OK, looks like everyone is as busy as I am. Hate to let my sister down, as I said I would check this board every day, but alas, Tomorrow starts two (2) weeks of the state high stakes testing. The pressure and stress is sooooo heartbreaking. I teach 5th grade, I had 2 boys crying on Friday over something really insignificant, but you know it's the pressure of these D**** tests. They are so worried they wont be able to go to middle school with their friends. I've been in meetings all week signing my life away that I wont look at the test, etc. Now I have to turn in a seating chart of my testing environment, signing that they were 3 feet apart and not able to cheat. Sorry for rambling, but I really get angry, our politicians have forgotten these are children and not all children are college material. I'm going to give the next two (2) names, because this will really be a busy week.... first....triciae then... hostabuff thanks for letting me vent, hope everyone has a great week. It is starting to look like spring here, so the next couple of weeks should be great. Patty

I'll second Mallee's suggestion of Clematis, especially microphylla. I have a two-year-old one which would cover a stump that size well but not overflow too much. It's a delicious froth of white flowers for quite a long time in spring, and is good looking and sun-hardy even when not in flower. I haven't succeeded in getting fertile seeds. Wish I'd bought multiples of the plant when I had the chance, as I haven't seen it for sale since. It's the Crows Nest Shire Council not the Toowoomba one which sells local natives, Artie. I wonder whether any of your surrounding councils would be a source? In Crows Nest's case, the nursery is a by-product of an active revegetation programme, and largely the result of the work of one particular person who has had the push to keep it going. Would you be able to get hold of local plants by getting into conversations with people doing revegetation? Landcare and Greening Australia might be starting points? Here, there are two really good sources of local natives, but they both need to be telephoned in advance, as there doesn't seem to be a full-time income in running that kind of nursery. The more commercial nurseries quote lack of demand, but also say that they don't get these plants in because suppliers require them to get them in in large quantities, so even when the demand exists they won't fill it until it is a BIG demand. They also say they don't like dealing with small suppliers because they don't provide the pretty-coloured labels. Mass market economics rule, alas. Trish

Well, one sister died before I could visit her. She was not the one we thought would go first...but had many good phone calls with her. I was able to visit the other. Full family wants to get together in a month or two for a full memorial for the sister who died. Unfortunately, I'll be in the middle of my recovery time for my surgery, so I may not be able to make it out of state to be there. (3 planes to get from Fargo to that area of Florida.) My surgery is in one week, and I am busy trying to ready the house (and me) for recovery. So much to do -- just have to bite off one thing at a time. Hopefully I'll be able to return to work (at least part time) by March. A comfort in my sister's passing is that she was not in pain due to the brain cancer. Her body functions just began malfunctioning and that was it. The other sister with ovarian cancer is not having that easy of a time, therefore the visit with her was not pleasant -- she is very bitter and surly. I'm hoping it is only her meds talking. It is draining to be around her. I'm making a mental note to be kind to all my nurses and doctors - no matter how I feel. I'm just glad I'll be in good hands. I'll keep you all posted.

back2work, no problem at all, and thank you for the kind words. Actually I was a little optimistic on what would fit in the length. Since the corners have been voided, one of the small sink cabinets can be scooped to ease the sink into the void by a couple of inches. That will leave space for the return panels on the two DWs. Also, although it wouldn't be quite as impressive, the cooktop and range could be switched, if that helps adjust the layout on the long window wall. I managed to fit a sink and DW on the island, as well as the trash pull-outs, but aisles are the bare minimum, and even a couple of inches less on the shorter sides of the island. Normally I wouldn't suggest such narrow aisles (even though I work fine in my kitchen with similar widths), but--I think this is a Kosher kitchen, and I feel some concessions can be made. Of course, this plan depends on whether or not the windows are accurate or can be changed. Another idea--if the door that will be widened can be moved up, you could have a tall pantry cabinet against the closet wall: Rough switch of cooktop and range: ETA another thought, if the window can't be made narrower, but can be raised, the cooktop could go in the space between the windows, with a chimney hood extending past the window edge on each side. Maybe a curved glass hood would work. Images--curved glass hoods