diff --git a/README-goreadme.md b/README-goreadme.md
index fe9ce18..9336c80 100644
--- a/README-goreadme.md
+++ b/README-goreadme.md
@@ -123,20 +123,17 @@ Creates a window helpful for debugging this package
 
 `func ExampleCatcher(f func())`
 
+### func [FindPlugin](/plugin.go#L64)
+
+`func FindPlugin(name string) *aplug`
+
+loads and initializes a toolkit (andlabs/ui, gocui, etc)
+attempts to locate the .so file
+
 ### func [Indent](/debug.go#L120)
 
 `func Indent(b bool, a ...interface{})`
 
-### func [LoadPlugin](/main.go#L114)
-
-`func LoadPlugin(name string) bool`
-
-### func [LoadToolkit](/plugin.go#L68)
-
-`func LoadToolkit(name string) *aplug`
-
-loads and initializes a toolkit (andlabs/ui, gocui, etc)
-
 ### func [SetDebug](/debug.go#L28)
 
 `func SetDebug(s bool)`
@@ -149,7 +146,7 @@ loads and initializes a toolkit (andlabs/ui, gocui, etc)
 
 `func ShowDebugValues()`
 
-### func [StandardExit](/main.go#L155)
+### func [StandardExit](/main.go#L153)
 
 `func StandardExit()`
 
@@ -190,7 +187,7 @@ var Config GuiConfig
 The Node is a binary tree. This is how all GUI elements are stored
 simply the name and the size of whatever GUI element exists
 
-#### func [New](/main.go#L132)
+#### func [New](/main.go#L126)
 
 `func New() *Node`
 
diff --git a/cmds/buttonplugin/main.go b/cmds/buttonplugin/main.go
index 3eb3b17..01ce1c8 100644
--- a/cmds/buttonplugin/main.go
+++ b/cmds/buttonplugin/main.go
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ func main() {
 	// This will turn on all debugging
 	// gui.SetDebug(true)
 
-	myGui = gui.New()
+	myGui = gui.New().LoadToolkit("gocui")
 	buttonWindow()
 
 	// This is just a optional goroutine to watch that things are alive
@@ -55,11 +55,11 @@ func buttonWindow() {
 	g.NewButton("Load 'gocui'", func () {
 		// this set the xterm and mate-terminal window title. maybe works generally?
 		fmt.Println("\033]0;" + title + "blah \007")
-		gui.LoadPlugin("gocui")
+		myGui.LoadToolkit("gocui")
 	})
 
 	g.NewButton("Load 'andlabs'", func () {
-		gui.LoadPlugin("andlabs")
+		myGui.LoadToolkit("andlabs")
 	})
 
 	g.NewButton("NewButton(more)", func () {
diff --git a/debugWindow.go b/debugWindow.go
index 1a97e2c..d7d7961 100644
--- a/debugWindow.go
+++ b/debugWindow.go
@@ -90,8 +90,8 @@ func (n *Node) DebugTab(title string) *Node {
 		}
 	})
 
-	g2.NewButton("load plugin 'gocui'", func () {
-		LoadPlugin("gocui")
+	g2.NewButton("load toolkit 'gocui'", func () {
+		Config.rootNode.LoadToolkit("gocui")
 	})
 
 	return newN
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 9776401..68c14be 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ func init() {
 	Config.flag = Config.rootNode.newNode("flag", 0, nil)
 	Config.flag.WidgetType = toolkit.Flag
 
-	Config.guiChan = make(chan toolkit.Action)
+	Config.guiChan = make(chan toolkit.Action, 1)
 	go watchCallback()
 }
 
@@ -111,18 +111,12 @@ func (n *Node) doUserEvent(a toolkit.Action) {
 	}
 }
 
-func LoadPlugin(name string) bool {
+func (n *Node) LoadToolkit(name string) *Node {
 	log(logInfo, "Start() Main(f) for name =", name)
-	newPlugin := LoadToolkit(name)
-	if (newPlugin == nil) {
-		return false
+	if (FindPlugin(name) == nil) {
+		return n
 	}
-
-	sleep(1) // temp hack until chan communication is setup
-
-	// TODO: find a new way to do this that is locking, safe and accurate
-	Config.rootNode.redraw(newPlugin)
-	return true
+	return n
 }
 
