It's not that I *like* any particular engine, my point was simply that no engine manufacturer should warranty an "engine failure" unless it was a real failure. Warranties only cover defects in materials and workmanship, and are not a "get out of jail free card" that covers anything and everything just because a product is still in the warranty period. I have people ask me to cover "failures" all the time. Engines run low on oil, with the wrong type of oil, engines run out of level for hours at a time, engines run in dirty environments resulting in the shrouding becoming completely clogged with debris cutting off airflow, etc. etc. Warranties need to be thought of as a contract between the consumer and the manufacturer. Each party in the agreement has a set of responsibilities to live up to or the whole thing goes out the window. The manufacturer DOES need to cover failures that have resulted from defects in materials and/or workmanship. But the end-user also DOES need to read, understand, and expect to abide by the conditions, exclusions, and limitations contained in the manual. The conditions, exclusions, and limitations HAVE TO be in there....or everyone would expect everything under the sun to be covered. Most "warranty issues" aren't warranty issues at all. Misuse, neglect, improper maintenance, etc. are most often the causes. When recommendations from the manufacturer, (recommendations for use and maintenance, etc.), are adhered to, the "issues" suddenly go away. Ask the average consumer WHAT their warranty covers and doesn't cover, and you'll get a blank stare.....despite the manufacturer having included several pages of detailed information about the subject with it. It may sound a bit harsh, but that's the way it is. ;-)

ACK!! I'd be p*ssed about the hydrangea. Oakleafs aren't quick growers like other types of hydrangea, so while eventually she'll fill in and the shape will even itself out, it might take a couple seasons. Similar thing happened to me a couple falls ago - a gust of wind sent my wheelbarrow flying into a winterberry holly, cracked off a huge piece of one side. Thankfully the damage wasn't that noticeable after the foliage filled in the following spring (although, of course, *I* knew it was lopsided and it bugged me...), and now you'd never even know it, I swear it's fuller than ever - that's the effect pruning can have, whether said pruning is intentional or not. Perhaps next season you should move the grill out of the path of the wind, or chain the legs to something that isn't going anywhere.

I don't see/smell any trace that OP is the other woman in her relationship with her father. I feel sorry for the father who lost so much joy with the family due to his insecure, control freak new wife. "Does your husband and his mother go to lunch and other leisure activities without including you? Would it be okay if they did?" - Why is it not OK? This question is beyond silly. In our family, we always have alone time with our parents and children. I still remember the wonderful time and conversation with my own father even it has been 40-50 years. HD was his mother's favorite, they always had private time together when we were on vacation visiting her. We also have great memory spending alone time with our own children in various countries and cities. southernsummer, do your own biological children spend alone time with you or your husband? If they do, does it make them the "other woman or man"? May be because I am the type of person who does not always remember my own birthday, I fail to see the big deal of spending time with your husband exact on your birthday, especially the daughter does not live with the father, and you live with him every single day of the year. Why cannot you find another day to celebrate? In your other posts it seems you have problem over Christmas gifts from your husband to his children. Again, I fail to understand the issues. In our own family we don't see children until Christmas break due to all of us have busy careers. We are so appreciative that they spend vacation and airfares, expenses coming home to see us ( they could well afford traveling to anywhere in the world if they want to). As always, we give high dollar gifts to indirectly compensate the expense they incur. If the once a year gifts impact your financial future, you need to have a serious discussion with your husband, otherwise, why interfere? Relationship between each parent and child is unique, it does not need to be according to others wishes/rules.

You were two weeks away from listing the house for sale. You weren't planning to remodel then, so don't do it now. Just fix what's broke and move on.