You can track a package all you want; it does not mean the actual recipient received it. Last year there was a lot of thefts of holiday packages that were left on doorsteps. Hub has one niece that I've sent things to; & I kick myself for sending what I did. It was a fairly expensive comforter set; my daughter changed her room; it was still in great shape; I was going to store it to use in the guest room. The niece got kicked out & needed stuff; so I sent a huge care package. The tracking receipt says it was delivered; she says she never got it & she wasn't interested in finding out what happened to my package. About a year before the package incident; this same niece visited us for 3 weeks with her child. She had begged us to visit for a few years; we finally had a house large enough that she could visit. I spent a lot of money between plane tickets & clothing for the baby. She was here 2 days & miserable; wanting to go home because she missed her new boyfriend. She made me regret bringing her here & when she left; was not appreciative of anything we did for her. We did not hear from her for close to a year. Giving a gift should come from your heart; we give because we want to; it makes me feel good when someone appreciates that gift. We usually pick someone in need to give to each Christmas (back when we could afford to).. One year hub & I gifted a brother & sister that is friends with my son. They left CA to move back to NJ & were feeling down that they were not going to be with family for the holiday; so we invited them over & had gifts for them. The smiles on their faces still warm my heart 6 years later. I've also bought a $700 car for another friend of my sons when hub was 1st diagnosed with cancer. I felt this hard working mom needed a break after losing her car to a freak accident. She was going to save her money & give the car back to me for my daughter. She seemed appreciative at 1st & actually stopped speaking to us (we've known her for a long time) when I could not lend her over $3,000 for her electric bill. I found out she did not take care of the car either & when she killed it; her parents helped her buy a newer car. I've had experience where some people really do not appreciate something nice done for them & it really kills me that I could have given my gift to someone who really needed it that would appreciate it. It does not make me a bad person to "want" a thank you; no matter if it's words; a hug; or even seeing something I've given being worn a lot such as the hoodies we bought the brother & sister.

you know I have a positive review! I don't have a problem with prints and I use Method (but I imagine any other granite cleaner would also be fine). Water also seems to be fine. We did not have it sealed, but I think the fabricator cleaned it or treated it before installation with something that really caused fingerprints for the first few days. After that substance was gone, we haven't had any problems. Actually, we DO have a problem if my DH wipes it with a very soapy cloth - then it looks streaky until it's wiped with water (or Method). I'm trying to be completely honest, so I will also say this - I wipe it down frequently because I loooooove how it looks when there are no crumbs, etc. And my kids make a lot of messes, so I have to clean all the time anyway. Maybe if you didn't wipe it very often, it would look yucky. But what wouldn't? The look is so quiet and simple and beautiful. I am so happy with it. And I love gardenweb for these kinds of questions!! No one in my real life wants to hear me talk about my granite any more! Or my cabinets! Or my pulls! I'm so TKO...

" just hoped she would be able to have a litter to ensure a friend for her." I really hope you are not serious. There are enough cats out there that need homesthat it is beyond crazy to hope that a cat actually has kittens so they can have a "friend". I had two pregnant cats that were either dumped near my house or found their way there. One was so thin I had no idea she was pregnant and she only had two kittens. After the kittens were weaned the mother wanted nothing to do with them. Another cat had five kittens (found homes for two, kept two and still trying to find a home for one and they are 9 months old now. Their mother didn't get along with ANY of them. In fact one day she just had enough and snapped and started attacking the kittens and I had to separate them. So just because they are related does not mean they will be friendly with each other. A litter of 9 kittens was dropped off at the shelter recently. If one cat can have 9 kittens that all survive and there are thousands of unspayed females out there - do the math. Way too many homeless animals.

Bump. The deadline passed so we can let this sink in the list now.