 // There should only be one of these per application
@@ -130,18 +124,22 @@ func LoadPlugin(name string) bool {
 // some toolkit's on some operating systems don't support more than one
 // Keep things simple. Do the default expected thing whenever possible
 func New() *Node {
-	if (LoadPlugin("gocui")) {
+	return Config.rootNode
+}
+
+func (n *Node) Default() *Node {
+	if (FindPlugin("gocui") == nil) {
 		log(logError, "New() failed to load gocui")
 	}
 	// if DISPLAY isn't set, return since gtk can't load
 	// TODO: figure out how to check what to do in macos and mswindows
 	if (os.Getenv("DISPLAY") == "") {
-		return Config.rootNode
+		return n
 	}
-	if (LoadPlugin("andlabs")) {
+	if (FindPlugin("andlabs") == nil) {
 		log(logError, "New() failed to load andlabs")
 	}
-	return Config.rootNode
+	return n
 }
 
 // The window is destroyed but the application does not quit
@@ -157,9 +155,6 @@ func StandardExit() {
 	log("StandardExit() attempt to exit each toolkit plugin")
 	for i, aplug := range allPlugins {
 		log("NewButton()", i, aplug)
-		if (aplug.Quit != nil) {
-			aplug.Quit()
-		}
 	}
 	exit(0)
 }
diff --git a/plugin.go b/plugin.go
index df661a1..de8dd76 100644
--- a/plugin.go
+++ b/plugin.go
@@ -21,10 +21,11 @@ type aplug struct {
 	filename string
 	plug *plugin.Plugin
 	sym *plugin.Symbol
-	LoadOk bool
+	// LoadOk bool
 	InitOk bool
-	MainOk bool
+	// MainOk bool
 
+	// startup whatever might need to be setup in the plugin
 	Init func()
 
 	// This passes the go channel to the plugin
@@ -47,35 +48,30 @@ type aplug struct {
 	// each toolkit has it's own goroutine and each one is sent this
 	// add button request
 	pluginChan chan toolkit.Action
-
 	PluginChannel func() chan toolkit.Action
 
 	// deprecate all this
 	// TODO: make Main() main() and never allow the user to call it
 	// run plugin.Main() when the plugin is loaded
-	Main func(func ())	// this never returns. Each plugin must have it's own goroutine
-	Quit func()
-
-	// simplifies passing to the plugin
-	// Send func(*toolkit.Widget, *toolkit.Widget)
-	// should replace Send()
-	// Action func(*toolkit.Action)
+	// Main func(func ())	// this never returns. Each plugin must have it's own goroutine
+	// Quit func()
 }
 
 var allPlugins []*aplug
 
 // loads and initializes a toolkit (andlabs/ui, gocui, etc)
-func LoadToolkit(name string) *aplug {
+// attempts to locate the .so file
+func FindPlugin(name string) *aplug {
 	var newPlug *aplug
 	newPlug = new(aplug)
 
-	log(logInfo, "LoadToolkit() START")
-	newPlug.LoadOk = false
+	log(logInfo, "FindPlugin() START")
+	newPlug.InitOk = false
 
 	for _, aplug := range allPlugins {
-		log(debugGui, "LoadToolkit() already loaded toolkit plugin =", aplug.name)
+		log(debugGui, "FindPlugin() already loaded toolkit plugin =", aplug.name)
 		if (aplug.name == name) {
-			log(debugError, "LoadToolkit() SKIPPING", name, "as you can't load it twice")
+			log(debugError, "FindPlugin() SKIPPING", name, "as you can't load it twice")
 			return aplug
 		}
 	}
@@ -94,13 +90,13 @@ func LoadToolkit(name string) *aplug {
 	newPlug.Init = loadFuncE(newPlug, "Init")
 
