Tony, can I ever relate. The only difference is that I had never made a thing grow in my life before. The plants I received during the many hospital stays, I managed to kill within the year. I had three failed back surgeries which left me with no use of my left leg and foot, a back that I can no longer bend, turn or twist and lately severe Arthritis has attacked my entire body (especially my hands) and horrific pain 24/7. I was in deep depression for a very long time and perhaps if my children would have helped and worried about me as you do about your Mom, I would have pulled myself out of my world of self-pity a long time ago. Alas, I was not that lucky, however, one can only live like that for so long, before thoughts of ending it all take over, and I thank G-d for giving me the strength to find the will to search every avenue to help myself. Also, I have a family physician who is modern and not adverse to giving me enough medication (even narcotics) to take the edge off of the pain. When my youngest moved across the ocean, I bought a samll computer to keep in touch with her. I taught myself how to send e-mails and then I started wandering around the Internet. It was then that I came across GardenWeb and after reading the different posts for days, I got the courage to post and ask questions. You would not believe the many replies I received with all kind of advice on how to start a garden (some giving me sites where to find more info) Last winter I kept myself very busy planning my little garden, searching through catalogues, gardening magazines and the Internet, looking for perennial plants that have "good garden manners", as my garden buddy Newt taught me.I have several container plants and start working on them when it is too cold to plant in the ground. My garden takes up most of my time (even the many long sleepless nights). I agree with the poster that said that outside help can be very frustrating, however, if you have the time to supervise then they will do as your Mom would like to have in done. Who knows, I just might find another hobby to add, that will ensure that I have no spare moments to dwell on all the things I can no longer do (I was not born disabled) Also, I am not adverse to getting a little psycological help now and them when I need it most. I have to digress here for a moment and tell you that the great friends I found here on GardenWeb gave me a new lease on life. I still write to some and they answer when they are able. We exchange jokes as well as gardening information,links where you can find more information for every subject and seeing that we are in the same boat, in one form or another, it gives me the strength to carry on. (We understnad each other) Perhaps that is why I am so grateful to GardenWeb,and to this new Forum. The advice you got in the previous posts are excellent, and if I may, I would like to suggest that if you do build a raised bed, sitting on the wall and twisting around to care for the plants does not always work for everyone. I know it doesn't for me. I don't know if my solution will work for your Mom, however, I had four large (tall) rock garden stones with relatively flat tops placed in strategic places so that I can move around on them (not have to twist my spine). That way I am closer to the ground and can get my hands in the dirt. I guess I will have to leave the composting to purchasing it in a bag (not quite the same as making your own, I understand, however,it's the best I can manage.) Just one last thing, I have purchased some excellent "Enabling tools" through a Catalogue,the name is called Gardenscape, they have a toll free number, which is: 1-888-472-3266, the are situated in Toronto 416-698-5339, they are very reliable, guarantee all purchases and ship promptly. The Catalogue is Free. (I believe they are a GardenWeb sponsor) Good Luck, and G-d Bless Punky.

Wow! I am doing the exact same thing as you right now. I also really like to bake an I'm used to an electric oven. Wanting to move to gas for the cooktop advantage of gas so was really researching dual fuel. That's when I found induction. ( AnnieDeighnaugh is right). Induction gets rave reviews on the cooktop ~ both former gas and electric users would never go back. Plus I won't have to deal with a prophane tank and plumbers bill. I Also am stuck on freestanding or slide in but my thing is I love the look of slide in but don't want to spend the extra money on the slide in plus the extr expense of a filler piece on the back ( $130) or the granite piece there. Still not sure what I'm going to do. Might have to go with freestanding and hope the ugly back piece sticking up won't bother me after awhile because I want to spend that $ somewhere else. My KD just came up with a plan that includes built in bench seating with storage under my bay window. So excited!

Hope the washer makers are reading these comments. Bought a maytag about 3 years ago. Worst purchase ever. The washer goes through the cycle leaves clothes dripping wet. Then I find The clothes are still dirty. This has happened many times. Washer does not know what to do with wet towels. Now it quits in the middle of the wash, just turns itself off. Worst of all is... Maytags web site tells me that I am not loading the washer correctly. I'm suppose to make sure no clothes cover the middle of the washer, the clothes are supposed to be evenly balanced around the center. All of these things I do and it still doesn't wash. Ladies, gents do we have time to do all this? If maytag knows the washer needs this TLC then why not fix the problem? Maytag says they make fewer house calls. I can't find a way to ask for a house call.

eleena and remodel I am in the same situation...trying to use the fridge I have but design for a different unit. I don't care about resale, everyone always rips the kitchen out if they have $$$ or adapts if they don't. It seems like no fridge is designed with adequate vegetable storage but there's always a ridiculous amount of plastic to hold soda bottles.. I can't spend thousands for a fridge, I will be buying a freestanding Fisher & Paykel when the GE profile quits. The 36" Liebherr looks nice next to the baker's table. Eleena when you are done post your pictures, it helps all of us who don't have magazine kitchens/houses. I read in a small kitchens design book that the areas to concentrate on were: Fridge size, sink size and (any size) pantry. Surprise the first thing I bought was a large single bowl sink. It takes up extra counter but I don't care. I have always had 48" of counter. Flor & Desert--you make me smile :) Flor what do you mean the fridge has no housing ?The back is missing ?