To increase the chances of success (even with the bulletproof shrubs) you might want to consider planting further from the house wall. The proximity of the wall, and the overhang, keep a lot of the rain from landing on this kind of bed. The rhody and azalea that are there now (or were there) are probably suffering from lack of water and too much alkalinity leaching from the foundation and the walkway. They are really understory shrubs and are not appropriate for a narrow foundation bed. Soil prep in this kind of narrow area is also really important if you want the plants to thrive - this is as important as picking the right plants. You will also want to invest in a soaker hose and possibly a timer; if these plants are actually dying, it is very likely that they didn't receive enough water while they were getting established. It would be dificult to plant anything between the path and the house that has any height, without making the path impassable. But, because of the strong horizontal lines of the house, and the different siding above and below the overhang, something taller than the overhang at some point along the front might help unify the facade. So, I'd suggest putting in a bed beyond the path for anything taller than about 3'. I'm not a designer (that may be quite obvious!) but that's what I'd consider if this were my house. Before you start shopping or digging, I'd get to the library and borrow some design books - there are some great new ones that address front yard gardens. Even though your time is limited, the time you spend reading and looking at designs will be well spent - and will save you lots of time in the long run. If you're near Swarthmore, take a look at the Scott Arboretum there. Their specialty is showing how plants will look in the home garden, and they have some outstanding people who might be able to answer questions and make suggestions. You really want to grow something that you like, since you'll be looking at it for a long time!

You could start your fall garden seeds indoors now to be ready for planting out in a month or so. I have brussell sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage seedlings growing under lights now, to be planted out in July/Aug. I also plant the fall carrot crop in early July. I sow the seed a little deeper (to get the seeds down to the moisture, which is deeper in the summer) and then keep them covered with wetted burlap until they sprout, and then keep them under row covers for a few weeks. I also wait until July to seed my pumpkins (so they are ready for Halloween). I save my tuna cans to use as collars as protection against SVBs. And cow peas (black eyed peas) can be planted just about any time. I use them as a cheap cover crop between plantings. I buy them at the grocery store for $1.50 or less per bag. If you give your plants some shade early in their lives, you can still plant just about anything that matures in less than 120 days. We don't usually get frost here in the Charlotte area until mid to late Oct.

Hi FD, everyone has posted lots of good ideas...:) I think KKNY's idea of the depression is a very good one, your SO does sound that way. You could take him to his family doctor and check into it, you can also take online "tests", such as this one.. http://www.depression.about.com/cs/diagnosis/l/bldepscreenquiz.htm There are lots of sites if you just google "depression test" and they aren't a perfect diagnosis, but if your SO takes one, it might at least show him if he is indeed depressed and then he might at least choose to get some help,if he is depressed. He also sounds like he is still allowing his DD's and his ex to manipulate him terribly and he sounds like a big time enabler. He is "enabling" his kids and his ex to ruin his (and Your!) holiday! Sounds like he could use a therapist to help him get thru this, as he is letting them run and ruin his life for him. In turn, you help him with the kids, because you love him and you are a good person, but you get "swept" into the mess. I really hope you go to your family party and have a good time and as my dear old Mum says "Let him stew!!" Sometimes just by letting him sit there and be miserable and by not asking him anymore to come, maybe he will actually think about how his behaviour is affecting you and your relationship together. I would even go so far as to tell him when you leave to go to the party: "think about how your behaviour is affecting other people,in particular me." Then give him a smile and a hug and a wave and a "see you,I'm off to have a great time!!" If all else fails, tell him your cousin is bringing a newly divorced guy who is apparently heartbroken but dashingly handsome and smart funny, etc...a doctor...LOL!!

Also, just FYI, it is typically that a symmetrical layout is not a functional one, and vice versa. For example, this is a very common symmetrical layout with the sink and range both centered and lined up: This causes two problems: 1) The counters are all chopped up into small pieces. If you look, all the stretches of counter you have to work on in this kitchen are roughly 2' wide. That would be IMMENSELY frustrating to get anything done on. On any given counter, if you center your range/sink, it divides the counter on either side into two small pieces. Whereas if you place the range/sink off-center, you get one longer stretch of counter and one shorter stretch. This latter situation is WAY more functional because you can actually get something done on the longer stretch. 2) The sink and range are directly back-to-back. This means a person at the sink will be bumping into a person at the range, and both will be crowding each other. When the sink and range are staggered in the kitchen, a person at the sink and a person at the range will not be in each other's way. It's not as if you can't have some things centered or lined up in a kitchen, but you will curse perfect symmetry any time you try to DO anything. You might need to have a talk with your husband about maybe getting his symmetrical kicks in from other parts of the house where it is not at the expense of function.