Hi Hilary, I didn't say less light in any of my posts. I usually try to get my cactus as much light as possible... Direct sunlight if I can. Even when I'm trying to callous a cutting. In the dark or dim light, the cactus cutting will not dry out much and will not be so eager to send out roots to find more water. As for peanut cacti having short round joints... not always... just the new joints. I had one that had joints that were 6-8 inches long... some a bit longer. But look at the difference in the areoles and the placement of them and the lenth of the spines in the following pictures. The Peanut Cactus has shorter, stiffer spines than the Rat-Tail and they're white as opposed to yellow. The first is the Peanut cactus the second the rat tail. Now look at the areols on your larger pieces of cactus? And by the way, the larger size is probably more like how large all the branches should be. :-( And another Peanut Cactus And the Rat-Tail cactus Which looks closer to yours? How about this peanut cactus? Here's links to both cactus on Desert-tropicals.com. Read the description/"Growth Habit" of both. Echinopsis camaecereus Disocactus(Aporocactus) flagelliformis I still think it's a peanut cactus... Which way are you leaning now? :-)

Hi, Thanks for asking. Not much has changed, things have escalated a bit more at times. Different triggers, same story. SS continues getting deposits made directly into his bank account several times a month from DH in addition to his wages, but no helping with bills or house or cleaning. He does however go on long fishing/shopping trips and has one of his two girlfriends spend the night here (in the room with him & GS) 3+ nights a week. DH asked me why I had such a bug up my **s about it. I feel it is inappropriate on so many levels. I believe DH enables SS to continue living a life making poor decisions that have effects not only on him but his child and everyone around him. BUT, that is not my cross to carry and I cannot make him stop. Anyway, I am actively looking for a place, with a short term lease 6 months for this reason, I really don't know if our relationship is salvedgable any longer and if it isn't I will not stay in this geographical area. Dh knows I am moving out asap, seems to be ok with it though he did say that the money I spend on rent could be used to fix up our rehab house. I said "Yes, that is true, it could." And continue with my plans. Work has all but stopped on the house as DH is back into his workaholic thing and that is that. No real surpises. I love him, I do but honestly there is no room for me in this marriage. I expect I will end up signing the house over and walking. I don't expect things to get nasty, or least as long as I do everything in my power to not say anything that may remotely make SS uncomfortable in anyway- like "could you do your dishes?" or "I'll need to use my washer and dryer tonight, can you make sure it's availabe?" you know stuff like that. Then things will be ok. I was very ill with flu all week and must say DH was very good about stopping at store for me and getting my medications filled, popsicles, water and the like almost daily. He is a very good caretaker. Too bad there just isn't any way to make our marriage a priority that comes first. But I'm just tired of it all now and have no energy left to fight for it anymore. I think the parting will be peaceful, painful in some ways as I am already so lonely and alone much of the time and grieving the time spent waiting for "someday". Sometimes someday just doesn't happen. It's not a realistic hope anymore and I have to let it go for my own health and peace of mind. ~Cat

Awhhhh Flatcoat - yours makes mine sound like a dream project. I can't even imagine putting up with all of this, AND being sick. I understand what you mean about leaving at 730 every morning. Mine doesn't show up until 8, but there are some mornings that I just don't want anyone around that early. But, I suck it up and deal with it. One thing that I made clear from the beginning though, NO WORKERS ON THE WEEKEND. I know myself well enough to know that after 5 days it during the week - that would be enough and that I'd be ready for a little down time on the weekend. You poor thing! I hope you feel better very soon. Guess it was a good thing for me to post this, because I was able to vent... and gave a few others a forum to vent a little too. :) I want to say (because if I don't I'll feel guilty!), that other than the mess issue - my entire project and my GC have been just about perfect. We have had no really bad mistakes or scheduling issues - that and he's got a heart of gold and is a very nice man. Hubby spoke to him this morning, and he was very apolgetic - and totally accepted responsibility, not trying to push it off on to someone else - or making it seem like I was just being picky. I knew we picked the right guy - guess a little open communication on my part would have been better - rather than letting it build and build, and blowing a fuse last night. LOL Just gotta keep my eye on the prize. Thanks you all for letting me blow off a little steam, and for sharing your stuff too. I feel better. :)

iluvcats ~ The Kirkland Super Premium Puppy food has the following ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearl barley, egg, beet pulp, chicken fat, potatoes, fish meal, flaxseed, dried brewer's yeast, millet, potasium chloride, salt, choline, chloride, carrots, peas, kelp, applies, dried skim milk, cranberry powder, salmon oil (a source of DHA), rosemary extract, parsley flake, dried chicory root, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine, manganese proteinate, manganese oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganse sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxinehydrochloride (Vit. B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D supplement and folic acid. Everyone knows that rice is far more digestible than corn or wheat. I don't see how this is a bad thing. Crude protein - 28% min. Crude fat - 17% min. Crude fiber - 3% max. Moisture - 10% max. Calcium - 1.2% min. Phosphorous - 1% min. Zinc - 225mg min. Selenium - 0.4mg min Vitamin E - 250IU min. Omega 6 fatty acids - 3% min. Omega 3 fatty acids - 0.5% min. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) - 0.005% min. It's true that this isn't listed a human grade food but most folks simply cannot afford to pay huge prices for that kibble option. Before the onset of commerical kibble dogs and cats have been a part of families. They used to feed table scraps. Perhaps that wasn't so bad in the day when nothing was processed food and everything was grown fresh. I am pleased with the ingredients of this food. The dry kibble that my cats eat also has excellent ingredients. I wonder if I could find out who makes the dry food for Kirkland. Robyn