Is it "aglaonema?" (I had to look up how to spell that, BTW! Those names aren't always easy...) They're pretty easy to please. They don't mind low light and I just water mine when the mix dries out to about my first knuckle (fingertip.)

jennlynn, You have had some good advice so far from Lisa, Sandy and Ms Vickie. BUT, I would say to you at this juncture, STOP! Go out and purchase a book on pond building and up keep, before you do anymore buying or planning. There are lots of good books out there [try your library first] that layout the procedure of pond installation and maintenance, bit by bit, step by step. Ortho gardening books, for one, have inexpensive books on pond building. Any book by, Helen Nash, i.e. "The Pond Doctor." is one of hers and it has lots of great information. There are scads of pond/water gardening books to be had out there. You are going to require a big pond if you intend to keep koi. They should have lots of space to move about in. You have to think about filtration [or not] and how you are going to maintain this pond. The how and why's about winterizing the pond and protecting the fish, is another consideration to think about, before you put a hole in the ground. Certainly you will receive information/guidance, here on this forum, as you go along and questions arise, but having a basic knowledge of what you are getting into, in my opinion, is a must before you start. I don't mean to scare you off having a pond, but your post tells me that you are complete new to the idea and need to know what exactly it is all about and what it is going to cost you. Stay the course, it is a great and rewarding hobby, but first of all be kind to yourself and know what is involved. It may save you from becoming frustrated or overwhelmed part way through. "Horton"

As a naturally messy person, I would love to agree with the opinion of that article. But even I cannot. It just seems to make an excuse for not trying harder. I am most comfortable with a "lived in" look. Steve's kitchen pic is pretty, but, to me, it looks like no one uses it. So if I were a guest in that home, I'd be afraid to get a glass of water. Even as a teen at home, when I cleaned my room I would finish by turning down the bed covers, laying a book on it and putting some papers and a pen on the desk. Like life was in progress there, then it felt right to me. As a mother, I need a certain amount of organization in the house. But the effort to keep it perfect cannot consume my mind, then I'd be the housekeeper not the mother. When my kids are grown and on their own and someone asks them "Did your mother keep house like a neat freak or a slob?" the best I could hope for would be "I don't remember." I don't want my housekeeping standards to be what they remember about their childhood. I don't want them to remember that it was so perfect they weren't allowed to have fun or have friends over. (Like DH remembers, and no pets b/c they're messy.) I also don't want them to remember it as so messy they couldn't have friends over for embarrassment. So anyway. I'd like to celebrate my messy side like the article encourages. But I know there is a time for both creative messiness and peaceful organization. There is value in keeping both in your life, not either or.

Beth, I have been so delighted and educated with all these posts. I love the evolution of your wonderfully charming home! You are an amazing woman! I share several of the decorating dilemmas you've mentioned. My "living room" is about 2' more narrow and 2' shorter than your area. I'm learning a lot from your post. The repurposed gun cabinet idea is absolute genius. Please share a photo when you've installed the shelves and contents. Regarding the non-glare glass for your larger artwork. The price of non-glare glass has become simply ridiculous. I have an entire hallway lined with (Gasp!) a family gallery wall. It includes photos from more than 100 years ago to this year's school pics of the great-nephew. Color, colorized, sepia toned, black and white, all mixed together and mostly in their original mismatched frames. That just about breaks all the rules, but I love my wall. Several of the older photos - Mom's 1954 graduation photo; MIL's 1952 wedding photo, etc. - had plain glass. I can't tolerate the glare either. I made a note in my iPod of all the frame sizes that needed replacement non-glare glass. Every time I'm at a thrift shop or yard sale I check out the "frames" area. You can often find large pictures that may be in horrid frames, but they will have non-glare glass! I buy the frame, take out the glass, and toss the rest. I found one very large print of ballet slippers framed with non-glare that was big enough to cut down into several pieces. It made one 8x10 and three 5x7 pieces of non-glare glass for my wall, all for $1. With their permission, I took the glass out at the shop, tossed the faded print, and re-donated the empty frame back to them.