Who knew deciding on a range was so tough? We agonized for months during a new build and finally found the BS. We had looked at all the regular ranges, plus Bertazonni (we thought it felt cheaply constructed) and something else I don't even remember. I drove quite a distance to see a BS in person and never looked back. Final decision came down to BS or American Range. We did NOT want electronics that would fritz out on us. Glad we went with our gut on that. We hope to never buy another stove. This thing is simple, straightforward, attractive and a dream to run. 12 months now into a 30" RCS. We were concerned about 15,000 btus, but it has never been an issue. Cooking is a pleasure. Total control. There were a few minor adjustments needed at the outset and a tech came far, far out of his way (we live in a rural area) to tweak it to perfection, and teach me the tweaks, too. It was set up for natural gas, but we run propane and since propane is heavier, it sinks before ignition and sparks need to aim down slightly. The tech/rep adjusted this with a needle-nose wrench and there hasn't been a single issue since. The local distributor said it was set up for propane. But... not. Miscommunication at that level, but otherwise complaint-free. One clicker got killed by a boil-over. BS sent a replacement and a spare overnight and it took about 3 minutes to install. I love the stove's simplicity. It is easy to clean. Good baking. Great stovetop. Drip tray is great. Very large oven for a 30" range. I love the darned thing! We are glad we did months of research because I had never heard of this make before. Never thought I'd be a big fan of a kitchen appliance. But go figure!

Lynn - I know I will remember playing in the snow for many years. I love it when my adult children still want to play LOL. A few years ago I came home very late from a Christmas party and DD asked if I would go sledding with her, we did and we laughed so hard - they could probably hear us for miles. My pedometer is the cheapest model I could find from Walmart for $3.83 and not worth any penny of it. The buttons are not recessed at all, so it can accidently be reset. I saw a wide range of them, so I would think you could pick a decent one up for about $10. If you want to try out a cheap one, send me your address and I will ship it off to you. KY Susie - I haven't drummed since last year, but the women's weekend is approaching, so I will be drumming soon. I love broccolini, but we can't always get it by me - very tender and just cook it like you would broccoli. If Lynn, doesn't want my cheapy pedometer, let me know, you can try it out - I just question the accuracy. Marci - my oldest DD still says she is heading to San Diego and my DH get's so upset by it. I don't think it will hit me until she actually does it. It's just an adjustment for you and you will snap out of it. Maddie - that guy knows a good thing when he sees it! I can't remember the last time a guy made a pass at me. Tikanis - glad you got to spend some time at the beach - sounds like it was just what the Dr. ordered. I feel that the appliance breakdowns are behind you, sort of a metaphor for this past year - but now you have come full circle and a lot of good is in store for you. DeeMarie - don't feel guilty about not exercising, you had to get your body healthy first. I did what was suppose to be 10 minutes of ab work this morning, OUCH (and I probably only did half of it). Suzanne - when is this cold spell going to break? I am really beginning to HATE it. I could never do what you do - there is no way I could drag my cold butt out to the barn on these frigid mornings. Is SP taking her supplements any easier? Besh - are you hanging in there - how much more snow did you get clobbered with? Gret - hope you are feeling better. I have a ton of work that is going to keep me in my seat today. Maybe whenever the phone rings, I will walk to another desk to answer it.

I joined Curves last March as a birthday present to myself. I turned 38 that April & was getting worried about my health & weight. I was 5 feet, 2 inches & about 175 pounds. My father died of a heart attack at age 48, his father was 42 when he died. My mother is a diabetic & has lots of health problems due (I think) mostly to her weight & the fact she doesn't MOVE. I did not want to end up like them. We got down to one vehicle so I stopped going at all for about 5 or 6 months. I just started going back, only once last month & once this month but I'm motivating myself to start going back more. My goal is to go at least 3 times a week but I would like to go everyday that I'm in town. I lost more inches than pounds but I felt healthier. For the first time, I felt sexier (no diet books or videos ever talk about the fact that when a woman gets a stomach, she starts feeling unsexy). My problem area is my stomach & thighs. Maybe it's just my imagination but while I was going regular, I didn't feel as tired or run down as I do now that I've stopped going. I have more aches & pains now too. Now that we've got another vehicle, I can go back. I found it easier to go early in the morning when they first opened than if I waited to the afternoon. When I joined Curves the sign-up fee was about $125 plus the monthly fee (for me it is $31.47 a month). They were doing a canned food drive so the fee was waived. Once I joined, my teenage daughter could join for the summer for $10 a month so that was nice. She doesn't need to lose, just strengh-train. I had joined the gym years ago but stopped going because there were too many young, skinny people going there to 'hook up'. It was the kind of place where lots of body-building guys & lots of mirrors. I felt very out of place. I like the idea that Curves has no men & no mirrors. There are young women & elderly women, we have a woman who had a stroke. Everyone works at her own pace. Most Curves have a trial membership where you can go for a week for free. I would suggest anyone thinking about joining to ask about the free trial first. It won't hurt & you can decide if it's for you or not. Once you join you can also register at myCurves.com & keep track of your measurements. There's stories there, recipes, etc. I remember sitting out in the parking lot thinking if I really wanted to go in or not, & finally I did. I regret stopping because it's hard getting back into the routine.

Well, maybe I exaggerated a "little" there. I do use the kitchen also, & sometimes we team up. But I've learned a whole lot from this one thread. Next kitchen will have a prep sink in the island whether he wants one or not. Will also have deeper counters on other cabinets. I have no idea why I didn't think to have that done anyway. There was plenty of room to move the lower cabinets out at least 2 inches, probably 3. It just never occurred to me. Makes great sense. This won't be our last kitchen. It's probably our 2nd to last, though. I don't believe in buying turn-key houses any more than I believe in driving new cars off the lot. Neither of us do. Never have. We've helped friends build houses from scratch, but we've never done it. It is a possibility that our final house (the one we live in the rest of our lives) might be one we build, but I doubt it. We simply love finding diamonds in the rough, with good bones & all that "character" stuff going on, ya know? Then making it our own. Thank you ALL for the illuminating advice & ideas. I was going to post some ideas for the overhang support here per Joseph Corlett, but think I need to begin a new thread for that. So, I just went and did it here: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3354407/m=23/15-granite-counter-overhang-supports. Thanks again, friends.