One this particular five cuttings I had actually dipped them in rooting powder right after I had cut them. Not sure if that helped or not dipping in powder so soon. I then let it callous over for about four or five days, stuck it in moist cactus/perlite mix and stuck it on the back patio in a fairly shaded spot. I think the heat from sun beating down on the concrete for about 4 hours a day helped keep the pot warm at night where it was sitting even though our nights are generally pretty warm in Houston. Oh, I did mist it about every other day to make sure soil didn't dry out to much. Kirk

Don't give him cold shoulder. Lay it all out. Specifically. I don't like it when you _____________ because I feel _____________ when that happens. Then tell him what you will do. Example. My 7 year old (yep, because that's how old your dh is acting!!) keeps not appreciating what I do for her. Not only that, but acting like a little brat prior to us doing fun stuff. I finally told her today that I am tired of feeling like this. I told her I cannot control what she does, but I can control how I react to it. So the next time she doesn't listen to me about eating in the living room or whatever, I'm not going to get all upset. We're just not going to do the fun stuff we had planned. Then I won't feel that she's taking advantage and martyr myself. End game. I think she got it. So, what will you do when DH does something like that? DH: I think your tattoos are hideous. You: I apologize for my husband. That was innappropriate to say to you, a guest in our home. Would you like to come with me to the patio for some tea? DH: Rush Limbaugh is an idiot, I don't see how any smart person could listen to him. You must be an idiot. You: It's obvious we have different opinions on this subject. Aren't politics a heated subject!! By the way, Aunt Jen, this is a lovely coffee cake. How did you make it so fluffy and light? By doing that, it takes the attention from him, lets him and everyone know that you won't stand for it, and lets him off without the humility of being kicked or told off. Just smile, and cut him off at the chase. Diffuse while in the heat of it, then when you get him alone have specific things to tell him, without anger or blame.

Glad to hear the surgery is done. Best wishes to your sister for a speedy recovery. I hope the cancer is gone, gone, gone. Thanks for the update.

Just got home from the hospital. At least we got to see her heart doctor. She's still in ICU and we could still have problems for 2-4 days. He did remove one tube, which I think was connected to some type of balloon that made her heart pump steady. They decreased the times it pumped, until they could remove it, and her heart did fine by itself. One problem is she has a compromised immune system. We're praying she doesn't get pneumonia, or an infection. But it is all in His hands. Well, I guess it's always been there, but one thing I like about this doctor is, he too gives Him the credit. I guess that's what my sister really liked about him too. He also was my dad's doctor 12 years ago. He was honest and said there wasn't anything he could do for dad's heart. If they'd tried to do surgery, his heart wouldn't have started again. 2 thing my sister loves. Nebraska football, and Neil Diamond. Nebraska won over Baylor (sorry my Texas friends), and Neil Diamond was singing somewhere, maybe on the TV (I couldn't see it but I could hear him). Please keep the prayers going. Leslie