I remember my grandmothers garden full of sweet williams,foxgloves,pansies,artemisia,tiger lilies,old fashioned shrub roses and a plant that grew by our front door that she called golden balls.When fully flowered it had round yellow balls on long stems that looked similar to a peony just before it fully opens.I have never seen it anywhere since.I guess you could say she had a 'cottage'garden long before that term was used. Eliza Ann

Sounds like others have nests going on right now too! Such fun, I sure hope she is able to hatch them this year. Last year they did not hatch and she quit sitting the nest. I am now debating taking the roses out after she is off the nest. They really look pretty when in bloom, but sure cause problems for painting. Thinking maybe planting annual vines there instead. What do you think? I could move one of the roses to the "porch without a house" as I took the grape vine off a couple years ago. Right now I only have 2 clematis growing on it. I will have to really cut the roses down so that we can get behind it to paint. Will not look like picture below when I cut done cutting it. But what else can I do? We changed colors on the house. This area was supposed to be painted last year, but it got too late and the rose was ready to bloom, so put off painting until this spring. Well, spring was so early with cold nights, that we could not paint then either....

Well I thought about what bird gardener said, and making another smaller mushroom just wasn't going to happen, too labor intensive. Then I remembered I had bought supplies 2 Christmasses ago to make gnomes who would have little german spun cotton mushrooms with them. I dug them out and they are the exact same red that I painted mine. So here is my first completed ornament. I have 22 red and white homemade and 2 doz of the little ones! I have 12 or 13 not yet completely painted AND I discovered what i had forgotten: a doz PINK little spun cotton mushrooms. They are not the right color pink to go with the 12 roses mushrooms, but I think I have the right color pink that I can make the unpainted ones. My friend Linda had this old wreath that looks like grass which I will use for the red and white at least. Back to $7. I have so much to do today. Kathy

You are dealing with an old fashioned bully. Bullying always stems from insecurities. You are doing the right things. You have kept an open mind, taken responsibility for your own mistakes and are willing to move forward, with everyone, for the sake of your child. This SM has some serious demons and you cannot help nor change her. In a perfect world everyone would be adult and put the childs needs and best over all welfare first. Unfortunately this is not a perfect world. You are a good mother, that is all you can be. Certainly monitor your child closely. Analyze her attitude and behaviors when she comes home from a visit with SM. Keep communication open with her, without poisoning her mind. No one wins from that. You are a loving and caring mother, wanting only what is best for your child. Even if that means "sharing" your role as mother with someone else. Not easy. I am in the same boat. Give yourself more credit, you are not only strong, but honorable. Strength is not about being able to yell, cuss and belittle someone, even getting physical. Strength in character is a MILLION times more valuable and honorable! Hold your head high honey, you get it. The child comes first, you totally get it! Good for you! She will see it and feel it every day. You can keep your child safe and secure with open communication. Having said that I must say I am kind, but not weak. If SM ever comes at you again, take her out! LOL