It's been a couple of years, and what actually brought me to GardenWeb, so I'll share this story again. We moved to the country July 27. Not much could be done, I thought, at that point about clearing the property of brambles, vines, suckered trees, etc., but I thought I'd try. One day, after yoga class (I mention that because I want you to remember that yoga clothes are cotton and lycra, somewhat stretchy.) I went outside and began to cut the suckers off the trees, pulling miles and miles of vines out of them, and chopping down the brambles. Foxgrape covered the 2nd story of the house, trumpet vine made the fence line a solid mat of green, and brambles poked through everything else. The cell phone is God's gift to my husband, who spends a ton of time driving from job to job. He therefore calls me a gudzillion times a day. I kept dropping my phone as I was working, so I stuck it in my sports bra. That got sweaty, so I stuck it into the other side. It kept falling out (not me, the phone) when I would bend over, so I looked around and stuck it into the back of my pants. After awhile, it started sliding down (like the potato joke), so I stuck it into the front. When that got hot and sweaty and started sliding down, I finally threw it up on the porch in disgust. He could wait to talk to me! I worked a while longer, pulling, cutting, chopping, and cleaning. The next day, on the way to yoga again, I noticed an itchy bump in my shin. "That d@mned dog," I thought, "has FLEAS!" See, my deceased MIL's dog had come to live with us. The famous, patient, and affectionate General the Golden Retriever. I indignantly showed my husband, who took one look, began to belly laugh, and said, "Hon? That's not a flea bite, that's poision ivy." Well, I'd managed to massage poison ivy all over my body while trying to hold onto that d@mned cell phone. It was so bad, it was steroid resistant, and when the doctor drew a line on my tummy, within the hour it had broken out 2'' past the line. Ironically and thank God, it never erupted into sores, just a huge burn-looking, all-body rash. I'd never been so miserable in my life. The result is that I am now allergic to the DIRT the roots have been in. That oil is evil stuff!!! But imagine me diligently ripping those hairy vines out of the trees? I learned the weeping trees along the fence line weren't trees, but posts so covered with thigh-thick poison ivy, that they grew up and out like weeping cherries. Yes, I had the land professionally cleared in the spring. Probably the best investment I'd ever, ever made. But now I can wince and laugh! Christine

artemis78, I found your link in my "working" list of threads needing repair, and I submitted it on 2/24. You're right, it's still missing all the photos. :-( Modern California Bungalow Kitchen artemis Oct 2011 Thank you for posting, because I also rechecked the last group of threads I submitted around the same time...and found a few more that are still missing photos and/or text. I've sent a new list to Tamara, to re-send to the tech team folks. I'll keep an eye on the threads I resent today. I appreciate the heads up!

I think this FAQ is a great start, and I hope the project doesn't get scrapped - I've just started poking around in this specific forum and I wish it were already fleshed out. (Especially sections that give basics about the different families/genera/whatever make sense.) I only discovered the GardenWeb forums in late November or early December, and I've now read through dozens and dozens of threads (primarily in House Plants, but in some of the more specific forums, too), but this is the first thread I've seen anyone mention there even is a "FAQs" link in any forum. I hadn't noticed it myself because the FAQs link blended in with other things on the page :\ Having one place to refer to basics would be fantastic, especially if the "basics" provide links to discussions/other websites that go into greater detail. They don't compete with each other, they complement each other. It could make finding the details so much easier! I saw mention of a 5-1-1 (or 7-1-1?) mix recently, and tried to search the forums to get the details and found pages and pages referring to it before finally finding a recipe. I'm sure people looking for details on the gritty mix have the same frustration, unless someone links them to one of the threads where Al has described it. I've been bookmarking lots and lots and LOTS of threads related to various plants I keep, but most of what I need right now is pretty basic info, and I'd rather refer to one FAQ section than have to either ask basic questions people have probably answered a dozen times, or spend lots and lots of time reading lots of threads (or other websites) to find the one that actually provides the info I'm looking for. (This is not to say it replaces actual conversation, because there's benefit in asking for help/answering newcomer questions: having people provide reassurance, or deal with the exceptions to basics is something an FAQ or old thread can't do. I also do not regret having read so much here in search of basics - there is an incredible wealth of information in older discussions - but FAQs can be fantastic additional resources.)

