Hi Mami! What part of FL do you live? Does the low area hold water? How much sun do these areas get? What type of trees are around the fence? What do you envision other than a gazebo on the right? Are there types of gardens you prefer(butterfly, annuals, shade, tropical, cottage, veggie, etc)? Is that a deck with a seating area to be? I agree with Carol about the hardscape, gazebo, and the trees first. Things won't grow well on that slope, but what a great opportunity for a little terrace garden filled with good dirt for anything flowering/veggie you'd like to grow. You could even make the deck by the house your place for pretty potted plants/flowers if there is a hose bib nearby, and you will be inclined to water them. It would be nice to have color there you can view from inside the house. Vines I find carefree (I imagine with 3 kids this is a requirement) are coral honeysuckle, and depending on your zone, queen's wreath. Again, confederate jasmine depending on your zone. Other than that, vines can be a lot of work. Don't know about climbing roses- rose enthusiasts will have to chime in on ones that will do well in your zone and don't need spraying. Maybe ones with few thorns (?lady banks rose?). Please give us more info so we can give you better suggestions! Anna

Hi Everyone- 3 months ago I hurt my foot and I believe it is a Jones fracture of the 5th metatarcil.The Dr. I saw dismissed it as tendonitis, and gave me no info or help because the fracture didn't show up on the X-ray. He was supposed to get me an MRI and that was 2 months ago. AS it got much worse from walking on it I went a bought a boot. Make a long story short, the Dr office has been dreadfully unhelpful,(different people call back, lose orders, etc) and I am in severe pain and back in the boot when I thought it was getting much better a few weeks ago,. But I was packing and moving and bending over to carry heavy boxes and twisted my foot and now the bone is painful, red and swollen again. It hurts all night when I try to sleep. I have a hard time finding a new doctor. Should I go to an Urgent care. It has been over 3 months I have been incapacitated. I am a single Mom and have no one to help me or drive me. Driving every day hurts but I have to. I cannot get motivated to go in to Urgent care but think I must. Any advice? (I had also herniated a disc in my back last fall and it took 6 months to heal) I am 49 yr old female. Some of the other Dr office I called said they aren't taking new patients...What to do? I had done this to my foot by taking a leap up into the air and landing on it (the one foot) wrong (was trying to demonstrate a dance move to my kids)It hurt for a few days before I realized something was wrong.

I'd love to cure someone, Dilly Dally! Let me know how it goes. Thanks for the kind words about my blog. There's a link on it for another blog you might find interesting. In 2006-2007 I wrote 40 words a day (no more, no less) about 365 people who have crossed my path in a significant way. I posted about it here some time ago. I hope it inspired others to try this writing exercise. It brought up a lot of memories--mostly good. :-) Susan Here is a link that might be useful: Forty Thieves

There is more money flowing around than is good for people in our area, and that money is not evenly distributed, as you would imagine. Young women of means frequently go on bachelorette weekends to Las Vegas or even Miami. Even if the host families can afford it, it is a financial burden for some of their guests who feel left out if they don't along with their friends. I have no problem with bridal showers, in fact I think they are a lovely custom, but this particular extravagance bothers me. I think it is part of the Bridezilla trend. A considerate bride would consider what her friends can comfortably manage, and do something that is a pleasure for all.