Jenn, your plant looks great! I might suggest moving it to a location with just a bit more sun though. Jenn, sorry I hadn't meant for your post to become all about pots, lol. I've copied the following from another website, as I'm unsure as to if one is allowed place links to other garden websites? "Direct sun on black plastic pots can harm your roots. If you pull a plant out of a pot that has been sitting in the sun for a long period of time you can see the difference in roots from the direct sun side of the pot and backside of the pot. I am speaking from experience in the nursery/landscape industry...I wouldn't recommend pulling your girls out to check. Really the only way to see a negative effect on the plant would be if you're using #5 or smaller containers, bigger containers have too much soil to make any difference." I agree with this statement, though I've had plants sustain substantial root damage even when using very large black plastic pots. This probably isn't such a big deal with annuals or things like tomatoes, though I'd tend to be cautious with expensive ornamentals. The following link is regarding trees, though would likely apply to most any ornamental being container grown. Here is a link that might be useful: Root Heat in Containers

If you are that freaked out by mice and can afford it, hire an exterminator. If you can't afford it, set some humane traps. NOT A STICKY TRAP. The sticky traps are horrible. They severely torture the trapped mice, and also torture the human that put them out, via guilt. No matter how much you hate mice, if you have never seen a mouse or other creature on a sticky trap, believe me, you don't want to. They are stuck to the glue, and are absolutely frantic, trying to escape. They end up tearing their own skin off and breaking bones in the process, adding to the agony. They finally give up out of exhaustion, dehydration, and injury, and death comes slowly and painfully. I hate rodents, and certainly would FREAK if they were inside my house, but I would never subject any creature to a death like that. By humane traps, I mean one of two options: A snap trap that will kill them quickly, or a trap that will allow them to crawl inside but not be able to escape. Then you have to take them somewhere and release them. Probably not high on your list ;) An exterminator will do this for you. But again, there is a cost associated. The advice given about finding the spots where they are entering is very good. Mice can get inside via a hole as little as 1/2" wide. Here is a link that might be useful: Google: glue trap death

Lucy34527, I am so sorry to hear about all of the frustrations BM is causing you, your family, and your SS!! It's so disheartening when someone tries to manipulate the mind of a child in order to feel like a "winner". UGH my deepest sympothies to you. I wish I had a quick fix for a situation like this, but we all know that when it comes to divorced parents, children, and step parents- there is no easy answer! I swear, these divorced men should come with a handbook!! (HAHA!) I CAN, however, pass along the title to a book me and my SO have read front to back at least 2 times each that has helped us tremendously!! I actually heard about the book from another blogger on this site and am SOOOO glad we read it! It's called "Joint Custody with a Jerk; Raising a Child with an Uncooperative Ex" (A hands-on, practical guide to communicating with a difficult ex-spouse) This book helped my SO and I to learn how to manage problems that seem so unmanagable. It also helped us with our own relationship and the relationship we have with his son! Look into it, I hope it helps, and stay strong!

I'm sitting here with egg on my face! I have several Bernina books and two of the "Feetures" books, none of which had "how to select a stitch program" info. I guess it's so basic they didn't think anyone needed to be told. After reading your response, I finally found the little User's Manual (where it belongs) in the pocket of the machine's cover. It had the proper Step-by-Step-for-Dummies info! I was not pressing the "#" button, (lower left of the key pad) before pressing "1" and "3". Alisande, I love this little Bernie. I've had it for eight or nine years. It was a surprise gift from DH. It was considered one of their simple "entry" models at the time, but obviously, LOL, it's more machine than I'll ever conquer. It does everything except the supper dishes. Over the years, and thanks to a deeply discounted "going out of business" sale, I've collected so many of the wonderful presser feet and accessories. This machine will outlast me, and the next two people that inherit it. Just for laughs I dropped by a large Bernina dealer in Fargo last summer. They had a new sewing/embroidery/computerized monstrosity that cost more than a perfectly usable car. I was in shock. It was very grand and glorious...but I'd never work my way around it. I have my original 1975 Singer Fashion Mate 252, (bought as a floor model) and a 1950s Pfaff 130 (from FreeCycle). The Singer has been limping along for decades, but it will still crank out an acceptable seam if I baby it along. The Pfaff is a workhorse, and the Bernina is my Lady of the Sewing Room. I've linked to my machine's manual if you want to check it out. The 230PE is now discontinued and replaced by far more complicated models. I'm glad I got mine when I did. Here is a link that might be useful: On-line manual for 230PE Bernina This post was edited by caroline on Sun, Nov 24, 13 at 15:24