Don't blame yourself. I just got rid of three in the 5-8 inch range I acquired from a person leaving town (and his aquarium) --and they wouldn't even EAT in my presence. (But they nibbled my plantlets down to the substrate every night, arrgh!). The larger 2 would occasionally slam to the top for no apparent reason and splash water all over if I had the top open, and the smallest already both eyes damaged, probably from just such antics. Eventually I found that if I filled the tank all the way to almost touching the top, they would still swim up and splash water (the previous owner had cats!)(?) -but wouldn't try to jump. I miss 'em ... but the tank was(is) only 37 gallon, and they were forever butting/rubbing noses against the glass unless I turned their lights off. I also eventually discovered they _would_ voraciously eat scraps/gristle on chicken bones, as ALL of my various fish now do. I had been adding half a 500mg Oyster-Shell Calcium tab to each tank every few weeks, but maybe that wasn't enough: My Plecos and Algae-Eaters can't get enough of chewing on the ends of the bones left behind when my other fish finish with them.

Hi landdawg -- I wish I had some input on the burning bushes for you regarding the diminished foliage. I have a few that are about 5 years old that get lightly pruned throughout the year when I'm taking cuttings to root, but I have never noticed a difference in the amount of leaves they put out. They seem to be faring better in this drought than some of the other landscape shrubs/trees so I haven't given them much attention -- they just don't seem to need it. Just mainly wanted to say "welcome" to the board and hopefully someone else here can chime in to better answer your question. Sincerely, Danielle

I couldn't say whether the OP's sister-in-law is rude, but judging by the OP's responses to other posters, she could sure use a few hours of charm school. It's not possible to control the direction a thread might take. This is a forum and that means discussion - sometimes people discuss things you'd rather not talk about. Tough noogies! I want my house to feel friendly and I hope my friends and family feel welcome and comfortable. I have nice and new expensive furniture. So what! When you visit me, go ahead and put your feet up on the coffee table, sit back, take a sip of your coffee or wine and let's have a nice chat.

I also have the Moen Aberdeen pullout faucet and I had to go pull it out to see if it even made a noise. Funny how I never even noticed it before and I am very sensitive to noises that bug me. I guess because I pull it such a short distance, use it, and put it back that I don't even notice it. It's not like I'm repetitively pulling it in and out. Additionally, the water is usually running when I pull it out so that probably drowns out some of the sound. So No, it does not bother me at all. Circuspeanut, I like your description of it.