Thank you Kathy. I'm feeling ever more emboldened by the minute. I should tell you about where we did end up planting it last year. This last year we rested the ground in a corner of the yard used for pumpkins. We call the area (if you will excuse my french) 'the corner from hell' as it gets all day sun and reflective heat from the fence. Anyway because we did not grow pumpkins we had space there and practically only there for a homeless rose:) On top of what Karl said it was in my opinion far too hot and unkind there for NO. Plus I really under watered. I just dropped the ball period. I think next year in its new spot it will be much happier. If it comes to resemble its appearance from when I purchased the rose I will be thrilled. All tall with tons of long, bud heavy canes. I'm excited. Kate

I have been shopping online for ~10 yrs. The deals in the early days (1998-2001) were crazy. This was back when Amazon only sold books. Anyhow, I started shopping online because I was a single parent and had two small children. So it was a great convenience for me. I have bought almost everything you can online. Buying online now is almost second nature now and probably spend more than 10k a year online. I now buy online because of cost, convenience, availibility. I pay with CC for everything and haven't had any problems for 8 yrs. In the early days, I had people get a hold of my CC numbers and charge stuff. The CC companies took care of everything without much hassle. Technically, I don't know if the info was stolen online or from a local store. I wish the online grocery stores made a comeback. I would love the UPS guy to delivery the kitty liter, rock salt, soda, etc, while I just pick up the perishables. The best deals were probably in the early days with many items free with rebates and promotional codes, mostly computer or electronic items. The biggest amount saved would have to be on the biggest ticket items, furniture, hardwood flooring and other home improvement items, typically saving 20-50%. It also seem the higher end items have the greatest potential for the biggest % savings. I have had at least a dozen transactions over $1k.

I am confused by chijim's comments because all of the pictures that are on the walls now are black and whites and are framed in black. I think that does tie them together. I am not focused on anything on any flat surface at the moment. That is a bunch of stuff from different rooms, or is cat food to be honest, because that is where the sick cats eat. At my DR table. I never actually eat there. :) I have just been working on the wall color, drapes, and wall picture layout. At least that is what my focus was meant to be with this thread, and trying to see if the rug I have will work with it all. I feel like it is coming together in my head. We shall see what the end result is. ;) No worries Punamytsike. I don't mind the comments. It helps to hear other opinions. I can't wait to see what you do with your new spaces which will be so different from your last house. I know it will be fabulous. I think it is interesting that Chijim mentions crown molding. I have to say I was really against it, but DH voted for it, and my parents brought it up yesterday too, so I guess that is a battle I am going to lose. I just think it will bother me to have painted molding when all the other trim in the house is stained. Of course my dad said I should just paint all the trim, but the stained trim has grown on me and I don't really want to do that. If I had my way I would probably do some kind of stained funky trim, but I am sure that would not get many votes either. I think I have convinced DH to do this room next, and he just finished tiling my bathroom, so hopefully we shall see some progress soon. I will keep posting updates in case anyone is interested. It helps me to type out my thoughts too. I know orange/blue is not everyone's cup of tea, and I guess I have a quirky style.

Harry & David's have these delicious Royal Riviera pears. For $29.95 you get 9 of the biggest, juiciest pears. I can't even describe how incredibly sweet they are. They're beautiful, too with a reddish blush on them. I hope we get some again this year. They are huge so nine pears goes a long way. They have free shipping right now, too. At least in the catalog. Hey, they're grown and shipped from the US, too! And, if you prefer, they'll ship direct to the giftee (is that a word?). No, I don't work for them--lol!