Wow what amazing pictures----It always amazes me when I look at all the windows and try to imagine just how many lives are tied up to those buildings--- I think I've already told you about the book "Time and Again" by Jack finney. This man goes back in time and they used The Dakota for the experiment ---I think you would love this book. great pictures of old NYC. Florence

$400 for a new intake and foot valve. $50 for a fuel pump to get the motor running $4/gal x2 each and every time I run the blasted thing...at least twice a week. $125 in labor to tell me the motor is running well but they have no idea why the pump is hinky. 2weeks and $75 in phone calls to locate someone who dares admit a) they have heard of a water pump, b) operate a business that repairs them and c) knows how to repair them...to find out the best guy lives across town, about three miles away. $300 in parts and labor, replacing seals. Just so I can have me very own tomatoes. Screw the bloody edibles, I can get them at a farmers market for $3/lb and let the grass go brown when it wants to.

I became more reconciled (don't like doing it, but follow the recommended method) about killing the marine toad after hitting this U of FL site which states they're omniverous and (like CTF) eat small toads, frogs, lizards, small mammals and snakes, over and above having the ability to kill curious dogs and cats. The one good thing about Marine Toads is that I truly suspect they kill small CTF's, but if they're equally destructive to natives that eliminates their one possible attribute. The Marine Toad that nailed my dog (who survived) was a small one who had made it onto our screened back porch. I haven't killed any small toads, initially because they were too darned fast, then because Marcia alerted me to making really sure I didn't kill a native bufo toad. Once the Marine Toad is more mature, there is no mistaking the huge ugly glands that secrete poison that run down their sides, originating at "cheek" level. I don't see that gland on your "cute guys" Anna. By the way, for pet lovers: our local vets do not recommend treating exposure the same way that the U FL website does (hose their mouth while keeping the pet's head down). Locals suggest wetting towels and swabbing the foam continuously so that your beloved 4 legged friend doesn't injest any of the poison. It worked for us. Hope you never have to experience it: it is positively frightful. Marilyn Here is a link that might be useful: Marine Toad Info

Awesome, everyone, thanks for your feedback. Let me give you the thinking behind the kitchen, and maybe you can help me find a better way to get what we're wanting. The front island is designed for me. I want a smaller space with everything in reach. There's a stove, a sink and a prep area. The ends are bent in to give a bit more counter area and shorten the reach. I like the idea of being able to be a part of what's going on in the rest of the area while I'm cooking. My DW, prefers wide open spaces. She wants to be able to set out as many things as she needs and still have counter space to spare. The back part is set up the way she likes it. It would definitely make more sense to move the range to the back wall, but I'd prefer to keep it out if I can make it work. --Lavender Lass: Thanks for your redrawing -- and we definitely need a wet bar out where people can help themselves without going through the kitchen. --bpathome: Good catch. We were thinking of trying to force parents to serve their children, but we've got to make sure it's not too tall for the 5'2"s in the family. --MrsPete: Great feedback! Yes, the kitchen is probably too big overall, but I'm not sure what to cut. Lavender Lass' design is more effective (except that you hit the nail on the head with the grilling issue). group stuff: Good call on the "food waiting area". The large closet off the living room is for folding tables and chairs. We'll move the furniture in the living room out of the way to set them up. Stuff can go in the coat closet on the left side of the hall, in the mudroom, and in the cabinets in the pre-powder room area. I don't know where the tableware is going yet. LOL. The washer-dryer in the garage is actually the garbage and recycling bins that go to the street. I forgot to remove them when I took out the rest of the furnishings. All the spaces: Need no, use, yes. The sitting room is my DW's retreat. We both have large computer spaces, and that's what the office is for. The loft is for the kids. There will be computers and a TV for watching and video games. The craft room is for. . . (deep breath) sewing, costuming, jewelry making, plaster casting, miniature painting, a bench for computer repair, Lego, and whatever other hobbies we pick up in the future. After the kitchen, this is the room we're most looking forward to. The master bath is extravagant as it is. I'm certainly open to suggestions on how to change it. Thanks again, everyone, for your help and taking the time to consider how this plan will work for our family.