Brad, the advise Denise gave is good. (she offered me the same advise but I didn't lissten :(. Also, these are so common, I bet you can get a trade/cutting going with someone. I bought a large Pub. RB from the Hawiian vendor, it was $25.00. It is a nice plant mind you, but I also have the rooted cuttings I got as a collection from Joni and they are growing great so I should have waited and saved my $25.00. Oh well. Mine isn't anywhere near blooming. But when it does (if) it probably won't mean as much as when the ones I grew myself bloom. Come spring I'll have cuttings for you. Just remind me. . . case I forget. Theres never any easy fix when it comes to satisfying a hoya craving. . . Good luck, Maid~

Well, I'm here to tell you !! I never in my life imagined that I'd be so darn excited about doing laundry !!!! We ended up getting the Miele 4840 washer, and the gas dryer. The difference in how clean the clothes get is absolutely amazing !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm major impressed, and actually DH and DS have commented positively, also, which is amazing in itself !!!!!!!!!!!!! The first few loads of clothes that I did . . . well, just sat in front of the washer and watched it !!! Can't believe how quiet, how little water, all that !! (Neighbors even came by to watch it and were equally amazed !! Do ya think we need to get a life here in this neighborhood ????!!!!!!!) I'm also using the Persil detergent, both liquid and powder, which is kinda pricey, but so little of it is used . . . and the smell is so fresh, without any fake perfumey smells . . . Do I sound like some kind of commercial here ???? !!!!! Well, anyway . . . that's the scoop on the w/d saga . . . Glad the decision making process is a done deal, and that I am totally thrilled with it all !!! Now . . . hopefully no more decisions on anything for a really long time, no angst . . . except that we're re-doing both of our bathrooms right now . . . so here we go again !!!!! C.

You've received a lot of good, helpful advice already, here and at the Kitchen forum. "most of the new models in Florida now have 12 foot ceilings in the great room and kitchen with many vaulted to 16 feet. This is especially true when there are views to water and they are using 10 foot glass doors to take advantage of the views." I understand about the views but people have to live inside a house, and in order for that to be done comfortably and pleasantly, you need a reasonable, human scale and proportions. Not something outsize and overscaled. This is already creating problems for you. At the very least with this sort of scale, an architect should plan for the interior problems/challenges that arise. As they have arisen here. You have two problems. One is the scale and size of the general project, the other is the layout of the kitchen. If we had a built in coffee machine where would you put it? First figure out how you use your kitchen, what you want and need in it, and THEN plan your kitchen. Not the other way around. How big is your family? Do you like to cook? Do you cook often or reheat takeout? Do you bbq outside? Do you eat a lot of vegetables and fruit? Do you shop for groceries often or infrequently? However, you can't consider the kitchen in a vacuum.

You have a lot of gray (railings, posts, patio) and black doors and windows. People are repeating the colors you already have. Black furniture would look good, but add some color with the cushions. You can also add color with glazed pots full of flowers. Be careful with sectionals. They tend to only fit one way, and can limit where people can walk. Always measure your space before you shop, and take the tape measure with you to the store to make sure the furniture will fit when you get it home. I would much rather mix a loveseat with two chairs and a coffee table. It's easier to move pieces and to rearrange them. I would keep cushioned furniture under the roof. Unless you live in a very dry climate mildew and algae will develop if cushions get rained on. For the area to the right I would choose furniture without cushions. Use woven or metal mesh or strap seating that drains and dries quickly. Add a shade sail between your house and posts set in your yard to keep the area cooler. Shade cloth still allows enough sun for plants to grow, so add some large containers for summer annuals for sun and shade.