Thanks for all your comments and support. I appreciate it. This is so way beyond my skill level that Im really nervous about making costly mistakes. Marie, LOLOL "at least they dont talk back or ask for keys to the car." Sue, Deanne, a lot of the design ideas were mine which is why I was so upset w/the designer. I wanted that Weeping Norway Spruce by the front porch, evergreens perhaps Azaleas in the courtyard, boxwood curves, blue spruce shrub/red maple combo (I wanted Acer "Shaina" b/c it stays small but no one has it here), and a tall ornamental behind the pear I asked for Jane or tri-colored beech. Also on my list of OK plants was W&R Weigelas. He extended and redefined the edge of the beds which I liked, and came up with the placement of the blue spruce and Weigelas. He also suggested Fireglow which was the only small upright maple I could find but he had it placed so that it would block the courtyard and the spruces behind as it grew. Tom & I moved that maple around and redug the hole several times before it got planted. Next to the maple, he had 3 dappled willow, Hakuro Nishiki. I liked the plant and texture, but after researching found that it needs constant pruning to keep its color and it often greens-out. Thus, instead I put the rescued daphne there. He suggested the sumac but had 3 instead of one specd. The jury is still out on the sumac for all the reasons you guys stated. Since I got it for $20, its no biggie if it doesnt work out. I wanted evergreens at the end of the beds and he specd Birds Nest Spruce. I like them, but theyre ho-hum and I think I need bright and color against the boxwood and Jane behind. Mary, thats great to know that Jane" has settled in nicely for you. I cant wait to see it when it blooms. What I heard from various nurseries is that the plants in the little girl series havent read the labels. At the nursery where I bot Jane, they have some gorgeous, huge, Betty and Jane, some 15 in diameter. But they can be pruned. Thanks T, and Marian. It has been alot of work, even without the stumps and dumps to clean up. Deanne, Ive heard and read various things about the size of the Weeping Norway Spruce. Its supposed to be a slow-grower, so size hopefully wont be a problem in my lifetime. I like the way the lower branches spread out like a skirt. Im keeping it staked so the leader will grow upright a little more before it starts to weep. Funny, I thot of you when moving those boulders. The two on the end are just there temporarily. I do plan to dig them in when I decide where theyre going. Yesterday, a friend gave me a tip on moving them buy a couple pieces of sheet metal and slide them! Could work! Thanks Michelle. You, Deanne and I are on the same wavelength about the container. I moved that one there for temporary color and found I liked it. I love Marties idea of cascading petunias out of a container. It would work well there if I found the right urn. I also like the idea of incorporating more containers, but Im not sure where. Hmmm. Any ideas on perennials in the courtyard? I thot of echoing the varigation of the azaleas by adding Hosta Patroit or Fire and Ice, or Lamium White Nancy. There might be too much sun tho. Here are some plants I need places for or can redirect out front: Leucanthemum Highland White Dream 2 Hemerocallis 'Romantic Returns' and 2 When My Sweetheart Returns 3 Heliopsis Loraine Sunshine 1 Deep Purple Magic Fountain Delphinium 1 Lt. Blue Magic Fountain Delphinium Hosta plain dk. Green w/yellow edge, sun-tolerant 1 Hemerocallis Big Smile (lt lemon yellow) Bearded Iris, yellow and deep blue (from Jain) 1 Sedum Frosty Morn 5 Sedum Purple Emperor Tons of Hermocallis Happy Returns See why Im overwhelmed? I need more room to plant these treasures!

Wow, so many roses to transport too, Karen! Keeping my fingers crossed all will be smooth moving for you. As soon as I got your email I let Jim know you had written on your thread! I was going to write, but the scary truth is that I woke up at 4:33 p.m. (am battling this terrible chest cough, sore throat and meds have been knocking me out) and then saw your email. Then I had to do rush emergency planting right before the thunderstorm hit (just received roses from Palatine yesterday) and I needed to get everything into the ground before the storm. Well all that labor caused me to get sick again around 8:50 p.m. which is why I didn't write back yet... But I'm real happy that Jim has helped write for me, lol! Karen, I just don't see how you can do all this hard work! I had to throw up my hands and give up many a time....My soil in unbroken new ground is as hard as a rock and basically needs a jackhammer it seems...I just can't get my shovel into that rock hard clay. It's been soooo frustrating...And Australia just seems very desertlike, and it would take great strength to dig into that soil I'm thinking..... I am so glad Ray had real good foresight on providing for you and the girls when he knew he had cancer; and that you could purchase the Tasmania property. With this place that you can take time to develop while you maintain your current home. Be sure to update us on your progress. Smiles and hugs, Serena

We need a task master, Harold! Lol! I don't weigh in for 2 more weeks, but wanted to show support for those who did. I have been eating right, packing healthy lunches, having a good breakfast and writing down everything I eat. For me, it's all in the planning I went out and bought a new pair of jeans, size 9!! I couldn't believe it. Sure feels great! Here's to a successful week for all of us!

I am not stepping on the scales until Jan. 1, and then and only then will I start on my journey again to be all that I can be .... but lots smaller.. I got 25 lbs. to lose.. (at least).. But now if y'all don't mind my stopping in here this month yet, and cheering y'all on... I was wondering what you each were doing to drop the weight.. Carolyn