Oh, you could do so many things. If it's not exposed to harsh, drying conditions, you could do azaleas, which are beautiful both in bloom and out of bloom. I would do roses, I think, if you have the sunlight. Fragrant roses that bloom nearly all season. They require some effort on your part, but seeing their beauty and catching the heady scent of fragrant rose blossoms as you walk in the door is a joy. And those pots aren't too big for them. This is a picture of a David Austin rose (David Austin roses are beautiful and often fragrant): This post was edited by lelia on Wed, May 15, 13 at 12:10

Neal. That is one beautiful specimen and I can understand it being one of your favorites. Nice compact shape and gorgeous caudex. I would carefully rinse off old soil and pot up with Gritty Mix. My preference is clay (terra cotta) for a pot. As these plants get bigger and with the weight of the gritty mix, I find that plastic or other lighter weight pots may need to be used if having to be moved in. I prefer closer to 2" of space around edge between caudex and rim of the pot, but no more. You can raise it a bit. I think the amount really becomes an issue of personal taste and visual effect. I prefer the appearance of keeping an " ^ " shape to a " : : " shape with out it becoming " v ". This just my personal choice. Hope some of this helps, Rick

I've been looking and looking, and what I think may be ridiculous based on the amount of natural light your kitchen gets and in which direction its window is facing. (for example, ours is true north facing and gets no direct sun -- it casts a v. "cold," grey feeling on everything in there) However, with that big fat caveat out of the way: I now think painting the living and dining rooms the Herbal Green, the arch (all of it, both sides) the Hazelnut and the kitchen the Blue Spruce could be great. And this is why: the Herbal Green is soothing and subtle but still has a presence. I also think it will frame your gorgeous windows and views and totally set-off your fireplace. The Hazelnut I like because I just really like it! It is so warm, such a happy (but not in-your-face happy, if you know what I mean) color and its tone totally makes sense with the Herbal Green (neither are jarring, both appear to have similar dusky undercurrents), plus I think it'll subtly highlight your new arch. The Blue Spruce I like because, again, I think it "makes sense" with the Herbal Green and the Hazelnut (because of its tone) and it helps set the kitchen apart somewhat -- somewhat, because you don't want anything too crazy when all the spaces are open to one another. I don't think you'll actually have lots of room for the Blue Spruce, right? Because it's a darker, bolder color I think that can work to your benefit in the kitchen: it will highlight the blue-ish feeling in your basalt slate countertop and echo the earthy feeling of your cork and hardwood floors, all without overpowering / darkening the space. At least, in my mind's eye of your house that's what I'm seeing. My youngest is now up so off I go! Take care of yourself, -Brooke

I just wanted to add my two cents... One thing I noticed is that, Sweeby, you are talking about a "normal" relationship with your DS and his stepmother. You are not an alcoholic, you are not a manipulative, lying, awful person like the BM of LH's SS!! You care about your DS and his wellbeing, this BM cares about manipulating everyone involved!! You gave me some INCREDIBLY good advice on here a little while ago, about my very manipulative teen stepdaughters, their very very manipulative BM and my DH's reactions to their actions. The BM of my two SDs does NOT care what would be best for her kids , and, LH's SS's BM is very much the same, as far as I can tell. Women like these BM's care ONLY about "how can we make trouble, how can we make DH miserable and his new wife/family along with him"!!. I don't think for a second that this BM cares about what is best for her son, she cares only about what is best for HER. We have been down this road and she would just attempt to manipulate everyone around her. If DH's daughters had been younger when we had gotten together, he always says he would have fought for full custody and maybe they would have turned out differently. He is not proud of what they are. I think it is in LH's best interests to not be alone with SS BUT I also think that BM is very HAPPY that SS is not spending time alone with you LH. You could tell by the phone call that you described that she made to SS while SS was in the car with your DH. She is playing a game with you, your DH, and your family with SS and DD, but you are unfortunately being forced to play back. Have you and DH ever considered trying for full custody? I am not sure that you would win, but this BM is EMOTIONALLY abusing her son and you guys are caught in her cycle of abuse. As someone else mentioned, if you think this poor little boy has problems now, wait until he is 13....Does anyone else know she is an alcoholic? ie. her family, coworkers, friends, etc...In the meantime, why not find a daycamp as some others suggested, and don't beat yourself up about this, you didn't DO ANYTHING wrong!! And your DD deserves to have a fun summer...and it would be good to say to SS "I love our time together, but I don't want to be alone with you right now because you made up some stories about me that weren't true." Even if he is 7, he knows what he did was wrong and he needs to be accountable for his actions. Sorry this is so long, I am going to get that book too! PS.Sweeby, I told my DH I am not his messenger-girl/mediator/buffer/rug and that he should not allow himself to be manipulated by his ex's or by his kids'!! :D I am working hard on "me" again and trying hard to let him deal with his issues with his kids...:)