Saying America is not able to win a war and being disrespected world wide isn't a political statement? Perhaps I should start writing how I think the war on drugs making it illegal for gardeners to grow certain plants is stupid. While such a statement would have far more relevance to the container gardening forum I would at least be willing to admit the obvious political overtones. Sheesh. As Al pointed out there is a hot topics forum on GW and there one can talk about foreign policy or the war on some drugs to their heart's content.

Before I received my order from them, they sent me an email asking how my weather was and when I would like the order shipped. I told them that they could ship right away and I received the order approximately 1 week later. I would give it another week since you originally told them May 7th was your frost free date. I imagine they are probably very busy shipping orders right now and will get yours shipped as soon as they can. Linda

Trailrunner, your home is just so beautiful and it seems to be full of who you are as a person. I don't know your story but I too have one of my own. The sentence that began "All any of us can do" really spoke to me today and I don't even know what words I can say to thank you for them. I don't mean for this to be an OT not by any means, but I try to surround myself with things that are attractive to me. The beauty might be in the character of your unupholstered chair or the unknown history of memazz's bowling pins or a painting that tells a story to me. My family doesn't understand the importance decorating has in my life, and luckily doesn't really have any influence on what I do - I couldn't imagine that battle. For me, it is the desire to surround myself with things that I find beautiful and items that evoke happy memories that dictates what I do. My rooms would not be in any magazine and pale in comparison to rooms I have seen in this blog (like your dining room) but adding something or altering a room bringing it closer to being "me" is what I strive for. Sitting in a chair in my LR, with my coffee, watching the cat as she sleeps next to "my" chair - no one else likes the color but I think it is "gorgeous" - with the colors of the vase (which I picked out just knowing that it would cast the most magnificent shadow) in the window beginning to creep upon her fur is more beautiful than any diamond I could own. So again, without meaning for this to be OT - I tend to look at people's rooms as more than what is "correct" as to how much of their personality is there. So many of your pieces from the stories you have told seem to tell some of the stories of your life. Do you like I, place what may be to most people, a greater desire to surround yourself with things that elicit positive thoughts. I find that not many people understand that it is more than just accumulating or matching "things". How much does ingesting your personality matter when you are designing a room?

Here is the California Driver Handbook http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/traff_lgts_sgns.htm California Driver Handbook - Traffic Lights and Signs Traffic Signal Lights Solid Red� A red signal light means "STOP." You can make a right turn against a red light after you stop then yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles close enough to be a hazard. Make the right turn only when it is safe. Do not turn if a "NO TURN ON RED" sign is posted. Red Arrow� A red arrow means "STOP." Remain stopped until the green signal or green arrow appears. Do not turn against a red arrow. Flashing Red� A flashing red signal light means "STOP." After stopping, you may proceed when it is safe. Observe the right-of-way rules. Solid Yellow� A yellow signal light means "CAUTION." The red signal is about to appear. When you see the yellow light, stop if you can do so safely. If you cannot stop safely, cross the intersection cautiously. Yellow Arrow� A yellow arrow means the "protected" turning time period is ending. Be prepared to obey the next signal, which could be the green or red light or the red arrow. Flashing Yellow� A flashing yellow signal light warns you to "PROCEED WITH CAUTION." You do not need to stop for a flashing yellow light, but you must slow down and be especially alert before entering the intersection. Flashing Yellow Arrow� This signal means turns are permitted (unprotected), but you must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and then proceed with caution. Solid Green� Give the right-of-way to any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian in the intersection. A green light means "GO." If you are turning left, make the turn only if you have enough space to complete the turn before creating a hazard for any oncoming vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian. Do not enter the intersection if you cannot get completely across before the light turns red. If you block the intersection, you can be cited. Green Arrow� A green arrow means "GO." You must turn in the direction the arrow is pointing after you yield to any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian still in the intersection. The green arrow allows you to make a "protected" turn. Oncoming vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians are stopped by a red light as long as the green arrow is lighted. Traffic Signal Blackout� If a traffic signal light is not working, proceed cautiously, as if the intersection is controlled by a stop sign in all directions.