'bug I do remember that candle scene in the English Patient, very much so. Anthony Minghella passed away too young (54) a few weeks back. Overheard conversation in an upscale nursery yesterday: "Do you have any candles that won't melt in the sun?" The expression on the salesperson's face could best be described as stupefied. She quickly recovered tho and suggested surrounding them in ice chips. Another, less famous, Hollywood screenwriter passed away this week. My brother notified me by email having read the NYT obit, a screenwriter named Abby Mann who wrote Judgment at Nuremberg. I worked for Mr. Mann for about a year, get this, taking screenplay dictation by shorthand in his home off Sunset Blvd. One girl would go in for dictation then leave to type up those notes while another girl cycled in to take dictation, etc. Sometimes there were 3 of us, all of us paid by the studio as part of project development. It was one of my more bizarre jobs, to say the least. Maybe now I can write that expose (kidding!!) He was good friends with Tony Bennett, so my one celebrity encounter was over the phone with Mr. Bennett, about five words. More on the movie front. The Nat'l Geo special on the ports had a preview screening to LA Harbor employees and, sad to say, most of Marty's footage ended up on the cutting room floor. I didn't attend but am told he is seen briefly, barking "Shanghai!" into a radio. It's supposed to air April 6 here so check your local listings if interested. (I was also told it's kinda bo-ring.) Good to hear your mom has been released, Michelle. The revival of your shed thread has been very enjoyable. Any special plans for it this year? There's a book coming out in April, I think called "Shed Style" which might be right up your alley. The pickling really "cools" off the orangey tones in the pine. I'm getting very Scandinavian vibes already. The stencil looks complicated, but I have no doubt Chelone's up to the task. Earlier in the week I dug into the cedar chest filled with fabric remnants, some over 20 years old, pulled out a few, grabbed a beloved shirt, pants, linen vest (probably 15 yrs old!) and took the lot to Nina, my fairy godmother seamstress. She made the first pair of pants for me about a half year ago, when there was nothing to be found in shops except those hig huggers, even for business wear, so I brought an old pair of pants I liked to her, the high-waisted, pleated, baggy kind, with some fabric I'd saved. She sews from the samples you bring, without dismantling the sample. Not that I'm boycotting Chinese seamstresses but enough with the hip huggers already and clothes that fall apart after a couple months of use. Cynthia, you're a good shill for Land's End, lol. I do need some tank tops. Thurs' job started at 7 a.m. at a doc's office, so I found myself alone in a dark, quiet office bldg. Can't use stairs due to amount of stuff I carry, which today also includes a speaker phone in a box. Punch 4th fl on elevator, doors close...and nothing happens. Hit all buttons. Nothing happens. Very hot and stuffy. Hit alarm button. Still nothing. Become flooded with regret over leaving cell phone in car. Just about to hit the red/fire dept button when doors soundlessly open on 3rd floor. Woman enters and sees my face, laughs and says yeah, these elevators are silent and slow. I mention this all later to an atty, who tells me he has no problems with claustrophobia but don't ever get him near the edge of a tall bldg because he will jump. I tell him this happens to me too on the middle of the Golden Gate Bridge, which may not be entirely true but I didn't want him to feel alone in his phobia confession. That's problably enough rambling about nothing much from me. I'm going to make like Bella and find a place to lounge with stuff to read. Temps have cooled into high 60s/70s, which is perfect. Rain possibly on Wed, so they say, but won't be much. Weekend greetings to all, and PM, take a nap!

Peggy and Lisa, I just re-sent the information to you by e-mail and through GardenWeb. I have no idea why the first mailing didn't reach you. Please let me know when you receive it. If you can mail Tuesday or Wednesday it will be fine. I have surprised myself by working with so many of the arrivals up to this point that I'm hoping I am a little of ahead of where I supposed my schedule might be now. I'm sorry people are having trouble getting the message. Please check your spam folder in case it might be there. I have not gotten the e-mail or GardenWeb information from either of you that you hadn't received my address and the rest of the information so it's not being kind to us. Meanwhile, what great seeds everyone is sending! Many of you have made it very easy for me to distribute the seeds by sending a list or otherwise labeling themes. Thanks so much. All of you are the best! Jeanne

AZ-now I get where you're coming from. My nephew did lumber stacking (or something) for HD for a short time and it near drove him nuts. My son works at Barnes and Noble and has similar issues. We are buying frameless cabs from HD because we like the workmanship and versatility, but we aren't using their labor. We can do most of the work ourselves except for expert stuff like new wiring, maybe some plumbing, and, of course, the counters, whatever they turn out to be. Undecided on that front. That work will all be from local shops. When we were first there and the KD started with all the "specials" that ran out "soon," my husband was confused by the segue until I told him the guy was telling us about their "blue light specials." Oops, missed out on that month's deals, but guess what?! there were more deals the next month. Careful planning trumps transient specials, which is where this thread began.

Is that your only bathroom? People do it. Maybe it's more important your co-worker knows what's involved in being a GC than knowing you? I don't know. When I started I knew nothing and had no experience, so I knew no way. Having gone through two bathrooms, if I had the time I might consider it but I'd spend so much time doing research I'd probably never complete it. Are you moving pipes? If not, you might be better off with a skilled, insured expensive handy man who would relish your input. Someone who loves to learn but is so swamped with work, they'd be glad to have you figure out the best grout, water proofing system, exhaust fan requiremens, etc. Those types do it all themselves so you'd only have to find the one right fit instead of asking the GC what type of grout his tile guy uses as that usually ticks them off and sets up red flag for them that you're going to be a PITA. Maybe that would be a better fit if your primary concern is that it's done with best practices? Maybe being your own GC is the best fit if you have enough experience to pull it off and your focus is best practices, exquisite craftsmanship and your budget allows for that?