I would like to know more about where you are in the life of your family and your landscape plans. Meaning, more about short-term vs. long-range goals. For example, if you are only fond of a hedge or wall there because of the kids, and if it weren't for that you would prefer a different design, it might make sense to leave and spruce up/rejuvenate the existing hedge until your children are older, and meanwhile achieve some other landscape goals that could co-exist with that (whether that be curb appeal, flowers for cutting, potager garden toward the street; or, do you have in mind, maybe from some other home landscape you've admired, and have the budget for, a totally preferred concept such as the stone wall idea, or a preferred hedge species, which works for you with kids or no kids.

Hi rhizo - happy spring no, I don't think it's fireblight although last season, one of my trees - one that grew wild on it's own and I'm not sure what it is - definitely looked like it had fire blight in August. Burned out branches that curled at the ends etc. I cut it back accordingly and so far, this season, that particular tree looks fine and the new leaves look healthy. It's only this plum tree that is exhibiting deformed and discolored leaves. The pear tree has a few deformed leaves...not many...but it is the tree closest to the plum. I wanted to upload a picture of the pear leaf, but they only allowed one picture upload. You can see pictures of the Pear leaves here: http://www.mihaus.com/images/PearTreeLeaf.jpg http://www.mihaus.com/images/PearTreeLeaves.jpg Although it doesn't look like the same issue that the plum tree has, I am concerned since they were so close to each other. Jean, thanks for your response. I'm certainly no expert by any means but I've read that there are a few diseases they can share, so I'm concerned. I've been spraying diligently with agrimycin for the past few weeks, and just yesterday I started to spray with neem oil. Since I posted yesterday I decided to just get rid of the plum tree since it's been a problem from the day I bought it and before the weather gets any warmer and the rain and humidity pass the disease around I'm going to remove it from the roof. Now my big concern is my Pear tree. Please take a look at the pictures. Thanks Here is a link that might be useful:

I have not used OE in ages so may not have every thing right but don't you have up at the top the File button? when you click on the file button one of the options should be print, when you select print it opens the printer options box, there you can select the dot in front of selection which will have it print only what you have hilighted. You may have to hit the reply button or forward button to be able to hilight the attachment if it is embedded in the email, that would really depend on just what kind of attachment you are talking about. If it happens to just be the text in the email body then you should be able to hilight that easily and do the print selection, I know I can do that on my hotmail. someone with some OE expertise will know more than I do for sure, I have not used OE since probably 97.

What about something like this? It puts the Prep Zone on the peninsula and the range nearby. The range is protected and still against a wall for (1) less expensive, easier, and more effective venting and (2) far enough away from visitors that they won't get splattered by grease or have steam/smoke/odors in their face. You also have 42"+ of workspace b/w the prep sink & range for prepping...a good amount of space. You also have some space on the other side of the prep sink for setting things down and reducing the chances of pushing things off onto the floor. The prep sink will also provide a place for hand washing without having to go deep into the kitchen. It does close off the kitchen more, but it also provides more separation of zones. The only real drawback I see is that you will prepping in the only entrance to the kitchen...but perhaps a 49" aisle will be enough...I don't know if it will be for you, only you can answer that. It does, however, give you your "inclusion" with others for 80% of your work...prepping + cooking. You might consider either glass doored upper cabinets or no cabinets b/w the refrigerator & sink to reduce the "cave" issue. With glass doored cabinets (or none) plus the large window plus good lighting, I don't think the corner near the refrigerator will be much of a "dark cave". Layout #4: Layout #4 w/Zones: Notice how well separated the zones are and no zone-crossing. This layout would allow up to 4 people to work comfortably in the kitchen...Cleanup in front of the main sink, Prepping at peninsula, Cooking at the corner range, and Prepping or MW cooking b/w the range & main sink. BTW...that MW could be mounted on a shelf below upper cabinets on that run if you prefer that setup.