My grandma was the gardener in our family, and I think of her often, wishing she could see what I can grow out here in California, and all of the roses that I tend in the cemetery. I find that gardening is the time when my thoughts move most freely. I might figure out problems, or have insights, or think about the friends who passed along plants. I really understand your pain at losing your dad. It's so hard. My father's been gone for 15 years. I could not believe how badly it hurt, and it's not something that you get over in a little while. My dad loved Christmas, and I still feel pangs when I pull out boxes of ornaments and see his handwriting on them, or recognize a box that he constructed to keep things safe. It's wonderful to have things that remind me of him, but I'm sometimes surprised to find that my eyes are full of tears. A memorial garden is a lovely idea, but it will be a memorial to him every time that you grow a plant that he loved, pick up a tool that he used, or remember something that he said to you. Anita

Thanks Bill, we need all the reminders we can get of how precious life is, and what's really important.

In a perfect world, I'd go with wood. It looks great and feels warm underfoot, is more forgiving to the knees and hips, is less likely to break a dropped dish, and ties into the adjoining rooms in such a way that everything looks seamless. In a perfect world, I'd go with tile. It just says "kitchen", is available in so many lovely renditions, cleans up more easily than any other kitchen flooring, and is almost impossible to destroy. However, since we don't live in a perfect world, I'm thinking of plain old-fashioned sheet laminate. My kitchen is small enough that no seams will be necessary, and nothing is cheaper. It's warmer and more forgiving on the joints than tile. It's easier to clean and more durable than wood. I deem it the best compromise of all options.

Crenda- lol I love this Jade! I don't have an armed gaurd for it, but I know the feeling! I have 4 kids and my eyes bug out of my head when they start running around by it! Lol I don't want to get rid of it. I buy succulents for someone who knows I have it, and she approached me about selling it, or trading some other plants for it. It got me thinking that I should find out what its worth and what kind of Jade it is. I actually bought it from someone on Craigslist 2 years ago who couldn't take into a retirement home! She told me it belonged to her mother, and that it was about 60 years old, moved here from the California coast. I got it and another smaller Jade for $65! I didn't know anything about Jades at the time, but I was in LOVE with it!