I think part of the problem is the lighting. When plants are grown in such a low-light situation, the new growth can be terribly tender and sappy and a sudden increase in light may cause drooping. I also think overwatering may still be adding to the plant being overly tender and an even further reduction to harden it up could be useful. Although your friend has repotted it, it's still sitting on a saucer with only a few small ridges between pot and base - so there is really not a lot of scope for "drainage" - if you could find something - even a few bottle caps - to place under the pot on the saucer - balancing the weight - to just raise it a little further I think that would be better. I don't see any problem with the ornamental rocks on top - mulching with any material is useful to avoid surface dryout esp in situation with air-con or heaters, and surface dryout can lead people to "assume" the rest of the soil is also dry. The plant looks good except for that concern of yours, and perhaps just rotating the pot to distribute the limited sun effect. It is perhaps just not enough light for the species to thrive

You can borrow up to 50% of your vested 401k account up to $50,000. I believe the major drawback of borrowing from your 401k is that you miss out on the compounding of interest. There's no actual penalty other than that provided you pay it all back. You pay yourself back with automatic monthly payments over 5 years with interest (the interest is to yourself as well). Now, I believe that if you're not earning much in that 401k, its not so bad. If the choice is between borrowing from your 401k or a credit card with 20% interest, then I'd go the 401k. But, ideally you should start saving an emergency fund for these kind of things. I didn't check the link to Suze's page, but I know she's dead set against this. I think sometimes she's a bit harsh. JMO. Here is a link that might be useful: Smart Money

What an interesting thread this has been; and inspirational, too. The replies have been thoughtful, well constructed, insightful. There is a refreshing thread of compassion and honesty that runs through it all. We have a charity budget, too. We prefer to donate locally; money to the oil company, some to the electric company, new coats, boots, mittens and hats... the food pantry. Kindness is the rare coin that returns the spendthrift twofold, but leaves the miser penniless. I tend to fall into line with steve o on the "choices". As a couple the helpmeet and I have made a lot of tough choices, some worked out better than others. We've been fortunate and sharing some of our good fortune has always been important to us. I worked with a nice guy for some years. A wife, kids... but the guy is a financial moron; one dumb CHOICE after another. They desperately want a house (but she will only live in a particularly trendy community because it's where she grew up). But they are upsidedown on not, but 2, car loans. Wife doesn't work ("we're raising kids, you know"), but gets expensive haircuts, dye jobs, manicures, all to facilitate her appearance in her singing group (that COSTS they money!). He needs dental work desperately, and she's getting a dye-job? I certainly don't understand the priorities. Choices; what are you willing to do to get what you want, what are you willing to give up in the short term to attain long range goals? Every one of has to compromise every day of our lives. I see no willingness to compromise in their household and I see that it keeps them from getting ahead. He lamented last summer that she didn't help him. She was home all day with kids, but the sink was full of dishes from last night's supper when he returned home, he did them. When he asked me what I'd do in his position, I told him she ought to GET A JOB as a cashier/clerk/whatever for a big company (she hasn't worked in over 12 years). She ought to tap into their insurance and retirement programs, and they ought to bank every dime she makes, living on his pay, and retiring the car loans ASAP. In a year/two they'd have a very tidy downpayment for a home. "She'd never go for that, she's too qualified to be a cashier, she could be a music teacher... ". Then why isn't she? I think it's pretty much all about choices.

Back when we planned our 2001 house, I haunted GW constantly. That time I learned about the value of lots of drawers and got the courage to do a white kitchen. This time, I decided on drawers and a white kitchen on my own! But I wouldn't have known about Never MT, Silgranit sinks or plugmolds, all of which I used -- the plugmold at the end of the island where a conventional plug would have been unsightly. Just recently, Bob_cville showed his Lee Valley clips for drawer dividers -- I'd seen them in the catalog but he showed how well they work, so they're on order. I saw many examples of pulled-forward sinks, and incorporated that in both sink run and the server on the opposite wall. I have a trash pullout and will eventually install a foot pedal. The cabinet folks dropped the ball on that. I used GWer's experiences, both good and bad, to guide my applaince selection. I "borrowed" the courage to confront when things weren't quite right. Without your example, I would probably have let some things go by. More importantly, maybe, has been the raised awareness level about so many things. I learned to be there if possible during four critical days: Cabinet install, countertop templating, countertop install, and appliance install. I'm retired, but if I were working, I'd take vacation days to cover those times! I can't believe how many little questions I answered! And, to be frank, there are a lot of things that I could see "in person" and say, "Very nice -- but I don't think that's for me!!" What a big help that's been in decision-making!! I've enjoyed each and every kitchen that's been shared, and really appreciated the time y'all have spent posting. We're moving in before May 1, so one of these days I'll have pics to share!!