Wow, I never expected this thread to go so long! We are now officially in the new house, and I'm glad I stuck to my inclination to get the larger lot. Our dogs looked SOOOO happy running around in that big backyard when we arrived yesterday. Because of the septic field, there are some limits on what I can garden (I know some people garden over septic fields, but I would rather avoid it if I have alternatives), but I plan to interplant the grass over the septic field with things that are yummy grazing for chickens. It's a bit overwhelming just thinking of where to get started. All those cottonwoods in the back need to be thinned, and the whole area cleaned up and mulched with compost, and there's lots of landscaping to do before the fruit trees go in. ALL of the sod in the front yard needs to come up, but it looks to be a rhizomatous grass, so THAT is easier said than done. I'm planning on a native, waterwise garden for the front half of the front yard, then cordoned grapes to form a low fence, with kitchen garden with perennial flowers, herbs and maybe some currants, kiwis and hops between the grapes and the backyard fence. I'm just glad there's some ready-made beds to grow the basic veggies in this year, because I have about 10 years of work ahead to do everything I am envisioning!

The multiple sizes listed on the package refer to the tire sizes that the tube will fit. If your tire size is listed (or if it falls in between 2 sizes that are listed) it will serve your tire. Did you actually identify the leaking point of the tire? If not, the leak may not be due to the "dry rot" condition of the tire. If your tire is leaking from a foreign object puncture you must find the object and remove it before installing a tube or it will puncture the tube and you're back to square # 1. I have read testimonials regarding the product known as "Slime". I use the stuff and have good results with it. I read where a user stated that Slime was the only way he could operate his machines. One of his customers lot had several large "thorn bearing trees" and the fallen twigs and thorns kept his tires flat until he began using Slime.

The 235 45R-17 tires are slightly less in diameter than the 225 50R-17 tires. If used on the front, your speedometer readout will be affected by 2.1% It will indicate a greater speed than actual. Calculations below: 225 50R -17 Tire diameter: 17 + (2x225x0.5/25.4) = 25.86 inches 235 45R -17 Tire diameter: 17 + (2x235x0.45/25.4) = 25.33 inches The speedometer will read fast by 25.86/25.33 or 1.0209 or 102.09%. At indicated speed of 60 mph, the actual speed would be: 60 x 25.33 / 25.86 = 58.77 mph. But, since these will be on the rear, therefore handling and wheel well clearance are the main issues. Wheel well clearance gains importance when snow packs into the wheel well. The 235 45R tires are wider by 10mm or about 0.4 inches; That would be 0.2 inches per side. If you have ample clearance, this litle difference can be accomodated. The effect on hamdling is unknown to me. There should be little change if the sideways stiffness of the two tires are the same. However, if the replacement tires are more flexible in the side-to-side direction, it may cause the vehicle to 'hunt' while at speed, e.g., wanders from side to side and require constant steering correction to stay in your lane. A few reports that I have read states that the ride is stiffer with the lower profile tires. I have no experience therein.

I read your blog this morning and have been thinking about your dilemma. I thought about it in the shower- I have the Oceanside Sandstone #005 Iridescent in my bathroom which similar to the one you called "funky". I really love that tile but it may be too much in your kitchen (although I think it would compliment your floor quite well). My favorite for your kitchen is the Veil. The photo on your blog does not do it justice. It's very beautiful, timeless and definitely does not look harlequin. To me harlequin would be black and white diamond shaped tiles. I think the Veil would allow you to accent your kitchen with any colors you liked and paint the walls whatever you wanted. It would not limit you like colored tiles could. It will not call more attention to your floor and will look good with it. I think Veil is the tile shown on Kraftmaid's home page. Here is a link that might be useful: Veil tile