Its really hard to be fearful of a number when it is the day you were born ! Thanks for the info Sue :) D`Ann

Thanks for asking! We had only 2 showings (4 calls; 2 of them said, "is the second bedroom the sunroom?"; answer is yes; they said, "i'll have to talk to my wife"). Both parties are veteran apartment hunters in our neighborhood, and both looked at our downstairs neighbor's apartment last month when it was available. I don't know if this is discouraging, or not. We're not on MLS, bcs we don't really want to pay a broker, and the NYTimes is really pretty much a bible. There were no other truly comparable apts, so it doesn't look like we have lots of competition--lots of 2BRs listed, at a lower price than ours, but no mention of their bathrooms, which leads me to think they have 1 (we have 2). But on the up side, both of these are serious buyers, not tire kickers. One set really, really wants to buy in to our development. They like the kitchen a lot, like our wood-veneer doors, etc. Both currently own an apt., which means they'd probably have enough equity to make the large downpayment required by our co-op. But they would also have to buy & sell on the same day, which means we'd have to float our sellers until then, at $750/month. (cannot do a bridge loan--way too expensive, and not possible w/ co-ops). Still cheaper than a broker's fee. I don't know if we'd have more lookers w/a broker, or not. The folks across the way sold in 3 days with one. The ad's running another week, so we'll see. ON topic, I am really enjoying all the space, all the decluttering. Picking up at the end of the day is SO fast. On the downside, you can now see all the dust under the edges of the piano, etc. There are lots of little cosmetic thing we need to keep up w/; I hope they didn't turn any of these people off, given that they've seen several apartments like ours. And I am encouraged, too, bcs I can see how lovely our apartment's "bones" are. Nice room sizes, good layout, etc. However, no bids, for all of their apparent seriousness about being in the market.

This from someone who was originally interested in HELPING you: In a recent interview Mrs. Selber mentions teaming up with Al Gerhart who has some interest in the granite \radon scare. Al Gerhart is a carpenter whohappens to own a website called the SolidSurfaceAlliance.org. He educated himself, regarding materials he works with that may expose him to harmful elements." Upon further review it seems this "personality" is well known for his view of natural stone. All one has to do is look at the website to get the gist of his viewpoint. Coincidentally, there also seems to be a new business venture for Solid Surface Alliance as the website now sells Geiger counters to detect radiation His debates have earned him quite a place online in forums discussing the subject. After a certain debate on a well known residential forum, a renowned geoscientist in the industry concluded: "Al attempts to hijack debates by choking the system with verbal diarrhea. The problem appears to be that he has a bit of knowledge about some things but not enough sense and understanding of the subjects. In that debate on the Garden Forum he threw in so many fabrications (plain made up lies) that his credibility just plummeted to zero. Anyone who operates this way (by including a number of facts to gain an element of credibility in the eyes of a generally uninformed audience, twisting facts deliberately or because of his lack of understanding, and then throwing in a number of lies) does not deserve extended airtime. Many years ago when doing science psychology I still remember my professor giving the advice to his students that you should never engage a nutter in debate. You can never win an argument with such people. I recognized this early in the forum and that is why I would not engage him in "debate". One of his major problems is that he does not know what the numbers mean and how they are derived." In response to the buildclean tactics, The Marble Institute of America is in the process of doing their own independent study: "The Marble Institute of America (MIA) is grateful for the preliminary response from the members to the newly established Truth About Granite Fund. Based on this positive response, it's clear that their colleagues share their commitment to protect consumers from needless fear mongering by establishing standards for the testing of granite so consumers can safely and comfortably enjoy the beauty, durability and practicality of this natural stone." When we asked the MIA why Sara Speer Selber consider The Truth About Granite Fund as a draconian move that is being waged against BuildClean(TM), they simple responded: "The Truth About Granite Fund was established to help raise funds to develop unbiased, scientific standards for the granite industry, including the testing of granite for radon. No such standards currently exist in the natural stone industry. Previous tests of granite samples have found they are safe. However, the Truth in Granite Fund aims to take advantage of new, advanced scientific instruments that make testing both more practical and more accurate. Our goal is to make sure testing follows consistent protocols, so that future studies are meaningful and based on consistent, approved science not isolated methodologies or unapproved instruments. Ultimately, our goal is to make sure the granite we sell is safe." This latest sales tactic received the attention of an independent group called the Natural Stone Restoration Alliance (NSRA). The NSRA saw Radon testing as an added service that their members could provide to the homeowners along with all their other services for natural stone. I am one of the lead testers and trainer for the NSRA , invited times Members of the SolidSurfaceAlliance.org to discuss and provide proof of this threat to the home owners. The SolidSurfaceAlliance.org agreed to provide an alleged radiation producing granite sample that they claim to have in their possession to do independent testing. After an initial agreement between the two groups it seems the Solid Surface Alliance has reneged on the delivery of the alleged material. I was disappointed of the outcome. The NSRA than requested the name of the company that Mr. Gerhart claimed to just have rejected over 10k worth of radon producing granite. When the information was not provided, I ask if he could purchase the next slab that Mr. Gerhart rejected. But for some reason Mr. Gerhart could no longer find a sample for testing. Mr. Huligar went on to say: "All we care about at this point. As for whether are not Stone adds a measurable amount of "radon" in a home, Mr. Gerhart had agreed to come to NY and pick out a hot slab that I would place in my own home after testing my home for radon. Once the granite was installed I would test my home again as described by the EPA and have it tested by someone approved by the EPA. Not only would we do the short and long term test, we would also video tape the whole event, the selection, the creation, the install, and than setting up cameras for anyone to view the stone and meters on the net. I was looking forward to do this, but at this time it appears that Mr. Gerhart has no plans on doing as he said which is a big disappointment." The NSRA plans to push for this simple test, they feel that the consumers only care about one thing; "whether or not adding granite in your home would significantly change the radon levels in a home". At present, the most prudent consumer should watch the outcome of this debate and make an informed decision, not taken in by a scare tactic by advertisers.

Sue, I guess I'm coming to this post kinda late we have a new grandson too. I can't imagine what the horror of facing this kind of pain and risk is. I will hold all of you in my heart when I'm holding my little one. Courage and peace. I hope you are seeing that things are better at this point and encouraged about a full recovery. How wonderful it will be if at this young age he doesn't remember the pain of the struggle he's had and only the triumph.