Tony, can I ever relate. The only difference is that I had never made a thing grow in my life before. The plants I received during the many hospital stays, I managed to kill within the year. I had three failed back surgeries which left me with no use of my left leg and foot, a back that I can no longer bend, turn or twist and lately severe Arthritis has attacked my entire body (especially my hands) and horrific pain 24/7. I was in deep depression for a very long time and perhaps if my children would have helped and worried about me as you do about your Mom, I would have pulled myself out of my world of self-pity a long time ago. Alas, I was not that lucky, however, one can only live like that for so long, before thoughts of ending it all take over, and I thank G-d for giving me the strength to find the will to search every avenue to help myself. Also, I have a family physician who is modern and not adverse to giving me enough medication (even narcotics) to take the edge off of the pain. When my youngest moved across the ocean, I bought a samll computer to keep in touch with her. I taught myself how to send e-mails and then I started wandering around the Internet. It was then that I came across GardenWeb and after reading the different posts for days, I got the courage to post and ask questions. You would not believe the many replies I received with all kind of advice on how to start a garden (some giving me sites where to find more info) Last winter I kept myself very busy planning my little garden, searching through catalogues, gardening magazines and the Internet, looking for perennial plants that have "good garden manners", as my garden buddy Newt taught me.I have several container plants and start working on them when it is too cold to plant in the ground. My garden takes up most of my time (even the many long sleepless nights). I agree with the poster that said that outside help can be very frustrating, however, if you have the time to supervise then they will do as your Mom would like to have in done. Who knows, I just might find another hobby to add, that will ensure that I have no spare moments to dwell on all the things I can no longer do (I was not born disabled) Also, I am not adverse to getting a little psycological help now and them when I need it most. I have to digress here for a moment and tell you that the great friends I found here on GardenWeb gave me a new lease on life. I still write to some and they answer when they are able. We exchange jokes as well as gardening information,links where you can find more information for every subject and seeing that we are in the same boat, in one form or another, it gives me the strength to carry on. (We understnad each other) Perhaps that is why I am so grateful to GardenWeb,and to this new Forum. The advice you got in the previous posts are excellent, and if I may, I would like to suggest that if you do build a raised bed, sitting on the wall and twisting around to care for the plants does not always work for everyone. I know it doesn't for me. I don't know if my solution will work for your Mom, however, I had four large (tall) rock garden stones with relatively flat tops placed in strategic places so that I can move around on them (not have to twist my spine). That way I am closer to the ground and can get my hands in the dirt. I guess I will have to leave the composting to purchasing it in a bag (not quite the same as making your own, I understand, however,it's the best I can manage.) Just one last thing, I have purchased some excellent "Enabling tools" through a Catalogue,the name is called Gardenscape, they have a toll free number, which is: 1-888-472-3266, the are situated in Toronto 416-698-5339, they are very reliable, guarantee all purchases and ship promptly. The Catalogue is Free. (I believe they are a GardenWeb sponsor) Good Luck, and G-d Bless Punky.

We are at a juncture where we can complain about a lack of qualified applicants, or we can get creative. If you think this industry is alone about complaining about the dire shortage of qualified applicants, think again. Nearly every business in every industry has the same issue. There is an essay in book called The Wizard of Ads (by Roy H. Williams) called "A Message to Garcia". Written shortly after the Spanish-American War, the message of this essay resonates perhaps more strongly today than when it was written. I encourage you to read this essay and the book. Now as to your problem... Start not only with the local state university with a hort program, but also every two and four year school, and high schools in larger communities with in a few hundred miles that have a hort program. Next step, state nursery association. Next step, newspapers and online job boards. Don't forget the state workforce development/unemployment offices/whatever it's called in your state. Also include monster.com, hortjobs.com, hotjobs.com, any others that seem to attract attention and traffic in your area. Next step, the national publications, greenbeam (Nursery Manager and the like); greenbeam.com and seek what you want. American Nurseryman. Don't forget to woo your prospective employee. Why should they work for you? What can you offer them that wouldn't find elsewhere? Challenges unique to the business, opportunities of growth, and don't fool yourself into believing that pay and benefits will not be a major issue. The larger nursery companies in this country can easily absorb every single hort grad every single year. How can you hope to offer someone graduating with student loans, car payments, and rent, before you think about little things like food and insurance and maybe a new pair of boots once a year, a chance to make a living? Tell me a little about your nursery. What is your current level and what is your next level? What areas of growth do you intend to pursue? What is your market? Do you see that changing, evolving, shrinking, growing? What are your ultimate goals? Treat this like a date...you want to be impressed by them, but you also have to impress them.

"Hi - My name is Sweeby and I'm a tile addict." Well, more accurately, I'm a ceramic tile addict. Stones tiles can be lovely - glass too. But it's ceramics I dream about at night. (Yes - Really) The color intensity of a ceramic glaze -- the depth of color -- the range of colors available. The subtlety and the boldness! Crackles, shiney, mattes. Absolute flats with rectified edges. Handmade with irregular surfaces and color variations. Earthy tiles. Out of this world space-age tiles. Vintage tiles. Futuristic tiles. Spanish Villas, Japanese Tea Rooms, Sweedish firesides, French Bakeries, English greenhouses... How do I love tiles? Let me count the ways...

Thanks for all the support! It's down. I knew I had to cut my losses. Jelly toast, you make an excellent point about the tile sample. If I had seen a larger piece of this tile I would never have purchased it. My sample was primarily white and the actual sheets have lots of warm tan in it. I have five full boxes left over out of the eight i purchased.The granite is much more cool in tone. I'm thinking a neutral gray. I have some leftover gray floor tile that is the perfect choice. Sadly, I called for pricing of this tile in a smaller version and I don't think I can justify the price. I'm heading out now to see what I can find. Expensive mistake but it could be worse. If they won't let me return it I might be able use it down the road in my secondary bath.