It's that whack a mole thing goin' on. (grin) Daniella - now the preform with the little stuff in it (sans the fish) sounds like a good idea. I swear, I'm goin' back for those rubber lillies. I thought they were hysterical. I wanted to throw them in some "perpetual" puddles around here, just to see if anyone said anything. (grin) That and the face on my tree sticking its tongue out, pretty funny. (grin) Too funny about the Xmas fern! Ha - yep, next time, just leave it and see if it goes. The asparagus ferns are used everywhere like evergreens in CA - I fell in love with them because they're just so fluffy looking. And they DO take full sun, no matter what anyone tells you. They need alot of water if they're in full sun. They stay soft and fluffy when they're happy and get lots of water. When it gets tight on water, they get spiny (self defense because they have bulbous wet roots that animals will chase in tight water times.) But if they're happy, they are fluffy and will actually climb as well as have long trailers. They take a lot of abuse, too. I'm going to get a bunch of them and put them in pots on my back deck. Full sun, fluffy green. Eh - they'll be pretty without a lot of fuss. I'm gonna buy those monster FAKE bostons for in front. (grin) Was too hard last year keeping them watered and happy. So get a couple monster fake ones - put them in some iron stands - viola! (grin)

Hey Auzzy, Great question. The salesperson at the tile store near me suggested a mosaic of tiny marble squares for my master bath shower floor. I asked if it would be a pain to keep clean, and she said, "No, not at all." She said that the marble and grout would be sealed upon installation. Now, after reading the John Bridge site (thanks for the reference - I didn't know about that) I am worried. I didn't buy anything yet, but am close to needing to put the order in so the materials will be ready in time for the contractor. In my last bathroom, I had a tub, but on the bathroom floor there was slate that was gorgeous. I did have to seal it every 6 months but it was very easy to do. If that would be good enough so we can get our stone shower floors, I'd be fine with it. Experts?

I am not a paint expert, but do have rental properties and really like to paint ;) You have my sympathies. Why some people trash the home they live in is beyond me (although it's not their 'house', it is their home while they are staying there.) Personally won't take Sec8 for a variety of reasons. We have rental property and for 7 years have been using Glidden Spred Ultra Satin, stock color "Off White" in them. They tout is as 'one coat' but we always do 2 coats (second flies because coverage of first is very good). Only comes in low sheen Satin finish. Not overly shiny, cleans very well. Holds up to higher than average abuse. Has enough 'depth' in the color that it will show a contrast against white. It's economical (on sale I've gotten it for as low as $12/gal at Menards). I checked Glidden site and don't see it, if I recall last can I bought they changed the label. (The Ultra always had a cream colored can with red band on the label.) Stock "Off White" is a good neutral, warm, cheery, will match most any flooring colors and easily adapts to tenants furnishings. I have not switched because it's a paint that has done well for us. If I were to switch, I'd go to Ace paint. I did use Pittsburgh mid-level paint on one house this summer that we did a major overhaul on. Just for a change. Probably won't make a habit of that. (Not slamming it, have Pittsburgh high end Manor Hall in my own home in a couple rooms and it's good paint. Just didn't care for Pburgh mid-level paint.) In that same house a tenant painted the bathroom with an Ace paint. She was a lousy painter ;) She moved (leaving a mess for me). There was half a can of the Ace paint left, so I gave the bath a good finish coat and hit the areas she missed, etc. Ace paint went on very well, I must say, and once dried felt 'tough'. So if I ever switch from Glidden at rentals, taking cost and performance into consideration, I'll probably go to Ace. (I use a preferred customer card, they regularly send me $5/$10 off coupons, so it helps.) As far as color, I have stuck with the "Off White" because of undertone issues in taupes/light tans. Haven't found one yet that will blend well with flooring and universally with various tenants furnishings. I have not had a single tenant complain about the color, most comment they like it. I tried with Pittsburgh this summer to switch to a taupe. Poster board samples looked good but once on all walls in certain rooms it takes on a greenish undertone. That's what I want to avoid, so stay with off white. I have used Glidden on trim, no issues. All houses are pre-1940 construction. 2 have all plaster walls, one has some plaster and some drywall. Only one house has paint on a door (interior of bathroom door) and Glidden has held well on that. As far as painting cabinets, I spent extra $ on Cabinet Coat. A royal pain for a rental, but longevity and durability does factor in. It's a much tougher enamel for cabinets. One house has cabinets painted 5 years ago with CC and they still look very good. (No abusive tenants there, though.) So far it does not need re-touched as often as a regular interior latex applied to cabinets. Cabinet Coat is a job that can't be rushed tho, so you might not be able to exercise CC as an option at this point. For scrubbing pre-paint I only use Soilax or Dirtex. Good stuff, gets off gunk. Mr Clean Magic Eraser on bad spots. For primer I use Zinsser Bullseye 123, also good stuff. If new tenants come in I generally give it a refresher coat, no primer. If damage has been done, or bad mess, I prime with Bullseye. Candle soot has become a problem. So much so that I had to put a clause in the lease about it. I ran into a situtation where tenants burned candles so frequently that the walls had soot that would not come off the paint. Even with heavy duty scrubbing it was a slick, gray, cloudy mess. My HVAC contractor said that scenario could really mess up the mainboard on the new furnace, I put a clause in leases now that any evidence of candle soot of any kind is automatic loss of security deposit. Soy, clean burning or candle warmers are acceptable alternatives. (You can tell if there's soot, can't miss it on the walls, there's either a black streak from the flame or gray 'cloud' if candle was near but not at wall.) Good luck, I've been where you're at and it's not fun.

Josh, that is also what I've heard. I've got a few good friends who are up there now hoping to catch the fresh powder on the slopes. I myself have never been to fond of the "ice" sports. Too cold for my liking, but I did get the pleasure of taking my 3 yr old daughter ice skating for the first time last weekend in tahoe which was fun to witness. She loved it. I am killing myself waiting to re-pot these Meyers! I've got everything ready to roll, just taking your advice and waiting for March/April. I made a thread in the container forum but might as well ask you as well here.... When repoting Into the air pots, if any roots are longer then the pots, do I prune them to size or do I just stuff them into the pot? I bought the 15 gal air pots so I don't think I will have any crazy long roots but just want to be sure of what to do so I don't make a last minute drastic decision. Btw, when I said "longer then pot", I mean from center of pot to the inside edge where the holes are. Thanks, Nick