We definitely plan to keep everything trimmed rather than billowy and do plan to mulch the entire area.Just trying to figure out what ground cover and perennials to add before it gets mulched. We have 3 ft for the roses to grow up to the windows and like you said wouldn't be bad if they came up past the window a little. I will recheck the depth from the wall, we may have them too close. You are right about the Nandinas. I couldn't remember which one I wanted Firepower or Harbor Dwarf and it was the latter so will change them out. I saw them today with rose shrubs and laurels and they looked great. I actually was interested in a loose shrub by the door behind the boxwoods but couldn't think of something that would look appropriate. Wasn't sure if the camelia could work there or a viburnum? Any suggestions? Thanks.Glad you caught the Nandina mistake.

Thanks, my two XP and one W7 are now running Thunderbird 2.0.0.24, that's the latest 2.0 I can find, I think it is the end of the 2.0 line. The links provided were helpful, but for some reason I felt like I was stumbling along in a dark tunnel before I finally clicked on the right link to start a download of 2.0.0.24. Is it just me, or do these "download" sites have a hidden agenda? No too hidden I guess, they are all trying to somehow make some money.

Thanks, I really depend on the excellent help I get here, it is appreciated. That said, I hope someone else using AT&T for an ISP and is happy pitches in. I am keeping for now to retain my email address, one I've used for at least 15+ years. Unfortunately, it appears AT&T is working on getting out of the ISP business (what, just wireless now?). They shut down the brand Worldnet, yet my 2.0 versions of Thunderbird address the "postoffice" and "mailhost" with "worldnet" as part of the address. But, it isn't working on my Thunderbird 3.0 version. I will try to figure something out tonight. My quick look last night at the AT&T help on the web said "pop and smtp with att.jahoo.com" was the magic. But that may be only if you use their DSL... not sure, seems strange. I have DSL form my local phone company, and it offers all the services Worldnet used to offer, I just am reluctant to change may address and lose contact with many I don't communicate with often... but AT&T is pushing me that way. I have all my personal email on Thunderbird, I use Outlook for business email. I suppose I can move the business email on to Thunderbird too (not as versatile as Outlook) but have not checked on how that is done. It appears one can't have two instances of Thunderbird on one computer. Maybe one can have one Thunderbird with multiple "accounts". I know Outlook provides for multiple accounts in one instance of Outlook, but I don't recall ever seeing anything like that in Thunderbird. Outlook is clearly the "industrial strength" email client... maybe Outlook Express has some of the same capabilities... I have never used it.

It occurs to me that I haven't been NEARLY effusive enough with my thanks and praise --- Squirrelheaven, thank you SOOOO much for all the time you've taken with this!!!! You have serious talent and I shudder to think what I would have come up with on my own if I hadn't gotten such great input here (I did come up with the idea of painting the brick and adding the portico but I don't think I would have executed nearly as well without the eyes and comments from GW). Leah (and Squirrel) -- wow! Love the front entrance. Right now I have to try to create as much impact as possible for as few dollars as possible -- but I am definitely saving that picture for when the finances permit. Anele -- I spent 13 years in Chicago (a variety of different northside neighborhoods) and you're right, I don't think anything like this exists there :) We moved about a year ago to the suburbs of a smaller city. Imagine what this house would be worth in Chicago (if such a thing even existed)!! As far as where I am right now, I still like the look of the 2/3 steps (Fri 21:08) and am also really liking the most recent pics with the brick (Sun 9:17) - I wasn't seriously considering the brick until I saw it photoshopped; I think I like it because it ties in to the chimney. I'm also still scouring the neighborhood and the web trying to find a way to do full-length steps without having to have an enormous landing (which just didn't look right to me). I'm definitely going to change the moldings to be more like Squirrel's and less like the architect's, and I'm going lantern shopping this week. I already have the paint for the front door but haven't wanted to take the door down while DH is out of town, so that will be happening soon too. And speaking of DH, I haven't showed him any of this, so I suppose I should give him a little input too. MM