Thanks Glenda and Laura... I just uncovered my new waterlily leaves made with the fibers...they don't show through on the print side, a little on the edges, but I think they contributed to a few more "bubble holes" on the print side. Overall I was VERY happy with that...they seem strong. Someone mentioned making a thin mix and applying it to the print, then wiping it down...thus filling those little holes. For my next leaves I also might apply a thin layer of mortar mix first, put some mesh down, then apply some fiber-reinforced mix on top of that. Laura...I looked at your leaf and sphere photos...great painting on those...wow! I was also glad to see someone else using a bagged concrete product. With 2 little boys under the age of 5 I just don't have time to make custom blends for this new project. The question I still have is whether you both use admix at full strength or diluted with water? Thanks for your help! Cara

PlantmastrM - The hubby does inhalers for his asthma, with the indoor plants I think its more the dirt that attracts moss and mold. Mold really seems to affect him. And of course the pollen, I've tried to bring all kinds of cut bouquets and living houseplants in and he has a flair. We dont even open our windows b/c of the outdoor triggers. I really miss the fresh air blowing through the house, I think thats why I enjoy the gardening so much. And he is extremely flexible with whatever I want to plant or do to the yard, its our compromise. :-) Beachgrub, I love the sound of the "gold dust alyssum"! I have a spot picked out for some already, but I've only seen white, of course, and purple. I will be looking that one up! I went out today and found 5 more of my pots sprouted. I worry about the weather and will be researching their hardiness. I made a big rookie mistake....I planted 100+ pots without a clear understanding of hardiness and tenders...somehow I knew it was too soon for the veggies though. One smart thing I did was not to plant all the seeds, only half or less, so it will work out, ill replant if necessary.

Definitely...get out. Don't waste any more of your precious life with this man, and get your son out of a situation that he very well might repeat when he marries. Not necessarily the alcoholism, but how he thinks relationships should be. Not to mention the obvious effects things are having on him right now. Two suggestions: 1. Find an Al-Anon meeting in your area and GO. Even if you don't like the first meeting, GO again. Attend at least 4 or more meetings, you will get something out of them. 2. Get one or both of Patricia Evan's books: The Verbally Abusive Relationship and Verbal Abuse: Survivors Speak Out. If they don't have them at a bookstore near you, you can get them on Amazon. When I read them, it was as if *my* marriage was being described. Here is her website. Your line: "When I try to explain to him how I feel, he either ignores me or gives me all of the reasons why it is wrong for me to feel that way." is SO typical of what abusers to to their victims, telling them how to feel, and that their perceptions are wrong. They also have a great talent for twisting things around so the issue at hand is YOUR fault. I wasted 10 years of my life hoping/thinking my soon to be ex would change. Never happened, because they DON'T CHANGE. They enjoy what they do, and it works for them. He's now got his sights on wife #3, who I'm sure will also divorce him. I would love to warn this poor woman, but I know she won't listen. He is SO charming and wonderful at first. Don't let your parents or anyone else influence you. YOU are the one living this! YOU are the one suffering. YOUR SON is suffering. I am pretty sure your husband doesn't treat anyone else like he treats you. Everyone else thinks he's a great guy, right? Finally, please re-read your post. In the first two paragraphs you describe what is really an intolerable, unhealthy and dangersous situation. In the last paragraph, you make excuses for him and actually blame yourself somewhat. Really, you do. Please recognize that none of this is your fault. He CHOOSES to be this way, and if you don't think so, consider that he only treats *you* badly, not anyone else. So he can absolutely control his behavior, he simply chooses not to. And you do not OWE him anything because you are a SAHM. Don't ever let anyone (including yourself) think that way. Please seek some help. Go to Al Anon. Read some books on Domestic Violence. Call a local women's shelter to get information on resources in your area. Look at the NDVH website. Just because he hasn't actually hit you makes no difference. He is abusing you emotionally, and in most cases, this will escalate to physical. Besides that, most agree that verbal and emotional abuse is much worse than physical. Finally, use another computer for this. If he has access, he can see what you have been doing, including websites and email. He can easily install a Keylogger, which will record everything you do, and they are undetectable. That might sound alarmist, but better safe than sorry. If you can't use a friend's computer, your local library has them. Good luck to you, and never forget, HE WILL NOT CHANGE.

Welcome to the forum. We are always glad to see someone else that the addictive plunge. I think your main problem is that you are using the wrong mortar. You are not laying bricks. You need thinset. Go to Lowe's and go to the tile flooring dept. You will see a whole aisle or two devoted to this. Get Mapai Polymer-Modified Thinset Mortar. It comes in 10#bags all the way up to 50# bags. Most of us use the grey as it is pretty neutral. When you grout use the Mapai grout too. It works great outside. I hope this helps. Just east of Memphis? Arlington? I used to live in Cordova but am in Texas now. Here is a link that might be useful: Mapai at Lowes