I think it could take over the whole world!

We're going to be here painting and overseeing the flooring installs, ect until the end of July. The aquariums are in the new place because we couldn't paint with them in this house. I hope my fish are ok! I transported my lovely pair of rainbow kribensis in a gallon jar on the floor of the truck between my feet, though that would be the safest. By the time we got there, the water was hot and they looked really bad. Had to cool them quickly by sitting the jar in a sink of cool water, without shocking them. They had perked up a lot by the time we were done unloading. We set up the aquariums as soon as we got there and acclimated the fish to the new water for a bit, then loosing them in their tanks. One of the silver dollars must have beaten himself up a bit in the bucket during the ride because he knocked off a bit of his dorsal fin.Ideally, we would have stayed overnight to observe, but the boys (our dogs) were here and probably needed to go out for 'walkies'. Jeff is going by tomorrow to check on the finny children. Today, I'm doing the lawn and cleaning the pond here. I'm really going to miss my pond. Sorry for the ramble, I need coffee! Pam

Thanks for your interest. Well, as I had hoped, I was much relieved about the aisle clearance issue from feedback here on the forum. So, I think layout will stay basically the same, but may take up the idea of moving dish storage to the right of cooktop, thus freeing up the island for other "goodies" like extra microwave &/or prep sink. I really haven't gotten as far as developing "must haves" re: finishes. I already have the 2 "must haves" that I really wanted- that is the 36" gas cooktop & 29", off-center drain Franke sink both of which we bought from appliance store liquidating nearly 2 years ago. We thought we were much closer to actually starting the project then, but the the project got bigger & required architects & permitting, etc. and my mom passed away. So... we're now finally getting going. BTW- those appliances have been sitting in my living room & guest room all this time! The plan is: creamy white perimeter w/ cherry island. Maybe you can weigh in on: whether to have the same countertop for perimeter & island. I had originally thought a darker granite counter beneath the creamy cabs & lighter granite for the darker cherry island. Now I'm thinking is might seem too choppy. Thoughts?? Thanks again for your interest & input!

The "Ought"s?? As for the double-dealing ... while Madoff as an individual is more apparent, he didn't cause the Fed. gov't. to throw in all of that money that they didn't have, to avert having a financial debacle, which they say would have resulted had they not bailed out the Big Banks that were "too big to fail". And they're even bigger now, as some of the former biggies disappeared. It'll take years (more likely decades) to pay off that huge debt ... that we're loading on to the backs of our kids/grandkids. Madoff went to jail ... his son just committed suicide ... ... but the guys in the Big Banks ... ... figure that, instead of at least getting fired, or, more deservedly, going to jail ... ... they not only get to keep their jobs ... ... but they have a right to those huge year-end bonuses!! Let's point the finger of blame where it belongs. "Let the market decide ..."? But - the market didn't slaughter them - they got bailed out. And you taxpaying guys are getting stuck with the tab. I figure that I have some cause to bi!ch - my shares in a stable Canadian bank (more heavily regulateed) went from over $100. to about $40.00 ... but, having about half way recovered ... they're still afloat. ole joyful