Barb, I don't really pour that much water into each pot to begin with (unless I'm leaching)... I kind of have a feel for how much to pour in each one, so that when it's all said and done, there's not that much in the saucers. What does drain through, I allow to soak up into the pot through the bottom. If there's still water in the saucers after 2 or 3 hours, I dump them. You have to remember... my pots are all indoors, so there's not that much heat or direct sun sucking the moisture out of them. I learned my lesson well last year, regarding setting pots directly on the ground outside, without saucers. I lost some Sprekelia bulbs to a combination of too much rain and too many sowbugs, or pillbugs... or whatever those nasty things are called! This coming season, I plan to set the pots on a low bench type structure, without saucers. I need to keep the pots off the ground, and keep excess rain from gathering under the pots. I think the addition of a little vermiculite and a handful or two of quality potting soil mixed into my medium is very helpful for the amount of moisture retention I'm looking for. I don't want the sopping wet soil like I used to deal with, but I do like enough retention so the plants can have what they need. As I mentioned before, I tweak the mixture depending on what I'm planting. And I just sort of have developed a feel for how much water to pour into each pot... it was a learning experience for me, too, at first... but now, I love it! I hope that helps explain how I handle things... oh, and my pots are all medium from top to bottom with NO drainage layer. That would defeat my purpose and create a perched water table within the pots... which would not be good!

Oh, I'm sorry about your pendant--what a shame! I hope that the cleaning company will pay up! I've had the same cleaning woman for almost 20 years now. But we've had our share of mini-disasters! The biggest disaster was that her assistant knocked a painting off a shelf. It tumbled down the stairs, shattered the glass, destroyed the frame, and punched a big hole in the drywall at the bottom of the stairs! The painting (an original) was thankfully not damaged, but I had to get a new frame and glass. I was miffed--that painting had rested there for years and years, through troops of children, house guests, and dusting with nary a nick. I feel as if I have been pretty lucky. But I think I will go dust my Murano glass pendants right now, just to set my mind at ease...

I've always avoided sending live plants when someone passes away. Caring for them and attempting to keep them alive just adds to the burden of the survivors who are trying to cope with learning how to live day to day without the one who is no longer with them. In the case of a widowed spouse, It's hard enough to get into a new routine, new social status, sort out all the paperwork that's required, even learn to cook for one, etc., without feeling obligated to keep plants alive that they didn't want in the first place. Even bouquets of flowers, while easier, have to be dealt with as well. I know they are sent with love and the best of intentions, but perhaps a donation to a charity the deceased supported or just a heartfelt card is something that will make life a little bit easier for the one who is trying to adjust to these new and frightening circumstances. Jasdip, it you don't want to deal with the plants and they are causing you distress, just get rid of them and don't feel the least bit guilty about it. Hugs to you; I'm sorry you are having to go through all this. It's especially hard this time of year, but the holidays are almost over and I hope that will help you a little bit.

“Update 😫” Oh Susan….I am so, so sorry this happened. I was hoping you would come back with a fabulous kitchen to show us, but feared this might happen. Why oh why didn’t you come back here for help before picking out that cool-toned grayish backsplash tile to pair with that warm toned countertop? The bright white cabinets don’t look great with the counter, but at least you might have had a chance to salvage it somehow with the right color tile for the backsplash, the right flooring, and the right color walls. The granite counters are pretty, but the bright cool white color cabinets do not compliment the stone well at all. Didn’t you say were doing all new cabinets? I see you got the new pantry cabinet, the desk, and panels for the back of the island. Hey, at least that awful tile on the island is gone! 😆 So the old cabinets just look primed. Are you attempting to paint the old cabinets the same color white as the new cabinets? First off, I would remove that tile backsplash and fire whoever talked you into pairing that with the granite. Also fire the installer who tiled the side of a stinkin’ cabinet. I mean who even does that!!! The right side of the pantry wall should not have been tiled either. Are you still planning to install that peachish tan swirled large format tile on the floors? Because that will only compound the problem. I know you are trying so hard to have a nice beautiful new kitchen and home. It will be ok, but I do think the backsplash needs to go ASAP. Don’t let anyone else touch a thing until you get a total plan in place for the rest of the materials, wall color, etc etc… We can try and help you fix this as best as we can. But I will say, this is the perfect example where following the advice to hire a professional designer might have actually saved you money, tears, regret, and disappointment. Worth the $ spent to have a gorgeous home that you will love for the next 20 years.