Hey Mike, I know this can be frustrating when we do everything for the plant and then it's still not enough!!! My plants that I brought inside for the winter were prepared 2-3 weeks in advance of bringing them in for the winter. They were all placed in a room vacated by my son whom is at VT. I cut away all of the leaves and left about a half of an inch of the stem (from the leaf) then about 2 weeks later the rest of that yellow leaf stem just came or popped off with ease. I stopped watering them about the same time that I cut off all of the leaves. I gave them water about once a month ( about a cupful to each plant) The room was kept with the heat off and the door closed. I tried to keep the blinds closed most of the time as well. The room never got cold...but was somewhat heated with the rest of the house being warmed throughout the winter. They all seemed to pull through...but I was worried about putting them out in my temporary greenhouse. They are all doing well outside on my deck. My plants did try and grow some leaves during the winter, but I did cut them back when they did grow a leaf or two. It is so hard to ignore them over the winter...that's why I closed the door. I kept going in and looking at them. Keep at it Mike... they are just trying to adjust from the winter to this crazy spring. How cold are your temps at night? Are your plants still in the greenhouse? Let us know how the rest of your plants are doing!!! Take care everyone!!! Laura in VB

Get out now. "Since the beginning of our relationship, since day 1, my boyfriend has accused me of cheating on him numerous times. After about 4 or 5 months of being together, he confessed to me that he had cheated on me 2 months prior.. with the daughters mother. " This child, unfortunately, is picking up on the behaviors of her, at least somewhat, abusive father if not both parents. This child is being neglected by all, and you are more than stuck in the middle. You should not be spanking this child; if for any reasons, because that leaves you open for accusations of abuse yourself by either mom or dad, whom obviously don't have their crap together. You sound intelligent and sincere, but you also sound naïve about step-parenting and what you have gotten yourself in the middle of. Mom and dad have all the legal rights and backup of the court system. You have none. Dad, and maybe mom, are trying to control you (with THEIR child) and evidently need an almost free babysitter, and you are playing into their hands. AND, then, you are making the mistake a lot of SPs make, and that is they think they are doing something wrong and they have to save the child. In reality, this is not your child and you will get emotionally (if not physically) beaten and bruised with these types of parents (parents who like to dump their kids on someone else and then try to blame that person for their child's inappropriate behaviors). Remember, the court system takes the word of bio-parents 100 times over that of a "stranger" even with scant evidence. I know you are very worried about this child, but you need to be worried about yourself AND your parents too. You need to leave. I know it will be difficult because you (and your family) are emotionally engaged to this child. You need to get out now before things get worse. Bio-dad and BM don't care about you and your family. Heck! They don't even care about their own child! Your BF is just trying to leverage anything against you, including his own child, in an attempt to control you. Get out now.

windows are new and trimmed in a cream color. the brick front, not sure what to do with. don't think I want to paint it....any suggestions?

Inspiration pictures and your ideas are perfect. You could add some art as well above the l-portion of desk. Didn’t know if you were looking for floor, desk or ceiling fixture, but suggest black with some brass. In regards to paint, I would get rug first and go from there I like Waterloo as it’s not too dark or light