I have enjoyed watching Gary’s shows on TV for many years and I’d continue to watch him if they’re still available. He teaches the viewers the asthetic application of curves in landscape designs. It’s the simplicity and fail-safe techniques that are valuable. His concepts work universally regardless of what zones or even countries you’re in. Of course, the basic understanding of zoning in relation to plants choices are essential in successful execution of landscape designs is neccesary to appreciate his great work. He repeatedly let viewers know where he was working and it is understandable that he would choose plants that showed proven success. His concepts in designs are applicable to everyone, one just need to do a little home work to find out what plants do well in his or her area and what lighting, water requirement, soil acidity/alkalinity, size (height and width), light requirements, etc for desired plants to achieve an ultimate successful and beautiful designer landscape like he does!! I really wish his shows are still on TV!! It’s such a joy and relaxing experience to watch his shows as always!! Hope all is well with Gary and his family!!

Here's my two cents worth (my Master's degree thesis in Landscape Architecture was in creating an edible landscape). First of all, evaluate your community for demand for this type of work. Then evaluate your ability to market yourself, and to create a solid business plan. Although it sounds like nice job, getting paid for doing something you love, and creating beautiful spaces for people, the real trick is getting clients who are willing to pay for your services and then the biggest issue of actually getting paid. Everyone thinks that if they watch HGTV they can design and install their dream garden in a weekend. If people love a beautiful garden they probably already work on it and don't want design work. If people don't love their garden, they probably aren't willing to pay someone to design a garden or install it. People will spend much more money on their houses than the garden (understandably), and if budget cuts need to be made the landscape is the first to go. You have to find clients who like a beautiful garden, have the income to pay a designer/installer. That can be tricky, depending on your location. That could be a business professional who likes to use their outdoor space for relaxation, or hosting parties. Put it this way: would YOU hire a garden designer? How much would you pay? How many people do you know who have hired garden designers? How many people have asked you if you know a good garden designer? People also don't just want design, they want the project installed. Finding clients who are willing to find their own labor to install your designs will be challenging. So you might consider either working into your business a ground crew to install your designs, or work with an installation company (and keep an eagle eye on them that they actually install what you design instead of making it an easier and cheaper install). Most of the landscape construction company bosses/managers that I've met speak Spanish fluently. You have to be able to really target and market your business. If you are confident that you can do this, go for it! You could also try to find a job with an architecture firm or big landscaping firm to do design. Most architecture firms will want a landscape architect. Do a job search and see what is out there. I could go on, but that's enough.

When a marriage is in "trouble" and there is bickering and arguing going on between the parties, then there is still hope. The arguments occur because one or both parties still feel something for each other and want to fix what is wrong. It may not be the right way to go about it but the desire is still there. Many couples argue and fight and continue to stay connected. Perhaps it is their style but not a healthy one. The warning sign that your spouse is detaching and disengaging from you is when the arguments about your issues stop. When that happens it basically means that your spouse has given up. Men often times lack insight and think that just because their wife stopped beating the dead horse that everything is now fine and dandy. Not very bright women might think the same thing as well. When the spouse gives up and their personal problems which were the fuel for all the prior arguments do not resolve and never addressed in any sort of emotionally intelligent way then the marriage becomes at risk for divorce and/or infidelity. People who grew up in dysfunctional homes and that can mean anything from violence, emotional/physical abuse, yelling and screaming, unkindness, etc, do not learn the right way to treat themselves and others. They carry that baggage into all aspects of life later on including their marriages. They have been hurt by it and try to control their spouses in order to avoid further hurt. They do not trust and don't feeling deserving of it either. Men who grew up in homes where their father philandered feel that it is normal to cheat. Their family of root is their paradigm. Women who lost their fathers to affairs, can also repeat the cycle by tempting married men. Perhaps with the vindictive desire to get back at their fathers and destroy marriages. I think that as a result they feel damaged and dirty and feel everyone is the same as they are so why bother? Obviously, that is not a pleasant way to feel. Constantly on alert. Always measuring yourself from an outside ruler that is constantly changing. No internal mechanism upon which to judge. No wonder they cheat and argue and fight. Their emotions cause them to trip over their intelligence. Doomed to live an unhappy and defeated life! Actually, we are all at risk when we tie the knot. It is a crap shoot. You really have to know what you are getting into when you get married and being "in love" clowds our minds when we make our choices. That's just life.

