DISCLAIMER: I am not an employee, seller, or representative of any trade organization, manufacturer or retailer of gas heating appliances. I *am* a concerned consumer who is feverishly trying to educate himself about the pros/cons of direct-vent and vent-free gas fireplaces and their wood-burning counterparts. That said, I am continually amazed and disturbed by the amount of misinformation/disinformation that is disseminated in so many places on the Net as "advice" and "expert opinion." It's frightening how much of it is little more than hearsay or anecdotal in nature. I don't by any means claim to have all the answers, but in my efforts to educate myself, I've at least managed to come across details of some formal studies that have been done about a number of concerns that people may have regarding vent-free gas appliances. If nothing else, it's interesting reading and provides something more than the "my opinion," "I heard,", or "so-and-so says" type of often-misleading advice that emanates from forums like this. For one pretty thorough treatment of the subject, check out http://www.ventfree.org/images/stories/files/vf_guide.pdf. Admittedly, it is published by a potentially biased trade organization, but it at least presents the issues in a relatively objective way. If anyone has sources of equally-rational contrary information, I would love to hear of it...

One puppy has one eye open. All are showing signs of 'attitudes'. In a few days when everyone gets their eyes open I'll take pictures. It's time to put them online so the last two can be claimed. I'm really excited. All of the puppies will have 'bad hair day' hair like Tuffy. Even at a week old their hair is sticking up and all have little mustaches, beards and eyebrows. They are starting to make noises too. They growl and bark at each other a lot. They are just down the hall (in the furnace room) from my computer so I can hear them. Lori

valzone5 - LMAO!! I do believe they are meant to place hand towels in. :) That lovely piece of "furniture" has since left our home...well actually it sits in my garage begging to be burned. walkin yesindeed - I will gladly send you a big section framed once i get it pulled down! :)

I'm so sorry, Glenda. There comes a time that injections and PT just can't help anymore. I expect that surgeries seem absolutely formidable to you. My husband had a hip replacement and the recovery was amazingly swift. Everyone we talked to who had had a replacement said the same thing. I had rotator cuff repair surgery rather than replacement and wish that I had just gone ahead with the latter. But what a relief to be pain free. I wish the same for you. Please keep you KT informed, we care. I hate to admit it, but we are also a My Pillow family, too. We both sleep through the night with those pillows and stiff necks and sore shoulders are no longer problems for either of us.