Hi, Gerard... I've been thinking a lot about those bulb photos... and regardless of cause, I think that your climate and environment just don't work with the average potting soils... even if you add perlite by the tons. It's the actual black, decomposing parts of the soil that will give you the most problems. The particles are too small, and they don't allow for oxygen to reach the root ball. The roots can actually suffocate under those conditions. Add moisture and cold, or even cool temperatures, and you have the perfect environment for rot. I live quite a bit south of you, but I experience the same cold and the same damp, and I've been fighting the same problems. I thought that my bulbs were growing fine in the potting soil I was using, which was just regular old MiracleGro or Schultz brand bagged soil. I even added extra perlite, but if all the other soil particles aren't the same as the perlite, it defeats the purpose. After unearthing a few of my bulbs, I saw that their root systems weren't as healthy as I thought they'd be... a lot of the roots were dead and rotted. That's when I began researching in earnest, determined to find the solution! I keep thinking about the remnants of soil in your photos, and it appears too fine and too dark... it's mostly peat based, if I'm not mistaken. This type of mix holds moisture longer, and tends to break down and compact quickly. I've found that the ideal mix has particles smaller than an orchid bark mix, but larger than your average bagged soils. Bonsai mediums are almost perfect. I'm including a couple of links... you may have already read some of the information... but there are many substitutes for the turface or granite chips used in the mix I talk about. Oil dry, clay cat litters, diatomite, akadama... many of these products will work. Even small aquarium gravel can be used. Pumice is another alternative. The idea is to have a medium composed of larger particles that allows for the exchange of oxygen and gases to and from the roots, one that does not decompose as fast as potting soil. Plants mainly use soil to hold them upright, for support. Plants in inorganic mediums are fed on a more regular basis, but there's no soil break down, and no rot. http://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basics_Soils.html http://www.dallasbonsai.com/store/potting_medium_index.html This next link below is just a photo of a typical bonsai-type medium, so you can see what I mean about larger particle size... the drainage is almost instantaneous. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hoffman_Bonsai_Soil_Mix.jpg There's actually a lot of helpful information discussed over at the Container Gardening Forum. Reading some of the posts over there can be quite informational. If you get a chance, sneak over and do a little reading. As a footnote, I hope to be mixing a giant batch of this medium type later this year, mainly for use in outdoor containers. If anyone cannot find the ingredients to mix their own, and would like to try some, I could arrange to send a sample for the cost of postage. I'll be sure to post when I mix it and have it ready. I know I keep pushing this inorganic mix with larger particles, but for those of us in colder climates, it really is a great solution! Once we understand how roots behave under soil level, and what keeps them healthy in container environments, we begin to see that it's important to provide FAST drainage and AERATION. Ok... I'm done preaching.

Sorry to hear about your fungus Anna - hate the stuff! Hoping I can pull through with my second batch of seeds. If not, sounds like we'll both be off to the nursery for transplants. I'm not opposed to them, just wanted to grow my own. So amazing to watch and heartbreaking when they get sick. Susannah, glad I could help. I sent a message over this morning. I'm honored to speak with you! I'm also very curious about your book. I immediately thought of Marjory Kinnan Rawlings and Zora Neale Hurston when I saw the year and subject of your upcoming book. Love literature about that period. I can enjoyably get lost for hours in the WPA FWP archives. Hoping we get some broccoli responses.. Love broccoli, but lots of spraying in the commercial fields. So growing here for the longest period possible is highly desirable in my home. My Mom talks to the brocolli seedlings everyday. Of course telling them how she's going to eat them all up may not be the words they wish to hear lol. Thanks for posting Carolb. I look forward to pics and the answers to the questions Tom has asked. Knowing those answers will definitely help in a successful outdoor start. Thank you so much everyone! I feel that I can honestly say I am not the only person you are helping with your knowledge and experiences. I lurked for months trying to learn before making the leap and starting to post.

heat pump, central air and heat and a mini split as far as cost of operation? heat pump same as central air and heat except that the heat pump provides the bulk of the heat. this is what I recomend to my clients based on savings compared to electric strip heat. with heat pumps the electric strip is emergency heat and for when temps are 30 degrees..which is not that often for us. central air is electric strip heating only. the most expensive way to heat your home. (espically if you have entergy for your utility provider) mini splits are pretty cool. expensive but fit a lot of needs and great for tight retrofit spots. the condensing unit goes outside like with any set up, but this is where it changes. in each room the air is provided by a wall mounted air handler unit. the condensing units are up to 3 tons. each room would have the ahu..this is what they are calling zones. cost is higher, but you don't have ductwork, so it evens out a little better. with the foam insulation & low e windows your tonnage of ac required will be less. although I don't recomend 'rule of thumb' sizing instead of the ususal 400 to 500 sq ft per ton, your house will be more in the range of 600 to 700 sq ft per ton. oversizing will cost more to operate, wear the equipment out sooner, and will NOT dehumidify. be diligent in finding out what is being spec'd for your home and what options are available for you. some systems will qualify for tax credit, and it is always a good idea to do better than the legal minimum allowed by law (code). in what part of La. are you building? best of luck.