 	// should make a goroutine that never exits
-	newPlug.Main  = loadFuncF(newPlug, "Main")
+	// newPlug.Main  = loadFuncF(newPlug, "Main")
 
 	// should send things to the goroutine above
 	// newPlug.Queue = loadFuncF(&newPlug, "Queue")
 
 	// unload the plugin and restore state
-	newPlug.Quit = loadFuncE(newPlug, "Quit")
+	// newPlug.Quit = loadFuncE(newPlug, "Quit")
 
 	// Sends instructions like "Add", "Delete", "Disable", etc
 	// Sends a widget (button, checkbox, etc) and it's parent widget
@@ -116,14 +112,20 @@ func LoadToolkit(name string) *aplug {
 
 	allPlugins = append(allPlugins, newPlug)
 
-	log(debugPlugin, "LoadToolkit() END", newPlug.name, filename)
+	log(debugPlugin, "FindPlugin() END", newPlug.name, filename)
 	newPlug.Init()
 
 	// set the communication to the plugins
 	newPlug.pluginChan = newPlug.PluginChannel()
 	newPlug.Callback(Config.guiChan)
 
-	newPlug.LoadOk = true
+	newPlug.InitOk = true
+
+	sleep(1) // temp hack until chan communication is setup
+
+	// TODO: find a new way to do this that is locking, safe and accurate
+	Config.rootNode.redraw(newPlug)
+
 	return newPlug
 }
 
diff --git a/toolkit/andlabs/add.go b/toolkit/andlabs/add.go
index 2f35e99..6d4c7cd 100644
--- a/toolkit/andlabs/add.go
+++ b/toolkit/andlabs/add.go
@@ -15,21 +15,21 @@ func actionDump(b bool, a *toolkit.Action) {
 	log(b, "actionDump() ParentId =", a.ParentId)
 }
 
-func add(a *toolkit.Action) {
+func add(a toolkit.Action) {
 	if (andlabs[a.WidgetId] != nil) {
 		log(debugError, "add() error. can't make a widget that already exists. id =", a.WidgetId)
-		actionDump(debugError, a)
+		actionDump(debugError, &a)
 		return
 	}
 	if (a.WidgetId == 0) {
 		log(debugError, "add() error. w.WidgetId == 0")
-		actionDump(debugError, a)
+		actionDump(debugError, &a)
 		return
 	}
 
 	// for now, window gets handled without checking where == nil)
 	if (a.WidgetType == toolkit.Window) {
-		newWindow(*a)
+		newWindow(a)
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -44,49 +44,49 @@ func add(a *toolkit.Action) {
 
 	switch a.WidgetType {
 	case toolkit.Window:
-		newWindow(*a)
+		newWindow(a)
 		return
 	case toolkit.Tab:
 		log(debugError, "add() CAME AT THIS FROM add() =", a.Name)
 		log(debugError, "add() CAME AT THIS FROM add() =", a.Name)
 		log(debugError, "add() CAME AT THIS FROM add() =", a.Name)
-		newTab(*a)
+		newTab(a)
 		return
 	case toolkit.Label:
-		newLabel(a)
+		newLabel(&a)
 		return
 	case toolkit.Button:
-		newButton(a)
+		newButton(&a)
 		return
 	case toolkit.Grid:
-		newGrid(a)
+		newGrid(&a)
 		return
 	case toolkit.Checkbox:
-		newCheckbox(a)
+		newCheckbox(&a)
 		return
 	case toolkit.Spinner:
-		newSpinner(a)
+		newSpinner(&a)
 		return
 	case toolkit.Slider:
-		newSlider(a)
+		newSlider(&a)
 		return
 	case toolkit.Dropdown:
-		newDropdown(a)
+		newDropdown(&a)
 		return
 	case toolkit.Combobox:
-		newCombobox(a)
+		newCombobox(&a)
 		return
 	case toolkit.Textbox:
-		newTextbox(a)
+		newTextbox(&a)
 		return
 	case toolkit.Group:
-		newGroup(a)
+		newGroup(&a)
 		return
 	case toolkit.Box:
-		newBox(a)
+		newBox(&a)
 		return
 	case toolkit.Image:
-		newImage(a)
+		newImage(&a)
 		return
 	default:
 		log(debugError, "add() error TODO: ", a.WidgetType, a.Name)
@@ -122,13 +122,14 @@ func place(a *toolkit.Action, t *andlabsT, newt *andlabsT) bool {
 
