No, ahelaumakani, they want to just plow the whole thing under and turn it into grass. As an abject lesson in "We'll show YOU who's got the power, by G-d!" for my sin in taking initiative to want a dead tree removed and finding a free new more suitable tree to replace it. Without waiting for G-d (the co-op board) to select the tree themselves, ignoramuses about such things as they are. All the trees destroyed by Sandy have not been replaced; they have been removed and the site upon which they grew seeded with grass. Because the ignorant illegal aliens they pick up on the street corners can manage to push a mower, but don't want to have to do complicated things like use a weed whacker AROUND a garden or tree. Over time, the heavily treed landscape around here will turn into just grass. Easy and cheap. And don't think it's really grass--the lawns around here consist mostly of weeds and clover. I am not allowed to plant a tree, because this is a CO-OP, not a condo. The front yard is not mine to plant trees on if I want. We can plant AROUND trees already there, but not put in a tree. If we could put in trees ourselves, there would have been no problem. Now I'm going out into a raging rainstorm to measure for how many 18" concrete edging pieces I will need to bump out my garden in front of the Obligatory Bushes to transplant the hostas and heuchies to. I have to do this before Garden World closes, because the local one is out of the stones, but the Long Island one is willing to have a guy who lives near the local one bring out the edging pieces tomorrow, bless his sweet heart. Ciao for now, gang. The sorry saga continues...

I'd have to agree. Generally, you are not going to touch a .25 for $400... You either need a very high-quality double pane, or a triple pane to reach that. Either way, a reputable company with a professional installation will be higher than that. In addition, beware of looking at U value only. The structural ratings as Sky mentioned should be considered, as well as the shgc. Often times, companies will sell a you a window that is totally inappropriate for your climate, such as a "solar control" package that is meant for warmer climates, but sold in cold climates where it should not be. They do this because the u-value looks great (lower numerically), but it is at the expense of a super low shgc (.18-.23 or so). This could actually be detrimental to overall efficiency.... This phenomenon started when the manufacturers were caught off guard by the 2009 30/30 tax credit qualifications which were completely illogical. Instead of a window with U .31 Shgc .30, you had to actually sacrifice efficiency and go with U .30 SHGC .23 (give or take) just so you could get your $1500 rebate... Big government at its best ;).

Stump grinder..I need that! This house came with 12 stumps...most are cut nearly to the ground though..but some are nearly 3' across.. That morning tree/sun shot is stunning beauty! Christine, I only used the fine steel wool after it had "dried" out a bit..I don't have any high 100's sand paper at the moment. It was pretty crazy to watch the CS work..as I was slathering it on, it was moving the spray paint around in flecks instantly. Yes, it was a good thing it doesn't stain I forgot what I was wearing and went out to slam some more on one evening and sloshed all over a pair of new black yoga pants...but all is good.. :) I think next week I will take a door off the cabinet run I want pulled down..and give 'er a whirl with the CS. Can't be worse than the crap layers of soft chunky white paint. We are going to attempt to figure put how to open the gutters and flush them out..they have a knock off Leaf Guard on them..and I am quite sure full of Fir needles..as there is a weed growing out of one of them..lol Hmmmm something has agitated the neighborhood crows..they are fussin like nobodies business. It was peaceful on the deck...

did you mention spin out bags.. and how you arent happy about them??? seems to me.. if you leave them exposed at the top .. they may be wicking moisture out of the soil.. to the depth of the bag ... making it hard on the plants ... i never used them.. so i dont kow if you are supposed to leave the edge exposed .. but it seems that you installed them probably due to trees soaking up all the water ... and now the bags are probably doing the same thing .. maybe we should discuss this in the hosta forum.. where quite a few peeps use them ... ken