Thanks David, In trying to figure out what to but and where to buy it I really have no idea. There are so many variables to juggle... I contacted Sean Chiu at Phontonier and he sent me a price list (very promptly I might add). The lights they offer seem equivalent to the "Premium" lights (3.3W/ft, 220 lm/ft) at Environmental and also the lights solds by Superbrightleds. On the Photonier spec sheet they list 5W/ft 220 lm/ft models but Sean says they do not sell those to end consumers. Those seem to be equivalent to the "High Brightness Premium" at Environmental. The specs are confusing because I have seen the lm/ft range from 166 to 220 for the WW color (Photonier specs list both numbers) also I have seen the CRI listed from 65 to 80. But I think the 3.3W/ft LEDS have a 65-70 CRI and 5W/ft ones are 80 CRI. Prices for the 3.3 W/ft lights seem to be: Photonier: cheapest approx: $18/ft Superbrightleds: approx $20/ft Environmental: approx $30+/ft(and a huge premium on the 6"), they have volume discounts that start at 5 pieces but that only takes about 10% off) For the "High Brightness Premium" line at Environmental you pay an additional 20% premium. I'd really like the 80 CRI and the higher brightness, but the cost is practically double. And of course the final question is transformers: Once upon a time way back in the summer members of this forum were buying transformers from Magnitude for approx $50. Magnitude no longer will sell to end customers. Environmental's transformers are quite expensive ($125 - $170) and Electric Supplies Online sells a 150W transformer for $60, but 150W seems like overkill and there is a little voice in my head that has some idea that transformers work best when they are loaded at something like 60-80%. Too many choices... too many decisions...

You know, I do remember reading something you posted regarding this last yr, it sounds very familiar. In any case what Ima says is a wonderful suggestion! And of course you have a right to enjoy the holidays as much as anyone else. I doubt you have scarred them for life, however being the soon-to-be SM you'll have to develop a thicker skin in regards to always being the baddie. I know there are exceptions to the rule, but not often. Sigh. Yea, If I had known what I was in for, I would have ran like hell too. Things are pretty good now for the most part (10 years later!) but I am thrilled this year we are traveling south for the Christmas holiday and for TG DH declined the invitation to spend with SS & his GF's family/mother as they invited his Ex too. We get enough solcializing with her during GS's birthdays/family weddings etc.. So we will have a quiet dinner with a few of my cousins that DH is close with. It's nice to look forward to a holiday without a feeling of dread for the drama in the pit of your stomach. But they are young so you may have a more positive step parenting experience than some of us here have had. There will be growing pains for sure but it seems sometimes when they are younger it's more do-able. try to enjoy your TG and keep it light and hope you have a super romantic Christmas together :0) ~Cat

Some of these responses are hilarious! I've just finished wiping up the spewed coffee... Send me that lamp JNM! Serenity - I just don't think I could deliberately bring myself down to that level of making myself 'gross' on purpose. By accident - sure! But on purpose? Too many years spent trying NOT to do that... BF is very direct and never avoids a confrontation if there's a problem to be solved. If she was hurt by Jack's actions, rest assured Jack will definitely have heard about it already. And if she thinks I did anything wrong, I'll hear about it too! If I were to talk to her about it, she'd definitely chew Jack a new one and take care of the problem right away. But I don't want to give the issue that much credance with her, IYKWIM. Even though I suspect there is a bit of a crush going on, I'd never want to tell her that, and if I don't add that crucial bit of information, even mentioning it as "something that makes me uncomfortable" blows the whole incident out of proportion. (Her logical response would be "He was drunk - It didn't mean anything." To which I could say either "I know" or "Yes it did". Saying it bothers Hubby but I know Jack didn't mean anything by it could come back to Jack as "Sweeby was OK with it but her husband wasn't." As for saying how much of a 'one man woman' I am -- honestly, I think that would backfire. It's already very well known in our circle of friends how happy Hubby and I are together and that Hubby's the only man for me. (The special looks, smiles, hugs, honeymoon glow.) In fact, I think it's our mutual devotion that makes us each attractive to others, if you know what I mean. People who see that closeness want it for themselves -- and mistakenly assume that it comes with the person, not from a relationship that has been carefully nurtured. Hard to explain, but if you've felt it, you'll understand. The more I think of it, the more I think that may be the heart of it all -- so the more I show/say how committed I am to Hubby, the more attractive I would seem to Jack. Odd, huh? And FWIW, BF is very attractive, keeps herself in great shape and has a lot of energy and enthusiasm - so I think Jack would actually be disappointed! So what would make a man like Jack want to 'test the waters' when he absolutely knows what the answer would be? (Because I do think he was doing some of that.)

If the builder is able to put GFCI receptacles in the cabinets on a switched circuit, that is just a variation of what I described. Instead of the GFCI receptacles in the cabinets, there would be romex wire exiting the wall just under the cabinets. The romex would be terminated with wire nuts and kept inside a flat pancake electrical box under the cabinets. The large ribbed conduit you described is armored cable. IMO, pendant prewire is just giving money away.