - Limeglow juniper. Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star' - Blue ,Star Juniper. Taxus cuspidata'Monloo' - Emerald Spreader Japanese Yew. Sequoia sempevirons 'albo spicta' - Dwarf white tipped, Redwood. Upright narrow Thuja plicata'virescens'- bright green medium size. Juniperis comunis'Gold cone' - small ,gold tipped nice. Calocedrus decurrens 'veriagata' - Verigated California Incense Cedar ,medium size upright,giant splashes of bright yellow color. Spruces, do not be tempted though commonly found in the nursery during the holidays, if they survive it will look bad compared to what they should be. Two more places to visit to look at Conifers. Descanso Gardens in La Canada. San Diego Wild Animal Park in Escondido has a very good and unusual conifer collection, take care not to wander to far off the paths, one area is up against the Lion enclosure and when they roar it will scare your pants off.

Dprothy, That's a lot of rain. I think ours was only about 53" for 2009 but haven't added it all up and that would not be a record for our county. And, of course, for us 53" was a whole lot, especially compared to 2008, when we received just under 23". You're in Adair County, right? I've linked your county's one-page climate survey from the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, and it shows your county's record rainfall at just over 80" way back in 1927. Other climate data compiled at the state and county level is available to everyone at the OK Mesonet website and at the website of the Oklahoma Climatological Survey. Dawn Here is a link that might be useful: Adair County

Thank you all for the hugs and support. I couldn't dare vent to my husband b/c he would probably flip his lid with the amount of extras we put into the kitchen above the allowed budgets via the builder.. I know in time it won't matter. My children are only 4 & 6 so I am trying REALLY hard not to let myself get crazy.. LOVE your poem Buehl- Funny enough I just received this email from a friend today.. LADIES!!! Remember...a layer of dust protects the Wood beneath it. 'A house becomes a home when you can write 'I love you' on the furniture .' I used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect - 'in case someone came over' Finally I realized one day that no-one came over; they were all out living life and having fun! NOW, when people visit, I don't have to explain the 'condition' of my home They are more interested in hearing about the things I've been doing while I was away living life and having fun. If you haven't figured this out yet, please heed this advice. Life is short. Enjoy it! Dust if you must ....... but wouldn't it be better to paint a picture or write a letter, bake cookies or a cake and lick the spoon or plant a seed, ponder the difference between want and need? Dust if you must, but there's not much time . . . . with beer to drink , rivers to swim and mountains to climb , music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead. Dust if you must, but the world's out there with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain. This day will not come around, again. Dust if you must , but bear in mind, old age will come and it's not kind. . . And when you go - and go you must - you, yourself will make more dust! Share this with all the wonderful women in your life. I JUST DID. It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.

Thanks Sea, you are right the Parson is about 4" taller than the table, i believe the table is 30" and the parsons are 34". I just always thought the chairs at the end of the tables were supposed to be taller, but the ikea option at that price would be very attractive. My girlfriend is flipping out regarding mixing the wood legs with chrome, she thinks it doesnt work, but then again shes not a designer either lol. I guess in terms of making the table look more substantial in the room, it should look more substantial when that chandelier is over it, and when I add a buffet table in the room. So I guess it really isnt an issue. I may check out those ikea chairs soon