I grew up in Racine. Went to Zion for rollerskating. Moved to Waukesha for 20 years, now live near La Crosse. I return every little while to the SE WI area. If yall ever have a plant swap, let me know. SandiBluffs :)

I live about 50 miles North of K.C. but would definitely be interested in a plant swap. I only have a couple of weekends spoken for so far so hopefully you won't pick those dates!! Let me know when you get all the details ironed out...I check this forum regularly, but would prefer emails about plant swapping details. Would be nice to have a forum just for people to sign up and let everyone know what they have and what they're looking for. I've been to several, and it helps to pre-trade. Look forward to seeing all of you......Jay drippingsprings@unitedwb.coop

No decision yet - it's still a possibility - they're in the reference checking stage. Ironically I was talking to someone I work with who relocated to KC a few years ago - asking more about where she lives. She lives in Liberty!! And another person I work with is thinking about relocating to KC - family from there. Of course I haven't talked to these people much as I would not want anyone thinking I'm leaving if I'm not. After my day today it couldn't happen fast enough - if it meant getting out of this rat race. I also posted something on the buying/selling houses forum. The idea of all that is a little disconcerting - more the buying than selling. I'd hate to buy, decide not to stay there long term, and then be stuck with a house I paid too much for. I'm thankful not to be in that situation now and really don't want to get in that predicament. I'd also be relucatant to rush into selling/buying until I was somewhat sure the whole job situation was going to work out. You know how you never know what you're really getting into until you're in it. I've been looking at the real estate listings - I found a few places with trees. Lakes and water are scarce though I saw a few bodies of water - nothing like the land of 10,000 lakes though. We have a lake cabin in MN which we would keep - and if "retired" I would probably spend a good part of the summer there. It's interesting to hypothesize about the change - I think I'm ready for one.

I took a ride to American Granite today. What a difference in the showroom compared to Benchmark. Carlos and Rebecca were both helping me, and very nice. I saw one that I liked with the colors of my cabinets and floor. I'm doing a small condo kitchen that's across the street from the beach, that I'm moving to as my primary residence. The granite I saw was Juparana Columbo, it reminded me of the sand when it get the dark grey streaks in it. I like the slab, they only had one (which is all I need) that was in the light muted colors. All the others with the same name were from a different lot and were much darker and a redish peach. I'm just not sure I like the pattern of the slab. I took pictures, and thought I had a picture of the whole slab, but I only got parts of it. I wonder if Carlos would be able to take a picture of the whole slab and email it to me. Asked about a sink, and was told it would be about $200.00 additional. Benchmark was including a 16 gauge SS D-sink. Has anyone heard of AW Eurostile in Ocean or a place in Shrewsbury (not sure of the name)? I'm trying to avoid going to OHM, I think it might be too overwhelming, and I'll never be able to make a decision. I'd rather stay with smaller places. I'll try to attach pictures, let me know what you think. Thanks for your help. Here is a link that might be useful: granite juparana columbo