Hiya, Looks like you really have your work cut out for you. It might be really helpful to visit some established gardens in Vegas to learn more about what really works down there. I visited the Gardens at the Springs Preserve when I was at a Landscape Confrence 4 years ago, and have remained on their mailing list. I can't belive the scope of classes, tours and demonstartions they offer, it's absolutely wild! It is under 4 acres and is very walkable, and everything is well i.d'd Looks like it has been established at least 10-12 years, so you can see some nice, fairly mature specimens. I believe it is sponsored by the SNWA(S. Nevada Water Authority.) Reno needs to catch up I'm afraid; we have a botanical garden at Rancho San Rafael park, but its pretty feeble by comparison. Larger than its Vegas sibling, but less info is disseminated.Maybe things will change w/ the new director Bill Carlos who recently came aboard. Here is a link to the Gardens at the Springs Preserve: http://www.springspreserve.org/html/gardens_visitor_information.html I don't know what the topography + architecture is like at your parents new house (probably a stucco ranch, flat as a pancake?) but you might want to introduce some mounding with some rocks/boulders. Quite a few interesting gropundcover and perennial plants will enjoy growing in this type of situation, plus it makes it easier for your folks in that they don't have to bend + kneel so much. Also investigate container gardening (on a separate drip zone). I saw some really cool planters in Vegas, that thrived in a patio setting. Some were very elaborate and had ornamnetal grasses combined with different annuals that trailed out of the pots.Very luscious! Good luck in your gardening adventures down south! Here is a link that might be useful: Gradens @ Springs Preserve

A long time ago we had a few pieces of a Lionel train that belonged to my cousin. We finally got rid of them but I don't remember how. Our house is packed with things that I just know will be valuable some day- I'm a pack rat. Good picture.

Typically, in a home purchase, you make an offer contingent on an inspection. You get to pick the inspector. You get a fixed window of time to get out of the deal based on the findings of the inspector. If you go through with the sale, and find something later, you are typically SOL. "Not doing a good job" isn't fraud. Really though, it sounds like your inspector did an acceptable job. If the water heater wasn't on, there is no way that he could detect this problem. That would be like trying to blame him for not finding an electrical problem when the power was off. If you wanted him to inspect a certain system, you had to make sure that it was available for inspection. Overall, it is time for you to start taking responsibility for your life again. Katrina was 5 years ago. Obviously, it was disaster for millions of people, but it is well past time you should be sitting around shouting "victim" with your hand out.

Those are pretty, Julie...Love the effects you used here, too! Juanita