Barb, I don't really pour that much water into each pot to begin with (unless I'm leaching)... I kind of have a feel for how much to pour in each one, so that when it's all said and done, there's not that much in the saucers. What does drain through, I allow to soak up into the pot through the bottom. If there's still water in the saucers after 2 or 3 hours, I dump them. You have to remember... my pots are all indoors, so there's not that much heat or direct sun sucking the moisture out of them. I learned my lesson well last year, regarding setting pots directly on the ground outside, without saucers. I lost some Sprekelia bulbs to a combination of too much rain and too many sowbugs, or pillbugs... or whatever those nasty things are called! This coming season, I plan to set the pots on a low bench type structure, without saucers. I need to keep the pots off the ground, and keep excess rain from gathering under the pots. I think the addition of a little vermiculite and a handful or two of quality potting soil mixed into my medium is very helpful for the amount of moisture retention I'm looking for. I don't want the sopping wet soil like I used to deal with, but I do like enough retention so the plants can have what they need. As I mentioned before, I tweak the mixture depending on what I'm planting. And I just sort of have developed a feel for how much water to pour into each pot... it was a learning experience for me, too, at first... but now, I love it! I hope that helps explain how I handle things... oh, and my pots are all medium from top to bottom with NO drainage layer. That would defeat my purpose and create a perched water table within the pots... which would not be good!

oooh boy, you sound just like me a few months ago; and sometimes even now. I went from companies with at least 200 employees, to over 5,000. Now I'm working for a very small company with less than 50 people. It is really tough. I've tried everything. It's been difficult to balance having absolutely nothing to do for weeks on end, against my mortgage payment - LOL. Not sure if you have been able to talk to you manager or not but I know first hand that's not always the best thing to do, politically. But it might be worth a try. Maybe you could start looking for another position while you don't have much going on. Most hiring managers will understand your situation. The other thing - you may not even have to include them on your resume, if you change jobs soon. Best wishes to you - I really, really, really, know your pain. It's OK to feel that way, and to want to change. Just don't do it until you have another job - a SIGNED offer letter in your hand.

Hi Kim! I commented quite a while ago and see that you are still in a quandary. I am dating myself but found Christopher Lowell’s” Seven RULES for Design” very helpful. Steps 2-4 are your stumbling blocks. Keeping your main pieces of furniture, then work on your flooring, treat your ottoman as an accent piece(5) #4 is window treatment,which I believe you are moving to the bedroom.Don’t get new curtains until you decide if you will be using a throw rug. Your artwork is part of step 5. plants I think is next then lighting is last. Hope this helps, he did amazing transformations, check out his book. Good luck.

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