I plan on all three. The latter will take some extra time and funding, though. I am currently deciding whether to use Aeroponics or Hydroponics for it. I have heard that Aero is slightly better but Hydro is more reliable. I live in Chicago so if there's a power outage like the ones from the Tornadoes the other day, then I don't want the plants to die. Aeroponics is often very hard to assemble individual parts into a well-working system, and the individual parts can be expensive as well. Also, the fine-spray emitters will instantly clog if you try to use anything except high quality hydroponic fertilizers (no organics). Of all the hydroponics growing systems, this is the most difficult to master and the most tempermental. Ph changes and nutrient imbalances occur more quickly because of the increased absorbtion rates and high levels of oxygenation. Furthermore, with no grow media to protect the roots, the plants react negatively to these changes much more quickly.

I am amazed at the friends I have here. I want to state that first and foremost. I am also in tears at the thoughtfulness, friendship and caring that has been shown to me. Dan, you are a wonderful friend for having thought of such a wonderful surprise and "cheer me up"! I have gotten a package from Dan, Linda and one today from Vic. You guys have no idea just how much it has touched not only me, but Cliff and the kids as well. From Dan I received: Shasta Daisy Musky Purple Columbine Mixed Datura Millet Grass- is this the tall one? Dianthus White Turtlehead- which has been on my wants list for some time and will be going in near my Snapdragons! and a wonderful note to cheer me up with smiley faces all over it :) From Linda I received: Seed envelopes Purple/white datura New England Aster Larkspur- unknown color Yellow Bells Trumpet Bush Chinese Lanterns Mammoth Sunflower Snapdragons- Tall Deluxe Mix Zinnia- Lilliput- something I've been thinking about adding for a bit! :) Flower stickers! Bookmark with the sun and moon!How well my friends know me! For those that don't know, I am Wiccan and my guiding symbol is the Moon. and another wonderful cheer up note! From Vicky: Charleston Gray Watermelon Jaradale Pumpkin- which I will have to look up, never heard of it Cilantro Pumpkin- Jack O' Lantern California Blackeyed pea Fennel Snapdragons- tall mixed Helianthus Microcephalus Hosta- Drk Green large leaved Black eyed Susan Queen Anne's Lace Dusty Miller- the boys will take this one from me, they ADORE Dusty Millers! Broom Corn- will be great for fall decorations next year! Cosmos- Single Sensation Mix Lufa gourd- I need more of these than the two I have now! Cleome Wild Sunflowers that grow all over where Vic lives :) Kale- Dwarf Blue Curled Spinich- Giant Noble Basil- Purple African Iris fan- no ID, unknown color Daylily fan- no ID unknown color- I enjoy surprises and can't wait to see what colors these are! A copper colored bird shaped decorative hanger with jacket hooks :) and another wonderful note reminding me of the wonderful things in my life to hold to when the world seems to be going nuts. You guys are the most wonderful friends I could imagine! The generosity of this brings tears to my eyes :) Thank you so very much!! HUGS, Kathy

OK, I've been blaming it on my husband, but I'm just not a fan of the air bath experience. I'd prefer a soaker, but if I have to get something with action, I prefer targeted jets. I find the "whole body" massage of air baths kind of annoying. Its just not my thing . I do like to put my foot or shoulder directly against a water jet for a deep massage, then move out of the way... I like whirlpools with 6-8 jets that I can choose to use for a few minutes in a specific area, or not The Kohler Riverbaths look great, but the round ones are too big. We need to stay under 55" (round) I like the Sanijet 660, but my contractor is weary because of feedback he's had from another vendor. They say they installed one for a client, but when there were problems it was difficult to resolve because there wasn't a local contact to take responsibility, no local service people familiar with the product, etc. Currently looking at Duravit Blue Moon. Anyone with experience or other suggestions? Cost is high, but installation costs would be lower than other options because it comes with a deck and has te same footprint as our existing tub.

Just shooting from the hip here, going line by line through your post: The pillows that came with the couch ARE pretty, but I'd still change them, or add to them. The smallest ones are too small. The rug is too small and pale for this floor and your furniture. If you're really committed to it, pull the couches forward so their front legs are on the rugs, and then adjust the recliners to suit.This may also help both couches share a coffee table or ottoman. Or you may not need one at all. (I'd prefer not to have one in your arrangement. As for family pics on canvas, I want those, too! What scale and where to put them I can't say because I can't see the walls of the room. Can you take a shot of each wall? Big vases where? I tried corner lamps in my living room (similar layout, as we've said) It didn't look right. And at night, I didn't like having lamps on next to the TV. Also, and this is a "me" thing, I didn't like having all the "electronic stuff" on one wall. Too much like a wall-sized entertainment center. A sofa table could work, but I'm so into balance, I'd need one behind each couch. You have a built-in ~what~ with nothing in it? And where is it? Is the pass-through of this room behind the recliners? How much space is there from behind the recliners to the next wall or piece of furniture? Each recliner should share a side table with the couch next to it, and the tables should be round, not square. I'm big into plants, so I'd make sure to put some in front of those windows. I love your floor and am exceedingly jealous. Here are some pics of the pool. I took pictures from the beginning to the end of the process, but I'm assuming you want to see the pool and not the process. This is a picture of the pool the day it finished filling, which is why the water looks green, no chemicals yet. Hardly any landscaping is done. And notice how the close edge of the photo shows the deck meeting the dirt that used to be grass. This shows the pool and deck in relation the the back of the house. See how the water is finally blue? And you see a peek of the brick patio I put down after my hubby graded the dirt for me. I'm very proud of that! And this shows the other side, how the ground slopes away, and how much yard we still have left over. I'm just starting to work on landscaping. See the finished patio? Also, the iron fence-work and three brick columns are done, but none of these pictures show it. Same sorta angle, but from an upstairs window. This view is from standing in the ~other~ back corner of the yard. It's beautiful, but not done (like everything else) We still need to paint the trim and door of the screened porch, finish landscaping the dirt slope, and build steps where you can see the grass ends at the patio. My husband wasn't open to a pool at all, either. I started jokingly telling him, "I'm not broke, and I'm not asking," and "Great. I'll use MY half of OUR money to pay for it." Finally, I put an ugly pop-up pool in the yard, and kept it there for two years, then replaced it with the same thing when it wore out. By the time that one died two years later, he was sold on a real pool. I did all the maintenance for the pop up, and I do all maintenance for this pool. But that meant I could design and build exactly what I wanted. I even created the shape myself! Here's the eyesore that caused him to give in.