I have two comments, for what they are worth. We have Carlisle Random Width Wide Plank Eastern White Pine in our home, because we wanted it to look original, and we expected scratches and dings to become a part of it. We are very happy with it. It's a floor that is supposed to look worn. We have handscraped cherry countertops in our kitchen. Near the sink, where the ridges sometimes hold water, it discolors the wood. The ridges become gray streaks, at least for a few hours before it dries out. So you may want to think about that if you would use it in say, a doorway, where you might have puddles or snow or whatever. HTH Here is a link that might be useful: Our floors dont look like this yet, but they will someday

Boxers, thank you so much! You and two friends helped me today and now I have calmed down. One friend is visiting his daughter in Alaska so could not come by but he sent me a link on cleaning residue off hardwood floors and thought maybe it was residue from the product. Thanks goodness I think my friend was right since it looks like it is coming up. First I used the Bona Hardwood Floor cleaning to scrub over and over again with microfiber pads and the areas I was buffing dry seemed to look better. Then I thought I would go to Wal-Mart to buy the Windex with no Ammonia that was mentioned in the article to see if it worked better and it did. I will never use the Bona Wood Refresher product again! But I do like their Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner product that leaves no residue. I have now spent the last few hours scrubbing the floor with so many microfiber pads and Windex with no Ammonia and whatever it was is coming off. I even washed a load of them and dried them as well as cut up a microfiber ivory blanket to get more pieces to dry with after I scrub with the Windex. I thought I had stripped my floors since they looked so bad. I have to go back and do the floors one more time on my hands and knees after this email but I am posting a reply as I eat dinner. My other friend came by who was local to help me for a little bit and then left but he was right I have to do a small spot and keep rubbing with the Windex and then dry the area with the dry microfiber mop. It is taking so long but I am determined to have my floors look good again so I can focus on my work tomorrow. If I can't get it all off (the floor looks 70% better after hours of cleaning now and my back is hurting), I will call the Bona company tomorrow. I do appreciate your email so much further calming me down. Tonight I am going to get a good night's sleep so I can work tomorrow with hopefully a floor that is pretty again with definitely no more dust on it and not having these blotches all over it looking so ruined.

Hoboken--Conditioner in the face doesn't sound very good. I agree that '12 seemed like a rough year for many. I cannot even begin to imagine what the parents of the Sandy Hook children are feeling. I have no right to complain in comparison. A2--Glad you're avoiding the sickness. Stay well! P.S. I answered your question about breaking my long-standing membership in the ABB club on my sorta reveal thread. 1929Spanish--I'm West Coast also and only just last year with the kids discovered celebrating the ball drop on East Coast time. Where have I been? I love staying up until midnight my own time to celebrate too, but DH has been asleep 18 of our 20 years so I have to celebrate on my own. Cin-cin! Chris--Glad you're feeling better! I've washed the remote before, too! Wow! I didn't think anyone had pulled that one off but me. Mpagmom--Your kindness touches me. Don't think me strange, but I think sometimes I feel your prayers. Once in a while I get that sense.... My prayers back to you also as you continue to miss your mother. Mary_Lu--Another reason I have no room to feel badly about my holidays. A stint?! I'm glad you went with your doctor's recommendation and that you're healing well. I'm sure the grands were very happy to have grandma around regardless. Hope your healing is still going well! Firsthouse--I know you saw my answers on my sorta reveal thread with all the pics. Kellienoelle--I would have loved a bath, but the kids' tub is small and not very comfortable and my giant soaking tub in the new master bath still isn't hooked to water. I settled for a long, hot shower and a couple of Tangerine Spice Margaritas! Needless to say, I felt better. :) Flwrs--You had a rough December also! Having a child diagnosed with cancer has to be extremely frightening. Those types of horrible events are not supposed to happen. Does your DS2 need any other treatment for his cancer after the surgery and positive CAT scan results? I'm sending a prayer your way! And you had me rolling with laughter over the dog incident! Smaloney--I appreciate the good wishes. I'm hoping in 6.5 years the holidays aren't as hard. Taggie--LOL on the floor cleaner camouflaging the etches! The etches don't really bother me. It is what it is, as my DH is so fond of saying. Bee--I know you know how I felt. Your continued kind wishes touch me. :) Deedles--Being without both parents for the holidays, or any day really, must feel lonely, I imagine. As much as I have issues with my Mom's issues, at least she's still here with me. And yes, the parent of the Sandy Hook kids are the ones that are truly having the worst holidays. Like I said above, I can't even begin to image the heart break they must feel. My holidays were definitely better than that. Lalitha--DD started preschool this week so I really can get a little r&r on occasion now! Oldbat--I'm lucky to have the new (used) ipad, but even luckier to have such beautiful, smart, healthy, loving, special kids.

Slush's DW here. Not sure if this is helpful at all to you but we went with Garrison II Walnut for our living room and hallways. We are trying to decide if we want to carry it through to the kitchen. We LOVE the floors. Yes they do get scratches and dings when things drop on them, but clean up easily and the scratches magically disappear when cleaned. (or if really deep, I just use a black sharpie) We get so many compliments on the flooring, it's definitely the favorite thing in our home. I also love the feel of it when you walk on it. The little groves are just fun. We got them installed in 2006 and have 3 young children. They are holding up great. Here are a few pictures: This was soon after install in 2006 From Kitchen - BEFORE Another view From Kitchen - BEFORE And 5 years later it still looks awesome (excuse the mess please - I was capturing the chaos of Christmas morning - but you can still see the floors) From Kitchen - BEFORE