Interesting on the micro climates but with a range from coastal to mountain, I guess so! We are very excited for sure! And even about the drift towards conservation in thinking with development ... obviously not yet established or felt needed, but the word is out and information is there. The materials are becoming more mainstream, so there is hope! We were told that the materials compared well in pricing in Greenville area since there's a lot more use of them now. Here in the Charlottesville area of VA it's the same. More mainstream to think green. Consumers are becoming concerned about their air quality and health problems that come with it. The state of CT passed ruling to use only green cleaning products in all facilities: http://www.thenatureinus.com/2006/12/connecticut-to-use-only-safe-cleaning.html The public is getting informed about chemicals also: http://www.thenatureinus.com/2007/07/information-on-chemicals-in-household.html All I can say is: It's About TIME! :-) What always puzzled me is how development plans show all kinds of trees around buildings and phases, but when you look at the actual development they've all been plowed down. Market research shows houses sell for more if they have trees, yet builders rip them all out. Sometimes it doesn't make sense. But! We're on a garden forum, so sorry for ranting :-)

Thanks Marie. I am in therapy and go each week. I think you're right in that he is scared he's going to lose me too. My therapist has suggested that when I do speak to him to see if he will get help since this is so overwhelming for him. Thanks for your reply.

Oh honey, I sense your pain. You sound just like Hamsteve, the wonderful stepdad who raised his SD w/ his wife, the girl's mother. The biodad there, also poisoned the DD against her mom and stepdad despite not being there for the girl for the most part in any way, provided her w/ a country club partying life and she moved from VA to FL - not looking back. She is the only child there, too. Like most of our advice to Steve, I think and hope and pray this will run its course. Steve's DD has outright been very negative towards him and her mother, not calling, even flying back to their town to visit friends w/o notifying them, etc. Keep the lines of communication open as best you can. The SM's behavior is despicable and so far out of line, it isn't remotely humorous. I can't understand their motive. But, I wonder if all will be fine and dandy in another few months, or more. It's only been a week and a half. As a mom, I know that sounds like a lifetime, but it isn't that long - they're all still in the honeymoon phase. Even my SD's first few weeks here were great. But, then little things began to bug me - I did more cleaning up than ever before and began to resent her. Of course, she never treated me very well in the beginning of our marriage, so we have a history w/ old wounds, etc. Anyway, even under the best of circumstances, it's tough to share a roof w/ someone who really hasn't been there all along. What do you think their motivation was to get him w/ them? It can't be financial, esp. given the miniscule amount they contributed to his well-being. Just plain old jilted feelings from nearly 20 years ago? Maybe try to ride this out, be glad he's not living in some apt. somewhere w/ a nutty roommate, and be supportive. If they continue their negativity towards you, make frequent visits and then see if DS will consider living in the dorm or an apt. Try to talk that aspect up. If he gets a gf, he may desire more privacy, less rules, etc. My SS disappeared from us over 2 years ago. I think his issues are that he is gay, and not comfortable w/ that, and that he messed up. Everyone had high hopes for this boy - he was very, very smart. He either dropped or failed out of college after moving to a partying atmosphere sr. year. He also stuck me on his $25K student loans I cosigned for him. Nonetheless, I tell his sisters that while I'm disappointed, it isn't worth losing the family over and he is welcome back any time. Even they don't hear much from him. I fear there were drugs he got involved w/ for the turn around. DH buries his head in the sand on most unpleasant issues and they never talked about the gay issue. So, after all of this, I'm just saying to keep in touch w/ your son. He should have more and more of a sense of who was there for him through the years as time goes on. Meanwhile, keep communicating, try not to be always defending yourself if issues arise, though that's hard. It's better to give your side of any stories face to face - and I'd plan to be there as much as I could. All the best, Dana

Unless you know otherwise, I wouldnt assume because Pandora gets along with a dog that she would get along with, or want to have another cat around. Even the best of introductions can be stressful for the resident cat - and may involve keeping them separate for days ... possibly weeks or months, depending on the animals involved. I would just wait and see - you and kitty will be there for each other, and then at some point in the future you may.... or may not..... want to bring in a new pet into your home. And also I dont think you can prevent grief - either for yourself or your kitty - by getting a substitute beforehand. The bonds take years to develop, and the grief is for that particular animal, or person. There is no avoiding. I made that mistake once, when my cat reached 20 I got a couple of other cats thinking it would help lessen the grief when the time came. While I love my two boys and cant imagine life without them, my poor old girl did NOT like it - no way, no how she would accept them - and I had to more or less keep them separate on a permanent basis.. ( She had had a kitty friend years previously but had been solitary for a long time.) And trust me, my grief when she did pass was no less intense. Best to you, sorry to hear you will be losing your dear doggie