Thank you guys for the compliments. Paula, I looooooove any type of lilies! I had the asiatics bloom in the spring, trumpets at the beginning of summer and now the orientals and orienpets are putting on some show! My black beauty has just started blooming and I have almost 15 blooms per stalk so I'll have to take pictures of that one and post it soon. Karen, I also love coleous and sweet potatoes. I overwintered the sweet potato tubers, but I thought they had died since there were some bugs on them when I took them out and I just tossed them in that bed since it's a lasagna bed started in the fall. I didn't think they were going to grow. I gotta tell you, most of my favorite combos are simply by chance :0) Linda, you're going to love the scheherazade lily! it's one of my very favorites and smells delicious. Barb, the burgundy plant is canna 'australia' also one of my favorites. They keep their color all year long and bloom pretty much until frost. I got my stuttgart from a GW member here in NC. It's just beatiful! It's finally starting to put out flowers which the hummers love and you can't beat the foliage. The burgundy foliage is coleous. I don't know what I would do with out them in my garden. They provide such a long show even without flowers and all I have to do is buy one of each and I propagate them as much as I want. I usually have coleouses waiting for a spot in the garden :0) What makes you think you failed to accomplish the look? Believe me, I don't really have an eye for design so most of my beds are happy mistakes! Lynne, you can't go wrong with lilies. they're easy to care for, bloom like crazy and smell heavenly! what more could anyone ask for? I would really appreciate suggestions to make my garden better. So please don't hesitate to add your ideas. Monica

If you have your key Microsoft might supply you with an XP disc. From their forum: Subject: Re: repairing without the cd? 6/27/2006 1:15 PM PST By: Jupiter Jones [MVP] In: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics If the computer was bought used with no CD and not OEM, there is a high probability it is pirated. 2nd hand computers are sold far to often with pirated Windows, almost always without the buyers knowledge. But for now there are insufficient facts posted by you to come to any conclusion about this computer. If your son bought the computer new with Windows installed, it is OEM and legitimate as long as the source is legitimate. Check the manual and/or contact the manufacturer for repair options. Some OEMs provide few options with the only option often being a Clean Installation. Sometimes the OEM can provide a replacement CD. If Windows XP is retail, Microsoft may be able to replace the CD: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246 -- Jupiter Jones [MVP] http://www3.telus.net/dandemar http://www.dts-l.org and The product key is the constant. It enables the install (or repair install). The serial number is generated randomly during the install process. So, yes, they're connected but he needs the product key to install or repair install. If he install XP from a retail copy, the product key is included in the box with the CD. If from an oem copy and Windows XP was preinstalled, there should be a sticker with the prodcut key somewhere on the PC. The sticker is placed somewhere on the PC tower for desktop units and found on the bottom of laptops. If a person has their product key, they can use that and any XP cd of the same type (retail or generic oem) to reinstall. If there's a specialized oem CD (HP, Compaq, etc) that has been bios locked to one particular system - it gets tricky. Some of these will only install on the original system. Some will install but require a phone call to activate. Best practice here is to use what the OEM supplied and if a CD is missing, contact the OEM about obtaining a replacement. Some oem systems have recovery/restore procedures that are different or in addition to the methods offered by just XP. For example- pressing F10 during boot time on an HP or Compaq system is likely to start their Oem supplied recovery application. If the system documentation is unavailable to your son, copies are most likely downloadable from the oem. The documentation will inform about any special recovery options that are available and how to use them. -- Sharon F MS-MVP Windows Shell/User ............................................................. I had problems with XP when my hard drive failed and I had to have my product code key...to get help from Microsoft and they had all my info from 2 years back. They verified my copy of Windows and made sure there were no duplicated keys...it took about an hour of waiting. I stupidly assumed that meant the disc. The big deal is the key. Mikie is probably right about active tracking, but they hold on to your registration information as long as the product is supported. The validation tool kinda backfired on them, I don't even know they still use it. Still, you do not want to see that balloon stating that your XP is not genuine. So I'm error, you can use a similar disc if you have your own and enter your personal proof of purchased valid key. My advise is don't get caught sharing keys...if you do... just don't get caught. Microsoft is a bit over the top when it comes to copy protection.

Megamuffin, I just came across your post and I LOVE everything about your kitchen! It is not only beautiful but clearly very functional for your family! We are still in the design phase of renovating our kitchen, and our layout is very similar to yours- breakfast room, small entry on the side from the hall, and larger doorway to adjacent room (family room in our case.) Can I ask you what the width of your kitchen is? And did you ever consider taking down the wall next to the larger doorway between the kitchen and the adjacent room, and why did you not do it? I am debating whether or not I want to take down that wall to open up the space and would appreciate any input. We also currently have a peninsula and are planning to take it out to put in an island, but I love how you have both so now I'm thinking maybe we might consider that also!

Nosoccermom, I try to shop family-owned and local whenever possible. The table was purchased at a local New England furniture store called Circle Furniture. The table is 100 yr reclaimed chestnut from Vermont. I believe the manufacturer produces furniture and taps maple trees for syrup. Fun, huh? Here is the link. We went with painted black apron and legs: http://www.circlefurniture.com/products/dining/dining-tables/recalimed-dining