Oh it's good to have kindred spirits - I hope I'm still going in 16yrs. I used the new cart today after all. Works great but had to get used to the "flip button to this side to go forward", "flip button to other side to go backwards", then twist handle. I learned how to maneuver it eventually, but I think it would be much better if forward and reverse were on the accelerator and you just twisted it one way then the other. Love that you can pull a lever to raise it up to dump. I hauled a pile of nice sized logs with ease. Now if only I had an electric rake - lol. My Mom stopped by while I was working, when she was ready to leave I told her to jump in and I'd take her back up to the driveway. I don't know why she politely declined, she'll only be 85 next month. :)

You may or may not be able to keep the backsplash when replacing the counter. Depends on the counter material you choose and how thick it is or what they need to do to install it. Most backsplashes are installed after the countertop is in. A new backsplash may not be as difficult or costly as you think. You might look through the Finished Kitchen Blog, or Houzz for examples of what different colors of counters might look like in your space. Not the specific materials, per se, but the colors and overall effect. Then you might have a better idea of the colors you might go with (regardless of the actual material). That might help you narrow down your search once you go looking at the real thing. There are so many choices out there it can be hard to decide if you don't have a starting point. If you think you're going to keep using the crockpot, you should look into materials that aren't affected by heat. My experience has only been with tile and (now) granite counters, so I have no helpful advice about the durability of the other types of materials. Your kitchen looks very cozy and inviting. I'm sure you'll be able to find a beautiful material for your counters.

Thanks, everyone, for the supportive comments about the sofa! As beautiful as it is, I must admit to a bit of a guilt attack after I purchased it. I usually pace my furniture purchases out a bit (LOL for years and years I purchased nothing!). Squirrel, I live in New England. Western Massachusetts to be exact. For the most part nothing good ever gets listed on my local Craig's List--so this was a big exception. I have no problem driving an hour or two to see something, however, and have had better luck closer to Boston or NYC (Fairfield County CT has great stuff!). After years of scanning estate sale ads and the like I think I've developed a fairly keen sense of what's worth driving to look at and what isn't. Regarding the sexy XXL PJs and odor eating socks--well that did happen, but not exactly as I originally posted. I love big, roomy flannel PJs up here in New England and told that to DH years ago. I actually told him to buy me men's small or at the largest, medium flannel pajamas. I guess he thought that wasn't "romantic" enough, so thought an XXL was the female equivalent. Now, my DH is a reserved and somewhat shy guy, so would never buy anything sexy for me because he'd be too embarrassed at the store--I guess the "leopard" was as "hot" as he could handle. I have to wonder what the saleswoman must have thought . . . Regarding the odor eating socks--I don't think he even knew what he bought! He didn't say a word after I pulled them out of my stocking. Obviously I got a little paranoid about stinky feet after that, and actually asked him once if it was true! He had no idea what I was talking about! I didn't want to embarrass him so I never pursued it, LOL. Actually, he has given me some pricey jewelry over the years--but I'm just not into jewelry that much and it seemed that his naivite was always exploited by the overpriced mall jewelry salespeople so I hinted that I had enough jewelry and didn't need any more. He may not be classically romantic, but he's the best friend and father I could ask for (he spent the day scrubbing floors, shopping, and wrapping gifts to help me out for Christmas). Over the years I've learned that he really wants to give me everything I want, he just doesn't know how! And the older I get (I'm 48), there's not much I want that I can't get for myself or already have. Except, of course, for the gorgeous sofa I just found on Craig's List. Which is why he will be thrilled to learn that he bought me exactly what I wanted for Christmas! Happy Holidays to You All!

You might try calling the company! Few years ago, I bought my son a small pocket digital camera (Sony something or other). Couple of weeks after he got it, he had it in one of the pockets on his shorts. He took those off to go to bed and they ended up in the floor (it's a guy thing..lol),forgetting the camera was there. He got up the next morning and took a step and heard CRUNCH! He knew right off what it was. Sure enough, the LCD screen was cracked...camera still worked. Anyway, he called Sony and they told him where to send it. He did and they fixed it good as new and sent it back...NO CHARGE! He eventually got another camera..and I'm using the one he broke. It'd be worth a phone call to find out before you buy another one.