I really don't want to be a whiner! I went out to mine 3 times today just to see WHAT was getting done. To GC's credit, he's busting his hump finishing all HIS stuff. The marble guy was there all day long and all he got done was the tub surround. Not sure if he OD'd on turkey, or what, but he's moving a little slow. Okay, so kel, on the bright side, I think I mentioned this before--we must believe that WHEN all the subs do as they should, that things will happen very quickly. Honestly, if you think about it, most subs like plumbers, electricians, really only need a few days to do their thing. SO, if all the stars align and the planets are in their houses...OR WHATEVER!!!!!!!! HAHA! I told DH I think the thing that really upsets me is I don't like being lied to. I don't appreciate subs making up excuses for why they didn't do their job when they were supposed to do it. If you ain't coming, just say, "I ain't coming". Don't make up some lame excuse why! UGH. I also have slowly, but surely, figured out that if a sub should be at your house and he's not, he sure enough isn't going to answer the phone! My build really has been okay up until now. I have found the whole process pretty gratifying, actually. But now that we're down to the wire, we just don't have the luxury of take our sweet time to do things and I'm exhausted. Living in chaos is such a drain and I'm ready for things to calm down and get back to boring ol' family life! I will say a prayer for all of us and hopefully sleep tonight, knowing that tomorrow is another day...full of promises.

Make sure that you have a way to upkeep the power to your camera and other devices. The residential electrical power varies greatly in the places you mentioned. except for the USA, most of those places uses 50 hz, the US is 60hz. You will need a charger that is compatible with the power source of the country you are in, or use disposable batteries. The voltage of most disposable cells in the US is nominally 1.5 volts. However, many newer camera use Lithium-ion batteries that have a much higher voltage. I don't know if there are disposable cells made in these higher voltages. In this case, one alternative is to carry multiple sets of charged up rechargeable cells, and re-charge any time you get the opportunity. It would be a shame to be at a world heritage site with a dead camera. Naturally, when you are on the cruise ship, that power source will be constant, but do check to see what it is. Do not assume it is the same as state-side power. So click the camera all day and recharge when you return to the ship. When you leave the ship for a day, go with several sets of freshly charged batteries. Below is data from a 1967 booklet. Chinese provinces were not listed because travel restrictions were in place at that time. Hong Cong 50 hz, 200/346 V; 2,3,4 wire Vietnam 50 hz; 230/380 V; 2,4 wire 50 hz; 120/208 V; 2,4 wire 50 hz; 127/220 V; 2,4 wire Thailand 50 hz; 220/380 V; 2,3,4 wire Singapore 50 hz; 230/400 V; 2,4 wire USA 60 hz; 120/240 V; 2,3 wire (3rd wire is safety ground)

Thanks so much, all of you. You know, my carpenter said several times, "I'm sure there's a solution to this. I just don't know what it is. Why don't you call a cabinet shop - they must have seen this before." I think I couldn't hear it because I was too upset. The cabinet company won't work - it's Ikea. (That's another reason why I've been upset about this. I see money flying out the window, and my budget is very tight already.) But there is a custom cabinet shop nearby that does gorgeous work. (I would have gone with them had I been able to afford it.) Maybe someone there will be willing to take the job. Bmorepanic, I agree with you - they shouldn't have installed the counter. Unfortunately, the installers relied on their templater's measurements, and had the counter installed before they discovered the problem. It was my own fault that I ordered a cooktop that's too large for the cabinet, but if the cooktop cutout had been made correctly, I would have discovered the issue during dry-fitting, when there was time for my carpenter to fix it. Boxerpups, I discovered that Microtrim site, but it specifically says that the trim is just aesthetic - it supplies no support. Footballmom, I had the same idea. If I can't find a finish carpenter who will try to remove the excess cabinet, I will ask the granite people if they'll glue some strips on to make the opening smaller. I'm feeling so much better after reading the posts by people who think it can be done. (And after sleeping, of course!) I just wish I didn't have to go to work, so I could start calling around right now!

