I think he comes by his frame of mind naturally. His father had a teacher that used the term "thumbnail sketch" to get information about something on a test. That's what she got. A sketch of a thumb.

We don't use a lawn service, haven't in about 15 years. Our lawn looks better with DH and I taking care of it then it ever did with a service. Up until recently they all used chemicals which I'm very against. We occasionally have someone come in to do major clean ups but that's about it. We switched to a zoysia lawn and it looks like a thick green carpet, no weeds and never needs watering, even during a drought. Our house was a patch of green amongst a sea of brown straw last year. The only thing I dislike is that it turns brown as soon as it's hit with a frost but I've learned to live with that. Karyn

LOL.Nate, I totally tried that one this year when I saw how many seedlings survived and wondered where I was going to put them all. They didn't want to give me the key to their gate, which is totally fine. Its hard enough to find privacy here in Queens, so I won't begrudge them. (In fact, this is the only place I've ever lived where I'll come home and find groups of people or teenagers having dates in my garden, like its a public venue. Glad that they're enjoying, but it's really akward (" umm, excuse me, but may I use my yard now?) Lol Maybe I'll give the unfortunate red one another go next year, everyone but Christine is feeling so sympathetic. Lol ;) LNS is planted in a tall cylindrical pot, so that may be why it looks taller, I realize, but I do love how it blooms in fountains like that. :)

Tali, I wanted to say (I'm not sure if I did) that in my remodel I actually went with the KD because the plans were "all done" and then...the cabinets came, and they SUCKED!!! And I can't stress that enough. So many people said "make them work" and I realized how stupid that was :) And started over again. I'm going to have a stunning kitchen, with every bell and whistle, and very very high quality cabinets, and all for around your budget. I'd love to hear that you see someone else and get everything you want, including the special stains, legs, etc. I have every bell and whistle involved, including inset doors (a big upcharge) and I'm using a very high quality cabinet company, Omega Custom, which I'd recommend you look at. They do everything custom (they have lower end lines as well, you can find them on line) but one of the things I love is that the inside stains match the outside, which I really think makes a difference in a high end design (I hate to open a cabinet and see another color or thermafoil). I'm spending about $70M for two bathrooms and a kitchen. I also was able to work in a Lacanche (look at those as well as the one you like because...they're cooler heh heh) and all of the options you are doing away with because of this designer. My tile backsplash...egads have you read the freaking complaining about it???? I'm pushing $70 a sq ft! So I know you can get everything everything everything!!!! you want if you keep searching. I only mention the costs and pushing the issue because, personally I don't care about how much I spend on the kitchen, it's my kitchen and I want what I want. I might not get it all back but I don't care, I want what I want :) But for the kind of money you're willing to spend, if I were to hear that budget for a kitchen, I'd expect to see all of the bells and whistles, including that warming drawer and subzero...(buy the Lacanche and you won't need a warming drawer...they're included) Heh heh Anyhoo, I know how you feel right now, because I've been there, and it totally sucks! But I'd rather see you take that dream design elsewhere and look to other cabinets of very high quality (that's important, I understand) but get all of the goodies as well (pot filler, etc). You can afford that under your budget :) So keep working, and when this is all done, you can enjoy that dream kitchen :) Which you will deserve after this hell is over LOL