Sandra, the muck boots have deep, rigid treads on the bottom for gripping. I run up and down 45 degree hills all the time (bark dusted hills) and they seem to track fine. And, they don't twist on your foot like a lot of boots. I suppose if you wore the tread down on cement over time they might become slippery, but I haven't noticed. (knock on wood). I don't know what they'd do if I ran up and down hills of grass, however, since I'm a person who never says never! Because the bottom is rubber, I suppose there are always situations where they could be slippery, now that you mention it. But, I've never noticed, and I wear them a lot. Ok...I just did an experiment. I got my boots wet and walked through the garage. The cement is flat and smooth. Yes, they will slip under certain conditions. My cement outdoors is aggragate, so it provides traction and I usually don't notice slippage. So I guess it is an inherent problem with rubber soles. Sorry to hear about your Birkenstock fiasco. Thanks for alerting us. I hope you have better luck with your new boots! Let us know!

Yes muck boots are comfortable but watch out. After wearing them every off work minute for a couple of years I developed severe foot problems. They felt so much better than my steel shank barn boots (GI Joes or farm store), like walking around in slippers. I never had foot problems before. Garden clogs at least have support. I now have to wear expensive well constructed work boots with orthotics.....grrrr. I am an avid hiker and extremely physically active....always before I had hiked, gardened, worked on the farm in sturdy shoes...muck books were like going barefoot (which the physical therapist says would actually have been better). jwww

Caroline I don't live in Rapid City. I live N of Pierre. Its even closer than you think. Someone mentioned a humidifier. I can tell you right now it makes a huge difference. My DH keeps telling me, he can't believe how much warmer it feels in the house when it is on. I think it is the moisture that makes it feel warmer. I can tell the difference right away. The minute I turn the heat on in the fall I start the humidifier. I used to have two of the gallon ones going at the same time. A few years ago I went to a yard sale and someone had one of the console ones. I think I paid about 5 dollars for it. for it. It runs all the time now. Every night I have to fill at least one of the 3 gallon tanks but it is worth it to me. WE have our thermostat on 57 at night and after I come home from work we turn it up but only about to 65

A very sensible comment mtvhike - you are right of course. According to your big picture view, I have three choices, replace and reframe the roof, which I would only do, if I were going to add a third floor addition, or use the foam, save the money and live with it, or use a reduced amount of insulation and pay higher energy prices. Every person might make a different choice. I am still considering using some rigid foam board in a 3-4ft section along the lower part of the dormer roof where it's impossible to get much else in that small space and using rock wool everywhere else. I'd also have the option of lowering the ceiling, but I don't believe I'd have enough headroom. I also prefer wet plaster to drywall. All our first floor walls are that and it is a quite noticeable difference in quality and longevity. A previous owner used drywall on the second floor. We have some added plastic pipe in a couple of places and I hate it. I'm not familiar with the difference between Romex and BX. In some cases it may be that the difference in using one product over the other, is for reasons of quality, but in others, it becomes known after something has begun to be commonly used, that the newer cheaper material has health consequences. In those instances, it's more than just 'taking a principled stand' to me. Some people feel the health risk is a reasonable one and doubt there is enough exposure to be concerned. To me, when it gets to the level that homeowners are bringing a class action suit for health problems caused by using the product, that's enough evidence for me to feel the risk is not reasonable. You do see my dilemma and I appreciate your comment.