Majesty palms like lots of water, fertilizer, and epsom salts. I have one and its doing wonderful, put it in canadian spagnam peat moss so you don't have to water constantly, and before you water it everytime put about 1 teaspoon of all purpose fertilizer on the soil, and put 1 teaspoon of epsom salts with the fertilizer, and then water until the water comes out of the drain holes. The canadian spagnam peat moss will turn light brown on top, and when it starts turning light brown it is time to water. I keep mine in partial shade, and this helps keep it from turning yellow. I use 15-30-15 expert gardener all purpose water soluble plant food. What I think causes the yellow leaves is not enough fertilizer, too much sun, and magnesium, and not using enough water will make them turn brown, and dry.

I like what you did with the matchstick blinds and curtains, better than the roman shades. I wouldn't order those blinds if the shipping is high (I had bamboo ones in my old apartment that I bought at target for decently cheap). Not sure how to post links, as I'm to all this but try these: http://www.target.com/Bamboo-Roman-Shade-Spice/dp/B000KUCEI6/ref=br_1_5?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=15751241&node=15751241&searchRank=salesrank&searchPage=1&searchSize=30&id=Bamboo%20Roman%20Shade%20Spice My one suggestion would be use a more colorful curtain than the white long ones. It makes the room look modern, but a bit to stark and plain. Maybe even just white with a delicate print? Maybe like these from ikea.. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00135551 or these from target http://www.target.com/Home-Damask-Window-Collection/dp/B001J215Y8/ref=br_1_1?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=596480011&node=596480011&searchRank=salesrank&searchPage=1&searchSize=30&id=Home%20Damask%20Window%20Collection (and they're on clearance for super cheap!) As for paint colors, I'm sorry I'm no help. I'm having a mini breakdown trying to decide on a palette for my house as well.. Good luck! And happy decorating! Megan

I second what mizscarlett said. PTSD or even TSD is a very real thing that happens to many people, not just soldiers. Arcy- I understand why you wrote what you did, it is the common stance of the general public to abused and battered persons; I used to feel much the same. BUT....unless you have lived through it yourself and had the same crushing emotions, guilt, worthlessness and self loathing that these people have experienced from years of emotional abuse, you really are in no place to judge. It is easy to view as an outsider and say, "you should have just left", it is FAR more difficult to do when you've been, slowly over time, made to live in fear for your life and the lives of those you love or been made to believe that you are, in fact, worthless. The worst damage people like OPs husband do isn't physical, it's emotional and mental. Her mother was willing to pay for the divorce but she was so worried for her mother's safety from this lunatic that she was willing to endure additional abuse to keep her mother safe. You berating her for something she already regrets is simply blaming the victim and encourages other people to NOT come forward. Many people who are abused (not saying this is necessarily the OPs stance) state that their abuser is quite charming at first, a "catch". Slowly, over time the verbal and emotional abuse escalates but they still say, "s/he's so great, and they've never hurt me!". Then the first time comes and they are physically abused. They are so shocked that it happened and "it's never happened before" that they write it off. It happens again, a few months go by and it happens again...and again....and again. At this point it is happening at an alarming frequency but by this point, the battered person is so broken, so ashamed at not recognizing what was initially happening, that they stay silent. The victim blames themself. THEN, in worst case scenarios, they begin to actually believe what the abuser says. They believe they deserve this. They believe they messed up, believe they are worthless, believe they are at fault. Frankly, as much as I want to judge and blame someone for their past mistakes, I can NOT sit by and blame a battered person for their poor decisions regarding their abuser. It's not right and it's not fair. msgenie- you've been given some great advice already. The only thing I can add to it is that you've already given him power and control over 50 years of your life. He is gone now and you can finally live. Try to NOT let his ghost take any more of your life from you. You only get one life, one chance at this big game; make it count. Regret nothing, learn from it.

Thanks again everyone. It was a great success. Everyone seemed to have a good time. There were lots of kids which made it feel really special for me as mine are rapidly growing up. Way too much food as most of you predicted but my mom has a big crew of grandkids over at her cottage so I sent lots over there to be eaten today. The weather held. It was a bit cool but kids still swam and there were no bugs (very surprising for this neck of the woods). Burgers were good but I do wish I had taken advice to do pulled pork in a crockpot just because some guests came and went all afternoon and I felt like they would have eaten if food was out. There were about five families here for burgers and dogs and there were lots of snacks and appies for those who left early. My stove up and died this week (it was also celebrating its 52nd bday) but I didn't really need it. One friend brought a great appetizer. I think I may start another recipe thread and post it there Sadly, it gets dark so late here, no one was awake for fireworks. We agreed to have everyone back later in the summer when the sun sets earlier for a big show. All in all a success with such great suggestions from everyone here.