Thanks for the re-welcoming responses everyone! :) Skip the individual replies below and go to the next post to read more about kitchen details... Julie - the crossing of your body parts is WORKING! Dianalo - thanks for the fingers crossing - it's totally working - and yes I agree there has been too much drama! Johnliu - thank you! That's a major super kind compliment - especially considering how many pictures you see on this forum! :) I really appreciate it and thanks for thinking of me. It's going better now, at least re. the kitchen! Aliris19 - I KNOW! Crazy weird. I don't get it - the best I can come up with is that I somehow acquired some bad karma! Kathe - thank you. It's finally working out - yay! More details below, about the kitchen. Re. my husband, I'd love to give you some better news but yesterday we went to the doc after he had a second echocardiogram (sp?) and much to our surprise (since he's feeling and looking better and has adjusted well to the meds) they said he wasn't doing as well as they'd hoped - especially for his relatively younger age and relative health. His heart hasn't decreased in size and his EF% did get to a safer/higher number (between 30-35 as opposed to the 20-25 it was before) but it has to be 40 or above to be able to prevent getting a pacemaker put in. :( So now he's facing that and he's incredibly discouraged after how well he was feeling. Also, some of his heart is apparently dead now (?) - forget the terminology - so a second advantage of the pacemaker is that a third wire can be put in which will help sort of stimulate that area, if I'm understanding correctly. The doc says the way my husband's heart is now, he has a 5-10% chance of dying which is of course high, though he thinks on the low end cause of his general health. But still that's high!!! I forgot what the number is after the pacemaker though. He said he recommends doing it soon but he said an alternative would be up the meds (which is happening either way/regardless) and then wait 6 weeks to see if his EF# gets up to 40 but he said that's very unlikely and that postponing things is a risk, especially since we have 3 kids (and no life insurance, thank you very much...or you can thank my husband very much...we fought about this so many times prior to his diagnosis - it kills me to think about!). My husband wants to wait the 6 weeks, which is a pretty big concern - I'm pretty worried about this. I mean if you look at this as "how much luck is this couple having lately" - it points to HAVE THE SURGERY DONE NOW. Doesn't it?! Thanks for inquiring, and sorry to have such a long reply! Marcolo - thank you! You can see the details about the hubby in the above post - and thanks for thinking of him! As for the Jaclo faucet, here's what I have to say about it TODAY anyway: I love so much about it, but the particular one I ordered has had some issues which appear to be a major fluke based on everything I've read and heard about them. The company has been very good about responding appropriately and they're about to send me a brand spanking new one. They've send some individual replacement parts which have worked out relatively well but not well enough for the amount the faucet costs! In other words for the price, this thing needs to be tight and working beautifully in every way, IMO! The man who's helping me said that the moment the order comes in from my local store (I won't be charged) he's going to take it off the shelf himself and make sure there's no jiggling in the neck and that everything else looks and works perfectly. I've been wanting to talk about the faucet on here but have been waiting to see if the issues could get resolved first so that I can give a thorough and fair review. I do love the faucet though, even with the issues. I just love how funky and different it is while also appearing period-appropriate...I love the hidden sprayer that doesn't require putting holes in your countertop, I love the choice of very high-end levers/colors or the stainless wheels option and I love love love the gorgeous polished solid stainless body that isn't as cold as chrome - it's much more like polished nickel warmth-wise but more durable. Also, because my countertop is stainless, it's a perfect match. Not blue as chrome or yellow as nickel. :) Fori - thank you! Flwrs n co - your positive juju is working! I'm going to be able to show pics soon it appears. The paint on the upper original cabs and crappy old windows (lead paint, mind you) is another matter. Not sure how to afford that but it looks terrible compared to all the other nice work. But you'll just have to look past that! :) Thank you for the well-wishes. We'll take any and all that we (he) can get right now. Honorbiltkit - I can picture this dance in my mind, perfectly. Why do I have a feeling you're a writer? Cluelessincolorado - it's good to know if I'm gone too long, you'll head up the search party! ;) #3 is making me so happy. Read below to hear all about it. Thank you for the well-wishes, including for my badly-needed sanity...you have NO IDEA, honestly (they're talking about sending me away for a week so I can get some respite - but that's mostly cause the kids are making me crazy. I think I'm developing a tick!!)!!!! Details about kitchen in the next post below...