FOR TAMARA AND THE FAQ I've gone back and reviewed what everyone has said and came up with the following: ================================================== Title Subject: How do I choose a backsplash and when do I choose it? =============== CONTENT BELOW ================== To the age old question, "Do I need a backsplash?", the short answer is yes. You need some sort of backsplash in wet zones to protect your walls, cabinets, floors, and subfloors from deterioration due to water infiltration, and in your cooking zone to protect your drywall from cooking oils, spills, odors, and cleaning chemicals. That said, plenty of Houzzers have chosen not to have a backsplash, or to delay the choice for budgetary or other reasons. To review some of these threads, search for threads with "ABB" (All But Backsplash) in the Subjects to check those out. (See the current "New to Kitchens" thread for more information regarding searching the Forum.) . How does one choose a backsplash? First, like every other process here, we encourage you to do some research on your own, then post your particulars and ask for feedback. One fundamental question you must consider before all others is what is the focus of your space? Cabinets? Counters? Backsplash? Something else? Multiple focal points are generally not recommended, so determine what you want for your focal point and select your backsplash (and other components) based on your preference. For example, bold counters and attention-grabbing backsplashes rarely work well together. How do you determine your preferred focus? Look at pictures of Kitchens you like as well as those with various items as the focal point. Some will have simple cabinets and floors with a busy/bold counter and calm/simple backsplash. Others will have simple cabinets, floors, and counters with a busy or commanding backsplash. Which do you find yourself drawn to? The images of the Kitchens you like will help you determine which you prefer – is there a pattern to what you like? Another consideration is whether you want a backsplash that's only a few inches tall, one that goes to the ceiling, or something in between. You don't have to have a backslash that covers every inch of wall. In some cases, you don't need a backsplash (e.g., an island sink or cooktop), but that's rarely the case. In most situations, at least a small backsplash is needed in key locations. . To Wait or Not To Wait There is no right or wrong answer – many Houzzers have done both. Wait…Waiting to buy your backsplash until you have had your counters installed allows you to see samples in your space and in your light throughout the day with your actual installed materials and with proper orientation/location (e.g., backsplash samples should be vertical between the counter and upper cabinets, flooring should be horizontal below the cabinets when viewing). For example, if your installed cabinets are warmer than you expected or your counters cooler, you are free to search for a backsplash material that can pull things together. The only drawback to waiting is that you may have to wait for your backsplash material to be fabricated or to arrive, causing possible delays in the completion of your space. Don't Wait…Choosing your backsplash in concert with your other materials, prior to demo, allows you to be certain they all work together both in terms of design and cost. This keeps you from running the risk of falling in love with a backsplash that doesn't look right with your already installed counter or fit within the budget that is leftover after you have made all of your other choices. There are also advantages in terms of lay outing things like electrical outlets to best work with your chosen backsplash. Finally choosing your backsplash before demo starts allows you to order any necessary material so project completion isn't delayed. However, a major drawback to this is that you are making decisions on colors and finishes based on samples -- sample cabinet finishes, sample counter swatches, sample backsplash materials, etc. -- and samples don't always represent the final product accurately. If you are in the "pick all the elements now" camp, consider creating a "mood board" to get at least an idea of how things will look together. In addition, bring home samples to at least check how they will look in the light of your Kitchen – both natural and, if possible, artificial light. The majority wisdom on this site favors waiting, if that is possible. Regardless of which approach you choose, you should consider your backsplash as one part of the whole picture of your beautiful new space! . Inspiration Images These really help you to focus on what your kitchen as a whole will look like. They also give the folks responding to your queries an idea of what you like so they won't recommend, for example, white subway tiles if all your inspiration images feature hand painted Mexican tile. As mentioned above, search the web for images of kitchens with your other materials (white cabinets, walnut floors, etc.) and select which ones you like the best. What type of backsplash do they have? The idea is not to copy the look, but to get a feel for what you like and communicate those likes to others. . Budget Finally, we'll need an idea of a materials budget. Installation can account for half of the budget for a backsplash, so take that into consideration in your planning and deduct accordingly. Let us know how much you want to spend in $/sf for your materials and/or overall cost. It's not very helpful falling in love with a handmade tile in a custom glaze if it costs $100/square foot and your budget for tile is $10/sf, but Houzz Kitchens Forum members are fantastic at finding similar (and occasionally the same) tiles for less money. Without budget numbers it is very difficult for us to truly be of help to you. (Be aware that labor costs will vary by the area where you live as well as how complex your installation will be.) . How we can help The way it works is that we can recommend a surface (usually tile, sheet glass, metal, slab stone or laminate), advise for/against a choice (color, or busy-ness are the usual things discussed), provide you with layout and pattern feedback, and find images you might have missed of materials that have worked for us or caught our eye. For example, you might ask: "How can I find a backsplash tile to go with my green floors, counters, and purple cabinets?" The answer might be that you have to paint your cabinets or change your floors to make it right, or maybe some Houzzer somewhere will show you an image of a kitchen with a painted tin backsplash that pulls it all together. It has happened! Some Houzz members are great at photoshopping images together to give you an idea of what a small sample of your backsplash might look like in your space. It is time and effort on their part that can be truly helpful. Remember to say thank you! . . Regardless of our advice, remember that it is just that, advice. In the end, it's your Kitchen and it's up to you what you want to put in it – take or leave the advice we give, but at least you are making an informed choice and know the pros & cons of your choice! We hope we can be helpful and good luck with your project! . . . [Eam44, Crl_, Buehl, and other Houzzers]