RedTurtle - you got that right! I remember the first time I learned that lesson, about cutting WAY back. About 30 years ago, I had this nice plain green spider plant. Loved it. Well, as it aged, it got very brown edges, probably from fertilizer salts. Well, it looked awful, but I loved it and rather than toss it without any effort to revive it, I took sissors and chopped everything off at the soil line and gave it some new soil. Within a couple weeks, there were new leaves emerging from the soil. Within a year, it looked like a million bucks! It taught me to never fear whacking a plant clean back to the soil. Now and then, I lose one (probably because I waited too long to whack...), but usually, it comes back with a vengence. Cindy - I struggle with imperialis, too. I restarted it last year and it went south again this winter. So I whacked it back and am trying to start cuttings, which aren't looking too hot as yet. But I do see signs of new growth on the stump. I just don't get it, I guess... I'm with you - I want it to grow for me SO bad! Dang thing! Which may prove I'm NOT a veteran! Ok, I'll accept "honorary veteran" because I surely have to be one of those who have been TRYING to master these plants the longest. We see Norma on here now and then, and I know she's been growing a lot longer than me, though I'm not sure about Hoyas specifically. Are you out there Norma? Tell us how long you've been growing Hoyas... Denise in Omaha

The first time I tried it, there was nothing--I got to doors, but nothing happened. Then finally a problem came up on the door, but I had no idea what to do after throwing the snail balls (I didn't know you were supposed to type in the number answer). It's pretty simple once the stuff works--you run into the snails, which then turn into balls you can throw at the door. Then you have to type in the numeral that is the answer to the problem on the door. After that, the door opens up and an ogre comes out. The multiplication problem(s) appear on his front and you have so much time in which to type in the answer. If you answer wrong, he blasts you with his club thing. After you give the correct answer(s) several times, he goes back behind the door and a key appears, which you grab by running into it. After you do this at several doors, you go on to the next level. That's as far as I know :) We've played this game with dd doing the keyboard and me manipulating the mouse. That has worked well so far. She's still trying to get used to pushing the right number key(s), which is hard for her to do quickly.

Math is important! It takes math to figure out how many square feet you have, how many cuts you will need to do, and how to create decorative focal points that work with your field body tile. The math portion is actually harder in many ways than the physical install of the tile. But figuring out a good layout is what separates a nice backsplash from a great backsplash. Even if you're "just" doing a simple field tile install with no elements, you still need to figure out how best to place those tiles for minimal cutting and maximum impact. A corollary to the math is the cheat sheet to the math. :) Cut out paper representations of your tile size and arrange them by trial and error on your backsplash until you get the layout figured out. If you do this with colored paper close to your tile color, it will really help those who need visualization before they can commit. Another tip for a successful installation is to take a long level and lay it across the area to be tiled. Mark any low or high spots on the wall. See exactly how straight the wall is before you begin to tile shop. If you have a very wavy wall, small tile will be more suited to install here if you're not looking to correct the wall's waves. If you are dead set on using 18"x24" glass tiles, then you at least have a road map of where you'll need to add wall compound before you start. Use the powdered stuff that you mix up and that sets by chemical reaction, not the "mud" in a bucket that most box stores will try to sell you. If you have a large amount of depth that needs to be filled, do it in multiple coats with some fiberglass mesh tape to help it all hold together properly. Don't forget that you will most likely need box extenders for your electrical outlets on your backsplash. And cut your tile carefully around those holes. The screw holes for the outlets need to have some breathing room or the face plates won't sit correctly. If you get the paintable face plate covers, you can use a color copier to copy your tile and then decoupage it onto the face plates, making the outlet virtually invisible. And it's worth it for the wait and the hassle to special order the outlets themselves in a color that will blend in well with your backsplash. There's nothing more jarring than having ivory electrical outlets showing in a green marble backsplash. It's even more jarring if you take the time to match the cover plate. It's like two eyes, glowering at you!

Timely question.... I too often find myself winging it with a quilt pattern...for instance.... Recently I selected fabric with a theme ( horses in this case for a niece) and once I decided on a block, made 12 and was ready to kick myself...too much of a pain to make the block ( they became my center blocks-below) so I changed gears and decided to redesign my original concept. Well I finished most of the top, still need to make another change and add the gray border, but I learned to stop winging it sooo much...I get in trouble every time and it always takes me longer than the time I have available... My own error... Next time...I need to stick to my original game plan ... Sorry for the long rant... on the plus side...I did learn to make 4 flying geese at a time... New technique for me. V.