Thank you so much for your kind and supportive words, everyone. It means so much to me. To address a few specific points: Moonkat99, the only time i feel embarrassed about all my naked spaces is when someone new comes by and asks if we've just moved in. :) Personally, i don't mind all the "blank canvass" areas because they give me something to aspire to. It's also kind of nice to have several places i can consider if i happen to find something i "must have." I just know you'll find the desk of your dreams eventually, or more to the point, the desk of your dreams will find you! Flyleft, those chairs are called the "Luxe" chairs from Hancock & Moore, and they're the new purchase that was saved for in 2007 & 2008. One of them has been returned because it arrived with a very noticeable defect on the arm. I'm sorry to say i've had to scratch and claw 'til my fingernails were bloody to get them to agree to replace the defective leather panel. Mind you, these two chairs were purchased this past June, and i've been jumping through hoop after hoop and negotiating excuses and delays ever since. Finally, i demanded they take both chairs back and issue a full refund. That seemed to do the trick. Hopefully, i'll get my properly repaired chair back within the next few weeks so that room can be enjoyed, albeit in it's current sparse state. Oceanna, you're absolutely right about the mockup, especially since i don't like to bring something home unless i know roughly where i'll put it and how it's likely to look. I fall easily in love with so many beautiful things, but as is the case with infatuations, falling in love with something (or someone!) doesn't mean you'll be able to live with it. Oofasis, what a wonderful list of treasures you've accumulated over time! Mine is not yet so impressive, but i intend to keep working on it. Thank you again, everyone, and happy bargain hunting!

Linda this is the package I got...it was the Todays Special and it was 399.00. I couldn't let it go this time! Release your creative side with the Cricut Expression and YourStory Craft Bundle. Make large die-cuts for classroom decor, scrapbook layouts, signs, banners and much more with the Cricut machine. Bind and laminate your albums, work reports or school projects with the YourStory machine. These 2 powerful systems give you the ultimate in versatility and make personalizing craft projects - large or small - fun and full of life. Cricut Expression Bundle Includes: Cricut Expression die-cutting machine - measures approx. 22"L x 9"W x 8"H Cutting mat - measures approx. 12"L x 12"W Cutting blade 2 full-content Cricut cartridges: "Walk in My Garden" and "Plantin SchoolBook" 3 Cricut solution cartridges "Indie Art", "Home Accents" and "Camp Out" 3 black Cricut color ink cartridges 2 brown Cricut color ink cartridges Yellow Cricut color ink cartridge Red Cricut color ink cartridge Green Cricut color ink cartridge Orange Cricut color ink cartridge Blue Cricut color ink cartridge Spatula tool Power adaptor Instructional DVD - "Getting to Know Your Cricut Machine" User's manual Registration information card Quick start guide YourStory Binding and Laminating Bundle Includes: YourStory binding and laminating machine - measures approx. 19-1/2"L x 7"W x 8-1/2"H Extra large cover - measures approx. 8-1/2"L x 11"W Large cover - measures approx. 8"L x 8 2 medium covers - measure approx. 7"L x 5"W each 4 small covers - measure approx. 6"L x 4-1/2"W each 6 laminating pouches - measure approx. 9"L x 11-1/2"W each 12 papers - measure approx. 8"L x 8"W each 3 sheets of stickers - measure approx. 8"L x 8"W each Cricut Machine Features: Exciting way to cut letters, shapes and phrases in impressive sizes - up to 12"L x 12"W Multi-cut function - easily cut a wide range of materials including vellum, cardstock, poster board and vinyl; cuts up to 4 times over original cut lines Flip function - easily create a flipped or mirrored image cut of the shape you choose Line-return function - create line breaks between each cut for accurate spacing Center-point function - cuts shapes and centers them on a designated point; use on photographs or patterned paper in the landscape mode Fit-to-length and fit-to-page functions - easily set the size of the length of a designated cut; maximizes the size of the shapes on each page Auto-Fill mode - fills page with as many of the characters selected on the display as will fit on the page Quantity mode - lets you choose the number of cuts you want of those selected on the display Paper-saver mode - automatically arranges selections to take up the least amount of space possible on your paper Shadow option - creates a proportionately larger shadow image of each shape you select Mix and match - use a variety of creative features in the same cut; take advantage of the entire library of existing Cricut cartridges Spatula - allows you to remove finely cut images from cutting mat Colorful markers - substitute for cutting blade to draw designs instead of cutting them LCD screen - shows exactly what you're typing Variety of sizes - cut portrait or landscape Easy to use - no computer necessary 4 languages: English, French, Spanish and German; includes metric options YourStory Machine Features: Large, 12"L x 12"W capacity for binding and laminating Great for unique gifts, memory books and a host of paper crafting projects Personalize books, albums and journals Clean binding system Laminate your own photos and important documents (insurance cards, certificates, licenses and reports) Make your albums, presentations and reports look their very best Additional Information: UL and ETL listed Made in China Comes with a manufacturer's 90-day limited warranty Note: The Cricut machine can cut up to a 12"L x 24"W image if used with the 12"L x 24"W cutting mat and with 12"L x 24"W paper (sold separately).

Re using names. I think you might want to use family/given names for close relations eg Grandpa Smith or Aunt Agnes as they will again anchor the information. As some of the stories might involve members of the wider community you might have to be a bit more careful with 'real' names' especially with such things as "Old Moses Brown, drunk as usual, fell off his horse into the duck pond thus disturbing the amorous goings on between Cousin Mildred and the farm-hand in a near-by hay stack " especially if the Browns are now pillars of the community who took the pledge 75 years ago and Mildred became a nun . . . but on the other hand . . . these tales when true do give colour to a community's way of life back then. Sheri's mention of a 'family tree' is good, thinking back to the times when I've read a 'family saga' and have to keep referring back to the tree to remind myself who-is-who!

D E, you are really close, but from your example I am not certain you are totally there as cost is part of the consideration. cost effective would be getting the r60 roof. I can save money by going down to r38 but that was not effective because I didn't achieve my stated goal. That depends on the marginal utility of the r60 roof over an r38 roof, which is something that I can't answer for you. It is less about stated goals than maximizing utility, and utility is a bit individualistic. So for example, if you would prefer an r60 roof, but find that it will only add about 20% more utility to your life than an r38 roof at a cost of 80% more money then it is not cost effective (utility being some combination of comfort and discounted cooling costs). Thinking about this example in reverse is better. If you only want and need an r38 roof, any marginal cost to get you to an r60 roof is wasted regardless of how great a deal it is. ----- Looking at what I do from a resale perspective. Let me clarify my meaning of going through the design a few square feet at a time and asking is there any way to increase profit out of that square footage. What I really do is set a target price point, and ask is that square footage (or design element) helping me get to that price point? If the answer is no, then I ask if it can be eliminated? I don't care whether it cost me $20 or $500, if it isn't helping me get to my price point, it is wasted regardless of how much it costs. Obviously, you start at the most expensive stuff, and that is where the efficiency really comes in. Converting this from resale to living, I ask how will I use that square footage? If the answer is anything similar to I wouldn't, then I see if it can be eliminated. This can be used for square footage, rooms, r value, HVAC, etc.