Thanks for satisfying my curiosity ...'love that site in your piece of eden! I love the white of my BB, tho the very slightest hint of blue to give the impression of even brighter white would be most welcome! Can't wait for the '10 photo - a virtual walk in your serene oasis!!! I read your response to Ostrich ... I agree no more bets!!! (what were you thinking, putting you bottom penny on Barnie M'ox ... just kidding)! Gardening is more rewarding & we need your expertise ... heaven forbid you'd bet off ,posting in this forum - poor we, won't have a thing to drool over!!! My hubby couldn't understand my obsession over 'bluefying' my Hs ... he calls me 'glut for pains' ... told him it's more the fascination for teasing nature with coffee ground & drinks & the excitement in finding the slightest, noticeable conversion on last season's corals & pinks! I have enough blues & deep purples (perennials of course) that I had to explain to walkers-by that I'm a grandfather member of "When I'm an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple" ... you guys are too young to know about this!!! LOL

Mystery! is my favorite, but isn't on as regularly as it used to be-alas. I also like NCIS, the original Law and Order (even with all the cast changes-really like the new Prosecutor), and Law and Order Criminal Intent. I like The Closer, but can never remember when it's on and there are a lot of 10 pm shows I would probably like, but I go to bed early (school starts early, don'tchaknow). House Hunters and HH International are fun, too. We actually know some people who were on House Hunters. Such a disappointment-they had already bought their house and the other two houses were just filmed for the show. Not sure if they are all like that, but this one was not entirely honest. Too bad.

you need a "traditional" backup fuel for any kind of solid fuel heating. Solid fuel heating is considered a supplementary heat source (even if it's pretty much all you use) and a heat source that requires no attention is the primary heat source. Most homeowners' policies require something other than solid fuel heat to be present and be considered primary heat. Additionally, if you are away from home for an extended period, you will want to have a 100% maintenance free backup. Often, these two fuel sources can be combined in the same unit - most on the market today offer that ability. Thus there is no need to have two furnaces or boilers sitting beside each other and the associated costs that would create. With anthracite coal heat, the initial investment is usually far less and the payback much faster than most other "alternative" energy options. Anthracite coal heat is not for everyone, but, with the modern appliances on the market and the significant cost savings, it's an option that's worth looking into.

Welcome to the club and like everyone has said, don't lose heart. I'm in the same boat and there are days where I wonder why I bought this old house with decades of problems. Then I go outside and look at it from my meadow and something just clicks, and I smile. I have a colonial 1911 house with a 1930's addition. The original house was built very, very well. The addition, not so well. It is where my little galley kitchen is, my laundry room, and a small mud room is located - all used everyday. I just had it gutted and I can't tell you what an amazing adverture it has been. I've resigned myself to doing laundry at my brother's house for the next month, cooking off a hotplate in the dining room, and using the main entrance instead of the mudroom entrance. Luckily for me, the workers who are gutting it are taking the time to show me the progression of work and re-work through the years that was done to that addition...old paneling ripped out to reveal beautiful old wallpaper, and older wall paper behind that; a time capsule of old newspapers from the 1930's that are in mint condition that someone stuffed in the walls; a pile of coal near the fireplace that indicated at some point, there was a chute to the basement and coal was burned for fuel, etc. They are just as giddy with excitement of finding the next "clue" to how the room was used over the last 80 years as I am. Not everyone can do this. It takes alot of patience, and I wouldn't advise having people over that don't get it while you are doing big projects such as what I'm doing, unless you can deal with being met by sour faces that say "You must be crazy, this is a mess!". And there are days (since I'm taking this slow and as money allows), that I look into my ripped up, gutted addition and cringe at how much work it will take to do it right, to bring it back to a functional, but period-correct room again. Lots of money. But, luckily I'm working with craftsmen that do this on the side and agree to work slow as money allows. Then I see all the wires that were buried in the wall (as well as a cast iron (working) radiator and think "thank God I have unvielded these potential catastrophes." So, we all go through the range of emotions from shock to fear to "how am I going to pay for this?!" to "wow, this is mine and it is great." It is an emotional rollercoaster. But, when it all comes together, you will treasure - beyond your wildest dreams - how you preserved a piece of history and it is yours to add to its legendary testament of time. Best wishes for you! We are always here to listen! :)