I'm in the San Francisco area and we are not in the drought that has plagued So. Cal., but our rainfall was lacking this year and drought is predicted. If my native plants are correct, they too think that drought is on it's way. I have tons more seedpods on plants this year than in previous years of normal rainfall. My Dudleyas were huge in the past years with 3-4 flower stalks. This year, they only grew to medium size but had 8-10 flower stalks. The redbud has so many seedpods you can hardly see the foliage. My theory is that the production of so many seedpods is to ensure the survival of the species when rain returns Many plants also bloomed earlier and have started to go into summer dormancy earlier. The plants think drought is coming and that's good enough for me. wanda

Very preliminary plans here so much is subject to change. Splurged on land -- paid about 50% over planned, but got the land at 66% off original 1.2 million list. Since it is paid for, it is no longer a consideration. Probable Splurges: Interesting ceilings in main living area (not sure what yet) and 9' elsewhere on main floor. Maybe a nana wall (or similar) between kitchen and deck to maximize light (only natural light directly in the kitchen). Integrated plaster walls (although that may not end up being much of a spurge over good Sheetrock finish) because it is common in comparable new builds in the area (and not advertised as an upgrade). Large covered decks. Back if house -- Living room, deck and MBR will be cantilevered with basement patio below. ( probably not complete cantilever because it will be supported by stone columns) Nice fencing, but because the back yard is small, we won't need too much of it. Radiant hot water in floor heat throughout (again not much of a splurge because SIL in the business). Exterior must be 1/3 natural stone. Probably a nice chandy for the dining area, but the rest can be pretty basic. 8' doors in main living area. Undecided: windows, definitely want efficiency, but I can work with standard sizes; cabinetry and countertops, want nice and soft close, but flexible on wood type and finishes. Last time we shopped for granite for the ski house even though we budgeted for class 4, we found we really liked a class 2 stone better. Save: flooring (2) hardwood floors don't have to be anything special -- I have seen many midrange that I like, tile, again I have seen midrange options. I like. Carpet in bedrooms, office, closet and staircase except to the first landing because the rest is enclosed. Simple trim work (but also a splurge a bit t be sure it is beefy enough) Plumbing fixtures, I prefer simple and basic. Appliances -- been there, done that, on higher end appliances and really, I see no real advantage over my 10,000 range at home and my 2,500 one at the ski house and I cook a lot both places. Pantry storage will cost much less and pantry counters (as wll as laundry room can even be Formica. No fancy shower heads. No AC -- it's only needed a few days a year in our climate and we can survive without it. Upstairs guest room can have 8' ceilings. Of course, all this is subject to change -- we are waiting for the next plan revisions before we really start sourcing.

I've purchased several tops that are appropriate for my worklife (they're knit, but they are one step up from casual, but not too businessy). Liked almost all except for a couple that were just a shade off from what would've been perfect. I think twice before ordering nowadays because of the return costs, as Cynic posted, and just the general hassle of packing things up and getting to the P.O. I haven't bought anything except clothes from them in a long time, altho I do keep an eye online on handbags, cuz I've been looking for "just the right one"! The merchandise is certainly of a higher class (cost, obviously; quality, I can't speak of) mixed among other stuff now. Apple products, many lines of high-end bags (not just Dooney/Burke anymore), a lot of electronics. Between QVC and HSN years ago, I've spent too much money on return-postage alone, so I'd rather spend time driving to stores near me for the hands-on test.

:) Beagles, I bought a nice plastic box for my touch screen stereo controller so I could use it from the tub. :) It's not the kind that you can get in waterproof form. I think they make those yellow toss 'em in the pool TV remotes though... Weedmeister, I love the active backsplash idea!! Not so much for the fishing shows, but can you just imagine? The recipe over the stove, Julia in the corner explaining how to fillet the squab and not lose any of the precious meet, the illustration from www.howtobutchersquab.info right next to her, the evening's menu with timer reminders on the other side, and the guest list with phone numbers, table arrangement, and allergies, at the other end. All controllable by voice or gesture. I totally love it!!! Marcolo, the TVs themselves are probably pretty expensive (mine were gifts so I don't know for sure), but the frame part can be done pretty easily if you're willing to compromise a little. You build a box frame on the wall, surrounding the TV (and run the wires through the wall so they're not all hangin' down), and then you cover the box with your painting or mirror. There are different ways to do it. You can make bifold doors that tuck out of the way and paint a pretty picture on them, you can hinge a proper framed art piece so long as it's not too heavy--I've seen this done where it dropped down and on the wall side of the frame, instead of brown paper or linen, there was a rack for the controllers and some pieces of the surround sound. I've also seen where the art only goes up when there's company, so they just have a double angled slat top edge/hanger and the framed piece sets on the floor behind an end table otherwise. I like having the ugly black TV on the island. It's right by the seating for A/V company when one is alone, or shucking peas (or, more likely, clipping artichokes), and I have it on a little slate turntable so it's easy to turn it to face the cook. Often, I'll turn on the news while I'm prepping or something and not even bother turning it because I'm looking at my work. Yup. Really functional. But no disguising it. The HDMI wire does help though. Just that and the power cord, rather than spaghetti. And the thing has Bluetooth and, I think, wi-fi, so if the stereo were allowed internet privileges (it's been hinting, and it has a birthday coming), the TV could get Hulu or Netflix without a computer hookup. 'Course, then my refrigerator would start calling home to Germany and trying to get my phone to talk my ipod into turning the car against me.