My 3 yr old Golden,just finished repotting from a 12 gal,to 20gal pot. I brought this palm outside first of April,and from all the rain and wind,it blew it over and a lot of soil came out of the pot,but after putting more potting soil back in the pot that got rained out,the palm would stand up on it's own,so I put 3 bamboo stalks as a tripod to hold the palm upright. This palm has to trunks growing out of one coconut. Well the coconut shell finally came away from the trunk,so I decide to put it in a larger pot,because 4 inches of roots were now showing. After repotting the roots still weren't strong enough to hold the palm upright,so I had to tie rope to the trunk and the pot just to hold it up. The roots are like rubber,I think the stakes didn't help the roots become strong again,I mean they are limp as rubber,and have been since early April,but the trees are growing good! Here is a link that might be useful:

ajsmama, thanks for your comments. the house was built in the 50s and the problem is not with the bedding touching the outlet but with it being only one of 2 outlets in the room, we will need to plug into it and it's an older outlet where the plugs sag out of it. My dh doesn't want the plugs from a light to be jammed against the bed, and since my son is only 3 1/2 we need a bedrail and a wall for him not to fall out so bed needs to be against wall...I guess we could have another outlet put in at some point, but not now. Polly929, I will be getting rid of the dresser soon and getting a long one to put in it's place against the wall the head of the bed in on. The curtains we have do come in red (Pottery Barn Kids)and you can't really tell but they are navy blue with colorful stitching in stipes. I just noticed they have curtains which match the bedding (see link) what do you think about that? Shannon01, the door is on the same wall as the bed. The closet wall is to the left of the door and the closet is not very long but takes up half of that wall. In the picture with the bookcase, the wall to the left is where the closet is, pretty much within inches of the left edge of photo. I like your ideas. I think I will keep the bed where it is. As for toy, we have a playroom so he doesn't really need any storage for them. Just books. And we just bought this bedding he picked out in January when he changed from a crib to a big boy bed. So that stays. Making a headboard out of the cards is a fantastic idea! Valinsv, thank you for considering the real reason behind my son's feelings. We actually have had a big year with lots of changes. We moved in October (just up the street, so same friends etc but still a move), I just had a baby, and he moved from a crib to a big boy bed. I'm with you in not wanting to make too many changes at once. The problem is that ever since we moved in here, his room has been in constant flux, now with the bed so I guess this is my last ditch effort to get it right. But I agree too much change is no good. So I think the biggest thing is the paint color. I will paint it a wheat/khaki. I will keep the bed where it is and move the animal cards down to make either a headboard or put on the wall next to his bed. And I will get a new longer dresser for safety reasons and put it next to his bed. But like you said, first the paint and then wait to see. We don't have room for a chair but we do cuddle up for a long while on his bed and talk and read at night. The problem is I don't feel warm and cozy in there, so there may be a real issue of design to address as well as being sensitive to is growing independence and feelings of fear. Wow. This has all become much more complex than when I began but it's good. I'm going to involve him in all of this too so that should help. So tell me what you all think of matching the curtains to the bedding? Here is a link that might be useful: Madras curtains

Well, I hear you on feeling like an ousider loud and clear. The family specifically asking that YOU not be there is almost a slap in the face, but, they are grieving and until one walks in their shoes, it's not fair to judge. I assume that they all want to feel as comfortable as possible and perhaps, wouldn't be able to speak freely, show emotions if someone rather "new" on the scene is there. I am guessing that the other in-laws included have been part of the family for many years or see one another more often? I assume you've never had any falling out w/ your husband's family? If this death was sudden, I'm sure they are in shock, too. The stepson's death was no doubt a real shock and while it wasn't fair to exclude you and make you feel rather worthless, I can't imagine anyone, of any age, having to bury their child. I believe everyone reacts the way they do to help get through the day. I'm w/ cawfecup on the whole estate deal. Go have a day to yourself while they squabble about things. Was he a wealthy man? Regardless, money does strange things to people and it gets ugly - even if it's a small amount of money. I suspect there is some level of concern w/ your inlaws about you knowing their finances for some reason which is probably unfounded. I buried my g-father suddenly 2 years ago and was devastated though he lived to be 93. My cousin's gf decided to fly up w/ us for the buriel out of state which was requestd to be in his hometown. (g-father lived w/ my parents, was to move in w/ me once my house was done and was very, very close to me) I viewed her presence as an intrusion. I never felt like she cared that much for my sweet g-father and she always tries to control my cousin. They've been together for years and she has pushed for marriage but my cousin won't do it. I've never really cared for her as she was always like an obnoxious mother figure, though at times, I was grateful for her being like a mother to my cousin since he needed it. Regardless, she sat behind my parents and I at the mass, sobbing uncontrollably. I was shocked and felt distracted from the ceremony, annoyed by her. I can't believe she was that broken up over my g-father's passing that she was the only one heard loudly crying during the service. (BTW, when it was the day to make all the arrangements, my other cousin, dad, husband and my 3 young sons did everything. We waited for this cousin and the gf to meet us in the hotel lobby, but they never showed. Turned out they went sightseeing. We were in a tiny town in Ohio, so I'm not sure what sights they saw...but they surely weren't there for us making the horrible decisions on caskets, flowers, readings, etc. My mother was too depressed to leave her bed.) However, you are your husband's WIFE, and it really isn't fair to be specifically asked to "skip this one out." It would have been nice to hear, "I hope you don't mind, but as grateful as we are for you to be part of our family, we need a little time to ourselves as we sort out Dad's things. Please don't be offended and keep loving and supporting us w/ prayers until we get through this." I'm just wondering about the family dynamics - do you not get along w/ any of your inlaws? I think I'd let time pass, then maybe later, ask your husband exactly what was going on that made you excluded while the other sibling's spouses were present if the time presents itself. But, they are grieving and I would just respect their wishes (but I'd be hurt.) I wouldn't ask one question about money throughout this whole process, but I would let your husband know how sorry you are for his loss, and tell him that you are "on call" for him at any time should he need you. Then, go have a spa day, say a few prayers for the whole bunch, and try to not let this muddy your good marriage. Your being there through the years will later show this bunch that they could have acted a little more kindly towards you. I don't envy your position - willing to help, but being asked to keep your distance. Stay strong, my friend. Dana

aries61...I'm right there with you! I realize that this weekend last year is when I started searching all the options with cabinets and ended up using Brian at CJ for the same reason. With our crazy work schedules, we have been working on them since August (28 cabinets). Our contractor should start in the next week or two so we are appliance, counter, backsplash shopping as well. Best of luck...I hope we both have finished and fabulous kitchens in time for summer! What hood option did you end up going with? By that time in the decision making process, I just basically threw a dart on the webpage and went with it.