DO NOT BUY BRINKMANN! I loved my ProSeries 2720 the first year. That's all I can say that's been positive. Been a downhill battle of trying to get parts ever since! I have also been waiting months for a part (Main Burner Support) and while it stated it was on backorder, it had a date that it would be available. So I give a credit card, it's charged immediately, and for MONTHS I keep getting new updated dates of when they'll have this instrumental part. As soon as the date gets close, they add another 4-5 weeks to the "anticipated" date. Don't waste your time trying to call them either... They must have one person, part time who hates their job answering phones, so they DON'T. Every time I've tried getting through to them on the phone, I've listened to the "on hold" music for 40 -45 minutes (real time... timer on my office phone) with no one ever picking up. If you email "customer service" (I use the term loosely in their case) they respond with rude and abrupt answers. STEER CLEAR OF BUYING BRINKMANN. The are really one of the worse companies (grills or otherwise) that I've ever bought from. I won't make the mistake of buying anything from them ever again! PS> At the time of this writing, I've been waiting 8 months for an important part for my grill, while they've had my money the entire time. REALLY! Steer clear from this company who doesn't care at all about the end-user (you and me) who actually use their grills, but only how many they sell to the Big Box stores, like Wal-Mart, Lowes, Menards, etc....

Same story here. I purchased a VERY EXPENSIVE Charmglow Chef's Island version from Home Depot. In less than a year, about a half dozen parts had rusted out. I ordered the replacement parts, which took forever to arrive. Here I am 1 year later, and all of those parts are in need of replacement AGAIN! Fortunately, my husband has skills and has now made several of the parts that had rusted out with stainless steel replacements. However, some of the parts he can not make, and I am having a difficult time finding replacements. The parts that have needed replacement in two years of use are the cooking grids (twice), the heat idicator (thermostat), the collector boxes (twice), all of the heat tents (twice), all of the burners (twice), and some heat plates (separating the burners from the searers), and the ignitor switch. I might as well have just trashed the entire grill, but after spending over $1,000 that was not an option. Never again Brinkmann

I am so grateful to all of you. Sometimes I struggle with being clear and from your responses you understood exactly where I was coming from. I took a risk opening up. I held my breath ever time I read your posts afraid that you would not understand, tell me that we made a mistake, criticize the type of house or my thoughts. The blog was a good starting point and your responses have helped me pave the path. Many of you mentioned the timing of an impending empty nest with selling a house that represented such a fulfilling time in our lives. I loved raising my boys. I accept that it is in all of our best interest for me to put on my game face and support my boys in living independent and self sufficient lives. But, there is a part of me that hurts and doesn't want to. I guess I am mourning a part of my life that I dearly enjoyed and loved and my house represents that to me. Some of you also picked up on the fact that the house was pretty trashed by the previous owners. I have turned around my thinking on that. I am going to "Glinda" banish my worries about anything the previous owners didn't do right and focus on giving this house the love it deserves. My husband and I did become very "glass half empty" as we saw how badly the house was mistreated. It hasn't helped having people in our rural town ask us why we want a big house or mention how windy it must be "up there" or mention that they are glad we have the house because they know we will take care of it (I know that is a compliment but it does stir up some negative feelings). Because these things are all on my mind it hits hard. I would never say anything like that to anyone. I congratulate them, ask how the move is going, and would never say what are you going to do in such a big house, etc. That said, most people are supportive. And, family . . . You were right about that too. I wish everyone in my family were doing well. That is all I will say. You are right about the guilt. Okleyok, exactly! I wish we would have had this opportunity years ago! And, the timing would have been a lot better without this empty nest weighing down so heavily on me. Tinan: I have the same reaction that you do when I move or even trade a vehicle. I don't think I am materialistic but just attached. I would be in a straight jacked if I moved 25 times! Many of you told stories that I found so interesting! Hearing that you also had too adjust helps. I hope it doesn't take 6 months! But, I am going to take your advice and start decorating and make memories. Mjlb, I will take a look at that book, thank you. Hokey pokey, wow! Both homes are beautiful! You clearly have a very nice touch. And, that picture of your daughter puts it all in perspective, doesn't it. Do you ever drive by the other house? How does it make you feel? Our other house is in the same neighborhood. The hardest thing is taking my dog for a walk and having her try to drag me up the driveway. It has been so hard on her. Poor baby just rips my heart out. But, the last two days she has kept walking. She stopped and looked but didn't try to go there. My other house was strongly Victorian. I have been transistioning from that for a few years. I grew very tired of it. The gold and ornate . . . Just is too fussy for me now. I do have a couple of special pieces. My husband and boys gave me a framed picture of a little blonde angel. They thought it looked like me when I was a little girl. It means a lot to me. Plus, I kept anything that was a gift. So, I have a few decorative things and some furniture (those twin beds are in the spare room, couches, recliners, and dining set are here too). We try to buy heirloom-quality pieces so that moved with us whether it matches the current house, or not. But, a lot of the "stuff" is gone. By the way, I have said a few times that I am glad that I still sleep in my own bed. It doesn't fit the house (it is fussy) but I don't care about that right now. Lascat, I didn't think about it until you mentioned it. My parents downsized to a two bedroom house. The spare bedroom became my nieces room. So, there wasn't an extra bed. I have only stayed there a few times with my boys and made the best of it. But, it was so uncomfortable that I preferred driving home instead of staying. That was another lightbulb moment. Bronwnsmom, that is really deep. You have given me a lot to work on. I am going to really try to apply your Glinda example. And, for those of you asking to see pictures, I have posted them. I have another user name. You have been very helpful with my questions. I didn't want to attach negativity to myself, my house, or the help you have given me. That energy didn't feel right to me. If you really want to know I will tell you. I just don't like the ways that feels when I am asking for help--I want to keep it upbeat.

it's the regular black walnut. There are three knots on my top actually. I wish I had thought to take a far away shot when I had Jen's camera last night! Next time I will back up and take a full top shot for you guys. I can't believe no one else is in awe though. I never Ever thought rubbing alcohol would take of permanent marker from waterloxed wood. (someone on here said "Waterloxed - new verb!" and I am totally stealing that) : )