Thanks everyone!!!! It means a lot to be able to "talk" to others who understand my frustration! I talked to my KD this evening and she told me that she and several other designers and the other owner of the contracting company spent a couple of hours late afternoon/early evening at our house analyzing the problems (note the plural...yes, there's another problem...worse, IMO, than this one!) & discussing options. After measuring & remeasuring, they decided it was only off by 3" on the left side. So, rather than offset the sink, we were give the option to either reduce the 36" drawer base to 33" or reduce the 18" trash pullout to 15". The 18" trash pullout will hold 2-35qt cans while the 15" will hold 2-27qt cans. My DH wants to reduce the drawer base, I want to reduce the trash pullout...I will probably give in on this one since I have a couple of battles coming up and this way he'll be more willing to go along with me. The sink will be centered under the window. btw...The 3" had to be recovered from the left of the sink if we wanted the sink to remain centered since the right side is correct w/a centered sink. My DH really wants the sink centered...he cares more than I do. But, if we get any "extra" space on the right, I'll give it to the pantry! Answers to Questions... The wall to the left of the refrigerator will house the HVAC vent/duct that leads to our master bedroom. Until demolition, it went up the center of the wall where the peninsula will now be. I was tempted to just close off that register since we have 2 in our bedroom and eliminate that wall but, my DH nixed that idea since 2 vents are hard pressed to cool our room in the summer (SW corner). The "TO" b/w the ovens & the pantry is actually "TF" for "Tall Filler" and it's 3-3/4" filler... My KD says I need it there...I'm going to question her about that tomorrow...I could use those extra 3" in the pantry! Raehelen & Lascatx, I'm going to ask the contractor tomorrow about turning the studs...If we could do that on 2 walls, I'll gain 2" or so in each direction. As to a cabinet pantry, Lascatx, my KD does want me to switch to a 36" pantry cabinet b/c she says it will hold so much more. She's right, but one of the functions of this pantry is an appliance garage. I plan to store all my small appliances, except my mixer, in the pantry on the narrower shelves and food on the longer ones. Also, w/a step-in pantry, I can have shelves to the ceiling (well, almost!). As to the upper cabinets...my KD didn't mention the upper cabinet, I'll check w/her tomorrow and if we do indeed have to reduce the upper cab, I'll have to think about reducing the right as well... +++++++++++ Now, the NEXT, and more serious problem IMO, is the vent hood... I have a VAH that requires an 8" outlet. However, it turns out the distance b/w the ceiling and the floor above is only 6"...which means there's no room for the outlet to go up and out the exterior wall. Even if we used a 7" x 10" outlet, it still wouldn't fit. I suggested sending it under the kitchen floor since it's over the unfinished portion of our basement, but the same problem exists b/w the LR & Kitchen wall...only 6". She did say we could lower the ceiling (she didn't even want to suggest it!), but I only have 8' ceilings and I don't want them any lower. She agreed it would not be a good idea. Even if we did find a way, it turns out the MBA's tub's waste pipe goes across the bay that the VAH would have to go through (b/c of the location of the cooktop). So, my KD is saying that our only option is a recirculating hood...which I don't want!!!!!! [I've been preaching to everyone else about recirculating:bad, external vent:good!] She insists that today's recirculating hoods are much better than they used to be. She called VAH today and they're investigating options in their line for her. They're supposed to call back tomorrow morning. When I told her I have not heard anything good about them, her response was, "are you reading that on your site? Tell them to call me!" [She was kidding about the "call me"] My DH is suggesting we go straight up through our master bedroom closet (which is also small...sheesh, everything is small in our house!) and through the roof. I'm hesitant since I don't think I want a vent hood going through the closet for aesthetic as well as functional reasons. Assuming he has his measurements right, it'll take about a square foot of space out of an already small closet, right where the clothes hang. I do have a standard electric cooktop, but I eventually want an induction cooktop... Will recirculating be OK? Can anyone think of any other options? Do you think my DH is right?

Sounds like things are heading in the right direction for your son. Things are tough for our young kids these days. I am sure that bankruptcy is not the path you would like for him to take but sometimes it is the best way. I hope each day gets better for him. It is great that you are there for him.. Maybe someday you two could take a drive and he could show you his work..

Thank you very much. It is nice to hear something positive in this nightmare of a build. We are having a fence put in next week but as far as privacy goes...the neighbors on our left are close to 100 years old and probably couldn't see us anyway. The neighbors on our right are a group from the Salvation Army and they are physically and mentally challenged senior citizens so needless to say, they don't get out much. I am being totally serious by the way. The house in the back is our very dear friend and her kiddies so we are totally fine with them watching us have fun. It might encourage them to come over and join us! We live far from our family and friends so we don't get many visitors. We are hoping they will start coming over now that we have the pool. I know, I know...be careful what you wish for!

Bigack, I am sorry you're having such a difficult time with your son right now. Addictions are hard whether it be alcohol or drugs or gambling. I feel the hardest thing for an recovering,addicted person to do is to stay away from the old haunts(alcoholics away from bars, Drug addicts away from the pusher)That is one of the hardest things. I have family members who all got into Meth and one is in prison now, one is running from the law, and one has just returned to prison because eventually he went back to his old haunts where the drugs were. I don't have any answers for you but the family meeting for Gamblers would be a good place to start. They help you understand the difference between "helping" and "enabling". I will pray for you and your family.