I've found that the less you disturb the soil, the fewer weeds you have. We also just keep piling on top. We have extremely few weeds for the amount of mulch areas we have, and when one pops up it is easy to pull. I never use a hoe because it just brings seeds to the surface. A couple of months ago we gave away a mango tree that was planted in the veggie garden. I add a lot of organic stuff to the garden and never disturb the soil except to open a small hole for seedlings. The drainage there is great. Where the mango was dug up, there are still some drainage issues when it rains, and the weeds are popping up daily. The rest of the garden rarely gets a weed, and never gets a puddle. Anna

OMG. It's almost embarrassing. Where to start. But, I'm doing this alone, so I give myself a break. B4 DH bailed, I know my GC husband should have known that among many things, light switche positions need to take future molding installation. I learned never to be rushed. If something doesn't strike me, I'm not buying it. I've learned that just because I think I might be being picky, doesn't mean I'm not right. When grout lines don't match, they're not going to get better later. It's my bathroom I still see with every shower. Someday I'll chip it all out. I keep learning measuring mistakes. I ordered an under my farm sink drawer box, but forgot to take into consideration the drawer glides on the sides. That was a big investment for me, since my money is counted in pennies, by the table. I mismeasured a couple of cabinet doors and am saving the materials for something else. I decided I want crap off my counters, so I bought/made a microwave base cabinet. Now, though, I know I'd like it on the inside of the peninsula where it's not visible from the dining room. I will dig out an installed, CL base cabinet from underneath a countertop a friend built and I'm going to move that cab over there. Another day's project. My biggest, biggest thing is that I didn't know the term "inset" and didn't know that was the look I love and had been seeking! For years. Never really could find something that spoke to me. After (settling) buying and making cabs with default partial overlay, I had an ephifany looking at a dresser and now will eventually work to make and replace all my doors with with an inset style. I regret I won't be able to add a 1/4" bead to the face frames. Oh! I regret I didn't realize how absolutely useless 12" wide drawer base cabinets are. I have 2 sets of a 12 & 36" 3-drawer base cabs, and would have probably been better served with 2 sets of 24", maybe. Don't know. I would have gone with casement windows -- another look I didn't know the name of and didn't know enough to explain -- instead of the windows that have a fixed center window an the two outside slide left and right. Stupid. Only 1 side can be open at the same time. Another Another Days' project to replace them. Be picky. It's yours. You're paying someone. Be specific. Use pictures. Use notes, email & forward text messages to your own email. Be suspicious of someone who starts every reply with "The problem with that is..." instead of "Well, we'll have to consider/do this to make that work..." Ask their opinions. Not necessarily of aesthetics, but of function and impact on future steps in the project. If it doesn't look right to you, say so. Don't wait until later and 10 steps have to be undone because you didn't want to be a PIA. If someone sighs every time you ask them a question, let them know they should get more sleep because you expect them to be sharp when you want information. Not tired. If moving or adding walls, consider the finished (i.e. drywalled) dimensions relating to future cabinet, door, molding, window, etc., installation. If you can plan for standard measurements of those items, you'll save a lot of money. Don't be afraid to whip out a tape measure or level. My eye is (evidently) better than a lot of pros because so far I've never been wrong: they were. FIX IT. If it suits your project, or your tastes, don't be afraid to insist on something being reused. Materials. Cabinet boxes. Windows. Doors. If you don't like something IRL, don't be afraid to change your mind. You'll probably pay for it, but if you don't like it now, it's not going to get better. Negotiate the change order situation. that "good enough for now" or "I'll get it later" translates into NEVER. Don't Settle and don't let yourself be rushed. Hover & ask questions. Be aware that many people come to find compliments prefacing a problem to be condescending and patronizing, breeding resentment. Only offer genuine compliments. Gratitude is different. I've learned with the few people I've been able to hire, that it's better to let them know up front that I am picky. I see level & plumb. I am anal about symmetry. I want what I want and unless it's going to cause the house to burn down, walls fall, doors or windows not close, etc., just do it. You may ask me why in order to accomplish what I want, but it's still my decision. Input is very welcome, but it's input, not final say. I'm sure I'll think of more because I'm learning by more error than trial. Hopefully you'll have the benefit of someone's experience to guide you. I have nerve. The nerve to ask zillions of questions, shop until I am absolutely satisfied, saving for materials I want, and the ability to ask for payment plans. Don't be shy and don't settle.

Yikes, what a frustrating mess for you . . . I'm so sorry! Our mistakes? (1) dont' make plans to move a wall until you know for certain that everything inside that wall can be moved! We found two tall sets of pipes (heat minifolds) for our in-floor radiant heat in there and they couldn't be moved. Thank goodness we found that out before the cabs were ordered! (2) changing the entire kitchen footprint and removing the existing island will expose flooring (brick) that hasn't had sealant, floor oils and 15 years of living already ground into it. It's very hard to get those areas to blend with each other! (3) Work crews like to leave doors and windows open while they work and go in and out. That lets in cold or hot air, which causes your heating/cooling bills to go way up. It also lets in bugs, dirt, dust and mice :0 ! (4) Don't take it for granted that your GC and subs will order everything you'll need in a timely manner. Not having the right supplies when you need them = downtime for the crew = every other sub is set back, timewise = $$$ Stay on top of everything yourself. Keep a binder for all notes, order times, things you'll need, etc.

I don’t think the Stages comes with a colander, at least it didn’t when I got it. It does come with a large wood cutting board, large white tray/cutting board, small tray/cutting board, 6 ceramic prep bowls, bottom sink grid, and under counter rack. The prep bowls are well designed to both stack and be reversible, although I mostly use them with the larger size up. I like the square design because it’s easy to use a wood spatula to scrape out the contents. The bottom grid hasn’t been a problem for me. You do have to lift it up or take it out to clean the sink, but that outweighs the advantages of being able to set things on it to drain and the fact that it protects the bottom of the sink from scratches. I do wish it was in two pieces so it would more easily fit in my dishwasher. It is so big that I have angle it to get it in and it’s hard to load other items around it.