Ok, I very strongly disagree with "shrubs_n_bulbs". I seldom disagree with him, so he is probably right and I am wrong, but here goes my advice/experience: impatiens root very very easily. You can root cuttings in seed starting mixture or simply in water. If you root impatiens, then you can get flowers in 4-5 weeks. 2 weeks to get roots is right, but 4-5 weeks until flowering. at that time, the impatiens have all the roots they need to establish themselves. if you make the cuttings indoors in 70-78 deg F temperatures in subdued light (e.g. behind a sheer curtain, or under the light of a fluorescent light bulb) the impatiens will root in 7-10 days. You can either fill a pot with a well draining seed starting mixture (available at garden centers) or use potting soil. You can fill a 6" pots and put several cuttings around the edge of the pot spaced a few inches apart. each pot should hold 4-5 cuttings each. Enclose the cuttings in a plastic bag and if the seed starting mixture/potting soil was very moist then there should not be a need to water again until the impatiens root in 7-10 days. You can also fill a pan with water and put cuttings around the edge so they do not slide into the water (make sure no leaves in the water.. only the stem). Change water every few days but keep everything at 70-75 deg F. Once roots appear and they are 1.5-2" long, repot in seperate pots. it may be helpful then to place the pots in enclosed plastic bags for a few days to let the cutting recover. they are usually a bit under the weather (no pun intended) after being repotted from growing in only water. We always makes tons of cuttings each year this way. I can only start so many seeds indoors, but once one flat of impatiens go outdoors, I make more cuttings for family and friends from these. Generally, impatiens grow and flower 4-5 weeks after you make the cuttings. We have never had a problem with undevelopped root systems.. not for a fast grower like impatiens..

I posted the photo on the gallery side: Gallery posting I tried putting just the photo here, but it wouldn't let me. Thanks for that link, Ellen. Now I know what part of the design means (I think). I'll have to do more research on that. I had given my sister some mudcloth that I had bought at an African festival a few years back for her birthday, and she uses it as a throw for one of her sofas. I guess that's easier than trying to make something out of it. Linda, making a headboard is fairly easy, but then I do have quite a bit of experience with upholstery. It's important to glue the foam to the board with upholstery glue (which goes on like a web) so that it doesn't shift when you are attaching the fabric. Also, we bought an electric staple gun, which made the job a lot easier. I think it does require two people, however. Lars Here is a link that might be useful:

Thank you, everyone! And yes, Trailrunner-- exactly-- I work from home teaching online. It is definitely a step in the right direction. My DH was really helpful for the first 2 weeks after the baby was born. Then he went back to work, and stopped helping. He is actually doing less than he did when I was pregnant, which is not that much to begin with at home. I have new jobs now! It has always been this way . . .no surprises. Before we were married, we were engaged but living together. I was working full-time and going to school. I had tons of work to do for work and school at night and on the weekends, but he did not help. Thought he'd change once we had a baby (ha, ha, dumb of me). Thought he'd change once we had a baby and I started working (took the baby with me) AND was going to school. Thought he'd help when he was unemployed for 8 months, and I was still working (with the baby) and going to school. Thought maybe when we had more kids . . .nope. When I took this job 2 years ago, I was 8 months pregnant with DD #4. I thought he would help more, esp. when I actually had the baby-- why? Why did I think that? Obviously I am not a quick study! I'd worked before (from home also, with a baby under a yr) and he did not want to help at all. So, nope, he was just resentful when he had to hold the baby and take over earlier with the other kids so I could do work. This morning, when I woke to find that the dishes weren't finished and there was a big mess to clean up (I did work last night, and then took the baby), it made me more sure of my choice. I cannot even hope he'll change, so I just have to change myself. I admit, however, I am having a hard time not being very resentful. I am hoping that having more time to myself will help. And BTW-- we already went to counseling. When the topic of helping more came up, my DH said he did not want to have to jump right in when he came home from work. (We had a newborn.) Guess what the counselor suggested? That DH get a BREAK when he got home. I could not believe it-- I said, Where is my break? DH got a lunch break . . .a commute . . .I had the kids ALL THE TIME. The day before I went into labor, I had finished presenting my porfolio for my master's. I was not slacking. I made DH admit what I was doing when he "took over." I was doing things like dishes and making dinner. Never was it so that I could have a break! Oh, well. I am finally learning. A long time ago we had decided that I would go back to work full-time once the kids were in school full-time. Seems so reasonable, but now I know I will be doing everything for work AND the house, kids, etc. No way. Good thing I love my kids so much. They inspire me every day.

Hi Jan & Len, Lovely to hear from you again. Unfortunately Im renting this house, so the garden's a bit of a no go project. Other than removing the dreadful clitorea vine taking over the plants in the front garden, man it seeds so well!!!! Yes Holly is at school, preschool actually, five days a week and loving it like you wouldnt believe, made friends so easy and the transition went unbeleivably smoothly!!! I decided to study Law, and it's so intense. Finding it hard to relax after twelve weeks of eating, sleeping and breathing a Law degree!!!! Len, I think I will sell the house, like you I have noticed that sellers of properties go about changing them the minute they get in the door and they end up looking awful. Not going back is a good thing. Think I will buy up here and then get that garden of my own happening. It would be lovely to plan a new garden from scratch. I had to do that in my old place. We've all settled in really well, the two dogs and the cat came with us too, so it's back to being a full house again! Loving it. Cheers, Mel....