You guys are just too kind. I did not have allot a space to work with but still managed to have 42 inch isles 45 by stove and still keep a small table which was important to me because of mobility issues ,would have loved seating but unable to do barstools. We were going to eliminate the adjoining dining room but load bearing walls and plumbing issues were too costly. Peg, I ended up having a local custom shop's cabinets. It gave me more options, was able to use every precious inch of space and actually was more cost effective. Fori, ha,ha,ha believe it or not I did that 8 years ago when we moved into our circo 1980's Mauve and grey house!(I could still get up and down on a ladder then) Chloe the floor is QS white oak with a very light brown stain. Honestly if I had to do it again I would have left it natural more contrast It still is much lighter than photo oh well I think it will go nice with my white trim and chestnut oak stained doors to match stained windows kind of like jaymielos but of course not on such a grand scale as her beautiful space. Thanks again to everyone who has helped so far. I look forward to posting more and certainly will need and appreciate more help with backsplash.

Very happy to hear that your surgery went well. I have printed off your follow-up care for my husband for use say in about 2 years when he develops a cataract. FIRST, on Sept. 30 he has to undergo a Vitrectomy for repair of a Macular Hole in his left eye - this is NOT going to be pretty. We live in Toronto and he will be having procedure done at St. Michael's Hospital. He is 59 and apparently is young to be having this procedure without a related health reason (diabetes) or having been involved in an accident. His eyes are extremely myopic (his lenses cost $1,200 to get "thin" ones so that he doesn't appear to be wearing Coke bottles on his eyes). I fortunately found a lady whose mother just went through the same procedure in Ottawa and she outlined the dos and don'ts and the general horror of it all - which was exactly what was needed as my husband was searching the Internet for "easy" recovery solutions. Their aren't any. The big thing was finding the place that rents the face-down equipment needed for recovery - easy to do in U.S. or Europe, but Canada, well the usual. For those who might need to know who live in the Toronto area or London area (the company covers both areas) the company is called Care Chairs (www.care-chairs.com). They seem to be the only rental provider of the "real" chair, sleep pillow etc. There is another company but they only sell foam pieces - and they aren't nearly as effective. Basically he will have to keep his eyes looking face down - kind of at his belly button for a week. The chair has a 3 way mirror to help him see what is going on. The pillow for sleeping will be attached between the box spring and mattress - unfortunately both beds in this house have footboards so will have to move to floor. I will also have to board our dog - a very claws and Jaws American Eskimo who loves to jump up and I know he would hit my husband right in the eye - not to mention the taking my husband back and forth. He will have to return for a follow-up day after surgery - so a special neck piece for trip in car. At least he is good at putting eye drops in as he wore contacts for many years. I am dreading it - and asked if they could keep him overnight in hospital - apparently not these days - not "medically" necessary. I am sure people who have undergone this procedure would disagree. I even thought of renting a hotel room downtown for first night, but then the equipment will be at home. Ed, yesterday I bought a pair of sunglasses at Shoppers that are designed to be worn over regular prescription glasses to help with the glare. The lady whose mother had the surgery had to wear them for 2 months to help with glare and the effects of the eye drops. My husband has the custom made clip-ons to wear with his glasses but they won't do the trick. They were $24.95 and I think worth every penny. I also bought a speaker phone, a "customer service" bell to put by his hand in case of an emergency and also found by chance a laptop cart that will work perfectly to place in front of chair for taking of meals - best to keep movement to a minimum and we will have to deal with the bathroom issue. I have threatened to sneak Immodium into his food. His main focus is watching TV - this should be the least of his worries. And because he is so mypopic, without his glasses on, he won't be able to see out of his "good" eye! I am thinking books on tape. Heck I was in the hospital several years ago for a week - TV didn't work and I was stuck in the bed hooked up to a catheter and other wires so if I can do it, so can he. But then I am a good patient - he is not. Even he admits it would be a lot easier on him as a caregiver than on me, because I can be trusted. He continues to work on his IBM Thinkpad - without a larger monitor - I told him years ago to ask for one at work and to up the font size - and to stop reading books with such small print. I turned 58 last week and still have 20/20 vision and I have my font at 125 and won't read the books he buys - and I always have my sunglasses on (hazel eyes, light sensitive - I don't squint, hence fewer wrinkles). He is also worried about washing his hair - Jeez - I have a lot of hair, if I could go a week, so can he and there are those "shampoo" caps at SDM Heathcare shops - or I could just run a facecloth over his head. Forget shaving - and he can't get water near his eyes anyway. He will have to wear pajama tops - and since he absolutely cannot roll over onto his back I am going to clip Chip Clips to his top - one person told me the tennis balls didn't work for him. He won't be able to do any heavy lifting either - much as in your case and this will go on for a few months. He won't be able to fly for 6 weeks or until the gas bubble disappears. He has a business trip in Sept., returning on the 21 - and then another Dec. 5 so hopefully he won't get bumped, sick etc. or anything else will happen to delay the surgery. Originally the surgeon had thought the surgery could be posted for 2 years - by that time he will/would have developed a cataract and they would have taken care of everything. But in the past 3 months the deterioration has been far greater than anticipated so will be having the surgery to try to prevent loss of vision in his eye. The cataract will still develop though. He has his father's grey/blue eyes - and he also developed cataracts, but he was 76 and had both removed at same time in hospital. Now if only his company insurance plan will pay for the rental of his rehab equipment. I am not optimistic. They wouldn't pay anything towards his $1,000 sleep apnea mouthguard or his $150 per visit eye tests with the super surgeon (OHIP doesn't cover these tests either) - and these tests cannot be claimed on Income Tax so that you get $2 back - BUT, if anyone is interested, apparently Hair Transplant surgery can be claimed on income tax. But we will try - apparently eyes fall into a different category, but at some point your eyes have to be considered a major part of your body for heaven's sake - it isn't as if he wants a pair of glasses to match every outfit. I did call the insurance company and they didn't point out how few claims we have made for family coverage - well I am allergic to most meds and he doesn't take any and they won't pay for anything he needs! It is going to be a very unpleasant experience for sure and he won't even be able to pick up the 22 lb. dog or do anything outside (which he prefers I am sure). Forget trying to find anyone to help - already did that re snow shovelling - stood at door on Hallowe'en and asked anyone my size or bigger if they would shovel for generous rates (I am 5' 8" - so wasn't asking 6 year olds) - but no takers. Kids around here don't shavel, rake leaves - zip. Apparently the easy way to earn money is to offer to walk people's dogs - as if that is going to happen. My little terror being walked by a 10 year old with no training. We have no relatives in Toronto to help - SO ED, HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY NURSEMAID! My husband just came upstairs so I will read him the account of your experience. Again, I am very happy that all turned out well for you. I sure wish this was over.

Dotmom, I know what you mean about "a good car guy." I don't know what we will do if ours would decide to retire. I sure hope one of the guys in the shop take over and just continue. We drive our cars untill they die too! We considder the van we have now fairly new. It's a 1995 Honda Oddesey. I think that might be the first year they made vans. I'm glad you have it back finally, and I hope it will keep you on the road for many years.

I do have to say that dryer did work well other than the screeching noise. It needed to work well since clothes were so wet coming out of the TL. Thankfully they lasted long enough for me to make a decision on replacements.