IF I were going to do a mud floor with heat mats, I'd go ahead with the normal tar paper and wire lath base, then I'd lay down some of the dry-pack, lay in the mats, and lay some more dry-pack over the top of the wires, and scread it off, thereby burying the wires and mudding the floor all in one shot. Mudding the floor and then laying the wires on top seems to me to be defeating the purpose. As an alternative, he could also lay down the wires under ALL the mud, but then there would be that much more mortar insulating the heat from reaching the surface.

Happily, Your DH can't say no becuase he has guilt for breaking up his family, and "ruining" his kids lives. That is the perception they have of him. Actually, if he did leave his family for someone else, it's actually their reality. Not trying to be a jerk, just covering the facts. If I'm wrong, feel free to correct me. Even if the marriage was over, and he didn't leave for another woman, men who leave relationships usually have guilt about it for a very long time, and in turn overcompensate with financial support, lavish gifts, etc. They feel they have to make it up to their children. Especially if they initiated the break up. I can't see that there's much that you can do to help this out. Kids of divorced parents learn very early on how to maniupulate the situation to get what they want. You really can't blame them. Life as they know it was ripped out from underneath them. They sometimes have deep resentments towared the parent who "left" because it changed their lives. I'm not saying it's OK; it's just how it is. Also, since their BM is out of control and they live with her, I wouldn't expect them to fall into line very easily with you or Dad. All they know is what's been modeled by their parents. If they are seriously awful to you when they visit, and your husband doesn't correct it, then I would suggest making yourself scarce when they are around, and let your husband know. Something like..."listen, if the kids are going to be awful to me, I expect you to get it under control. If you won't, then I will not be around while they are here. I won't take that abuse from them. I don't take it from you or my daughter, and I won't take if from them." I hope this helps.

I splurged on two 5-foot gel pros that arrived two days ago. My Christmas present to myself. The color and pattern are a little cheaper than their other stuff, an "introductory price" for new basketweave product and grey color, plus there was free shipping and Holiday price, or something like that. I must say that already we hop from mat to mat whenever possible, avoiding the floor like little kids who don't want to break their mother's back. The mats will make it easier for me to stand in kitchen on my sore feet. I'll give my mats a workout today when DH's family comes for dinner. Wish I'd known about the Imprint variety sooner. Thanks for posting, Red. People who don't have foot trouble may not understand how significant these products can be. It doesn't matter how pretty the kitchen is if you hate being in it because you hurt there.

I don't know if that is what amberm is thinking of, But thank you zwizzle for posting that link! That gives me something to think about using in my upcoming kitchen remodel. Due to my kitchen location it makes sense for me to run hardwood everywhere.