I can really relate to your comment - when I was younger, some people thought I was a snob because I wouldn't join in conversations. But it was only because I was shy, not because I didn't want to join in. I also ask lots of question if I have trouble finding common ground, because most people love to talk about themselves. Like Susie, I often bring up pets, which is almost guaranteed to open people up. A big part of it is attitude - even if the people you're with are not your cup of tea, try to give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the person talking about the Bachelor is in bad place in life and that show is her form of escape. I know it sounds dramatic, but you just never know. It sounds from your post like you put a bit of a barrier between you and the others based on their topics of conversation, so trying to meet them halfway might get you through the night without losing your mind ;) One the other hand, I also agree that groups should try to bring everyone into a conversation. To me, that's just being polite. Honestly, we have news/financial channels on all day and my life revolves around school. The last thing I want to talk about when I'm out is the economy, etc. But, I also don't watch TV much and haven't seen a movie in months, so can't relate to those topics either. Except that I'm in the middle of the John Adams series on DVD - awesome!! Sue

There are a lot of great PROs on Houzz. How can you find one?... I decided to post this list to help other homeowners know more about who to take advise from & or hire. When I did some research on some profiles, I found some common denominators that helped point out the Real PROs from the Want-to-be PROs. List to find a great PRO on Houzz before taking their advise on comments or hiring: 1st _ Check their Houzz profile Are pictures of their own work posted? How many? Is there profile picture a person or logo? Logo fine for a company. Where do they work now posted? Where did they work previously posted? Where they are located now match current work location? Call the phone number on Houzz. Research their past comments Is their tone respectful & professional? Do they just share opinions with a solution? Do they comment too much or too little? Do they act like they know everything? Someone who acts like they know everything, is just acting. PROs stick to what they know & are stick within their specific trades. 2nd _ Do more research before hiring or taking advise business licenses in state they service look up professional license through the state service will render (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations) Linked In Profiles Check their website with Houzz Check their address with Houzz Check their phone # with Houzz Check Organizations they belong to to check if valid member Check Other Social Medias sites & profiles Check reviews on Google, BBB, Facebook, Etc. Take advise & hire the REAL PROs. Thanks & Future Thanks for all the REAL PROs who specialize in their trade & share helpful, useful advise to homeowners & other PROs. Thanks to PROs that respect other PROs by saying thanks or likes. Homeowners don't forget to like a comment when a PRO took their time to help you. Homeowner if you finished a project, don't forget to share what worked to help others. Have fun on Houzz!

You're preaching to the choir. :-) Do you find you use 1 tsp in 1 gallon water equivalent? Indoors, I confess to using an atomizer--4 oz, in which I use about 4 drops of soap. All things considered--yes, yes, I'm an untutored boor and fly by the seat of my pants--it's a fairly weak solution but seems to do the trick on most things. I haven't had issues on anything I've personally tried it on (and I grow some whacky, whacky stuff, including succulents, ferns, palms, and ivies both indoors and out) in amounts up to 1 tsp in 1 gallon (a 0.13% solution of a sodium surfactant, not a soap). I tend not to use soaps (even though I'm a soap maker) because the soap I make is sodium-based and, hence, a solid. I haven't bought a soap since...er...what decade is this? COVID-19 should fear me; I knocked together a high-stearate soap with a pH of nearly 10.5 and super-suds that I doubt it can survive for one second, much less the entire chorus of Spears' "Hit Me Baby, One More Time." ... Don't judge me. :-) Similarly, I'm unafraid to pull out the Bayer when the trick isn't, as they say, well-turned. That's got to be an option, but I will say I'm not real happy using it indoors just because I tend to be extremely conservative with exposure to such things (I already spend time with cadmium, cobalt, and titanium on my hands). I'd recommend that OP spray it outside if the temps are appropriate, or in the garage if that's above freezing, and bring the plant in once the spray settles--and rinse the plant before letting it hang around and evaporate. Yes, yes, it's not supposed to do that. A lot of things aren't supposed to happen, but do. It's why I even clean my cuticles with an old toothbrush before eating. Let's not even discuss neem. There's been...a major issue when I pointed out it's an abortifacient and can cause spontaneous loss of pregnancy early on, or in cases where the pregnancy is not going well. Houzz moderators had to intervene. One guess who. It's not a major issue later in pregnancy, and won't be at all an issue for most people (the dose being low)...but it's unwise to take chances, particularly in the case of difficult pregnancies, or early in any given pregnancy. File it under, "Better Safe Than Sorry," along with exposing yourself to anything made from elderberries, catching rubella, and playing tackle football when trying to become pregnant. Some cats also show adverse reactions to neem, up to and including death. This is, fortunately, quite rare. But it's wise to keep neem away from both toddlers and cats.

Hey I'm new at houzz and I wanted to learn more about the everyday of professional Interior Designers and Decorators, so I have a few questions for you: 1. How do you go about looking for artworks for your clients? Do you have a specific system or any services you often use? 2. Are there any problems that come up repeatedly? If you could wish and make one thing easier, what would it be? 3. And lastly, is picking artworks something you enjoy about your work or does it feel like a chore? Thanks in advance for your time. Happy to be part of the houzz community and looking forward to your replies!