Thank you all for the kind comments! I feel so much better. I like Magnaverde's advice, stargirl - I only wish I could follow it! ideefixe, we were thinking of having the side chairs away from the table, against another wall, most of the time. I love the idea of casters on the table - it will make the arrangement even more versatile. sossh, the room is long and narrow, something like 9' x 16' (I'm guessing, haven't measured lately. It has 3 very large paned windows and French doors, and it is reached through 2 large arches from the LR, on either side of the fireplace. It's somewhat awkward space; I think it was added on at some point. But it is very pleasant in there, with all the windows and a lot of green outside. I did think of the kids doing homework and art projects there. Jan, I will post photos when I have everything. We are planning bamboo blinds on the windows in there. newdawn, Our house is not a Dutch colonial, but it's funny that you mentioned the Father of the Bride house. I haven't seen that movie - is that the one where the mother of the bride learns that she is pregnant at the time of her daughter's wedding? If so, I've had that experience! I did remember once seeing a movie trailer with a house that looked like mine, and I did some research. I saw a photo of the FOB house, and there was a discussion about whether it was the same house used in Rumor Has It (with Shirley Maclaine and Jennifer Anniston). Apparently both houses are in Pasadena and are similar. I saw the RHI trailer on a plane and was shocked to see the house, which looks quite a bit like mine from the outside - almost the same porch. Mine is smaller, though, and less elegant, and the inside does not look the same (unfortunately!). kswl, I'm glad to hear that you've seen this set in person. The chairs look quite nice. I was hoping to order cushions for them in fabric matching the bench, but they do not do custom cushions, so I will have to have them made somewhere else. A link to the secional is below; you can click on the fabrics and the photo will change (I ordered Grand Ticking Green). The sectional is in 3 pieces; I actually ordered one of the side benches longer to fit my space. Here is a link that might be useful: Ballard upholstered sectional

"Wow! Was she there? Does she realize I didn't want to get married but he asked and yes I change my mind but NOT because I was pregnant. Not ALL of my marriage with exDH was awful." Before I met DH, I can't tell how many men I dated talked badly about their ex. I had more first dates that included how he was trapped or how she turned out to be a cheater, took him to the cleaners.... the whole marriage was bad! It was definitely a deal breaker for me to hear that on a first date so I didn't have a second date with anyone until I met my DH. I think lots of guys feel they need to make the new woman feel secure that there are no lingering feelings for their ex, so they talk her down... or they rewrite history to put all the blame on the ex to make themselves look better. Or whatever the reason, I noticed it a lot when I was dating & the last thing I ever wanted was a guy that hates his ex... because if I am ever his ex, that would be me he's talking that way about too. My DH talked well about his ex. I met her, I liked her but couldn't see what his attraction to her is. She's taller & more athletic than he is and she isn't very attractive. (she has a huge mouth) but she seemed nice. Over time though, she presented herself badly. She was loud, abrasive, demanding, and reminded me of a tomboy. She calls herself a redneck, wears trashy clothes. She likes to be the center of attention & gets in your face. She has no class & I couldn't imagine her with my DH ~ he's mellow, an OCD neat freak, doesn't drink/smoke (she does both), just completely different than her. I'm short, quiet, more of a homebody like DH. Of course, DH told me she was not like that when he was with her, and I have seen her change when she is single vs. when she is seeing someone. She's like a chameleon to be what the guy she's with wants. Who knows what kind of person she truly is? But,that she has shown her true colors, I think she is downright ugly... but it's not about her looks completely, it's more about the things she does to her daughter that disgust me. She put pictures of her falling down drunk on her social network site & her daughter writes "haha, look at mom!", she discusses court proceedings with her daughter, etc. (That was before SD came to live with us F/T) So, I liked her at first but as time went on, I then started to see things that, as a mom, disturbed me a little... but thought "to each their own". I wouldn't want my kids to see me falling down drunk. DH says pretty much the same thing, though he never saw her being a bad mom... she tried to play the role of perfect wife/mother but over time, he caught her stealing money from him & he thinks she was cheating just before they split up. She's now with a new BF, playing super mom to his kids & doing the same thing... new guy, new baby, same game. When he started to see her reality, she got pregnant so he stays with her... at least for now. Again, it disgusts me to see another child starting life the way she had SD & I can only hope/pray that she does not do to this new child, what she's done to SD. Only time will tell. The dislike I had for her has turned to complete disgust (I don't hate her, I think despise is a better word) as she is slowly destroying her daughter... each time I think she can't sink any lower, she proves me wrong.(I mean who comes late to a birthday, no gift & refuses to spend an extra hour? But then she has to add insult to injury by telling her that her poor new baby has suffered long enough to even be there... I've never wanted to slap someone so much as I did that day, standing there hearing the words come out of her huge mouth!) I don't think anyone can say what really happened in a past marriage. Only the partners of the marriage know their own perspective... and each may rewrite history a little or a lot but they will definitely see things differently.

Many times have I analyzed and thought about so many options and then found myself coming back to one over and over (though not always the first one). That is when I knew that was the one. IMO, that is why extensive planning is so important. You really think through your decisions. Nothing like later on thinking of another option and then realizing because you were so thorough, you had already thought of that option and didn't choose it for a particular reason (and I usually remember at that point, why not). Of course, there are so many decisions that don't make a huge differnce. But I like having the peace of mind that comes with planning. Others may differ. Sounds like you did your planning - I'm sure it will be lovely.

pictures by this weekend...i PROMISE!!! i just love my granite and you will too. have you picked a paint color yet? i really am a "green" loving person (and i mean the color!) and at first i wanted to paint my walls a greenish grayish color (jogging path by sw) but i was afraid it would just blend with the granite and make everything look too green. we went with grecian ivory sw and i do think it is perfect for what i was going for. i guess my point is this.....don't worry too much. worst case senario...if you think the counters look too green, pick a paint color that will pull out the gray or neutrals in the granite. i haven't had a problem with staining but i'm pretty good about wiping things up quickly. before this, i had a tile countertop so i think i'm used to cleaning up quickly. i have noticed that sometimes i will see a ring where a glass was but it does disappear. maybe this is common...not sure though. i think the sealer was stonetech impregnator pro???? the fabricator sealed it and left me a sample for future use. it really hides crumbs quite well. almost always looks clean, except for the occasional smudgy little hand print from my 5 or 3 year old! you are going to love it, and you will be suprised at how neutral it is. can't wait to get updates on your kitchen progress!