UPDATES Ok...Sorry I am not been around...had a sick cat in the house. The other cat and myself, were both busy trying to talk him out of kitty heaven. AnywaysVet was nice enough to charge a visit, and got some kitty antibiotics, he will be going back for surgery later...but, my cat is going to be fine now I think. Things are gradually getting back to 'normal' around here. People have sent me emails, and I am still trying to get caught up. Other than that, I got lots of good news. My phone was disconnected (I hate phones, so this is considered a form of good news) Strangely enought, my mother (whom I speak to on the phone maybe 3 times per decade) got wind of this, and for some reason, she felt determined to pay my phone bill. Luckily, I was able to talk her out of it. I told her, if she really wanted to help me so badly, she could pay the cable bill instead, so I could keep my internet. So, mom to the rescue, I am staying online! My future plants will enjoy a much safer childhood, if I can maintain my access to people who actually know what they're doing. Also, I popped the big question to my uncle on Tuesday. The answer is YES! Since they are going to be gone all summer, and won't be aroung to take care of their garden...my aunt was going to turn most of it into lawn. (EEEK) Instead, he said I can plant some of my plants in there, under the condition I help take care of their stuff too! Oh darn. I'll just have to struggle thru that. (I am really in heaven, but they don't need to know) So...I'm not going to loose contact with the outside world. My cat isn't going to kitty heaven. My garden project is no longer exclusively limited to the boundaries of the apartment, and I'll have a whole yard with a "real garden" nearly all to myself this summer. Can it get any better? YES, it can! The lady who has the "garden of eden" growing on the other side of my aunts fence...apparently she is a human botanical encyclopedia? My aunt just told me that when growing season starts, this woman purposely buys extra stuff, because she like to give plants and seeds away so much! She won't let anyone near her garden (even her husband) but, apparently she loves to answer gardening questions, and come spring... she turns into a real plant-pusher. I'm thinking, if I spend my free time loitering and tinkering around in my aunts yard this summer...I might actually learn about this faster than I thought. Yippe! I really have enjoyed this forum; I've gotton so many great ideas, and have heard from so many nice people here. I may be a poster child for poverty at the moment, but it is only temporary....and I think that by the time my check comes, I will have forgotton how to spend money, and won't remember what I needed it for. This place has really helped stimulate my creativity, and being broke has actually not been so bad. I have managed to come up with the most innovative solutions to problems as they arise, somedays its hard not to see the humor in my situation...overall it has been a rather amusing experience. I have all these containers made from stuff around the house. I've just emptied a coffee can that is about to become a bird house. I traded some cable cords for potting soil and perlite, and now my uncle donated some more to me: He said "it has just been taking up space in the garage." He also gave me paint for my plant containers that he was going to recycle. Someone else is dropping off styrofoam peanuts today. People have offered to send me seeds too, which was the necessary key element I needed before I could start at all. My aunt (a cake decorator) is getting cake flats and lids from her work for me to start my seeds in. She offered to give me some containers she has, that are specifically designed for starting seeds, but I told her that would be cheating..."wouldn't be frugal." I'm just having too much fun trying to find ways to make something out of nothing. Thanks for all the ideas, and support. I need all the help I can get, and I will always be looking for ways to return the favors. I got my garlic babies growing right now in the "nursery" in my fridge. I've gotton alot of good advice about that from people on the "Allium" forums. Anyone want to see pictures? They are absolutly adorable. I better go...but I'll be back. Thanks for everything. Leslie

There aren't very many perennials that will bloom first year, especially in the spring. If you can try annuals, I'd suggest Clarkia. Martha

Here's an update: I bought a new rug. The picture quality is not the greatest as I took it with my phone, but here it is: It is returnable, so I would like some thoughts on it! I love the colour (a mixture of blues and browns), and I think the pattern will help hide our day to day messes (compliments of Bandit, on the loveseat, and her two teenagers!) I also like that it is a less traditional feel than the old rug. I went on my first fabric hunting trip yesterday, but came up empty. I'm still not sure what direction to go for the chairs. Thanks, Carrie

I would suggest GEII for tin cans and I lead 4th graders at a mosaic party last Nov and they grouted very well!