Pat, that looks like the same columbine my mom has (I have the western native one). She planted hers last year, and after disappearing over winter, it returned and bloomed its head off this year. I believe she deadheads hers, as well, and it sounds like you both have yours in the same growing conditions. My 3-yr.-old (at least) western columbine gets mostly shady conditions, deep weekly water, and I don't deadhead as soon as I would with a hybrid, since the finches seem to like the seeds...and I'm hoping some will reseed. I gave some seed to my mom, and they started for her quite easily. The plants are still fairly small, but hopefully, she'll have blooms next year. Since yours is putting out new leaves (I assume they look healthy?), Lusty, it sounds like it's happy. It may have been planted too late in the year to gear up for blooming, but it sounds like you'll get some next year. They're worth the wait. Aphids really like mine, but the birds love the aphids, too. :) Brenda

I have an Advantium-several years old. I find that to convert from the micro to the oven takes time in changing the dish from glass to metal and vice versa. And, of course you cannot use both at the same time so if you need an extra oven and a micro simultaneously...not good. I almost exclusively use mine just as a microwave; much less so as an oven-- and it's the oven part that is costly. Good luck with your decision.

Hi, Well, we moved to a new house that has a smaller double car garage than our previous house so I had to really think and plan. I bought the Black and Decker module kits from Lowes. They took time to put together, and boxes are very heavy, - requiring tools, but so far I am enjoying them. Have a large closet, workbench with pegboard and cabinet/drawer units under it, and a roll along drawer unit. It was pricey but I wanted something nice looking. It's been very handy and I have room for all my "guy toys." There are quite a few other brands and some frequently go on sale, like Sears and Home Depot. It all comes down to $$$$ and how handy you or someone else is in building them, and how much room you have. For garden tools, there are specific racks for that, both hanging and stationary on the floor. Post a picture of your garage and maybe someone can give you suggestions.

mogater is in the biz and can tell you better than I, but in my experience you will probably spend every bit of $ 1,000 in 'fixing up' that sofa and at the end of the day still have one that is old. Typically if this is a standard Lawson Arm type sofa, you will need about 18 to 20 yards of fabric at say $ 30 a yard for medium duty material ($ 550), the deck springs retied/replaced, new foam cushions, and the labor to reupholster (varies by region but here in Wash DC area that's about $ 700). Junk it. Go to the stores and shop clearance items. There's not a store around that doesn't have one or two sofas with discontinued fabrics or frames that it wants to clear out. You should be able to get something decent for under $ 1,000. Good Luck, Duane Collie The Keeping Room