My flowers are dying, and other updates.

So my poor little flowers are dying, already. They say knockout roses are hardy. Apparently they still can't survive my gardening ineptitude. What am I missing?

In other news, I can't reach several lightbulbs to change them. Feeling like a helpless girl. Considering replacing the flush-mount light in the upstairs hall with a pendant, to lower the bulb's height, though perhaps I should just get a taller ladder. Or both. It's a pretty ugly light. So far I've been looking at Home Depot and LampsPlus.com, but I could use some other ideas.

I'll also hopefully be getting an appraisal soon to see if my renovations have increased my equity enough to get rid of the private mortgage insurance. That would make my year. But I know it's a long shot. Trying to keep low expectations here...