I have the same problem, and solved it in a way that might be helpful to you. The local high school has a vocational ag program, and part of it is teaching kids to be landscape contractors. I talked to the teacher and he gave me some names of kids in the program he felt were able and responsible enough to do the job. I have a burly teenager coming over saturday to dig up overgrown shrubs, do heavy pruning, and to dig and divide perennials like miscanthus that are to much for me to do myself. He has been trained already to do this and is much cheaper than hiring someone from a local landscaper, which was what I would have had to do. If your local high school doesnt have a program, perhaps the local junior college would. Sue (ps I'm in Davis so you wouldn't be able to use the same source as I)

There are three things you can buy. Lincrusta costs a fortune -- it's from the 1800s and they use the original machines to make it, and one that printed wainscoting broke down last year and no parts to fix it. It's firm and hard and thick. Anaglypta costs a little less and is thicker than wallpaper but thinner than Lincrusta. These two products have the higher raises and deeper depths to them, Lincrusta having the most depth. The pictures I posted are Lincrusta, to my recollection. This is where I got the pictures I posted above, and there are many more here: http://www.lincrusta.com/ It does tell you how to achieve each technique (the basics at least). >Do you they make embossed wallpaper that is already completed and doesn't need painted? I don't know. If you mean like what I pictured above? No I don't think so. That is Lincrusta and it is hand painted. Drooooool, huh? Yeah, me too. I think it is stunning. I would use it on the lower half of the wall only, so it won't be overwhelming. This treatment is something I've been thinking about doing in my own bathroom, but I haven't done it yet. If you buy the Lincrusta from that site, I'll bet they would be happy to tell you exactly which paint to buy and how to achieve the effect you want BUT they are in England, so what they have there may not be the same as what we have here. If you learn which paint to use, please let me know. Here: http://www.wallpapersplus.com/product15766.html They have my favorite one (the one pictured in this post) ON SALE for only -- are you sitting down? -- $137.50 per roll! LOL Unpasted, of course. I have NO idea how to cut it to go around toilet pipes, as in, does it crumble if you bend it too much, etc? Dunno. I did get the beadboard wallpaper from this company and liked them very much and found the paper easy enough to apply (though you have to be careful not to tear it when it's wet). Perhaps this would work? http://www.grahambrown.com/us/product/17773/Large%20Damask%20Paintable%20Wallpaper I've been thinking on my budget I'd mess around with regular embossed wallpaper and paint and see what I could accomplish. Then again, I AM tempted to go in and measure and see if I could get by with just ONE roll of that Lincrusta. Naughty me. Because that stuff makes me go weak in the knees.

Well, I think it is sad that the world has come to this. All because of a bunch of ignornant people (nobody here) getting a breed they dont know a lick about, and dont give them what they need. I know Germany has a ban on many dog breeds including Dobies and German Shepherds...Sad, sad, sad. I know of incredibly responsible owers of dogs which are under the bully breeds and their dogs could not be more gentle and well behaved, and yet I know of dog owners who hae under 30 pound breeds (mostly accepted here in the apartment world) which are out of control yappy and aggressive towards any other animal or person. I know of a person who takes pitts out of the ring and works them into search and rescue dogs - this takes a tremendous amount of energy and dedication, and those dogs never go back to being aggressive towards anyone because they are now in the right environment with jobs to do and people to save. I had a heck of a time getting an apartment for my mastiff mix, i had to include a tremendous amount of paperwork including refs from my local humane society's behaviorist, It may be this is out of the managers hands due to insurance regluations. Tho I would ask if she might be willing to work with you on this. If so, I suggest your take your dog into a behaviorist to get it evaluated, and have the behaviorist write the management a letter. You never know what might work. I do think it is a shame there are biases towards these dogs, I also undrestand peoples concern. I know for a fact that many people in southern California bought bully breeds when the Night Stalker was on the prowl, they wanted cheap 24 hour protection - when the guy was caught, alot of people just opened up the gates to their yards and let their dogs (many with behavioral problems) go out to live for themselves in the street. I relaize this is a huge problem, but I fear for the future of these breeds deemed dangerous because they are not brought up in an environment where they get what they need. Any dog can turn viscious in an unhealthy environment or due to health problems...I dont like debating thsi because so many people are so passionate about this - for and against. I wish you luck in your search for a resolution with your dogs, and hope you can find someone or some place willing to work with you. Personally I think every dog should be evaluated on its personality, not its breed.

If she is receiving her nutrition in other ways, she may simply not feel the need to eat, and may not feel like eating, but is still keeping her nutrit I up. And I found with my loved ones that actual questions or statements were easier for them to answer in some fashion than "I love you" which, while nice to hear, doesn't demand a response. It is good medicine, though! (And I don't know about your mom, but mine would think "omg, if they are saying that to me I must be in bad shape." Lol) Many hugs to you, and listen to the doctors (thru your sister). It's hard to be far away, and it's hard to be the one who's right there, and it's used to be the one with POA, and the one without. And it's hard to be the string one. We all know. Bring it here.