Thaks everyone for your concern. We went back and forth about leaving since the fire was only 2 miles away. We decided to stay. We made it through the night ok. The fire is 20% contained, 5% more then last night. They are working 24 hr shifts. At the least the weather has improved for fire fighting. We have fog and mist and it is completely calm, no wind. Last night at 10PM the wind picked up again and we were a little worried, but decided to chance it and stay. It will take them all weekend to put it out. We will have to keep a watch on it because it could change direction and spread at any time. I hope the winds are gone for good and it stays calm. It won't be safe up here until it is completely put out. This is as close as I ever want to get to a wild fire! Clare

Les, if this is a treatment for people who actually have no lashes, this is a great thing. The pharmaceutical companies are not marketing it as such, though, but for purely cosmetic reasons. I would never begrudge anyone who has a legitimate medical issue their medicines. I was just poking fun in a harmless way (at myself, who has sparse lashes). It's still mascara for me though, as opposed to this medicine.

Thanks for all your advice - I think Brickeye did talk me into this as well The ceiling is nearly done - I had to teach the crew about RC - but all were willing - I think they think I'm a little crazy I did Roxul btwn joists - RC channel w/acoustic padded tape (green) - I 'll have them do some chalking too Now I have another dilema - Fireplace - pics inside prior mantle was UGLY veenered -icky - framing was huge I'll try to explain - it's difficult working in the abstract but I'll do my best If you look at pics as ref 1. The top framing which projects out - 3 3/4" from wall right on top brick of is 72 1/8" from begin of left project to end right projection 2 sets of 2x4 framing on either side of firebox from outside of one to outside of other it's 48 1/2" oddly the spacing between vertical 2x4 is different on ea side Left side (looking at firebox) is 9" btwn , Right side is 8 1/4 btwn -"first" set of 2x4's spaced 56 1/2" apart I have a salvaged mantle is 57" top of mantle - outside leg to outside of leg measures 56 1/2 - legs are 5 3/4" wide - top of mantle down to opening is 12" ** That mantle could actually meet the first set of 2x4's but certainly not the 2nd - there is a 15" difference btwn the overall frame & her mantle. which may not be centered ** Even the flooring would be effected by tearing this out there is a 2x4 horizontal at bottom on floor joining those verticle 2x's together Don't know if this is making sense but trying to come up w/a solution to best suit the needs here - I have the feeling it's really not the mantle that is the problem - as i think even i purchased the Rings End mantle that would have had similiar issues - I just think dimensionally a stock Mantle will not work & even if I did the custom route (would rather not $$$$$) - it would be too large in the living room which is 12'x 23' It is how to creatively attach this mantle - do as little demo as possible - keep the existing framing - even if you cut that framing back I don't think you can get it flush to the wall. here's what I've come up with 1st preference - shave the framing back to the wall and plaster from return of mantle over the old framing 2nd - dry wall/soffit vertical the framing that is not needed roughly 8" on either side not sure I'd love the look 3rd small nook type built in cubbies for nice chotchka any Thoughts THANKS eileen Here is a link that might be useful:

yes exactly, right on target AnneCecilia. my email blocks spam well, and i never got any messages at old garden web that made me uncomfortable or anything bad. this is the one thing i dislike most about the change. that and the WHITE!!!! beyond whatever personal preference i might have, it does not facilitate the types of interactions we have...where it is usual to just interact with a stranger briefly, quickly trade some seeds, and then maybe never talk with them again. sure we had friends and some people we repeat traded with, but some good exchanges happened between strangers, without any sense of obligating oneself to more interaction than that. maybe that sounds cold or something, but in the context it worked out well...and i think that even once this settles down...there will be a lot less trading unless that is made possible by being able to email people "cold"...and have a place for that kind of interaction. whim all means we need to be able to email people without following them, otherwise there will be a whole lot less trading.