"If you are following the code then there is no reason that an inspector would argue with you ." There are numerous things the code does not cover explicitly (LVLs, I-joists, steel beams) that mist AHJs want to see a stamp for. "Nothing. No questions about the steel beams, I joists, giant LVLs, etc. Even after we starting making changes to correct engineering issues the inspector never asks to see the engineer's drawings. But they were totally stressed about the height of the railing on the second level (code calls for 36" and they wanted me to make it 42" even though code didn't require it, I said no)." I would put them in the incompetent category unless they are actually PEs and checked the work themselves (pretty rare). Many of the I-joist and LVL companies supply free stamped plans to encourage use of their products. A steel beam without at least a quick analysis is trouble waiting to happen.

Darn it, Rob, I forgot the potatoes! (grin) Actually, I've been putting that box together for a while and it was Cathy (mustangs) who gave me your address. I got the Cream Nut peanut butter and the Sanders topping, then I thought it needed maple syrup. So I got some and then I decided to add the salsa and then I had to wait for ripe habaneros to make the Habanero Gold and, well, I got busy and.....well.....it took a lot longer than I had envisioned, LOL. Arlene, I still have maple syrup for your DH too, my life has gone nuts lately, but I've got it, really I do. Robin, I'm glad I could provide a smile, so many here have done the same for me that it's good to be able to pay it forward a little bit. Hug that little guy for me. Annie

In the past I've taped a red velvet ribbon to an interior door, with the ribbon taped at the top and bottom of the door and the ribbon running down the middle of it. I would staple the cards (back part) to the ribbon. After the holidays, I would put them all in a box w/ the holiday decorations. Every once in a while I'd look through them, but usually they just accumulated. Finally I saw a news blurb that said St. Jude's was collecting them. I think that was 2009. So I finally went through all the cards from many years and sent off the ones I thought they'd take. I kept some of my favorites to someday use the front as a decoration or gift tag, as well as some of the photo cards. I didn't send 2010's cards to St. Jude's yet - they're sitting in a pile on my sewing cabinet! I just did a quick check on the St. Jude's site and they still have the recycled card program - and it says they also accept all-occasion cards too. (See the link) Here is a link that might be useful: St. Jude's Ranch - Recycled Card Program

Cool, I HAD to get them out.... I defend my dissertation Wed morning and this weekend, I have to make any and all corrections my committee wants. Still have some more hurdles before graduation but I am getting there!