George, I read your post before going to Carol's Collectibles in Ashford and listened to your advice. Who knows?, at this stage of life I might have been okay with a border that probably would look like an upchucked overdose of sherbet, but I came home with a Percy Wiseman Yak Rhododendron that will grow a dense 3-4T' x 4-5'W and is a pinky, peachy color. As a replacement for a dead 'Holden', I did get one Nova - little guy - so I can prune as necessary. Wanted one...just wanted it. Digger - yes, all of them were hand dug, transported and put in place into 18 yds. of new soil last April 1st & 2nd. Claire, thanks, and the new tree in the center is a Magnolia Golden Endeavor. The new Kousa in front of the corner fence was given to me by the tree cutter who felled the pines because he felt so bad as yours truly couldn't hold the tears back as the old pines thumped to the ground. There's something about the sound of a huge tree hitting the ground that just sickens my stomach. Nice fellow, my arborist, who also likes our shrimp scampi, so we share, lol. Ginny - I faithfully spray the entire yard with Deer Away. Oddly enough, for 3 decades the deer just walked by the Roseum Elegans and never touched them - they still don't. But they certainly like everything else I plant!

well, I work w/ graphic designers, and it's very true--their tools have changed quite a bit. Classwork will really, really help. You know what also might help? Being able to sit at the elbow of someone doing a similar task w/ the software you're learning to use. Take the class first, but while you're taking it, start scouting out a publication, or advertising agency, or something--tap into those friends!--that uses the same publication you will. Contact a designer there, not necessarily the top cheese in the dept., and call. Explain yourself, and ask if you can come spend a little time watching them work. I've learned so much by seeing them do something quick, and then saying, "how'd you do that?" They then explain the tool to me, and bingo, I've got it. Seeing it happen in real life is such a big plus in terms of learning. Bcs I don't even know enough to realize the "tool" is in the program. I'd just figure out what the long way was, and do that. Then, once you're going, see if you can get them to come watch you design something. They may find efficiencies you could use. Also, one other thought: Efficiency is going to be really important. Maybe more so than creativity. So, try to spend some energy creating templates you can then simply tweak or use outright, without further fussing around. Another thing I've found: the PRINCIPLES are the same. We ship files electronically to our separator. We still send the "mechanical" (except now it's an electronic document, the QuarkXPress file)--it is the real, live, perfect thing that they will actually use. And, bcs an electronic file *can* be change and is therefore more vulnerable, the "mechanical" is now two parts--the one they use (the file) and the one they check it against. That second part used to be a printout. Now, it's a PDF. But the PRINCIPLE is the same as when it was paper. It just has another name. And often digital pictures are sent to the separator instead of actual artwork for them to photograph themselves (and sometimes actual film is sent by the advertiser, here), the principle is the same. Time consuming steps shaved off, that's all. So, as you learn the system for transmitting to the printer, or a program like Quark, with all the tools inside it (dragging, dropping, drawing, step-and-repeat, etc., try to compare with previous systems and methods--because the parallel is there. The same things are being accomplished. Also focus on the GOAL of each of these steps and not their names; it will help you understand them. And, you'll be able to mark them up even if you can't remember the term. (Remember the old days? You could write "KO type" on the tissue overlaying the mechanical; or you could have written "type should be white"--and the people reading it would know what you meant even if you didn't use the "KO" jargon) More random thoughts. Is it that you're intimidated by learning something new? Or is it that, because you are older and a better planner (and not idealistic and unrealistic, which we are when we're younger), that you have a clearer grasp of how complex this could be, and how inefficient you will be at first? That doesn't mean you should quit--just that you should STOP deciding this is an age-induced character defect, and start thinking of it as a "signal system" that's telling you something. It's telling you where the difficulties will lie which hopefully will help you tackle them. What software will you be using for your page design? I'm curious. (oh, and...if your printer can handle more than one software, you guys should use the one that your friends use, so you can use them as coaches)

The inspection he just performed at your home for the buyer is covered under that two year time period, as he just performed it recently..and that is the inspection about which you would file the complaint.. You can make a complaint to the licensing board regarding his current statements that conflict with his statements from 14 years earlier and he will have to at the very least explain. In addition, as this is about mold, that is an environmental hazard that is beyond the scope of a home inspection in Indiana. As such, he should have included language to that effect in his report to the buyer, as follows: (5) A statement that the report does not address environmental hazards, including: (A) lead-based paint; (B) radon; (C) asbestos; (D) cockroaches; (E) rodents; (F) pesticides; (G) treated lumber; (H) mold; (I) mercury; (J) carbon monoxide; or (K) other similar environmental hazards. If he did not, he is in violation of his current license, and can be disciplined as he misled and deceived the buyers that a mold inspection is part of the home inspection which is not the case and his entire report will then be suspect in terms of accuracy and credibility. In addition, you should require the buyers to obtain proof that he has education, experience and training in environmental hazards, as they are not part of a home inspection. If he has none, his findings are moot and it would seem that the buyer would not be able to use those findings as a legitimate reason to back out of the making the purchase. That said, glad to hear there is so much interest to buy your home...good news for all that the tide may be turning for the better. Once again, best wishes...I hope it all goes well for you. Here is a link that might be useful: Indiana Home Inspection Regulations

I had a unique one. I was working in Detroit and living in Ann Arbor and took the New York Central train that ran between Chicao and NYC, which came through Ann Arbor at just the right time to get me to work. One of the other commuters worked in the art department at J. L. Hudson department store and planned a lovely surprise shower in the bar car of the train going home. More men than women, but lots of fun. Just the other day I found the large tri fold card she drew with me on the front in my favorite maternity dress, and inside she drew a head on picture of the front end of the engine with drawings of each commuter hanging from the front, all signed of course. They bought me as lovely layette. Even one of the bar car attendants slipped me a bottle of Johnny Walker Red from the train after I slit. One of the best hours I've ever had. Great party.