Carlota-----How nice to hear from you----I'm Florence/zeffyrose from Pa----I understand about back problems----I've had three operations since 20001----two hip replacements and one back surgery---I'm unable to garden like I used to but I can still smell the roses--thank goodness--- Antique and rose forum are still pretty active but Conversations is not active like it used to be which is sad----we hardly hear from all the old regulars-- I check in every so often and I'm so glad I saw your post-- Sam hasn't been here for a while----but I'm in touch with her---She lost her precious DH Gary last August---It has been very painful for her--he was the love of her life-- She still has her horse and has added a goat to keep it company-- I'm so happy to see you posting again Keep in touch--- Florence

Hey there Prof! You have been missed! I haven't been on here in ages, but it sure is nice to check back in and see some folks that had been MIA. Really sorry to hear about Dee... we lost our diabetic cat this summer, so hard to say goodbye to our babies... You moved south- wowza- we're practically neighbors now! I'm just a bit north of Broadkill Beach, you'll have to come up for a glass of wine or two! Take good care and have a Happy Thanksgiving! Shore

I think at one point my DH had 23 computers, 6 monitors, and miles of cable and crap to hook them all together. Networking within our own house, I think. He also has a Galaxy Tab for e-books and says I need one, too. I guess I'm showing my age or something, because I still prefer pen and paper, a landline telephone ( I do have an old cellphone that I use though) and a good old fashioned book made out of paper. I'd rather talk on the phone or face to face than send a text message and if I ever work in an office again, it'll drive me crazy if I'm expected to send a email to someone who's five feet away ! So, about the pictures. I take terrible pictures of my garden, so until I learn to use my 3 years old camera better, I won't be rushing out to buy a computer that I can put pictures on here with, LOL! I'll just sit back and enjoy everybody elses. Thanks fellow gardeners =:)

I remember your posts! My suggestions for affordable utility costs would be: orient n/s as e/w windows allow a lot of heat gain of course there are excellent windows with solar heat gain coefficients (shgc) and u-factors of .3 and less. Also porches are an excellent option also. and provide that extra living space in the great outdoors. Tech Shield roof decking or open cell foam on roofline. Yes closed cell provides higher r-value but traps water unlike foam which allows it to move through the foam. Foam insulating the roofline also creates an unvented attic and mechanicals and ductwork perform better. 1"foam sheathing boards to exterior of walls with seams taped and holes sealed before cladding is installed this combimed with air tight drywall approach will make conventional insulation in the walls perform as rated. it is air movement through insulation that lowers the r-value. I run the numbers for these options for a living and foam in walls is a waste..if you can beat the heat/air infiltration ..fg batts will perform well, sheetrock should be taped between wall and ceiling even if moldings will be installed. seal all of these junctions..even in closets. You can always add fancy ceiling moldings later. (if you like that look!) One thing commonly missed is the sealing of the sole plates to the slab..there is a product called Sill Seal installed before sole plate is installed that is very inexpensive and works well..or a double bead of caulk between sole plate & slab. recessed lights ICAT insulation contact air tight,,,cost is minimal (maybe $15. per box of 6) but retrofit is $15 per recessed light for air tight insert..and a pita to install. Duct leakage..mastic seal at takeoffs at plenum (and all seams if hard ducting) and mastic seal at supply box to attic floor. Heat Pump for heating & cooling..don't buy minimum efficiency (13 SEER) opt for higher seer & variable speed my calcs show that 18 seer & above just are not worth the cost..and unless things have changed drasticaly in the past year..not worth the additional cost. Bath fans...always a bigger cut in sheetrock than actual fan housing size..this also should be sealed. efficiency is detail work...cheap materials, but well worth the time/effort/cost. Utility costs won't go down! best of luck and congrats on your newest build!