Because I loaded it on my computer and it screws everything up, and makes the computer lock up, no matter if it's IE or Firefox. One more thing I'm blaming on Vista, just because I hate it. Of course my AVG and Firefox is fighting all the time too, as is AVG and this site. well, none of that happens here at Elery's with his Mac, only at home with my Dell. Annie

Vicky, I applaud you for sticking to your principles, even in your literature. It is really so easy to just give in because "well, it's become the norm". That doesn't mean we have to like or condone those behaviors. I don't find it interesting, for example, to put swearing and suggestiveness in my music (which is probably why I love to listen to opera and classical music so much). I admit that this series is a guilty pleasure of mine. And I did basically look past those particular issues (divorce, infidelity, etc.) as part of the storyline and a way to show how we can deal with those issues. However, it does bother me to watch our society going in such a direction as a whole. For instance, I have worked for 17 years in Law Offices. In some of them we handled "family law" (divorce, custody issues, etc.) and I can assure you, Mondays were ALWAYS interesting. You never knew what would be on the answering machine or how crazy the person on the other end of the telephone would be over issues of custody/visitation that occurred on the weekend. It really gave me reason to be thankful (and a definite appreciation) for what I have and do not have in my life. I find that before condoning or condemming something, it is often wise to ask questions and find out why things are the way they are so I can make an informed decision. And it sounds as if you try to do the same as best you can.

When I read your written description, it seemed like the 30" would get you extra storage cabs which was a concern of yours, but after seeing the visual, you will have plenty of other cabs and counter space. The 36" wide is so nice to use (ours is actually 37.5" wide). There is more room between the burners and ours actually has a griddle as well. Our old stove used to feel crowded up top. Our range has an oven and another next to it that is much smaller that is for cookie sheets. The main oven in our range is a little small, so we got a separate wall oven. This way, with a small item, we use the small oven. Luckily that was in our plan before we discovered our problems hooking up to propane (not approved yet or in the near future) so we are very grateful to have the second oven to use. Having a second separate unit is great because if you ever have one fail, you are not stuck. Of course, you can do a 36" cooktop with separate 30" oven below. That is one way to get duel fuel, if applicable, and not have too large an oven for when you cook smaller things. I'd skip the potfller, because that only helps at the fill stage and the more important stage is when it has boiling water and another pound added to it (the pasta itself) and it needs draining. I'd make sure your prep faucet is tall enough for your pasta pot or there was a pull down/pull out feature to the faucet. I'd also opt for a good size prep sink because you have counterspace to spare. You want it large enough to hold your largest colander. I sometimes see very small ones and wonder how useful they are. It would be great to put the filtered drinking water faucet by the prep sink since that is closest to the seating (if you don't have drinking water from your fridge). I'd also move the drainboard on the cleanup sink to the other side so that the prep side is on the range side if you ever have large batches of produce that can be put there. BTW - our new (vintage) sink has an attached drainboard and so we don't use the basket type dish drainer you are showing in your layout any longer. I love how it looks neater and there used to be some stuff that went in the drying rack and never seemed to come out. I lay any wet stuff on the drainboard itself and put it away soon after. Our new dw cleans better, so we don't have quite as much to wash by hand. YMMV

It really doesn't matter which shows people prefer to others, what matters is that the viewer is enjoying it. I remember when I was younger I'd feel sorry for people who didn't do the things I enjoyed and then, with years, came a little more wisdom. I now realize that one person can have as much enjoyment jumping out of a plane as the person watching the tv. show. It's all relative, there's no order of taste. What makes you happy is the important factor. I watch several reality shows and enjoy them completely. I also enjoy being in a museum for hours and hours, go figure.. It's what makes us unique.