 	// add the structure to the array
 	if (andlabs[a.WidgetId] == nil) {
-		log(logInfo, "newTab() MAPPED", a.WidgetId, a.ParentId)
+		log(logInfo, "place() MAPPED", a.WidgetId, a.ParentId)
 		andlabs[a.WidgetId] = newt
 		newt.WidgetType = a.WidgetType
 	} else {
-		log(debugError, "newTab() DO WHAT?", a.WidgetId, a.ParentId)
-		log(debugError, "THIS IS BAD")
+		log(debugError, "place() DO WHAT?", a.WidgetId, a.ParentId)
+		log(debugError, "place() THIS IS BAD")
 	}
+	log(logInfo, "place() DONE MAPPED", a.WidgetId, a.ParentId)
 
 	if (newt.uiControl == nil) {
 		log(debugError, "place() ERROR uiControl == nil", a.ParentId)
@@ -141,12 +142,13 @@ func place(a *toolkit.Action, t *andlabsT, newt *andlabsT) bool {
 		return false
 	}
 
+	log(logInfo, "place() switch", where.WidgetType)
 	switch where.WidgetType {
 	case toolkit.Grid:
-		log(debugGrid, "add() Grid try at Parent X,Y =", a.X, a.Y)
+		log(debugGrid, "place() Grid try at Parent X,Y =", a.X, a.Y)
 		newt.gridX = a.X
 		newt.gridY = a.Y
-		log(debugGrid, "add() Grid try at gridX,gridY", newt.gridX, newt.gridY)
+		log(debugGrid, "place() Grid try at gridX,gridY", newt.gridX, newt.gridY)
 		// at the very end, subtract 1 from X & Y since andlabs/ui starts counting at zero
 		t.uiGrid.Append(newt.uiControl,
 			newt.gridY - 1, newt.gridX - 1, 1, 1,
@@ -155,7 +157,7 @@ func place(a *toolkit.Action, t *andlabsT, newt *andlabsT) bool {
 	case toolkit.Group:
 		if (t.uiBox == nil) {
 			t.uiGroup.SetChild(newt.uiControl)
-			log(debugGrid, "add() hack Group to use this as the box?", a.Name, a.WidgetType)
+			log(debugGrid, "place() hack Group to use this as the box?", a.Name, a.WidgetType)
 			t.uiBox  = newt.uiBox
 		} else {
 			t.uiBox.Append(newt.uiControl, stretchy)
@@ -166,6 +168,8 @@ func place(a *toolkit.Action, t *andlabsT, newt *andlabsT) bool {
 		t.boxC += 1
 		return true
 	case toolkit.Box:
+		log(logInfo, "place() uiBox =", t.uiBox)
+		log(logInfo, "place() uiControl =", newt.uiControl)
 		t.uiBox.Append(newt.uiControl, stretchy)
 		t.boxC += 1
 		return true
@@ -173,7 +177,7 @@ func place(a *toolkit.Action, t *andlabsT, newt *andlabsT) bool {
 		t.uiWindow.SetChild(newt.uiControl)
 		return true
 	default:
-		log(debugError, "add() how?", a.ParentId)
+		log(debugError, "place() how?", a.ParentId)
 	}
 	return false
 }
diff --git a/toolkit/andlabs/button.go b/toolkit/andlabs/button.go
index bc58da2..f4032d0 100644
--- a/toolkit/andlabs/button.go
+++ b/toolkit/andlabs/button.go
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ func newButton(a *toolkit.Action) {
 	newt.uiButton = b
 	newt.uiControl = b
 	newt.wId = a.WidgetId
-	// newt.tw = a.Widget
 	newt.WidgetType = a.WidgetType
 	newt.parent = t
 
diff --git a/toolkit/andlabs/main.go b/toolkit/andlabs/main.go
index e6befd2..5a99421 100644
--- a/toolkit/andlabs/main.go
+++ b/toolkit/andlabs/main.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"sync"
 	"embed"
 	"git.wit.org/wit/gui/toolkit"
 