I came here to find info and boy oh boy did I! I found that some of the info here is REALLY biased in favor of the new wife. Before I continue, I want you to know that I'm on both sides of the fence. I'm an ex w/child & I'm think'n of marry'n a man with an ex w/child who manipulates & controls as well. So, I can see both sides. To organic_maria; when I read parts of your post, my blood boiled. How do you think that you and your husband can go and take away from another child because you now have one of your own. Ya can't do that! If he could not afford 2 children then he should not have had another baby! But you CAN NOT rob Peter to pay Paul! You can not take from one household to put into yours. I don't care what "SHE" has. That baby is "HIS" responsiblity as well. Unfortunately, you won't get this (foolish lady) until after he breaks his vows & divorces YOU, leaves YOU w/children, remarry's & has children by his new wife & then takes food out of YOUR child's mouth to be able to feed his new family at the command of his NEW WIFE. Therefore, a reduction in CS is not go'n to happen. Allow that man to pay what it is he's supposed to pay for his child. That's the right of the child...to be supported by both parents. You(foolish lady) are ask'n for conflict w/his ex when you do silly things as such. Do NOT help him to runaway from his financial responsibilites in order to make you happy. It's bad enough that the child has lost it's full time father. In these situations, you can't have it all. Don't put him in that position of taking away from one child to give to another. You'll stress out your marriage...even more. Next, the ex probably has a good reason as to why she's so nasty towards him. I'm not say'n that being vendictive is right but maybe he did somethings to hurt her deeply during their marriage; you don't know, you were not there. You just know what he's told you & choose to believe him because you love him and of course he would NEVER lie! And, that may be true, maybe he doesn't lie to you. Maybe he's a "good man" NOW, but what was he like years ago before you met him? What was he like during his first marriage before all of the lessons he's learned at her expense? Again, I'm not say'n that she should be an evil **** but karma is a MF! If ya don't want it to grow, then don't sow the seed. I can't mistreat a dog & not expect to get bitten at some point. I just think that MAYBE....just MAYBE he should go to his ex & try to make things right. I'm not say'n get back together w/her because what's done is done, but if there's still bitterness there then there's some unfinished business. And with many of YOU being WOMEN, I would think that YOU would encourge that! All of these excuses as to why your ex stayed with such a "witch" is nonsense, he stayed because he wanted to stay. He married her because he wanted to marry her...unless she was into some kind of spiritual voo-doo & put a hex on him? There's always 2 sides to a story and all of you are all hyped up on what "he" said. Yeah, he's tell'n you about all of her skeletons but he's not say'n much about his is he? He was an angel! And, I betcha on her side, she's tell'n her new guy about all of his skeletons and how he was so aweful to her w/o tell'n how she pulled a knife on him in his sleep & set the bed on fire! My point here is don't be so dang on biased. I know you're angry...I get that but you don't know her so why are you angry at "HER"? Because she get's a certain % of his income in which she's entitled too? Because "HE", your husband is weak and easily controlled. Because "HE" your husband feels guilt? Hmmmmm, and why is that? Why does he feel guility if he did noth'n wrong? Your husband needs to man up & accept responsiblity for his part in their failed marriage & try to make things right. Again, not say'n allow her to manipulate, but he needs to put all of his cards on the table & apologize for "HIS" part...because dispite what "HE" say's. He had a part! This way maybe some of her bitterness will fade unless she's really just a certified mental case. And, even if she is maybe he can assist w/that. Maybe the both of you can assist with that. Divorce is hard on EVERYBODY. You as a woman should feel some empathy...her marriage failed & him as the father of his child/ren should care just a bit because let's face it. She is the mother of his child/ren & her child/ren LOVES HER & HE loves his children. NOTH'N you do or say will EVER change that. Do something as his current wife to try and encourage peace & get off of your "what about me" soap boxes. In reality, he should have never moved on to a YOU until he was done with HER. And, I mean completely done and I'm not talk'n about a certain time span. You can be divorces from your spouse for 20yrs and still have unfinished business. I came here to try & find some good information and sadly to say, there wasn't much maturity here. Being someone who's been on both sides of the fence, I encourage my guy to do the right things by his children and even his ex. I'm not into sowing seeds of hatred, bitterness and anger. If an "I'm sorry" on his part can help that woman to heal then by all means, apologize & then maybe she can find some happiness and we can go on with our lives!