Ornithogalums??? Oh vetivert, you are bad, but Ornithogalum is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of spring chores and getting to work outside, usually in late Feb. Now I realize my question could have and should have been phrased a lot better. How about this? If the Bulb Forum members would submit their (own) pics of plants and blooms grown from bulbs for a new forum picture, what should it be? . Should it be open to anything grown from bulbs? Should it maybe exclude such things that have more 'specific' forums of their own, such as Lily, Tropical, and House Plant? Should it be an individual bloom, or as you suggested, maybe a still life flower arrangement of numerous delectable blooms grown from bulbs? Please 'scuse me for just having tunnel vision and tunnel thoughts of just Daffodils. At any rate, the folks who are having their spring now, can hopefully be trying to get some great pics. Ok...so when does anyone think we could/should start taking picture submissions? Should we wait until late 2010 so glads could be included by those in the US who grow them? Should we wait a full year (or nearly) so the members down under have an opportunity to have another summer blooming season, like for glads? hmmm...what is fairest? I guess before proceeding, I should check with the 'Powers that be' to see for sure if they would be willing to get the pic changed and updated with a pretty pic of our choosing. I hope lots of folks will give their input and in time, post their pics for entry. In doing a search here on the forum, it seems that Tulips and Daffs are the 2 things most often posted about. I imagine though that tulips are most frequently asked about, due to them having problems, or emerging early, or for not blooming a second season when they are thought to be perennials like daffodils. Here is a spring 2009 pic of a bouquet of Daffodil Show rejects. Hopefully in 2010, I can put together a much better arrangement and pic. Sue...hoping/planning to start daff planting today...maybe

Someone was building one of these last May - should be finished by now. Check the link below for the thread in which it is discussed. "Otomatoo" was building one and seemed thrilled with it, even though it wasn't finished yet. Perhaps whe would respond to an e-mail from you asking how it's going? Diane Here is a link that might be useful: BH&G Greenhouse thread

Thanks again for everyones kind thoughts and words. As Jenellecal mentioned there are lien laws in California that if not followed correctly afford the sub contractor no rights to lien. So last week I wrote our problem subs a very detailed letter referencing California Civil Codes pertaining to sub contractors and lien rights. I reminded them that they NEVER filed a 20 day pre-lien, therefore they had no rights to place a lien on or property. I also mentioned that if they did place a lien and it was considered "false" (which it would be with no pre-lien), we would have to have an attorney expunge the false lien from our records and would have recourse to go after the claimants for up to $2,000 in legal fee compensation. We haven't heard from them. Hopefully, they got the message.

Overall it's a small, solid plan. Here are a few thoughts ... the biggest topic, I think, is storage: - I would widen the laundry room instead of lengthening it. If you widen it just one measly foot, you can have a whole wall of floor-to-ceiling shelves (note red box indicating massive storage in this space -- could be simple open), giving you a huge amount of storage for that small addition of square footage. - I added the green box at the end of the laundry room to indicate a perfect spot for a window seat. I know, it's not a need in this spot, but it would be lovely thing with windows above and storage space below. I'm imagining that you'd typically enter the house through the laundry room, and this would be a very nice sight line as you enter the house. - I think you're stuck with the post in the dining room. I'd make it dark rustic wood and use the same type of wood over the mantle and/or in shelving somewhere else in the main living area. - I don't know that I'd add to the dining room. You have space for a small table now ... and when you have guests, it can be extended into the space that would normally serve as walking space to the laundry room (your guests won't be accessing that room. - I'd go with a pocket door between the laundry and the main living space. It's going to remain open most of the time anyway, so this is an ideal spot for such a door. - I agree with the poster above who says that the laundry would be better on the bedroom wing. You say this is a retirement house. I remember my grandmother could do her own laundry just fine ... but she had trouble carrying baskets of clothing down the hallway; the result was that she made many multiple trips with a tiny basket perched on her walker. Not the safest choice. - 24x24 is a good-sized garage for two cars and a family. I do think 3 bedrooms/2 baths is reasonable for resale ... but I wouldn't upsize a garage. - Master bath: You'll have plenty of space for a large shower, if you're dumping the tub. I'd bring it to the inside wall so that you can have a window over the toilet on the other side. You say this is your retirement home; pay close attention to your shower and make sure it's elderly-friendly ... you know, curb-free flooring, grab bars -- those things won't hurt you now, and at some point you'll need them. - Even if you were a double sink kind of gal, this vanity appears to be 5', and that's not really enough to support duplicate sinks. With one sink in this space, you'll have room for nice-sized drawers. - If you add a bump-out to the back of the house so that the master closet can have storage on both sides, you'll almost DOUBLE your closet storage. A bump-out with a shed dormer won't cost all that much. I'd go 2-3' and make both the closet and the bathroom a little wider /more comfortable. - If you're going to bump-out the bathroom (for the sake of the closet), I'd keep going and bump out the living room too. It's quite cozy as shown now ... and those extra 2-3' would give you some elbow room. This will also allow you to scootch the back door around to the edge between the kitchen and living room ... meaning that the door (and the door swing) would no longer fall in the living room /would not impede furniture placement. I've circled the door spot in red. I know, I know, you're saying, "But I'm only one person! I don't need a larger closet, bathroom, living room!" You intend to stay in this house. At some point you may bring in another person, or you may want to sell the house. This little bit of elbow room will be useful. And we're talking about a small amount of space for a fairly large payoff. - I agree that an exterior door in the master bedroom is a good feature, but I'd consider a sliding door instead of an inswing door (indicated with a red circle) because a swinging door /hinged door will impede furniture placement in this modest bedroom. - I'd lose the vaulted ceiling in the master bedroom. Personal opinion, but it's just not a space where I'd splurge. - Consider your windows. You could have add a small window on the side of the dining room. Light from two sides always makes a room look nicer. And with the bathroom bumped-out a bit, you can have windows on two sides there too. - My final suggestion is that you simplify the hall bath. Drop down to one sink (which will allow you space for a linen tower) and eliminate the mid-bath door.