jrdip, I'd advise a rum and diet soda if you weren't pregnant. Since you are pregnant, drink that herbal tea and realize that $hit happen$ $ometime$ and some people we deal with are $hittier than others. OK...try to laugh. You KNOW it's true. That being said, look at the myriads of documents that you signed over your counters. Is there a clause that addresses the remedy in this situation if there is a delay on your job? If not, then try to negotiate a compensation. FWIW, next time, do not go to HD, go directly to the fabricator and do business. Do not sign your rights away in a situation like this ever again and make positive that you have a remedy in the contract for delay due to the fabricators fault or errors. This is how I did business for my granite with the same fabricator that HD uses here in north Florida. I ended up collecting on suggested remedies I hand wrote in my contract. I got free upgraded edging of my choice, free metal underplate on my 4'x8' island, and 10% reduction on overall cost of job. I collected THREE times due to my remedies in my contract. How? I let them give themselves PLENTY of time to do the job. I paid 50% up front. I wrote down suggestions for remedies. They chose the remedy. For delay to the job past 7 calendar days, 10% reduction on job cost = $800. Forgot to charge me for metal plate: got item for free because it was in the contract bid I submitted. Gave away one of my slabs for which they had already been paid: got free edging upgrades on all slabs. (I had a whole house, too. Kitchen, 5 baths, three other vanities and counters.) There are SO many things you are going to learn because of the delays. Think of it as a free course at H.K.U., my Alma Mater. This course should not cost you a dime, but certainly should cost HD's subs. I would talk to the manager or DISTRICT manager of HD to insist on some compensation. FWIW, right now, you and your baby's health is what is most important. This is just minor stuff that seems huge right now, but in the scheme of things,nothing that has happened is insurmountable. I would refute that credit charge and threaten HD. HD is the one that should be on the hot seat for charging you before you were smiling. This is flagrant abuse in this situation with everyone knowing that the job is not completed and wrong. I'd bark up HD's food chain for a reduction in price or make them seek compensation on your behalf with THEIR subcontractor. I'm still correcting a mess from my kitchen cabinet maker and it's almost three years into it. Search my name and the story should come up. I will never do business again with someone that cannot afford to be sued.

Actually, my holiday season is being changed to babysit my old home not quite ready to be on the market, turn on the oven/range and the portable electric heater (that one should not leave unattended) so that I can have enough warmth above 32 F that the hot water pipes won't freeze until a new water tank can be delivered on the 26th. Also driving 2 hours each way so I can make sure my chickens have liquid H2O ever so often. I'm okay in my new home today (after spending time down there with the plumbers much of the previous two days) and will go back down early Xmas to make sure said hot water pipes don't freeze up for when I really can get real heat back on, on the 26th. (Or, so I hope.) No running water, so I will bring something I can cook without needing water, in a disposable pan. I guess I thought being stuck at home shortly after surgery last year for the holiday season (yes, ALL the holidays) was bad enough. First world problems, I guess. I did bring part of this on myself, but not all of it.

Annie, yes, I have made those cookies. Does anyone remember Mr Food? He used to do little segments on TV.....and he gave out that recipe, calling them, The Best Cookie Ever. They really were great. It was in the mid '80's....when I was in my cookie baking prime. I collected cookie recipes and super good ones went in my permanent file. This was one of them. I lost those recipes in the flood. I had forgotten all about this cookie. I think I am going to make them again.

If it would work and appeal, we like this recipe from the Silver Palate. I’ve made it with leftover honey baked ham. Easy to reduce amounts to fit your needs. Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Serves 8-10 4 cups heavy or whipping cream (can also use part milk, all milk, or part milk/part half & half, etc.) 2 cloves garlic, slivered 1 tsp. dried thyme leaves 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. ground pepper 1 pound baked ham, sliced or chopped 2 pounds all-purpose potatoes, peeled (optional) and thinly sliced 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 2 T. chopped Italian parsley Preheat oven to 350. Butter a baking dish that's approximately 14 x 8. Combine cream, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper in suacepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until sauce has reduced by one third, 10-12 minutes. Layer half the ham slices in prepared baking dish. Then layer half the potatoes, followed by half the onion. Pour half reduce cream mixture over these layers. Repeat layering. Place the dish in center of a rimmed baking sheet (in case it bubbles over). Bake on center rack of oven until potatoes are tender and top is golden and bubbly, about 1 hour. Remove dish from oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with the parsley. Variations: ~Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over onion layers before adding the cream. ~Lay strips of red bell pepper between the first ham and potato layers. ~Sprinkle fresh dill over both onion layers. ~Place layer of thinly slivered green cabbage between the first ham and potato layers.