It's not a cactus, it just looks like one - It's a Euphorbia and it looks like it's etiolated (not enough light), and has grown but since it's etiolated the new growth is spindly. I would cut off all growth above the straight-growing segments, or wherever it looks like it won't support itself - when you do so, be careful of the white sap (it can be an irritant or worse when in contact with human skin/mucous membranes). This is an easily-remedied problem - other than the etiolated growth, the plant looks healthy and your mother should be happy with what you've cultivated.

Thank you for that prayer, Toni! It was lovely! Happy Mothers day to all of our Mothers in fact, Mothers in waiting and Spiritual Mothers, and even to our male "moms". You are all very precious and very appreciated! Giving birth to a child does not make one a mother, it is love, attention, caring and devotion that does that. Being a mother is holding them close when they hurt or are fearful, laughing and crying with them, knowing when to let go and knowing how to let them come home again, even if just for a few minutes. It is support, cheerleading, playing the 'bad guy' when needed, encouraging them to grow, and try new things, even when all we want to do is keep them close. It is accepting the decisions they make for their lives, not grudgingly, but with love and understanding, even when those choices are not ones we would have made for them. It is loving where they love... and standing back and not getting in the middle. It is giving our opinion, then stepping back to let them be the person they choose to be. And it's even standing to the side and letting them deal with the consequences, good or bad, of the decisions they make. It is being there for them, even if the consequences are deserved. Blessings to all of you who have faced or will face these challenges and who do so with love, because a Mother's job is never done. Kathy Kathy

Hi there - sorry I didn't see you're early post. I looked at a few other cabinet lines, and Merit was the least expensive - it's been a while (2+ years), but they were ~25% less than Robco Cabinets, 100% less than Woodlake... I can't remember, but I think my kitchen was all stock cabinetry without the need for much compromise. I shot an email to my KD who did the kitchen layout; I'll post her feedback when I get it. She had actually used Merit in her first personal kitchen. I'm very happy with the quality. They look good as new 2 years later, no warping, dings, etc. Some issues off the top of my head: 1) All the cabinets arrived with very even, uniform staining/color across all pieces. A couple of items were delivered the incorrect sizes (doors) and the replacement doors were WAY darker even though they were a stock color. We had to get several sets of replacements before we got the right color. 2) Don't know if it had to do with shipping from Canada and export/import rules, but it seemed to take forever to get replacement parts.

Beautiful pup. Hard rubber Kongs are the safest for the chewing stage. Also give her large raw carrots to gnaw on. Stay away from all ropey toys. The floss can block their intestine. Even nylon bones can break and should only be used under supervision. Same with pig ears and rawhide. For stuffed toys nothing beats Fat Cat toys. I'll post a link below. Just stay away from the ropey ones and the fur trimmed ones until you know her habits. Some dogs are chewers for life and others outgrow it and just like to carry,fetch and shake. Since you have acreage it will be just like raising a child. You keep her with you or enclosed until she is fully trained. No venturing out on her own until she is fully bonded to you and sees you as pack leader. Lot's of bonding time along with a crate or a dog house to call her own. Then you expand her boundaries bit by bit. Remember a well exercised worn out dog is a happy dog. German Shepherds are known for their weak tummies. Feed her a good diet and keep her out of trouble for the first year and you'll have a great dog. She's a lucky girrrl. Here is a link that might be useful: Fat Cat Dog Toys