Hi, I posted the original question here and I must say I never thought it would cause such a ruckus. This a forum and by definition everyone is entitled to express their views. If anyone even cares anymore about the situation in question, I'll tell you mine. First of all, I am a Professional and I posted the question here because I wanted peer advice. (I thought about the Tree Forum but decided this was a better bet for experienced answers, plus the guidelines say that you should not post the same question in multiple forums, so I had to choose one) Secondly Mike,("my suggestion is to leave them alone and put the perennials some where else") if you read the original post you will see that the damage to the roots had already been done when I wrote it. The underplanting is for a client, at their request and is an intentional and good design solution for a few reasons. The perennials were sourced specifically for that area, they were not just sitting around looking for a home. Thirdly, I have done many plantings that have involved disturbing tree roots and am well aware that most trees are amazingly resilient and can take a lot of abuse (as gardengal pointed out). As I said in the original post, I wouldn't have worried much except that these were Birches (shallow rooted, prone to water issues) in a confined area in an exceptionally wet summer. That's why I decided to ask about it. Finally, these are mature Birches and I (my company) am not an Arborist. I would have no means of pruning 1/3 of the foliage even if I were so inclined, which I definitely am NOT. I can see no benefit to stressing out the tree at both ends, especially in the middle of August. I am familiar with the old school idea of pruning foliage and roots, but I believe this applies more to shrubs, and to transplanting. And frankly, in my experience, it doesn't work all that well even in that case. That being said, I do absolutely appreciate everyone's input. Honestly. I don't know about the moderators, but it seems to me that this is well on it's way to being it's own separate subject. Again, if anyone cares anymore, we finished the planting on Thursday, with 100 Geraniums and a light dressing of mulch and instructions to the homeowner to water regularly if it doesn't rain. With the Geraniums just starting to get a hint of their Fall color, it looks really, really nice. Thanks again everybody, and play nicely. Sam

A few years ago I went through a depression, since losing my granddaughter and MIL, within weeks of each other, and although crafting had been a huge part of my life since I was a young child, I decided I had had enough.....packed up all of my stuff, and gave some to my sister, and the rest to the senior center here in town so they could make things for their holiday sales. They use this money to help others in their small community or to go on trips! They loved it! But once I got into my normal way of thinking again, I sure did miss my stash! But, decided to buy only what I neeed for the projects I am doing! Well, needless to say..."THAT" idea didnt last long! I am a fanatic for different fabrics, and ended up looking for some of the fabrics I got rid of, and have built my fabric stash again......but since then I have also gotten into paper crafting....had to have a cricut, a sizzix, a scorpal, cropodile, etc, and naturally my fascination with diffrerent fabrics, has transferred to different papers, still have my fabric collection, and add to it now and again, but I found that papers take up a lot less room and I am more apt to use them. I dont have much time now with my restaurant as I work about 16 hrs a day, so I have to take my stuff with me and when I get a few minutes, I sneak into my office and make stuff for the restaurant. I make my own signs, business cards, decorations for my windows (right now I want to do a huge display for back to school) . I have huge windows, 6 of them at the front of my restaurant, so lotsa room to be creative! And naturally my grandchildren help! So, do what ya gotta do about your stuff, but just remember, you might regret getting rid of some of it, but if so, you can find most of it again somewhere..i got what I really wanted back on Ebay I am about to turn 53, and cant imagine my life without crafts...but dont get into it as much since my sister moved to West Virginia to be closer to her kids, and my best friend moved to New Mexico....they were my inspiration! But I am doing okay by myself!

Mine is a simple black shoulder purse...a leather rectangle about 6in. long and 4in. high. There are 5 compartments - a pocket on the front, two main compartments with a zippered compartment in the middle, and a pocket that zips on the back. The back pocket is the only one "exposed" - a large flap covers the main compartments and the front pocket, and has a magnetic clasp. I think I got it a couple of years ago at a department store for $10 or so. It's my "winter" purse. In the front pocket, I keep my pens and work ID, a few business cards, and the occasional shopping list. I try to keep that pocket clear of anything else, so I can easily find a pen when I need one. The first inner compartment holds my checkbook(s) and receipts, the zippered pocket holds change/cash, and the compartment behind that holds a small kleenex holder w/tissues, drugs (painkillers), a teeny bottle of lotion, and any "female" stuff that I need. My planner will fit in there, but I don't carry it, really. The back zippered pocket I rarely use for much - my insurance cards are in there, and not much else. Credit and store cards are in my checkbook. I've always carried a shoulder bag - even in college I just stuck my purse in a big leather shoulder bag I carried books and paper in. I never really cared much for backpacks, and I hate straps across my body, so I guess it's a good thing I don't live in a place where stealing purses is a common crime (two ladies snatched a couple of purses from people shopping at our local walmart last year - they were caught almost immediately and sent to jail for it - and it was big news here). ;-) I do put my purse in the front of carts, but I *never* leave it...if I have to walk away from the cart, my purse goes back on my shoulder, even if DH is with the cart. And the strap of my purse stays securely looped over my knee (tightly, so I can feel it) with my purse on the floor at my feet while I'm in a restarant, so I always know where it is. When I'm watching DH play pool in a bar or something, I leave my purse on the floor of the truck tucked mostly under the dash - when it's dark out, you can't see the black purse...it blends right in with the floor. ;-)

To answer (some of) your original question(s), whenever I've worked with a decorator they have 100% stood behind the products they've helped me obtain. Recently a headboard I had made (through the designer) was delivered in the wrong colorway: I refused delivery and called the designer. They immediately (& kindly) apologized and said they would take care of it. Within twenty-four hours they called me back to let me know it was being made again, in the correct colorway and as a rush order. She was professional, courteous (but not obsequious) and sounded genuinely kind and concerned about my (headboard) happiness. Then when the delivery company the designer had contracted gave me a hard time just this past Thursday (trying to charge me for a redelivery fee when delivering the new, correct headboard) I called her again. Again, she immediately did everything right, she said all the right things (sincerely apologized, told me I was right, said she would contact the delivery company, etc.), and took care of it. Like a few above respondents (and I'm sorry I didn't carefully read all of them -- you've a lot of supporters out there!) my experience has been that the designer / decorator is my advocate and has left me feeling cossetted. The only negative experience I had (and it was a doozy) was with an unethical kitchen designer and we contentiously parted ways. But she'd made it abundantly clear that if anything hit the fan I'd be left to clean it up. Alone. She'd be off getting her nails done and screwing her next client. We "lost" some money with her but when I think of the money we would have lost (and that I would have had to spend in therapy / legal fees!) had we continued our "relationship" with her it was well worth it. She happens to be our neighbor! Well, a few houses up the street but we see each other all the time, walking, driving, etc. So I totally understand the uncomfortable social situations! But at the end of the day, I really was right, and not just because "the customer is always right." I was right because I was consistent, forthright, genuine and HONEST. She, like your former designer, was inconsistent, evasive, disingenuous and a prevaricator. Period.