I re-potted him. Explanation why and a new question (thus the new thread) are here: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/tropicalfruits/msg0512301720241.html Any help is, of course, greatly appreciated. Thanks. :) Here is a link that might be useful: the new thread

Been compared to a lump of coal before, but never a 'gem'. roflol

Welcome back, Chef!:~) Congratulations on, both, your upcoming wedding and baby! Interesting how so many people (from the old days) that fled from here have been forced to return. I haven't had a lot of spare time to spend online, recently, but I did follow how you were treated over there. With friends like these... I thought that I'd made some friendships(there)and was really disturbed by what happened to me, but the way you were treated was beyond the pale. I had always thought that you all were fairly close and seemed to have a good relationship. Sad...really, really sad! (Although, fairly typical over the last several years!) If only the owner had taken care of the issue a few years ago, things might have turned out differently. It never really mattered... The moderators ruled and let their friends do whatever they wanted. You lost every dispute without even a hearing. Wrong automatically! I just didn't have it in me to keep banging my head against the wall. So... I said a few nasty things and left feeling very bitter about the place. Best thing I did! I dropped a major source of stress and got a Flickr page instead. I've made far more contacts and friends, here as well as there, since. And... All with absolutely no noticeable attitude issues! Mostly! ;~) Again... Welcome back! Scott

An excellent post Silversword -- And very true. How about a few word pictures from the other side: Mr. Cheerleader He applauds your successes with genuine happiness, and knows that a win for you is a win for the two of you. You're on the same team, so your victories are his victories as well (though he'd never claim the credit - you did it), and cause for genuine celebration. He's proud of what you accomplish, and has faith in your abilities, and has no illusions that your strength is his weakness. You find yourself doing more, taking more risks, and feeling more confident because you know he supports you. The Accepter He knows you're not perfect, but loves you the way you are, quirks and all. When confronted with one of your mistakes, he forgives you easily because he recognizes he's not perfect either (and he can tell you where). So you can actually feel safe and comfortable admitting your imperfections and confessing your mistakes because you know his love for you is not conditional. If for once in your life, you spent $300 on a pair of red shoes (and that $300 won't mean the mortgage is late), he'll smile and say "Those must be some shoes! Let's see them." And you'll love him all the more for his acceptance and vow to only buy $300 shoes when they're that special. Mr. Curious He wants to know about your day, your friends, your job, your past -- not because he doesn't trust you, but because he wants to really know you. He wants to know what events shaped you into the wonderful person you are, to understand your perspectives, your values, your world view. He understands that what happened before you met is no threat to your relationship and what you do on your time away from him is rightfully your own choice. He wants you to have fun when you're not together, and wants to hear all about it when you get home. Mr. Other Side He doesn't always agree with you, but he does always agree that you have a right to your own viewpoint, and he'll take the time and make the effort to find out what it is. When you disagree, he won't immediately stomp off or resort to name-calling or other insults. He'll try to find out why you feel the way you do. If you feel strongly about something and he doesn't, that in itself is sometimes enough to decide the issue, assuming you afford him the same courtesy sometimes. He may end up thinking you're crazy on a certain point, but he'll never start there! ;-) Mr. Math Not. He does not keep score. If it's 'your turn' to cook dinner and you've had really a hard day, he'll either jump in and do it or suggest eating out. When the baby cries in the middle of the night or the toddler gets out of bed for the umpteenth time, he'll take a turn. When you jump in and do something for him, he'll see it and thank you for your thoughtfulness. He doesn't waste his mental or emotional energies keeping track of who does more for the relationship. He genuinely wants to do his fair share, and perhaps a bit more, just to make you happy. Mr. Charming OK, maybe not in an obvious way. There may be a spare tire or a shiny spot on top, or he may stumble for words -- but you can learn to spot him by the way he treats others. He genuinely likes his mother and sisters and says so. With very few exceptions, he speaks well of his co-workers and former girlfriends, and his friends speak well of him. He's kind and polite to store clerks, waiters, other drivers and subway passengers. These guys exist too, and it's worth our time to find them!