@@ -16,14 +17,20 @@ var res embed.FS
 var pluginChan chan toolkit.Action
 
 var uiMainUndef bool = true
+var uiMain sync.Once
+var muAction sync.Mutex
 
 func catchActionChannel() {
 	log(logNow, "catchActionChannel() START")
 	for {
 		log(logNow, "catchActionChannel() for loop")
+		uiMain.Do(func() {
+			go ui.Main(demoUI)
+		})
 	    	select {
 		case a := <-pluginChan:
 			log(logNow, "catchActionChannel() SELECT widget id =", a.WidgetId, a.Name)
+			/*
 			// go Action(a)
 			if (uiMainUndef) {
 				log(logError,"catchActionChannel() main() was not run yet")
@@ -34,7 +41,7 @@ func catchActionChannel() {
 				log(logError,"catchActionChannel() ui.Main() START")
 				log(logError,"catchActionChannel() ui.Main() START")
 				sleep(1)
-				go ui.Main(demoUI)
+				// go ui.Main(demoUI)
 				// go ui.Main( func() {
 				// 	rawAction(a)
 				// })
@@ -46,6 +53,12 @@ func catchActionChannel() {
 				rawAction(a)
 				log(logNow, "catchActionChannel() STUFF END", a.WidgetId, a.ActionType, a.WidgetType)
 			}
+			*/
+			log(logNow, "catchActionChannel() STUFF", a.WidgetId, a.ActionType, a.WidgetType)
+			muAction.Lock()
+			rawAction(a)
+			muAction.Unlock()
+			log(logNow, "catchActionChannel() STUFF END", a.WidgetId, a.ActionType, a.WidgetType)
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -90,7 +103,7 @@ func Init() {
 	setDefaultBehavior(true)
 
 	andlabs = make(map[int]*andlabsT)
-	pluginChan = make(chan toolkit.Action)
+	pluginChan = make(chan toolkit.Action, 1)
 
 	log(logNow, "Init() start channel reciever")
 	go catchActionChannel()
diff --git a/toolkit/andlabs/plugin.go b/toolkit/andlabs/plugin.go
index f319add..15e9396 100644
--- a/toolkit/andlabs/plugin.go
+++ b/toolkit/andlabs/plugin.go
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ func rawAction(a toolkit.Action) {
 
 	switch a.ActionType {
 	case toolkit.Add:
-		add(&a)
+		add(a)
 	case toolkit.Show:
 		a.B = true
 		show(&a)
diff --git a/toolkit/andlabs/structs.go b/toolkit/andlabs/structs.go
index 0216407..60047ef 100644
--- a/toolkit/andlabs/structs.go
+++ b/toolkit/andlabs/structs.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ type andlabsT struct {
 
 	// tw	*toolkit.Widget
 	parent	*andlabsT
+	a	toolkit.Action
 
 	uiControl ui.Control
 
diff --git a/toolkit/widget.go b/toolkit/widget.go
index f0fba0f..769bf09 100644
--- a/toolkit/widget.go
+++ b/toolkit/widget.go
@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@ const (
 	Append
 	Move
 	Dump
+	Quit
 )
 
 func (s WidgetType) String() string {
diff --git a/watchdog.go b/watchdog.go
index af59439..5d18dcb 100644
--- a/watchdog.go
+++ b/watchdog.go
@@ -24,10 +24,10 @@ func Watchdog() {
 			}
 		}
 		if (i == 2) {
-			LoadPlugin("gocui")
+			Config.rootNode.LoadToolkit("gocui")
 		}
 //		if (i == 3) {
-//			LoadPlugin("andlabs")
+//			Config.rootNode.LoadToolkit("andlabs")
 //		}
 		i += 1
 		time.Sleep(watchtime * time.Second / 10)