I knew I wanted to add to this, and I think I am just rescuing it before it tipples over to the next page. Kathy, Hope this week finds you feeling more chipper! You may not know it but I am so greatful to you. You offered assistance and for me to e-mail you. Nearly sent the e-mail. I wrote several pages in long hand first and was about to type away, but I guess I did not want to dump my doom and gloom on you when you were trying to drop it yourself. So I never did type it up into an e-mail, (I still have the written pages.:) )but it did not matter, your encouragement gave me the strength when my doctors appointment came around to let no holes barred. It was obvious I was in a state and with recent panic attacks, which he had been aware of, that had raised my blood pressure to dangerous levels. This ended up my being hooked up to a 24 hour blood pressure monitor. Normal high blood pressure was ruled out as a result of this - I am relieved to say, and it appeared that the elevation went along with the panic attacks which also brought on an incredible urge to go asleep. (not fun when you are driving by yourself). Apparantely panic attacks and depression ofte come hand in hand, so I was heading that way for sure. Looking back now, I feel I have been depressed for a long time but guess I was in denial - certaily never really had the guts to talk about it before. Anyhow he was wonderful with me and prescribed anti-depressants and told me that I would be feeling better in time for Christmas - an how so right he was. Even better after Chrismas. I cannot believe it. Some horrible things happened with my garden stuff because of the state I was in that was very unfortunate, but I have to accept that it is just the way it is and my health is more important. I have come this far, I may as well tell you. I think you may have seen my beautiful geraniums that I have had for many years, well We started to get them ready for winter early - a really huge job. We had worked at it for a week. Geraniums from large tubs were lifted, topped and tailed and repotted into new medium. So that that in the Spring they could be placed directly on decks and patios without being disturbed. All other Geraniums were cut back and lifted then roots cut and potted into suitable sized pots. We were just about done, not quite, another day's work I guess, so they were all sitting out of the greenhouse waiting for the next phase which was to spray them for aphids before we put them to bed for the winter. This is when I totally gave up and went into my own little shell - my movements were slow to a standstill and I walked so very slowley, then stopped. I could not care about the geraniums, my garden or anything, I had no life left in me. My husband was very good as he knew this was not normal and also new of the pending appointment, which if you remember seemed to take for ever. Our friends came back from a trip and saw all the geraniums sitting there in the place they were before they lift. They insisted on coming one day and the four of us got stuck in finished of the geraniums (bar spraying) and we got them in the greenhous - this after three days of frost. I have to admit that they did not look good and was this a waste of our time. I still have not put my nose in there, but I can see some green topping some of the pots, so if we get half make it, I will be happy. The other thing which I still cannot believe happened and I am wondering if it was not entirely my fault though, though I just cannot say. I put out an SOS here on the board, saying "Help my Hortio Roses have been shipped out" I got all kinds of great advice, as it was snowing at the time and I did not know which way to turn. We still did not received them for another ten days (I am pretty sure) At the time I was on the mailand gone to visit and help out my daughter and her family. She had a nasty soccer accident and broke her leg badly having to have surgery to have it screwed and a huge nail put into it she claims. Anyway when I got back The roses had arrived. Alan put them in a bucket of water in the Garden shed. Despite all the good advice I received from folk here. Anyhow - Christmas came immediately and I never could deal with the darn roses. We were busy way into January, and when I finally looked in the shed they were black as the ace of spades. So they have been frozen for sure. I am taking the blame for this, but I wonder if it was entirely my fault. The other thing. In september I bought approx 200 bulbs for spring blooms - was pretty excited - was going to have a great garden next year. Time is going on - we are up to our eyes in a kitchen makeover but hubby checks into garden shed and a damn rat had got into it and devistated most of the bulbs - even eater, they have a three inch long green shoot on them. Yesterday I had bladder repair surgery, so I wont be able to lift or do anything heavy for at least to weeks, so gardening is out once again. Tee-hee! it goes on, does'nt it, but you know, I am really very happy right now, we will fix up things the best we can, I have a lot to look forward to especially in April - we are just doing our kitchen up and am loving the new look, so life is finally good, and I hope it is going to be a very long time before I come of the medication. Another thing that I do in the fall, which was never accomplished is I lift hundreds of primulas which I keep in shady beds in the summer to be placed back to their place of honour in the fall for winter and Spring. I think I could do with a whole crew this Spring to get me going again - Anyone fancy a trip to the island. Tee-hee! - Life is good here. Love Pauline - Vancouver Island

Snookums, have you ever looked at any navy counters? I did before I posted. Some are nearly black or have a lot of grey -- not that far from the slate. Sure, there are brighter blues, but that's not what I was talking about. The slate looks great and that type of navy could too -- but I probably wouldn't have suggested the idea if I had realized the OP had green (and brighter green) counters. Camarodreemer76, I'd really like to help you, but I'm having a hard time seeing the laminate with the cabinets. You are seeing them in person and I'm seeing flash photography and computer monitor images. That last photo seems to be picking up green from your counters too. My concern is whether the colors work together. I just can't see that they do on my monitor, but as I pointed out, I'm not seeing it as you are. If they do, I think the tile is nice and would use it. If not, don't rush into something that isn't right and be unhappy until you can pay again to redo it.

You probably would have always wondered what he was like if you hadn't taken him in so it may be a blessing in disguise. Now you know so you can put that mystery to bed. He does sound like a con man so I'd be careful with any financial papers left around. Lock them up & when he's gone after the house sale, you can start a new chapter & have a very good life. Your ex-husband sounds like a decent man and you have a good son who cares about you. To put his mind at rest about your health, why not try one of those life alert systems? It might give him peace of mind & he does need to get on with his life. Best of luck to you. I can't think of anyone who deserves it more.

Agree on the drapery panels. Not sure about "skimpy", but they definitely clash with the duvet/cover which seems to be a keeper. CAVEAT: I am a big fan of very calm bedroom spaces. Tone on tone, not a lot of artwork that challenges/excites the eye. This is a place to rest, sleep, love. Make it one. Try this: Get rid of everything in the room, except for the furniture. Bedding, too. Lay down on your bed. See where your eyes "rest". Important. Decide whether the paint color is meaningful to you. The color you have is fairly neutral, but looks very different, night and light of day. Paint is the easiest way to affect a very restful space. There are enough colors on your chosen duvet to really get inspired. Unless birds are a complete passion of yours, I suggest no more within art work. Duvet brings interest, but don't let it get too busy. Really look at ambient lighting- where do you need it? Is what you have adequate? Either add or subtract. Mirrors. In any space, but especially the bedroom, you need to consider what they will reflect. Reflection, in a bedroom, can be nice. It can also be very harsh. What will you see? Do you like it? Then just fill in. Start with making your bed like a pro- even once. The way we live is a far cry from "staging", but imagine this as a calm space, designed. Do you need a blanket/throw, in a solid color? And add more. At each stage, think about the space you are creating for yourself. Sometimes, editing is necessary. Art is last. Consider any pieces you have, or go on sites like Art.com and find your bliss, inexpensively. I'm "in this" with my own master, and I know how tough it is. Good luck, and keep us posted.