deeredoctor, I'm not an engineer (though I did get to sit in the engineer's seat of a locomotive once. 8^) I'm a mechanic (for about 40 years now, started at age 16 and had 1 year in trade school to that vocation). I have an incurable compulsion to read and study and experiment and build and on and on (shut up already!!!!) I have worked as a professional electrician (2 year stint with a good sized electrical contractor in the early 1980s) and as a welder (1 year at trade school to that vocation). You are correct to point out that the OEMs don't always "get it right the first time". I have seen addendums to the addendums of Factory Service Bulletins throughout the years that make you wonder just how many committee members were actually in attendance when the first bulletin was written. You are also correct in that many things do come down to a "matter of choice" in how one does their work/projects and such. I don't want you to think I was belittling you or the work you have done. I just wanted to make sure every reader got the point about what a fuse/fusible link/circuit breaker is needed for and why it really should be a detail to consider when modifying circuits on ANY type of electrical system. Just as I would NEVER suggest anyone remove or defeat any overcurrent device provided by an OEM, neither would I suggest that new or add-on circuits be rendered without addressing the aspect of short circuit/overload protection. Your highlighting the odds of getting struck by lightning are good too. We all know that it could happen and thus don't (I hope) do things to to increase the chances of being a "lightning rod". Glad you mentioned the part about Ford (though probably not the only OEM "guilty" of being off the predicted mark). That their fuse DID NOT prevent every possible scenario shows (at least to me) either the original estimate of amp draw in that circuit was wrong...or somewhere between concept and production, the parameters changed (like maybe the ampacity of those ignition switches or the associated wires on it) and nobody caught that or went back to change the rating of the fuse/fusible link.

Thanks for your gracious comments, Holiday-ers! candy...yup, I'm hooked on "teapots" now, too (not "teakettles," as I said)...love the 'Enablers R Us' group here! Marylee & Frou & PM...my Mom has to be smilin' down on me about dressin' Babydoll!(& she does have cute toes & fingers...even tho they feel like plastic. I've enjoyed decorating w/her so much since coming to this Forum...will pass on to DH shelf compliments. The ceramic baby chicks I got after Spring sale at a local specialty consignment shop. punk...I bought that column (table post or whatever) for $10 at another CShop ...it was stained that color & my Mother Hen is wood from HLobby...had her for a few yrs now & seemed a perfect match! There is a nail sticking in the column for candles. jane & pat & nana...those brown bunnies called to me...I bought them over 2 or 3 yrs at another specialty CS...I leave them out for summer usually, too. Ever since I've seen party-music's wonderful hand-made baskets I am on the outlook for them! LOL...hope to see some more BOP pics...SMILING is good! Thanks again, everyone! Jeanne S. ... now need some more motivation & energy...you all help with that! LOL! I got another of those "columns" or whatever you call them for $10 (which is a steal around this area, anyway) & DH & I did this project last yr with it...painted it white:

Jeanne, nice job on all this! I agree with all the above comments. Your kitchen counter pics with candles lit are wonderful. So many neat items displayed on this post. I have an old covered cake plate that I'll have to share sometime. Not as fancy as yours but kinda neat. Seeing yours reminded me of it. I had to laugh about lowering the shelf. I seem to do things like this alot. Once it's started, there's no turning back. I think you will enjoy a whole new way of decorating it. Your DH's leaves are neat and I like all your white pumpkins on the divider. I so need new flooring but can't seem to getter done. Not positive what I want is the main reason tho. I love hardwood but know I still want carpet in our living rooms. DS is great at laying tile and his home is beautiful. I'd rather vac. so..... Punk

That is what makes this especially meaningful and fun for me to share. So many of you have been through my myriad of posts over these few years with each acquisition, bargain, odd doesn't seem to fit in but I had to have it find. I was hoping to come home to some drawer installations today... but DH wasnt' in the mood... he's allowed. I've done all of them so far so it may end up being my responsibility. I'm so tired after work... it's a waaayyyy longer drive from here. I always stop at the other house to pick something up, check on this, stop at the store. By the time I get in I just want to chill a bit and take a nap. This is why it's taking forever! Plus.... we are out of money for now!!