Sandy, Some ramblings FWIW... Just because these folks are going through the USDA APHIS permit process to obtain the leps doesn't mean that the USDA knows what they are doing with them, or would approve of it. The USDA has specific guidelines for leps that are used for public display. From what you've posted I doubt they are following them (at least not the requirements for an approved facility with public access). A search of the APHIS web site will direct you to those requirements if you want to compare them to what they are doing. As suggested a call to your local USDA would put the ball in their court to check it out. As for the livestock being wild collected instead of specifically reared for this purpose, good luck. Very few countries are governed with specific regulations like we are, and even if they do have regs in place they don't police them. With the increase in value of lepidoptera to collectors (some species bring sevral hundreds of dollars or more per specimen), many people in foreign countries make 100% of or at least subsidize their income by collecting wild leps and selling them to anybody who will pay the price. Even our own US Customs is a joke when it comes to lepidoptera as most agents don't know the specific regs as they pertain to leps, and all of them are uneducated in the species determinations of leps. They simply go by the inventory on the import document, and if none of the species listed is on their list of protected species they will simply pass them through. I doubt they even take a head count to match even the number in the package against the permit. You mentioned Costa Rica as the source of many (most) of the species they have in this display. FWIW, customs in Costa Rica is a division of the countries Department of Treasury, so their main purpose is to collect taxes on imports into the country. I doubt they would pay much attention to a non commercial package shipping out of their country. And like our own customs their agents probably have no clue about lepidoptera anyway. Way back when I actively did foreign species they were governed by our US Fish and Wildlife Department's Law Enforcements Division. They had very specific regulations for the import/export of lepidoptera that included all the "acts" to protect them (ESA, CITES, Lacy Act, etc). Even so as long as a package contained an approved import/export permit our customs portals would pass them through without question, even if the species were mislabeled or had been collected illegally, and it mattered not if they were papered adults or livestock. So the introduction of an invasive species was not a concern of customs. Has the USDA improved on the system? I doubt it, because it still comes down to the knowledge of the specific regs and species recognition of the customs agent who processes it at our customs portals. Selling leps is a big business worldwide. Is it exploiting a natural resource? It depends on if they are coming from wild collecting or from butterfly farms IMO. If wild collected stock is being sold for profit, yes IMO. If reared from pairings of farm raised adults specifically to sell that's not exploitation IMO. Are "legal" living butterfly exhibits exploiting a natural resource either way? Yes they are in the sense that a zoo does the exact same things. Only you can decide for yourself if the educational good of either out weighs the bad. Larry

Thanks for the follow ups, really good information. I'll try to address each comment and ask some more questions. fluffybunnysui: The 1st contractor called me last night to ask about what I was thinking about doing to fix it. I told them I had a 2nd contractor come out and test it and told me the expansion valve. 1st contractor said that they determined it WAS NOT the expansion valve because they blocked off one side of the flow at/on the compressor, and the bypass valves opened and it couldn't suck the pressure all the way down.(I don't really understand how it works, I have replaced Automobile A/C but just followed basic instructions.) 2nd part: Both contractors said that they *think* the evap coil is icing up. Because we could turn the unit off for hours, let it melt, and then it would blow really cold again for a short time. Unfortunely for me, I had to leave the house today and go to work in a different city for the week. I can't spray the unit off, and my wife doesn't feel confident doing it, but the 1st contractor is due out to the house later today. thanks. Jack Mason: thanks, the 2nd contractor did show me their pricing on new units. Said $2,899 for a new evap coil and all related work. $4,600 for a 12 SEER outside unit. (my system is a 14 SEER I believe). Reading the link you provided now. thanks. Heatseeker: I don't know what refrigerant is used in my system. A quick web search points to R-410A. The unit is a Carrier unit, Model: 24ABA430A300 Serial # 4506E08945

Thanks for the replies...I love this forum. Great humor, too, just when I needed it. This morning we talked and had an enlightenment. I had to do some pretty slick talking. Husband just came in and saw me on the forum...he reads/enjoys it, too, and said, "Well, are you going to tell them you're finally getting your way?" In reality, our cabinets are contractor grade, cheap cabinets which are about 17 years old. Some of the doors have warped. Husband had actually purchased 3 additional oak cabinets and tried to match the doors, etc, as best he could, but they don't match. We would have used them in this galley kitchen...2 rows of cabinets parallel to each other...and not matching at that. And, even painted, they still wouldn't match. We were going to top them off with expensive granite. We decided it just didn't make sense to do that....we don't plan on moving any time soon, but, still, I don't think it would add to the value of our home. So. We are going stretch a little and replace those cabinets with ones we love. We found some Kraftmaid cherry cabinets in a shaker style we really like with a nutmeg or ginger glaze (still contemplating which one) and it won't break the bank. Now we are back to the countertops...we're going to worry about those first, and finally the flooring. Back to the granite search next. It's been a long day....but the sun was shining in Indiana... I'm turning 60 this month! We decided this would be a gift to us...(he will be 60 next year) a nice, new kitchen we both love. I didn't want that darned Tiffany celebration ring anyway. :)

I would not call her. I realize your frustration and all the kid's stories with the he said/ they said...but seriously, do you need all this neighborhood uproar? You know your son and neighborhood personally along with the other mother/s and what is best, all I can say is what I would do if this were me and in my neighborhood. I'd pick up my ss myself. Older siblings as they get into JR high and HS have 'important' kid social stuff...having to hurry and run get ss would be a drag quickly. I understand your kids are family responsiblity sensed, but let 'em but kids. Gossip with BFFs, snail pace walking and just hanging yakking over their 'social life'. Pick up the youngest As far as the 'new' kid. I'd likely invite his parents over for a BBQ to get to know them...or at the least, take a platter of goodies over, knock on the door and introduce myself ('hey, I'm so and so's mom and our sons have been hanging a bit, thought I'd just swing by and say welcome to the neighbor') hoping to get a sense of what their homelife/style is and if it jives with yours as to the kids being social or good/bad influences on each other. Stop fighting, even though so far politely, with the ladies next of the neighborhood. The 'but did you know what YOUR kid did/does' is going to just add fuel to the fires. I don't see anything good coming from calling each other at this point. Both of you are getting two stories from two different kids. Enough. Your kid does not go over there anymore and her's no longer comes to your place...if that is not reasonable, than both mommies stay out of it and let the kids work it out. Kids toss basketballs, they make noise, the hang out of windows hoping to see their friends...pretty much sounds like just being kids. Only thing I would really be concerned with is that the 'new' kid does not pass on bad ideas and habits to the current kids. What are the age differences of all the boys? Asking because say a 12 yr old may be too young to socialize with a 16 yr old...different intrests, time killing enjoyments ect and all that.