becky- I've never saved my strawberry plants. I always throw them out at the end of the year. That being said, with money tighter than ever, I think I'm going to over winter them, just haven't quite figured out how I'm going to do it. I've read some recent threads here about 'over wintering' them and it seems pretty easy, especially here where I live where we have pretty mild winters for the most part. The two reasons I grow the berries out of the sides of the buckets instead of the tops are; I like the look better and strawberries especially dont like over head watering. I dont like to plant more than 4-5 plants per bucket for the simple fact that the roots need room to colonize, and I personally think anymore than that would be really pushing it. And just to let you know I dont think your questions are stupid. I'm happy to answer questions. Good luck. Damon

Got less than an inch yesterday, and it quickly turned to rain. And temps fairly mild right now. Total amount this winter...essentially zilch. As much as the shoveling sucks, a good snowfall is a sight to behold. My 3 yr. old son has yet to see one, and I'm a little bummed out about that I must say. I'd take him down to the beach, where sand, snow, and water make for a great combination.

Thanks ronbre, for all your thoughts, there are some good ones in there! I love my house, but there are some things that were not well thought out by us, but that was because we were living in a FEMA trailer and wanted out of it in a hurry, so we found this houseplan and built it pretty much as is from the plan. The back door and the breakfast nook and the fireplace could have used some tweaking in where they were placed, but we were in such a hurry we didn't catch that. Weren't even in the house 2 years, when we got hit by another hurricane, and flooded with 3 ft of water, so again, we were in a hurry to get it fixed and get back "home" rather than living somewhere temporarily. I have always wanted a fireplace with a mantel to decorate, and so I think it needs to be a focal point, but obviously the big tv is also a focal point. My recliners are both actually a chestnut colored leather, one is just darker than the other, as we didn't decide we wanted two when we purchased the first one, therefore they are obviously from different dye lots. =( Again, my mistake, that's what I get for being in a hurry! But I definitely want to add more seating in this room, not just move around the chairs that I have now. I need a conversation area and so that is why I am thinking two club style chairs for either side of the entertainment center or adding a loveseat. Then I could make the reading nook like you are talking about by the window!!! The ceilings are great to look at and to have "mood lighting"(DH calls it nude lighting in the bedroom...ha) but it also makes me think things have to be centered off of the ceiling, like the entertainment center or our bed for example. You answered one question about the art with the red in it. I figured it was too big for that wall, but just wanted to see what others thought. It would only have about an inch clearance around it. I am also looking for some kind of chest or demilune table for that little wall. Trying to make that DH landing spot for keys, wallet etc, instead of the bar in the kitchen. The nightstands in the bedroom are the same height, the lamp on the left is a little shorter than the one on the right, I just thought they probably shouldn't be taller than the headboard of the bed. It's not real easy to reach the lamp to turn it off from bed. I need a console/buffet, more seating, coffee table, end table, lamps, rug, artwork, drapes. Accessories, I'll worry about later. I just want to get my big pieces set first. I have "hurricane fatigue" and just want this done and pray that we will have a quiet season this year, so we can actually relax and actually enjoy our home.

It gives me such warm fuzzies to be amongst so many wonderful people who loves their furbabies...here's our contribution This is Mama...she was recued in 2001 at a humane adoption...I took her cause I wanted her baby son...couldn't stand the thought of breaking them up...and she ran her son off 3 years later... She's also known as mean ole mama cat cause she's still very afraid and skittish after 8 years! This is the collie clan...Duncan is 9..Abby is 3 and Gabe just turned 8...(yes we had a cupcake party!) DH took this at the soccer fields this week where they get to run wide open!! this is them during a widdle GA snowstorm last winter...they loved it! Duncan Gabe Abby and last but not least...THE Precious Puddy Cat...mostly known as Puddy but also answers to Precious My son's best friend gave her to us 2 years ago when she was just over 6 weeks old and she has absolutely captured my heart...everynight she crawls into my lap for her massage/rubbins...we think she is Berman/Himmy/Persian...but who the heck knows...WE LOVE HER!! here she is being crazy...all she needs is a beer and a cig! I do sooo love seeing all ya'lls animals...It warms my heart...