The ususal destressors, (wine, chocolate, coffee) I can't eat due to health reasons. I have bladder problems if I do. So yesterday it was a ton of almonds and dark chocolate m&ms. I guess the anti-inflammatory compounds in the almonds negated the chocolate, or maybe it was the anti-oxidants in the chocolate? Polished that off with TWO cans of root beer, which is the ONE soda I can drink. The other destressors include cheese and crackers, peanut butter and jelly, and yes, nachos of one sort or another. If I had more sweets around I would go to them, but since I don't, I have to make do with what I have, which is carbs! Tonight it may be two chocolate donuts on the way to class. I am so danged stressed! First it ruins my appetite, then I get ravenous for bad foods. I know I should fight it, but frankly I don't know if that's possible. Healthy foods usually appeal to me a lot, but not when I'm stressed.

You have to laugh. Crying is too damn boring and makes your eyes puffy so then in addition to money pit issues, you look fugly. Nope, only laughter to deal with panic from now on. And guys and gals, you really have to pay attention to what workers are doing. Today when I thought the laid tiles would be grouted, the upper cabinets went up. Ok. Not worried BUT THEN THE LOWER CABINETS WERE BEING PUT OUT. I'm like "excuse me, but what about grouting the tile under the cabinets." "Oh that's not necessary." WHAAATTTT. I was like, "oh I don't think so." So they removed the base cabinets which were just sitting there so not that big a deal and grouted ALL the tiles. HELLO!!!! Must remember to stay alert at all times (NOTE TO SELF.) In all honesty, I did say I wanted the job done as quickly as possible and as inexpensively as possible so they're trying to cut corners, I suppose, is to be expected. But not that corner! No photos today because white painted maple against white primer on walls on top of white-ish marble-ish floor tiles equals PAINFUL. I feel like I should be doing a WHITE EXPLOSION thread with katiee511!

fivefoot, where did you get your Belvedere? I don't think it was one of the options at MTexeria. At least I can't remember it right off. Your soapstone is beautiful. aricomama! I've been asking the kids as well, and even started resorting the little grandkids! I let them bang around on them, oil them and let them vote on which one they like! I feel desperate. It is very reassuring to see so many with barocca who have a great experience with it, I do think it is the prettiest out of the small samples I received. leela, what kind is yours? It's beautiful. holden.sk, sorry about your troubles. Nothing worse than having a bad gc in an already stressful remodeling event. Hope everything has turned around for you and things are going forward! (And this is supposed to be fun.....)

hmm..thats about 13-14 C- definitely a fireplace required to lift the gloom:) 24 C here today and a lovely day, pity its our token nice day for the week and the rest is supposed to be " partly cloudy" "windy and blustery" "showers/shower or two" which in practice seems to mean not much rain, but lots of wind to dry stuff out and break off canes grr. Good, its finally starting to warm up a bit...bad, its already starting to dry up out there..