Yoda, a word of caution and not to upset anyone. For every person responding to this thread, you may get that many different opinions. Keep in mind we all live in different parts of the world and have unique growing conditions and styles. Norma lives in a warmer climate than myself. She probably has moderate to warm days and cool nights during our northern hemisphere winters and she takes advantage of this and has "winter" growth. Living in Michigan, our days are short and cold. The growth I get at this time is etiolated, so I purposely keep my jades dry to decrease any growth. I begin watering in mid-April and decrease in mid-September. As the fall temps begin to decrease coupled with the water restriction, my plants take on a change of color and will set buds that will open mid- November ~ December. As for pot size, I think this is also variable and would like to see what others have to say. The picture attached is one of my several plants. It is in a 6"/8" pot and has been for several years and, as you can see, does just fine. That's not to say it might do better in a larger pot. My point is you have to apply your local conditions and how you care for your plant to be successful.

Purchased at a grocery store, my money would be on "Stargazer", a very popular Oriental lily. The Orienpet hybrid type "Anastasia" could be what it is as the flowers do look somewhat similar - but without any identification tag included with it, it could be whatever the supplier wanted it to be??? However, the short and sweet - if you bought it in bloom, each bloom usually lasts for under a week and the petals simply fall off leaving what is called a "candelabra" of spent blooms. This candelabra can be cut off. The lily only blooms once per season, oftentimes for a long time as each individual bud opens in succession - no amount of care will give you a second bloom, however. Don't think you did much with the self-pollination idea. Need an expert, but I think most lily cultivars are self sterile - they can't use their own pollen. Lilies are self contained units growing up from a bulb - the bulb pretty much has what it needs to grow, bloom, set seeds (if you let it), and the main stem to turn yellow/brown and woody. This dying back process is needed to replenish the bulb for next season. Watering heavily and often will pretty well insure the potted bulb will rot - they like well drained soil. Unlike here in cold climates where lilies can be left in the ground year 'round, in southern Florida lilies would need to be given a cold period called vernalization if you don't get long periods of sustained cold temps. Probably dug up and refrigerated for a period of 6 weeks or so. Lots of info on the internet by searching Orienpet lily Anastasia or just simply how to grow lilies in southern Florida.

Oh, hi emmhip! :) I completely know what you mean. And while I subscribe to FlyLady's emails, I haven't checked them (my "list" email is the most organized thing in my home - it all goes to separate folders in my inbox, lol). Anyway, what I've been doing is just a bit here and there. Today, I went through all the drawers in my dresser, and got rid of matchless socks, underwear that weren't ever going to be worn by me again, and assorted other things that I was no longer using or planning to use (including a Motherhood slip - my youngest if now 4 years old, ahem). I also cleaned (with a toothbrush!!!) my bathroom sink, including wiping down the cabinets. Thoroughly cleaned the toilet, too. I've been vacuuming every day for the last week, and sweeping, too. Two days ago, I finally cleared (what a task!) the table and counters except for two hotspots that I'm still working on. The kids' bathroom had a decent clean two days ago; I still need to go in and do an "on my hands and knees" floor cleaning. And my laundry? Well, it's caught up only because we recently bought the largest capacity washer (and matching dryer - our old washer broke, perfect timing!) and for the first time EVER, my laundry has been caught up without my hubby stepping in to help. :) I LOVE my new W&D, and have taken meticulous care of it (I follow the care instructions carefully, lol). I was so proud the other day when I washed all the kids' bed linens in one day. I'm sure that hasn't been done before (by me, anyway). However, my wood floor is still in bad shape, and I really need to wipe down all the kitchen cabinets, and most of the doors in the house. My daughters' room is still a mess, but that's largely because my 7yo dd has learned my bad habits, so we both need work. ;) Anyway, there's still much to do, but I trust that FlyLady's admonition to take baby steps will eventually get me to where I need to be. And also, this isn't really part of the above, except that it is FOR ME, but about 3 months ago, I was dx'd with severe ADD symptoms and mild/moderate depression. I've been on Wellbutrin since then, and the change has made all the difference for me. It was slow getting here, but when I look back to where I was before, I'm amazed at the difference in how I feel, and how far I've come. The above probably doesn't apply to most folks, but I feel I'd be disingenuous if I didn't include it as well. Anyway, it's hard to struggle and feel like you can't get ahead, and then, to be so overwhelmed in your own home that it's not relaxing, but rather stress-inducing, and I realized I was the only one who could change that for me. And I am, slowly but surely. Best of luck to you, and yes, get that book! (Don't worry about her time tables for cleaning - for that, I'm fine with FlyLady's plan - I just need to know the "how-to" of taking care of a home.) Best of luck to you - you need to trust that you can do it, and that the changes will be their own reward, and even more.

there aren't any new washers or dryers, FL or TL, that will last 20 years anymore. they are purposely made to self destruct or some such thing in about 7-8 years. seriously! it's really awful.IMO, that's an exaggeration, although "robustness" isn't what it used to be. The Whirlpool washer my parents bought new in January 1962 was replaced in June 1976 (14.5 years), and had numerous repairs, including replacement of the bearings TWICE. The Whirlpool replacement ran for 18 years, with *fewer* repairs, and the bearings *never* changed. The KitchenAid that came next in 1994 has had two repairs thus far, neither one considered major ... we also recently replaced the pump (which had not yet failed but was getting iffy), and did some rust-treatment on the cabinet. I realize these examples are not quite equivalent to a new machine bought today, but it perhaps illustrates that newer machines (as compared to "older" ones) don't necessarily equal more trouble. I have a Fisher & Paykel GWL08 bought in 1999 (8 years old now) that's still going strong with no repairs needed.