Thank you everyone for your suggestions. bnicebkind: I was all prepared to commute to the new school if he felt like he couldn't do it. But we visited the schools beforehand. We went on lengthy tours, saw our new house and made a fun day of it. Like your suggestied shaknzmom: I just asked them to keep an open mind and we would see what we can do. We had just a couple of moments where my now 13 year old was sad, but I just said to him "you can do this, I know you can. And it's going to be alright, I promise" Then we discussed the postitives of the move and I promised to let him stay connected with old friends on the weekend. And like you suggested socks: I tried not to get too hung up on the birthday thing. It actually worked out pretty well. We moved to our new home on a Friday and his birthday was that Monday. I drove them to our former town so he could go to school there for his last day. We celebrated his birthday as a family that night and had a bigger sleepover with old friends planned for the upcoming weekend. That gave him something to look forward to. But we developed another problem (a good one). By the end of the week, he had already made a really good friend that lives 3 houses down and wanted to invite him too! Anyway, he had a great birthday and all three of the kids have made great adjustments to their schools. (preschool, elementary, and middle). Both elementary schools - former and current have gone out of their way to help my middle son adjust. I only with they did more to help middle schoolers. I know that they could arrange some pen pal writing going on, or a few teachers could at least have e-mailed him to see how he is adjusting. And I think that his current teachers could make some contact with us to welcome us or reassure us of his transition. They just don't do that at this level, at least not the schools around here. I know what you mean shaknzmom about the coddling. I KNOW I have done too much of that with my oldest and my other children handle change much better that he does. And they get along with others better and problem solve easier. I guess it's back to how you learn everything on your first one and the other's benefit from your wisdom. For me it also has alot to do with guilt. It's like if we are not providing that perfect family setting where everything is right and predictable, I feel guilty. But you know, we have given up so much for our kids to have what they do and we do the best we can because we love them. I really need to let it go. Thank you for your kind words of support. I had posted at the kitchen table forum earlier because this forum just wasn't moving. They have some great people over there too.

Hey Scuzz....I'm with cluelessincolorado. You said your home is eclectic and the island is certainly large. Mix it up! Think about how you will use it; consider where you need what type of surface and use the existing tones to choose zones. Zinc or stainless would work well with the stainless/brushed nickel fittings- or- the kit could handle a little white- or - wood to warm it up. IF you do mix, use only two surfaces and make certain one is a solid (ie stainless & marble, white dekton & wood, the existing quartz color & zinc) Beautiful job, BTW. In both layout and decor, it's a room I'd love working and just spending time in.

Sure it is my age - born in 1943 and my parents built their first house in 1951/52. I have very distinct memories of "Mid- century" and they're not fond ones! Very kitchy. I'm just not into kitchy and chrome breakfast room sets and scalloped wood trim. But if others are, go for it! I have similar cabinets - my kitchen guy says they're RTA and were assembled on site and are often all locked together. If mine had given me more flexibility, I would not be getting new cabinets in 2 weeks! i have been able to keep my new kitchen costs down dramatically due to the two upgrades we've done over 32 years (late husband was a teacher - no money). We spent money an the Corian countertops when we first remodeled 31 1/2 yrs ago. We also added a wall of cabinets and moved the sink at that time and put in a big bay window over it. Fast forward 19 years, and we again painted the cabinets, new wallpaper, new sink and faucet, and hardwood floors. At that time, we redid lighting - lots of pot lights in ceiling, and good undercabinet lighting. Made a huge difference. Then a few years later, I got my big Vent a Hood to put over my huge 1948 O'Keefe and Merritt stove. Also got a gorgeous stainless counter depth refrigerator. Finally, I'm getting new cabinets! But I'm able to re-use all appliances, sink, countertops, faucet etc. I added one more pot light, removed the hideous soffits, and am relocating the refrig. When ones does ugrades in the right order, it saves when it's time for the big ticket item - the cabinets. BTW, I've had red oak floors in a kitchen and they were fine, even with 2 children, 1 big dog and 1 small one.

My GF's family loves Wysocki puzzles...I've been intrigued with puzzles that have a mystery to them and solving the puzzle gives you clues to solving the mystery in the accompanying story. I too tend to select based on the image as I'll be looking at it a long time. But most of the brands mentioned before are fine puzzles...ravensburger, springbok...I look for 100% interlocking as I don't like puzzle pieces that just rest on each other and need other pieces to lock them in place.