I started them in seed starting mix, dipped them in #8 rooting hormone and put them in a bag that burrito size tortillas come in. Don't know if those bags are different than regular zip lock bags but I didn't have the rotting problem that I did when I used the regular ones. I put them on top of the radiator cover (it's well insulated - and acts just like a heat mat.) Then I promptly forgot about them for about three months until I noticed two of the cuttings were blooming in the bags...maybe benign neglect is the answer?

I do have an update. I went home Friday determined to either separate it, break it or both :D . I *did* get it apart at last. Here's what happened if anyone else finds themselves in this situation. :o I spoke to customer service again. The 3rd person recommend trying to remove the 'test value' (the bolt on the side) to allow the pressure vacuum to be released. They also told me that if that didn't do it and something had probably fused within the threads then there wasn't much hope. I got the value off no problem and it didn't budge. The unofficial solution: (aka proceed at your own risk) I popped into boiling water, hoping to loosing it off or perhaps boil off residue that maybe in the threads of rubber seal. I let it cool over night in the water. No movement. Dried it off. I turned it upside down and again tried to soak the treads with oil. I left it for an hour and tried again. Nothing. Finally reached my 'by any means' point and grabbed a screwdriver, shoved it in the hole left by the removed test value, bracing it against the inside of the water pot. Then, grabbing the upper portion's handle and heaved: IT GAVE WAY. Course I had the scrub the heck out of after a week+ sitting around and being exposed to tools etc. :) So far, so good: I've ran 3 test runs with water with no problems and 2 caps this morning. It opened no problem! :o *fingers crossed it stays that way*

Hi, Mom of 3! I've got some suggestions, based on my experiences. First, your DH needs to get a set schedule with her, of one weekend per month, as the CO says. It either needs to be set dates or two weeks notice or something. If she refuses to agree to any particular schedule and wants to reserve the right to call at the last minute demanding to see her son, you're going to have to find the money to see an attorney and see what can be done about this. I know exactly what that is like; we've been through that exact thing, and BM will use this to torment you. You will find yourself unable to make plans for any weekend because you'll never know if BM will call to announce that she hasn't "gotten to" see her son and now wants to do so immediately. SS may need to see his mother - but he also needs stability and structure, and he should be able to make plans without knowing that they are always subject to last minute change due to his mother's whims. Secondly, your husband needs to stop talking to BM. Again, I know exactly what this is like. BM will use DH's attempts at co-parenting and maintaining a civil relationship to insinuate herself into your lives, to wreak havoc, to cause stress, to get attention - DH needs to just stop it. Obviously they must talk about SS - but he is all that they need to talk about, and if the conversation veers off of that topic into how much money you now have for gas, why the CO was unfair, how the CS is too much money and she's broke, how mean her new BF is, what's wrong with you, what's wrong with DH, what's wrong with the world, or anything else - DH needs to simply say "I've got to go now" and hang up. He does not need to justify, explain, excuse, elaborate or any other such thing to her anymore. He only needs to be civil and calm while discussing SS, and that's it. The longer any conversation lasts, the more BM will try to draw DH into an argument or dispute. Co-parenting does not mean that BM gets to rant and rave at you or DH at will and you are obligated to listen to her, or worse yet, respond. Third, I'd have a budget that does not include any CS that she is supposed to pay. If she actually sends some, that's a nice bonus - but I wouldn't be counting on it. Lastly, if she pulls some stupidity and does not return SS on time, call the police and file for an emergency hearing immediately. Don't let it go "this one time" - because it will happen again if you allow it too. You can make it through this. Your DH is now custodial parent. You now have a CO saying that she gets one weekend a month and pays CS. The status quo has changed and DH does not have to "work with her", or bend over backwards to accommodate her. He has to follow the CO, no more, no less.

You aren't throwing away the relationship ... he is. You are the one being thrown. Sometimes its takes something like this to put it all into focus. You now know exactly what he thinks of you AND your children. After marriage, things usually get more relaxed as far as trying to impress. How does that bode for your future with this man? I know that its not the value of the gifts or the number of gifts, but he could have sat down with you before the holidays and said ... "Lets put our $$ together and make a Christmas list of gifts from the both of us". You are engaged right? One unit? He is still thinking "me" and "her" and not "us". Wouldn't it have been nice for his Mom to receive a gift from her son and the woman he plans to marry.. that he loves? He sounds totally self-centered. I am a the owner of some rental units and I always see these couples come to apply that are "engaged". The woman is always so sincere and committed to the relationship and happy and I can absolutely see the guy hanging on the edge ... like he's waiting for an out or for something better to come along. It scares me because I am the Mother of an almost 18 year old and it would kill me to see my daughter accept that this is all that she was worth ... or worse yet - be so "in love" that she didn't realize she was just the latest cow that was giving the milk free (sorry for sounding crass - but thats what it boils down to- to many guys). I have an Uncle that went through a divorce and vowed never to marry again and he is sticking to his guns. He is 60 years old and I would like to shake him and tell him he's screwing up!!! He has a wonderful woman that loves him so much she glows. She does everything for him out of pure love. They have been engaged for 10 years. He gave her a beautiful diamond ring years ago and I am sorry to say that this all she will get in the way of rings from him. She is a wonderful 45 year old woman, beautiful, giving, loving, sweet, gentle. She wants very much to be his wife and keeps hanging on ... hoping. Sometimes I learn more from watching other people than I do from actually living my own life. Look for this behavior in other people and you will catch yourself wondering why this woman is putting up with this!!! .... and then you will realize you see yourself! I am sorry that this beautiful time of the year has been so sad for you ... but maybe someday in the future you will realize that it actually was the best thing that ever happened to you because it was the first day of a new, stronger you. I've been married for 29 years ... with all of its ups and downs, hurts and joys and I still don't know the outcome of our marriage because I have learned that you can't take any of it for granted... life changes and you have to roll with the punches (except we aren't as limber the older we get). Point of this ramble is ... that you deserve to be really loved. It may hurt. It may take time ... to find the really wonderful person you deserve. Learn from this experience about the kind of man and relationship you don't want and what you really want and deserve. Hugs to you.