Thanks Raven. I just saw your post today, but was checking out the Amazon apps last night along with reviews and # of downloads after doing a search on "free apps". I'm still on the fence with this Nextbook. What I like is the 8" portable size and it's easy to use. What I don't like is not being able to get a wifi connection anywhere I've been so far (I live in a very populated area). Two (inside) places I tried to get wifi had secured internet in which the people didn't know their password. I couldn't even pick it up at 2 busy shopping center parking lots. Wasn't too happy about that as I don't expect to have to hunt down a Mickey D's or Starbucks to get wifi. The reviews on HSN haven't been too favorable on this tab as buyers can't get Netflix or the Android market; neither of which bothers me any. Reviews aren't shown on HSN any longer since the unit is sold out. The battery life, especially browsing, isn't good and that's something that's important to me. So, I'll be testing it out for a few more weeks. I really want it to work for me since I do like most things about this tablet. I was tempted to get an IPad, but prefer the 7-8" smaller tabs, and I can do without the monthly data plan along with the ridiculous price tag.

I guess I'l be the one who hasn't had any maintenance issues with honed AB. I love it! And I don't baby it, either. Like you, I wanted a not-shiny dark stone: my first choice was slate, but I was told it cracks, flakes, sheds - I can't even remember all the things it does, the saleswoman scared me off it so fast! Didn't want marble. Didn't want synthetic. Liked the reasonable price of granite. Read all the reviews here on GW that said it shows every fingerprint and watermark and fleck of dust... but this simply hasn't been true for us. We have it on our sink run and our deep sink splashes plenty. We mop up the water after doing the dishes - but I wouldn't call that a maintenance nightmare... I would mop up water or spills on ANY counter... Not sure why AB gets a bad rep - I think it looks sharp, we have had ZERO problems. Now, I wish I could say the same about my wood island top.... This isn't a great picture, but since you asked:

Thankyou Ravencajun Quote: I would also suggest that you download it from the actual download site instead of your windows updates. I will provide the link, select your language and your version which is 7 sp1and 64bit. If you prefer you can also download it then go into safe mode and install, less things running so less to interfere. Unquote. I had downloaded IE 10 from MicroSoft's Official Update site. I saw it in their list of downloads for my system. It is not imperative that I have IE 10 right now, so I shall wait. Your suggestion for switching to the Safe Mode to sort out problems is a good one. My main concern was that I may have a bad copy of IE 10 (compressed download file) somewhere in my computer and I'd like to get rid of it, but I don't know its file name or where it may reside. Again, thanks for your reply.

My crazy deadline of trying to finish this remodel by the end of July was really stressing me out. Yesterday morning, I decided that I would choose some color of Ceasarstone. I simply had not seen a granite that went along with my vision or that I just loved. I learned that some marbles probably were in my price range, but for a couple of other reasons, didn't seem to be the right choice. I was on a mission to choose a Ceasarstone and had my mind made up. Since my DH was home for the day, I engaged him and said that WE were going to choose TODAY. I took some backsplash samples and we found one that we both liked, brought it home and the boys liked it too. I am happy because I think it will be an easy surface to maintain, it is light and that works for my smaller kitchen. (and I don't have undercab. lighting) My sister said it reminded her of our grandmother's old formica tabletop. (Which was red and we have happy memories of it), but I am going to own this decision (and try not to re-think it), but mostly, embrace any of its "fakeness!" We chose Ceasarstone Nougat. I came back today and see that it is the same as gracesantacruz! We also have a beachy feel to our home and my seaglass collection was my original backsplash inspiration. I just want to say thanks again for sharing your pictures and for the comments and encouragement (erikanh) As another comment on this thread, the fabricator said that 3 years ago they did a very small portion of quartz countertops, but these days it is about 50% of their work. Also, I ran across this article about a kitchen of the year to be displayed in New York this summer with Raven Ceasarstone countertop. http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Caesarstone-1011570.html I think the Raven has an elegant look.