The shepperd hook I have has a straight botton, i.e. needle sharp like, so it's actually very easy to insert the pots from the bottom up. You say yours has double prongs on the end side? How about drilling a hole large enough for the prongs to be able to fit? One word of caution regarding the metal pots idea: depending on where you live and how hot your climate is, you may wish not to do this. In my climate, metal pots left outside in the afternoon sun are a sure way to fry the plant's roots. Even plastic pots have similar problems in Summer. Clay works very well, even though we have to be more dilligent concerning watering. Eduarda

Okay. Sounds like you've been getting alot of misinformation and half truths. First, there's no such thing as a grout with the sealer built in. Many installers will try and tell you that about modified grouts which include latex polymers in the grouts, but that's bigtime false. The other, which is more of a half truth is concerning epoxies. Although there's no sealer built right in, sealer can not be used on epoxy grout, either, because it's actually a plastic, and as such, won't allow sealers to penetrate into the grout. However, it also doesn't NEED to be sealed being that by itself, it won't allow alot of the staining that normally occurs (although it also can't be said that it's stainproof-- that's also a mis-statement). Now, Many of your questions can be answered if you go to the top of the bathrooms forum list and click on the "gallery" link. I have a thread over there entitled Tile FAQ's. In there, I go into alot of detail concerning grouts and the choice thereof. One of the things I stress is my opinion that you're better off choosing medium to dark colors in high traffic areas, rather than depending on grout sealers, because the BEST that they'll do is delay the inevitable. With the medium to dark colors, you won't see traffic patterns, staining, or aging of the grout NEARLY as much. This also goes for epoxy grouts, with respect to choosing colors. One other thing I say in that thread, and this WOULD pertain to you-- For the most part, it's my opinion that the use of epoxy grouts in residential installations, although everything people say they are, are very high priced overkill. There are only two times where I feel the use of epoxy grout is justified. One is if you're doing a tile countertop, and the other is if you have pets-- especially multiple pets, who might tend to have "accidents" every once in a while. Hopefully, I haven't confused you even further. If after reading this as well as the FAQ, you still have questions, don't hesitate to ask. :-) Matter of fact, I think your questions' going to be added to it, concerning the "grouts with sealer built in"!

OK, well, I haven't been doing this--I've been practicing my new "four sharps!!" liturgy for church, and tackling that paperwork, twelve at a time. Wait--maybe I have, too--not the dresser, but that backlogged paper and stuff--I've been mostly focusing on the stuff that doesn't stay. Filing it, tossing it, shredding it, etc. But I still like this idea--focusing on the stuff that should NOT be there. let us know how it goes, and whether it's helpful to your DS. (glad it could be useful)

If I have another stress test, I will have to leave strict instruction NOT to leave a message at home (they should have called my cell phone, they HAD the number). I had a stress test. The nurses told me it would be about a week before I heard, unless there was a problem. That night, after work, after 5pm when the doc's offices close, there was a message on my phone that I was to see the Dr. the next morning at 8:30. Well, needless to say, I didn't sleep very well. Scared to death! Got in there, my BP was outrageous, of course... Turns out the DOC was going on VACATION and just wanted to close out his cases... My heart was fine. Talk about GIVING someone a heart attack! I told the front desk NEVER to leave someone a message like that after they've had a stress test or at least TELL the patient the doc is going on vacation and wants to close out his cases! Jeepers! An experience I will never EVER forget!