With induction you have very precise control. If you like to bake, an electric oven in general bakes better. I have an electrolux induction which I am delighted with. If having a grill or griddle for your range is important to you - then a blue star or capital is something to look at. American Range has pro style ranges as well and are less then bluestar or capital in price. Having a range that gives you precise control will enhance your ability to cook more complicated items. You should decide the features which are important to you. For example, if you want a range which allows you to set an oven to start and stop cooking while you are out, then a blue star or capital could be ruled out. Cavimum points out that you need to stay with high end appliances for various reasons. I agree - to a point. I am an avid (gourmet) type cook - but I am also an interior designer. I think you need an appliance which meets your needs. If you are planning on staying in your home long term I would concentrate on getting what you like in terms of a growing cooking ability and your needs/wants/desires and product appearance. If you think you will sell in 5 years then you might "need" to go high- end. However, not everyone you might sell to wants/needs high end- or they might not like your choice. There is no reason to spend money for the sake of spending it. If you have left over $$$ for your remodel - take a nice vacation, buy a new bedroom set, put it in your children's college fund - or invest.

Hi Kmttsmom, Thank you for being kind. I'm really not trying to get a reaction or hurt anyone and I think I've stated it over and over, but it bears repeating. :) I'm hurt too, and confused at how my estrangement got to the point it did. Years and years of misunderstanding, letting things go when they really should have been talked out then, not feeling like I could say anything because it would be taken the wrong way. So I'm just trying to understand it from a mother's point of view. And it seems like a lot of mothers are defensive (that's ok, they have a right to be, but then they take it as I'm attacking) and words like "spoiled brat" come into the picture. I'm not, nor was I ever, a spoiled brat. I was raised one of the least spoiled people you would ever meet. No electricity, no television, catchment water, no neighbors. No Christmas tree, very few presents for my birthday. My mother never bought me a car, paid for insurance, college, rent, bills, etc. I had to give away my toys to more needy kids time and again. We recycled everything. I moved out at 14 to live with my dad because of her emotional abuse, and I lived pretty much on my own because he had to work 150 miles away and would be gone for days at a time. I walked to school a few miles away and walked home, did my homework, made myself dinner, and went to bed. And I forgave her in high school. I was able to put it all behind me and move forward. And I included her in my daughter's birth. And when she needed a place to live, I let her move in with me. And then I realized she was an energy vampire. She literally sucked me dry, blamed me for everything, took my friends and started to turn my daughter against me. And she walked all over me. Time and again. So, my defenses go up too, when mothers just say that kids just need to respect their parents, and "get over it". It's a very emotionally charged situation. I didn't come on here for support, I came on here to learn what others think. So I think part of the conflict is our approach to what we expect from this board. I'm shocked at being told to go away, that my opinion is not wanted or needed or valued because I don't agree and I'm asking questions. It seems it's either one way or the highway. And when I apply this to what women here are saying about their damaged relationships the correlation seems too blatant to ignore. I don't think anyone here is a "Bad Mother". The fact that people are even talking about it indicates that they are truly trying to be good people. I'm sure everyone on here has their good and bad moments, and it can be hard to judge emotion when it's in writing, without any facial gestures or other non-verbal clues. I guess this isn't the place for me to be asking my questions because it is seen as an attack, and I felt just terrible the past few days, because I feel bad that people are taking my words that way, and now I feel attacked too. Thank you again, for your very clear, from the heart post. I do wish you the best in your situation. No one should have to feel like this. ~Silver

Susan: chocolate covered strawberries! I call you a *real* friend (LOL) McMann and Sharon: I am in Salt Lake City, zone 5, transported via my job, hating it at first and loving it now. Actually, I should say that *overall* I like it. That's because spring keeps teasing us right now, sending winter in its place. Tomorrow, 70 degrees, then 42 on Sunday. Go figure! Sharon: Lemon Sponge Pie? I wanna get that recipe. It will be great with chocolate covered strawberries (grin). Hi Ron: Thank you for pulling up my chair. You picked the most comfy one here. (We have to behave? Are you sure?) Patti: Even though I donÂt miss the FL weather, I do love the horse country and youÂre right: rolling hills and *very* pretty. Shoulda had the beer and pretzels before the berries, pie, and cookies. LetÂs save them for afternoon on the patio, ok? Deb: Those are my favorite cookies. IÂm stuffing them in all of my pockets. Gneegirl: yes, I think TSL is a really good forum. So glad to know you. To all of you whose names I didn't mention, thank you so very much. There sure are a lot of you here. How great it is to know all of you, and to be greeted so warmly. Life is good!

I have to admit, I have bought several Hoyas, not because I wanted them but because they were flooded and dying. I just bought my third variegated Hoya heuschkeliana. I know they dont grow well down here, the last one I bought melted into a pile of rot within a week. But I just bought 2 more. I'm an idiot, they will die! Still, I hope to give them a fighting chance! They looked so unhappy! lol