clarification...3-4 *mini packs of* seeds, not just 3-4 seeds. aka 3-4 separate mini packs, of different varieties of seeds, 20+ seeds to a pack, so 4 packs would be about 80 seeds! So for one 50 sent stamp, you could get 20seeds/1pk-40seeds/2packs-60 seeds/3pks or 80 seeds/4pks. Don't need that many? Take what you need, and use the rest to trade for something you do need or share them locally. I can drive & walk now, but It'll never work as it did before. I can drive, walk & not in pain, so I'm thankful for that. So, seeds can go out ASAP, now.

My struggling plant is a member of the same family group as my best-looking, favorite plant, a Hoya. In 2012, I purchased a cutting of the ever-popular Hoya kerrii, a variegated version. While it did root and grow, it's been agonizingly slow and some of the older leaves just looked old and tired and pathetic. I've tried every combination of light, exposure, humidity, watering regimen, fertilizers, etc,, all to no avail; it just looked kind of sad. While I have moved most of my plants into a more gritty mix, I've been somewhat afraid to move this one until I really get a better handle on hitting its happiness factor. I've been careful to not overwater the potting mix, which is mixed heavily on the perlite side. I've never seen parasites on it, but I finally broke down and just sprayed it with Bayer systemic insecticide (outside, of course). I put it out on my covered front porch for the summer and have just been ignoring it. I peeked at it the other day and it's actually grown a few new leaves, so things might be looking up for that plant, but it's not beautiful, not yet (and after three years, it really should look better than this, I feel). I took cuttings of it but had no luck rooting it and it really can't spare too many leaves at this point. I love this type of hoya and I know how "easy" they are supposed to be, but this one is a toughie for me. Still working on it. . . .

You are starting from a good place! I agree with nosoccermom that painting the ground floor a single lighter colour could be a big improvement. Be super careful that undertones work with flooring. Simpler improvements that could be made for staging: 1. I would remove the table with the roses and the two side chairs for a greater sense of space and to avoid crowding the window. 2. I would add a simple inexpensive rug under the dining table to break up the expanse of tile. 3. Kitchen counters completely empty. 4. Nothing on coffee table except maybe small plant (a new one that looks really fresh and green). 5. Remove console table behind couch. 6. No throw on couch (spring). 7. Possibly remove side tables beside couch (couch and side chairs are rather imposing and need some breathing space). 8. No objects on mantel. 9. Fewer chairs at dining table. 10. Larger LR rug or possible reposition? Hard to tell from photo angle. I hope that helps!

Yes, walls will be painted and all wood trim will be painted SW Roman Column to match trim in the rest of the home. Paint being relatively inexpensive, I believed that would be picked near the end of the process. I did look at some sofas and chairs along with fabrics and liked this bird fabric to be used as pillows. The store has ordered samples of several fabrics for me to consider. My foyer, kitchen and family room are painted varied colors of gold/tan and depending on the colors we choose for the LR and DR those may be repainted. I do like the idea of using blue as I have been doing in other areas iof the home and I think it looks good with mahogany furniture. The above fabric has a couple shades of blue, a soft green, a bit of gold and deep grey/brown. My dining furniture is from 1952 and I believe I want to keep fabrics to and around that era and style although wouldn’t mind mixing things up a bit.