Well, I feel like you all have grabbed me by the ankles and dragged me back on the field. (Maybe that's because I've been watching football. Go, Bucs!) Yes, there are "many gems" on this forum, and you have made me feel better, thank you very much. When I was in the dumps, I figured y'all probably wouldn't want any part of me, but that's not the way you are. You're ALL the best, even Surly Sue. :)) ...Time has passed since I started writing this, because I've been on the phone with Gean. She called out of her concern for me. It was the first time we've ever spoken, and what a joy! How perfectly sweet and wonderful is that?!! You have ALL cheered me up. I so appreciate and admire everyone on this forum. You blow me away with your kindness. Sherry

Just a quick little update while I'm over here tonight. I've seen an ENT surgeon and a Head and Neck Cancer specialist over this past week. All three (including the one that first found the tumor) are in disagreement over what it is. We have decided to go with the Cancer doctor. The Rancher has a niece that is a PA. She recommended this doctor and has worked closely with him for several years. She arranged the appointment overnight for us and we are very grateful to her for that. The cancer doctor said he has seen this before and he feels it is possible that it is simply a spot that is there due to some kind of continuous irritation. Making it a precancerous growth vs. a cancer. So he put me on a nasal spray and doubled the dose of my stomach medication to see if we can reduce the possible irritation. I will return to see him on the 9th of September. If the growth isn't smaller or gone he will move forward with a biopsy. I feel a little better and at ease on one hand because I would love it if this nightmare just went away. On the other hand I am a little worried that if it turns out to be a true cancer, we have just wasted four weeks where there is no treatment going on. The ENT that I saw said there was nothing there except a little discoloration on my vocal cords. So I checked in with my regular GP about that answer. She said it would be impossible for it to disappear overnight (literally). Also the other two doctors said that my vocal cords appeared to be fine. Well, that'll leave your head spinning with questions. LOL! I'll let you know what happens after the appointment on the 9th. Hugs, MeMo PS...welcome to the forum ex-lurkers! We're glad you're here. Thank you for your very kind words.

My bet is those people putting things out on the curb are doing so because, like palimsest, they can't sell it or give it away. I am in the same boat after cleaning out my parents' home. We left a lot of good things in the house (maple bureaus, glassware, chairs, decorative things) because we didn't have anywhere to put the furniture and it wasn't the really good antiques or sentimental stuff. Had we lived closer, we would have hired someone to hold an estate sale, but getting sister to come up from GA was impossible and we dared not sell anything unless she okayed it-oh well. We live in northern VA outside DC. Charities will not take furniture and people at yard sales are not going to pay anything near what something is worth. We put things on CL, no go. Just as an example, my son did end up selling our huge antique grandfather clock that had been in the family since the late 1800s and was valued at $10,000 by our clock guy who took care of it for 40 years in Bryn Mawr, PA. DS was able to get $4800. A local clock guy here looked at it and offered $1500. He just wasn't being honest. We went ahead because it was in a crate in the garage (too big for our house) and I hated to take a chance that it could be ruined. After he sold it, another potential buyer said he would have given us $6500-after telling us $4500 was as high as he could go. I wish we had never moved it and had sold it up there in PA. Very sad. I do like freecycle and CL because people always seem so pleased to get their "finds," but a lot of the truly valuable (talking mid-range valuable here as in thousands, but not tens of thousands) stuff is hard to get sold. I have one of a pair of cabinets (sister has other, but could probably get the other, too, if someone insisted on having the pair) with beautiful brown marble tops, inlaid wood designs on the doors and side, solid brass trim, etc. for which we can't find a home. They aren't in perfect condition, but they are in good condition. Consignment shops require that we deliver and this is too big and heavy for us to move, plus if it doesn't sell, we would have to pick it up! It really is no fun, is it? Too good to relegate to the garage, but not my style, so it stays where I see it and hate it everyday. I keep thinking that I could get new countertops if I could just sell it! LOL. I feel your pain palimpsest! Alas, don't have any solutions.

I notice this: All drawers in the lower cabinets, in most cases. Or, a drawer above a door. Undermounted sink. Freestanding, not fitted. Wall mount taps. Actually, "shelf mount" is the right term but today we would call them wall mounted. Oven at torso height. Prep sink. Practical backsplash over the sink: you can hang things to dry. Open shelves near the sink. Built in fridge.