But I know exactly how you feel because a number of years ago I lost almost every Anise Swallowtail butterfly cat to a parasite that would kill the cat usually within the first or second instar, probably the second, in the same way. I would watch the cat feed normally for a while and then it would stop eating and just sit motionless for days and then one day it would be still sitting on the stem but looking sort of shrivelled up and there nearby would be a tiny beige cocoon. It would not have bothered me so much had it not taken all but one cat over an entire season. I almost gave up on the butterfly stuff after that season. Unfortunately, I live in a somewhat agricultural environment so there is not much one can do if people decide to import preditory insects to control what they consider pests. The worst part of the experience was that the cats had come from a number of places in my area and had nevertheless managed to come in contact with the same parasites. For awhile I feared that the Anise Swallowtails might never survive or that the other butterflies would be killed off also. Thank God I was wrong. I have not had the problem since. I don't know what to say beyond that except that I am not capable of being neutral about the whole food chain thing. It is what it is. Murray

Sally I love those. The last one I can relate to. A couple of years ago I was talking to my sister in law, we had been discussing how hard it is to be in love sometimes. We didn't know anyone was listening. That's when my nephew popped around the corner and said "Aunt Lana, you should have ran away before cupid shot you" LOL

I purchased a GE Profile all (nat) gas #PBG910SE1SS a couple of months ago. This model is not the "Cafe" version but has a simular if not identical cooktop and burners. Also it has full SS top and backsplash/contol unit -- heavy cast full width grates --- rather attractive and "pro" looking. Cleans up easily. Have only used the center griddle once and its a nice feature. I bought the GE in in place of a Bluestar that I had been lusting after for some time, but reconsidered as my condo rules prohibited an outside vent. No sense buying 22,000 Btus when it would only be practical to operate it @ half flame! Anyway -- the GE has been terrific in very way. (it does have a 17,500 BTU power burner too and brings a large pasta pot to a boil in less than half the time my old Whirlpoop did -actually the WP could barely boil it at all). I still have to do my wok cooking (and crab steaming) outdoors on my "cajun" LP gas burner (34,000 BTU) because of the smoke issue. The GE oven holds 500F easily for my pizzas and according to my My Infrared thermo-gun indicates oven stays within 20degrees at all settings--- very stable. Also the simmer burner is awesome w/nice stable flame you barely can see so be careful that it gets turned off! Large burners also simmer well too. It may not be a BS but I sure am happy with the GE. It has been flawless and performance beyond my expectations --- I thought I was making a big compromise. Price was not hard to take either, bought a new Profile DW along with the range for a lot less than the BS alone.

AnnKH - your before and after pix show a beautiful kitchen. I also can easily visualize what my kitchen will look like if I use some of the advice given on this board. If you were to switch the placement of the sink and range, and put a full cabinet over your sink area, you have a very similar arrangement to what I want. The added height of your cabinets was a great idea - my 36" vs the normal 30" height will be a good idea. I do use a hand held "reacher" device to get things down in any kitchen I have ever used, so the added height will be used. Although your kitchen may be perfect for you, I see items that make me return to some of my original plans. I would not want the angled corner lower cabinets -- that, to me, squeezes in the kitchen visually far more than angled uppers. With squared cornered lowers and angled uppers, I will actually be able to reach corner storage better (being shorter). Using the wider cabinets around the window was a good idea -- I would have made them even wider, to frame the window even more. Although you did add length and needed storage by adding the pantry next to the fridge, the full size fridge does intrude into the room too much for me. I will pay the extra to get a counter depth fridge. The pull out for the cabinet above the fridge is a good idea. Regarding the 42" lower, I have already had one in my old home, and it was very well organized. I guess it make a difference what is placed in the cabinet, my pots and pans either stacked well, or I had lid holders mounted to the doors and sides. I like the yellow tone of your kitchen - it makes it "happy". I am looking for a yellow or caramel tone that will match the warm browns of my cabinets and the knotty pine cathedral ceiling over the kitchen. An enlarged picture of my old kitchen above will show the 10' side walls of the kitchen and the soaring knotty pine ceiling above.