I buy one or 2 every summer and keep them in pots on my patio. When they start dieing back in winter, I put the pots in a dry area. I've only had a couple come back, but they were weak and spindly. I consider them annuals. Also, in my experience, they seem to prefer very bright light and seem to do better in dappled sun than they do in shade. I've also found, that while they don't like to dry out, they do like it more on the drier side of moist. wanda

Stephanie, I know what you mean. I want to be fun and spontaneous but sometimes it's so hard when she won't eat her vegetables, or doesn't clean her room, to give treats and not turn into the "Mommy Monster"! Finding a balance between being the enforcer and friend. I feel so guilty so much of the time, I'm not doing enough, I could be doing more. It's really hard for me. This morning I thought I got out of the house before she woke up, but just as I left, here she comes out of her room "mommy mommmy" and my heart went two directions. Irritation (that I would be late to work yet again) and absolute love. Of course I had to spend a few minutes with her, getting her out of sleepymode and into the morning. I felt like I was abandoning her! I want her to know that it's not my choice that I'm not with her every second of the day. That I love her so much and that being a Mommy doesn't come with a rulebook, we're just winging it and doing the best I can.

wow found a site care.com and had list of sitters in the malibu area..they had listed prices anywhere from $10 to $35 a hour! i assume the higher the price, it would include things like overnight or preparing food, ect...the site had pix of the sitters...what i'd do is get a resume together of past families, and i'd get bonded... (visiting local sherriff and being photographed and finger printed) with all the rich and fameous in the area they'd want as much safety as possible..oh and a current red cross cpr card.. what a lucky gal to attend such a beautiful campus!

Sorry for going OT, but CA's rep for higher education is no longer worthy of automatic praise. Things have changed a lot and not for the better when it comes to all levels of education in the state. The University of CA system is NOT cheap any longer. In fact, as an example, UC Berkeley is slightly more expensive than the prestigious private StanfordUniversity across the Bay: Google question: How much does it cost to go to Berkeley? TUITION AND EXPENSES Cost of Attendance In-state: $34,972 Out-of-state: $61,654 Tuition and Fees In-state: $13,485 Out-of-state: $40,167 Room and Board $15,115 Books and Supplies $1,240 Other Expenses $5,132 (I'm assuming those above costs for room/board are dorm prices. Quadruple them if you are looking to live off-campus, then factor in transportation costs and time.) The state college system is less expensive but financially stressed. Both systems have woefully underfunded employee pension funds, btw. HOWEVER, one (actually two) very big advantages are the two polytechnic campuses, both in Southern/Central CA: Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The latter is one of the best schools in the country, ranking high on many factors. Cars are pretty much a necessity in CA, but definitely if you're going East/West, or living in Southern/Central CA (you can almost get away without owning a car in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sort of,). All through the West Coast, the roads North/South are the major arteries for commercial traffic so they're the eight/ten-lane roads. The East/South driveability isn't anywhere near as good, and as traffic increases the commuter frustration increases exponentially with it. I agree the wisest thing to do is wait, see how your daughter likes it and try visiting a few times first. CA is a great place to live if you like it, but a lot of people come here and only stay a few years. The reasons for leaving are varied but real: can't afford a home, can't stand the traffic/commute, most activities are expensive (price those Disneyland tickets, wowie!), can't deal with the ever-shifting cultural scene - and very often these days: "if I want a job I have to move". I sincerely hope your daughter enjoys her new city and gets happily settled! But it's not a given, not any longer (I came in 1969 for good and yes, have seen some amazing changes; some welcome, some not so much).