Thanks for the re-welcoming responses everyone! :) Skip the individual replies below and go to the next post to read more about kitchen details... Julie - the crossing of your body parts is WORKING! Dianalo - thanks for the fingers crossing - it's totally working - and yes I agree there has been too much drama! Johnliu - thank you! That's a major super kind compliment - especially considering how many pictures you see on this forum! :) I really appreciate it and thanks for thinking of me. It's going better now, at least re. the kitchen! Aliris19 - I KNOW! Crazy weird. I don't get it - the best I can come up with is that I somehow acquired some bad karma! Kathe - thank you. It's finally working out - yay! More details below, about the kitchen. Re. my husband, I'd love to give you some better news but yesterday we went to the doc after he had a second echocardiogram (sp?) and much to our surprise (since he's feeling and looking better and has adjusted well to the meds) they said he wasn't doing as well as they'd hoped - especially for his relatively younger age and relative health. His heart hasn't decreased in size and his EF% did get to a safer/higher number (between 30-35 as opposed to the 20-25 it was before) but it has to be 40 or above to be able to prevent getting a pacemaker put in. :( So now he's facing that and he's incredibly discouraged after how well he was feeling. Also, some of his heart is apparently dead now (?) - forget the terminology - so a second advantage of the pacemaker is that a third wire can be put in which will help sort of stimulate that area, if I'm understanding correctly. The doc says the way my husband's heart is now, he has a 5-10% chance of dying which is of course high, though he thinks on the low end cause of his general health. But still that's high!!! I forgot what the number is after the pacemaker though. He said he recommends doing it soon but he said an alternative would be up the meds (which is happening either way/regardless) and then wait 6 weeks to see if his EF# gets up to 40 but he said that's very unlikely and that postponing things is a risk, especially since we have 3 kids (and no life insurance, thank you very much...or you can thank my husband very much...we fought about this so many times prior to his diagnosis - it kills me to think about!). My husband wants to wait the 6 weeks, which is a pretty big concern - I'm pretty worried about this. I mean if you look at this as "how much luck is this couple having lately" - it points to HAVE THE SURGERY DONE NOW. Doesn't it?! Thanks for inquiring, and sorry to have such a long reply! Marcolo - thank you! You can see the details about the hubby in the above post - and thanks for thinking of him! As for the Jaclo faucet, here's what I have to say about it TODAY anyway: I love so much about it, but the particular one I ordered has had some issues which appear to be a major fluke based on everything I've read and heard about them. The company has been very good about responding appropriately and they're about to send me a brand spanking new one. They've send some individual replacement parts which have worked out relatively well but not well enough for the amount the faucet costs! In other words for the price, this thing needs to be tight and working beautifully in every way, IMO! The man who's helping me said that the moment the order comes in from my local store (I won't be charged) he's going to take it off the shelf himself and make sure there's no jiggling in the neck and that everything else looks and works perfectly. I've been wanting to talk about the faucet on here but have been waiting to see if the issues could get resolved first so that I can give a thorough and fair review. I do love the faucet though, even with the issues. I just love how funky and different it is while also appearing period-appropriate...I love the hidden sprayer that doesn't require putting holes in your countertop, I love the choice of very high-end levers/colors or the stainless wheels option and I love love love the gorgeous polished solid stainless body that isn't as cold as chrome - it's much more like polished nickel warmth-wise but more durable. Also, because my countertop is stainless, it's a perfect match. Not blue as chrome or yellow as nickel. :) Fori - thank you! Flwrs n co - your positive juju is working! I'm going to be able to show pics soon it appears. The paint on the upper original cabs and crappy old windows (lead paint, mind you) is another matter. Not sure how to afford that but it looks terrible compared to all the other nice work. But you'll just have to look past that! :) Thank you for the well-wishes. We'll take any and all that we (he) can get right now. Honorbiltkit - I can picture this dance in my mind, perfectly. Why do I have a feeling you're a writer? Cluelessincolorado - it's good to know if I'm gone too long, you'll head up the search party! ;) #3 is making me so happy. Read below to hear all about it. Thank you for the well-wishes, including for my badly-needed sanity...you have NO IDEA, honestly (they're talking about sending me away for a week so I can get some respite - but that's mostly cause the kids are making me crazy. I think I'm developing a tick!!)!!!! Details about kitchen in the next post below...