Bumblebeez - I think you and I have something in common! :-) I have had botox / dysport in my forehead numerous times, and Juvederm in my nasolabials and lips about 3 x. My dermatologist is great and does a subtle look. I LOVE it. The only drawbacks are 1) cost - I work and make a really good salary, but the cost does make me feel gulity ( esp since I have 2 kids and I know they and DH love me no matter what I look like) and 2) you can have the best doc in the world but there is always that small chance of some kind of negative outcome. The pain part is nothing to me - no dental blocks for me - I have been through 2 natural childbirths with almost 9 lb babies. Pain is good - it lets you know you are alive ;-) That being said, the non- medicated lip injections at one point did have silent tears on my face. But I like to forgo the pain meds bc in my mind that is one less potential side affect I need to worry about. I guess my point is that lip augmentation in my experience was worth the cost. It is not all Lisa Rinna giant duck lips! the biggest downide for me is that I love it and when it wears off you need to consider whether or not you want to include it as bumblbeez says, in your maintenance routine! I must add that I only get manis / pedis about 2 x year because I'm prioritizing my hair and face! :-)

Thanks for the clarification, Steff. I agree the green granite goes better with the autumn colors above. I think I just wanted to make the green granite go with it, because I like it, and because it took several beatings pretty well. But, I like the most recent backsplash better that the green granite, so I just have to find a more suitable counter. Regarding the honed absolute, it seems many others on this website say the same thing. Wonder about any other honed granites that might go well with the backsplash and not have such maintanence issues. Before I settle on the caesarstone, I do want to explore (exhaust?) the options. I saw today (here I go again), in a high end house basement laundry room, a gray concrete counter and sink that I believe would go well. However, I've read about cracking and scratching. Almost done with this particular decision... Thanks everybody.

Miracle 511 sealers were recommended to me both by my tile store and a few threads I've read on GW. I used Miracle 511 Impregnator on my Ostrich Gray Slate in my laundry room, powder room, not-yet-finished pantry, and entry/foyer. Miracle 511 also makes Seal & Enhance if you prefer an enhanced look. (I considered and tested that enhancer but liked the natural look more.) The sealer is very easy to apply and so far I have absolutely no staining. We haven't subjected the floors it to much, but it has experienced mud, probably grease, and certainly laundry products.

Definitely put the sealer on it. Enhancing is a personal decision. If you have an extra piece, try it to see if you like the look. We sealed the travertine in the bathroom after it was installed. We have slate-looking porcelain tiles on the floor of our bathroom and the travertine on the tub surround. We used two different grouts - grey for the slate and a beige that blended with the travertine. Not sure if you can really see the grout color differences but this is what it looks like. It didn't photograph well but the floor grout is a light grey.