For an easy overview of the unfamiliar garden plants you're seeing, you might go to the local public library and look for books about garden plants for your region. And if you're looking for a particular book your library doesn't own, their Interlibrary Loan service can obtain it for you (sometimes charging a small fee). === "Plants for a Livable Delaware" talks about invasive plants which should be avoided, and those which might be substituted for particular invasives. http://www.dnlaonline.org/information/plants_for_delaware.php === The University of Delaware Botanic Garden has -- besides the garden itself -- plant info, events, plant sales, etc.: http://ag.udel.edu/udbg/ === NCSU has wonderful lists of garden plants in various categories (bulbs to trees, and everything in between). I've seen this information in the same format for other states, so I assume there's a USDA database which the states adapted for their particular climates. Unfortunately I could not locate such a database for Delaware (though that doesn't mean there isn't one). Anyway, NC's zones include DE's zones, so the NC database would be useful for you: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/index.html First, click on the category you're interested in. Then choose whichever arrangement of data presentation is most useful. Don't ignore the "By Scientific Name" and "By Common Name" at the top of each category.

We had those issues with my Mom at the beginning of her alz. We would try to get her into the shower...it was just horrible ordeal...alot of times they become afraid of water...we did get a seat for the shower...that only worked for awhile. I remember just sitting Mom down when I knew that it was a good time and she could understand...just told her that this was the way it had to be...I would give her a sponge bath...then when the girl came in each morning while I went to work that this had to be done....Mom would get modest but I would just talk her thur....it did take awhile but she soon got to the point of it being o.k. for the sponge bath. I lost my dear Mom just 3 weeks ago....we did the sponge bath for 7 years....as I said the girl that came during the day to help was wonderful...Mom got a bath each morning with dove soap...she always used dove....hair washed 2times a week...I got one of those blow up things that you can wash hair with them laying down in bed....lotion all over...Mom always used oil of olay....and then powder mixed with corn starch.....we never had and problems with her skin and when ever we took her to the doctor he would comment on how beautiful her skin was....also we used pull-ups and Mom was changed every 2 hours....I also bathed Mom's bottom and powder each night before bed. I know that this is such an problem....we were blessed that it did not take long for Mom to conform to this way of doing things....she had always been a person that bathed each night. And things for me were easy because Mom and Dad lived in an apartment in our home and it was easy for me to be there and be involved with her care. Just a suggestion....call your alz. association and they have a book...the 36 hour day....it is wonderful and has so much info on the stages of alz. and many suggestion on how to care for the person with alz. God Bless and I hope you come back to this site...so many have wonderful help to offer. Nora

Never had a FL before, except when my dad was stationed in Germany in the 50s. Since they save water (a huge issue in Texas) and seem to wash clothes cleaner, decided to go the FL route. Actually only had the Whirlpool for two years; got it from my daughter when my 30 yr. old Maytag had died (was second hand from her grad school days). Spent some time on the computer this weekend and did some looking. Have a Miele dealer only a couple of miles from me. They are great machines, the Mercedes Benz of washers. However, I drive a Honda and am a recently retired teacher. Champagne taste on a beer pocketbook. Am going to look at Bosh Axxis and Asko tomorrow, but they may be more than I want to spend. Don't feel I need the massive FL; but so far, I've not found Danby or other moderately priced Euro size washers locally. For American companies, I've narrowed it down to Sears HE2t & Frigidaire Affinity ATF 7000. Frigidaire is only 3.5 cu.' has a narrower depth, which would be closer to what I have now, can be stacked, and does have an internal water heater. House is built on concrete slab, and laundry room leads from garage through French Doors to L-shaped LR and DR. Therefore, I'd like something quiet. Because house is on cul-de-sac, garage angles and laundry room is shaped like a right triangle with the entry to DR at narrow top of triangle, so narrower depth would be advantage. Suggestions for other smaller size FL with onboard heater that are reasonable are welcome as well as any issues with the washers mentioned here.

In addition to "privacy and entertaining space" can we presume that you will also want to enhance the yard/house by improving the appearance and views with plantings? If so, we'd need to see the complete back house face, and the outward looking view (toward the property line) from the most likely patio location, which would be just outside the back door. For the latter, place the camera outside the back door and begin by aiming toward farthest left. While remaining in the same camera position, continue panning/pivoting the camera, taking slightly overlapping shots until you have captured the far right view. The house will show in the first and last picture. To capture the house, move the camera to the property line, in line with the center of the house, looking back at it. Take pictures that begin at the left side property line. Continue panning all the way to the right side property line, with the house in between the starting and finishing point. All of this can probably be dine in about 7 or 8 pictures. Describe exactly where the back lot line is (per something visible in the picture.)