Hi Kubotabx2200, Thank so much for your suggestion. I have been debating a lot between NorthStar and Montmorency. Its not an easy decision for me. I love the look of dark red cherries. And they say NorthStar bears heavily too. And it stays a small tree. But since I already have two red cherries, my husband is pushing to get the dwarf Montmorency. Besides, my neighbor has a standard Montmorency (I am certain its a Montmorency, he does not know) and the birds and squirrels don't eat the fruit and they are tasty when cooked. Can you describe the flavor of NorthStar to me if you a little time? Yeshwant, I got my Surefire from Raintree and I planted it in 2004. It is a small tree no doubt. Now its just about 6 feet or so and upright. Last year it had flowers but set only a few fruit that fell off. This year it had many clusters of flowers and all of them have turned to baby fruit. I have big hopes for this tree(!) I don't have a picture of the tree in bloom but I could still take a picture now. But for the life of me I can't figure out how to post a picture into a message? So the answer is I think you will have to wait 2-3 years for good fruit on the Gisella 5 rootstock that Raintree sold it on. I live around Riverdale. Some parts of my yard does seem like 7a but some parts are definitely colder. The trouble with Starkbros is not that they sell you poor trees but that they don't tell you what the rootstock is so I don't have some important information. But I still did get some trees from Starkbros in the past and I ordered dwarfs only. However some of my trees turned out not to be dwarfs, they are huge. So I find them hit-or-miss. I think your Suerfire will grow quite a bit more, specially this year but it won't be a big tree. If I figure out how post pictures I will share. Katyajini

So it is two to two right now!! It is hard to decide these things. Sask..girl- Our vanity that will get the new counter is the dark green one... the last one before the faucets. Jenny, It is really quite simple to to make them. You just need some time and patience. We made the mold out of melamine and the bottom side we used for the top of the counter... so.... smooth almost like glass. you mix the concrete mix and pour in about half the amount and then use a type of barbed wire... it has been a while so cannot remember but will find out. Then you pour the rest. The rebar helps hold it all together. It really is like making a cake really... but on a bigger scale! : )

What is the size of the current condenser? Will the lineset be replaced? What furnace do you have? You don't have a valid quote unless all model numbers of all the equipment are provided. I agree with V. You don't want the AC failing again in another 8 years.

Nikkidan, There is also marble, soapstone, and a couple of others that some here on GW have used such as cement, stainless steel, and even copper. Just the large number of choices makes it kind of overwhelming at times, let alone that each one has its own unique qualities. Maybe start with thinking about what you have now and what you don't want. Think about what your budget is and what your might look good with your cabinets. I think many people do granite, which I found to have a lot of earth tones in them. Granite does hold up to many of the kitchen issues like heat, staining, etc.... I found on GW that there were many willing to use soapstone and marble too. One reason I did not look at laminate or corian was because I thought you could not use an undermount sink with them, but I could be wrong there. Maybe find some inspiration photos on line or on GW finished kitchens or think about what you like in your family/friends kitchens. I used quartz, which is somewhat heat sensitive, so no pots right off the heat. I loved marble, but for resale mostly, decided to choose between granite and quartz. Good luck and have fun with the quest for your countertop. Maybe post a pic of some of your other parts of the kitchen such as cabinets and flooring.