No, I am not a high maintenance person. People negotiate for more salary and vacation time all the time. My old boss practically insisted I do it! I pretty much thought that was the norm for all professional type jobs. Anyway, I was only asking for a total of 3 additional days of vacation. I did ask but they said no. I said well it was worth a try at least! Anyway I did pass all the background, drug, physical, etc. and got the final offer letter and will start on Monday. I have never had a job where I was required to have a physical, especially in a professional office job. I could understand if I was going to be lifting things, etc. I just feel like it's an invasion of privacy for them to be inquiring about my physical health. I really feel sorry for the people that actually DO have health issues. How are they supposed to get jobs if these companies are now going to weed them out because having diabetes or something is "too high maintenance"!! I didn't necessarily agree with everything in the Obamacare thing, but I DO agree with not punishing people for having pre-existing conditions.

I'm so happy for you both, Kat! It does seem our world dings the shyer and quieter among us, doesn't it? I have two shy kids and the other one has a much easier time with job interviews, etc. Getting the first job under his belt gave Ryan a good stepping stone, along with the experience of dealing with people. If I have to interview for another job one day, I'm going to have a verrrrrry hard time. I'll bet the Seattle job was a foregone conclusion and that they already had someone else nearly hired (inside the company,) before Ryan even went into the room. Sounds like they were just going through the motions and that was maybe why they couldn't look him in the eye. We had to pay dd's Cobra for a year (before the age limit was raised,) and that was also a lot of money--I feel your pain on that one.

Talia -- I'm so glad you decided against the firm! I didn't want to offer an opinion before as I have no experience with a kitchen reno in your budget. Mine was a relatively modest $20k - no structural work but I replaced every single thing. The one thing we do have in common though is that I didn't have time to manage my project either -- but I didn't have a choice, having a "more than full time" job/career. Yet when I fantasized about having a GC, I realized, "who am I kidding? I'm gonna be all over this no matter who is in charge! It's my home!" I did luck out though, finding the best licensed, insured, experienced carpenter, contractor -- George -- I could have found through asking around a LOT. Amazing, really. As the "GC" I hired the electrician, plumber and floor tile guy, (all referrals) but not without consulting George, my carpenter first who had a ton of experience and knowledge of other trades who checked their costs first for me, helped me tweak and negotiate, etc. George helped me with my lighting plan, a rather extensive one, for me and then he came here with me and "supervised" to make sure it was done right and according to plan. When I couldn't get out of a work meeting and get home for my granite install, George jumped in and then fielded a major problem with the island -- cut wrong size -- fabricator error. He called the fab and quickly resolved the problem and a new island top was put in the following week. And George? He removed and demo'd old cabs, installed the new ones and moldings and trim, cleared all trash and did cleanup, made me a second pantry with new door and shelves, put in new sink and faucet, new range and micro, new dishwasher and fridge, moved a misplaced chandelier (my fault) and patched/painted ceiling hole, kicked out the sloppy painter and found me a new one, patched kitchen floor after I decided to move a radiator a month after floor had been done, added new saddles... and I'm sure I missed a few things... which came to about $2,500. I gave him an additional $500.00 which he finally did take... not just for his extra supervision of others (that he throughly enjoyed doing and did so well with a very gentle touch) and jumping over here when I needed him and answering my 1,000+ questions about everything, but for caring about this job as if it were his own home. (I also gave him a like-new circular saw that I used only once some months ago and have been too scared to use again.) I also gave him 2 referrals that have turned into good jobs for him. Really, I feel like I owe him so much more! I think there are some real GEMS out there at reasonable cost that just need to be found. Of course with your budget and plans, you need more than a lone super-dedicated carpenter, but I'm hoping you'll find a firm or KD or GC or all three that will be your "George!" Note to Lovestocook -- I found 2 great Mauviel pieces at Home Goods! More great gems at...

Saturday I am going to see my brother & SIL for a BBQ. Haven't seen them in 13 years so I am excited. They live 2 hours from me so I am spending the night there. Sunday I am driving to Elgin (hour and a half) and getting a hotel room. Hoping to see my love too...lol Monday morning I am driving to Elmhurst (30 minutes) for my first interview at 8:30. Then I will drive back to Elgin for my second interview at 11:15. Then I am driving home and stopping by to see DH to update him. THEN go home and collapse!!! . SamKaren your resident DJ