Hi Greg, I'm in NC too, just outside of Chapel Hill. This has been a really rough year on tomato plants for some reason around here. I've had a bad time with fungus and many pests. Do a search on corn meal on this site. It inhibits growth of many soil fungi. It's best to use it in the soil before planting. I had an extra bag I needed to get rid of so I just came in from sprinkling it on the ground. I guess a little late is better than nothing. Also, Epsom Salts sprinkled around the plants every two weeks strenthens the root system and seems to keep the plant more decease resistent. Erin

We are planning on down pipe in our living room and dd's attic bedroom. I've just ordered drapes in a dark gold colour in raw silk for the living room. DD wants to do the doors in her room either a dark yellow colour or fuschia. I think either would look nice with downpipe. I'd keep the rug light (if you can live with a light coloured rug practicality-wise). So glad you posted pics. It is looking great. Everywhere I read talks about the changeability of this colour and it sounds like you are finding the same thing. Keep the pics coming.

I think the idea of a frame or base wallhanging that can be altered with the seasons is a neat idea. Although I think I'll be starting with a Spring theme, the idea that's floating around in my head is to do a doorhanging in a landscape scene with some little patches of mesh overlay so I can slip Scrabble letters into it, arranged in phrases. Because it would be changeable, I could change the phrase as needed. "Happy Valentines Day", "I'm in the garden", "Welcome, McNeeses", "Happy Trails to You", "Rain rain go away", "Happy Birthday, Jim!" whatever. Fun, right? I've been collecting Scrabble letter tiles for years so I'll have enough letters if I ever get to this particular project! I'll use the blank tiles to add punctuation (Sharpies write on anything). Does anyone need a Q? Kate

"The school already did evaluate him as much as possible now" So you already have 20+ pages of standardized test results? (WIPSI, WISC III, Kaufman, etc.) Because if they did a "Comprehensive Individual Assessment" as required by Federal law to properly assess for possible learning disabilities, that is what you'd have. Or did the school simply tell you they'd evaluated him? A few conversations with the counselor, some placement tests, work samples, teacher observation and evaluations. Because the latter approach is NOT sufficient to conclude that a child does or does not have learning disabilities. (Ask your cousin.) "I am sure if he has more issues this year, they will recommend further testing." I'd like to believe this is true, but have learned the hard way that it simply isn't. (Again, ask your cousin.) The public school system is exactly that -- a SYSTEM. A system designed to efficiently process a high volume of children through an educational program designed to benefit the majority of them. And as such, it's really pretty good. Truly. For the typical child with average intelligence who learns in the typical fashion. But put in a child who doesn't fit the pattern -- one who learns in a different way, who learns more slowly, who needs a different approach or 'fill-in' knowledge or skills. The public school system simply isn't designed for the needs of those children. I know I sound like I'm over-reacting. But talk to any involved parent of a child in Special Education and you will hear the same advice. If you passively wait for the school to initiate testing or to remediate problems, you will wait for many heartbreaking years. (Look at BioMom's school experience!) The school is NOT your enemy, and while it may sound like I view them that way, I genuinely don't. But you can't afford to rely on them to do anything other than 'the system' for your SS either. Your SS will get only as good an education as you through assertive involvement) insure that he gets. And extra assertiveness for these next two years will pay off BIG. If his reading and math issues are minor, you'll be able to CURE them in two years. If they're not minor, getting him good help early can head off a whole cycle of failure.