If you have branches up to 6" I would highly recommend like others that you consider an electric chain saw. It is relatively inexpensive 50 to 60 dollars, It is light, and if careful can be used in one hand. It makes quick work of a bunch of small branches. However, I have used my 14" electric to take down many trees from 3 to 28". You are thinking I will never need an electric to cut a tree that large. But we lost over 30 trees in my yard in hurricane Fran and the electric was up to the job. Most areas of the country experience strong winds that can bring down trees. As for useability, you can place it in storage for a year or more, take it out, check the chain oil, and plug it in, cut what ever is needed, and return to storage and forget it. I bought mine nearly 20 years ago and it works as well to day as it did when I bought it. The only expense has been a couple of chains for about $15. The biggest draw back to an electic is the cord, but from what I am hearing you have a relative small yard where everything is less that 200 feet from the house, which is ideal for an electric saw

Sure - dead, dried limbs are definitely a brown, but you'll probably want to chip them before adding them to the pile. You don't HAVE to chip them, but big sticks take longer to break down than little chips because little chips have more surface area. Also, big sticks in the pile can make turning the pile a pain. And yes, I would shred (or at least tear by hand) paper, for the same reasons. -Diggity

Yeah, I do still think a bit like an accountant. it is one of my shortcomings. I will definately make more money as an accountant, there is no question about that. And if I'm smart, I could still put away enough for retirement to equal the pension. My real benefit I am looking at is that it is a different kind of work, I want to change what I'm doing, I wasn't thinking this drasticly until the opportunity came along, but I am going to get a different job in the spring doing something different in accounting or finance. This is something that has interested me in the past. I get to be outside, which maybe isn't all its cracked up to be, but right now seems great, considering I sit in a confrence room with no windows 12 hours a day now. I get to work less, and when I work overtime I get paid. Granted now I guess that is "factored in" to my salary. I've talked to family and friends who are interested, or working on the periphary of law enforcement, I think I need to talk to a few officers. We know a few indirectly, someone's husband, someone's daughter etc etc. I need a legitamate picture of the day to day.

Howdy Ms Mosaicwench1: Thanks for the answers!!! I'm so excited about your answer because I moved here to the very old town of Rockford, Il and they have a ton of old windows..... they have had 2 floods in the last 11 months due to the ROCK RIVER and Keith Creek and quite a few houses have been condemned and many more having to be remodeled... not to mention the regular updating and remodeling of the older home.. well what I am saying I picked up a bout 3 of dozen various size old windows (some with 4 panes and some with 6 and some with 8 and a few with 2 and 1 ) That's why I ask you can you paint and or mosaic/ or GOG as you say... cause I want to do what you are doing.. I have to start somewhere.... So I know I will not be on the same grade as you .... but I am going to set my standards high!!! when I grow Up I want to be like YOU !!! PS should I sand and paint the frames 1st? and Some probably need to be recaulked ? I'll try to take some pictures / if you are willing to give me more pointers from time to time.... I guess you could be my mentor!!! Thanks so very very much I really appreciate it!! It means the world to me!!! I'm so excited! God Bless! susiesunshine