WC8- Thanks for the welcome! Since I was coming in late, i figured I'd try and fit something for each of the thread topics in, to get caught up, and it all started with a phal...I've already gotten some great ideas on how to change my setups (from the on-topic forum), can't wait to try. I love hanging out with the kids at school, it's so interesting to watch the little wheels turning in their heads and see what they'll come up with next. Logic in motion! Computers and I don't really get along, I'm a pharmacist, working in long term care. I make sure everybody's meds are playing well with others and that the Rules (big book o' stuff here) are being followed. My IT Dept probably has me on the list of serial computer abusers, they're always having to bail me out of some electronic disaster while in the field. Ah, the fun of politics. I wind up staring, fascinated, by the talking heads, usually while shaking my own. But, I keep listening, at least with half an ear. We've been listening to Nim's island in the car on the way home, has anybody seen it, would lit be good for a 6 yr old? Speaking of cars, time to spring the kiddo, thanks again for the welcome, looking forward to lots of topics. Liz

Thanks guys! Sorry about my late reply. We had my five nieces and nephews over the past couple of days! I've been a bit busy! You guys have been very helpful! I'm meeting with our architect Monday to ask him specific questions re: site finished vs. engineered. We are in New Orleans and for that reason a lot of people do end up with engineered b/c of its stability with the humidity we have here. That said, I was at my local flooring place again today throwing down sample boards. Before going, I'd narrowed it down to reclaimed heart pine, brazillian walnut, wide plank oak or stained hickory. Today, I kept going back to the reclaimed heart pine in amber. It's gorgeous. I'm not sure I mind dings since it's expected with heart pine. And from what I've read heart pine is a little harder than regular pine? I also liked another floor from the same local manufacturer (Crescent Hardwood), their Brazilian Walnut (Ipe). It was pretty also but not as pretty as the Reclaimed Pine. pps7... I'm glad you chimed in because I had asked you (in the midst of someone else's thread) what floors you had put in b/c they're lovely! How did they install your appliances, etc w/o damaging the floors though? The refrigerator tale from nanny2a above scares me! newfiewoofie - I looked at the Carlisle website and the floors look really nice! But there's nowhere remotely close to here to see them in person or to get them. sandyponder - your place is so colorful and fun! Your floors are very pretty! Thank you for posting your experience with your finish. I've taken note of it as well. Beekeeperswife - I missed the xingxing drama! It's been poofed! Ha! musicteacher - I did look at a third choice floor, Mannington Marrakech Moroccan Hickory in the 5" width. It was nice also. And to everyone else that responded, thank you so much! I took notes and suggestions to save and look at! More feedback is welcome too. You guys are great!

Lukkiirish, we have the Freedom Harness and love it. We had issues with other harnesses, including fur getting rubbed off, but the Freedom harness solved those problems. It's on sale right now at Pet Expertise since they are moving. Freedom Harness. These are our favorite collars: Mes Amis Collars. My daughter shows our dogs, so we needed something that was strong, soft, and wouldn't damage the fur. As for shedding... turns out that bathing and blow drying your dog regularly really helps. We don't use the Furminator because it damages the coat, so if you use it, be aware that this could be an issue, if that is a concern. This dryer really cuts down on drying time yet won't blow a fuse. And while it isn't cheap, this type is said to last 20+ years. Kool Dryer (Check Ebay for a seller who does a "best offer" type sale for a better price.) We got a puppy about 2 months ago, and I will say that good ol' Kongs have been saving the day. I fill a few with my puppy's food on the bottom, put some soft filling like pumpkin or yogurt in the middle, and a dab of PB on top, then freeze... and he keeps himself entertained for an hour or more. And just for fun, here's a picture of my two dogs. The puppy is my older dog's nephew, so I call this photo, "Say Uncle!"

I just wanted to post back with an update because we finally finished the project yesterday (except for a tiny detail up on the landing to address) and we LOVE how it came out. Everyone we talked to said we should be using paint and that stain wouldn't look good. Part of that is because we initially boxed ourselves in on what could be done with the landing. But on the steps themselves, some folks on the various forums, our GC, people at the hardware store all sorta frowned on gel stain and said we wouldn't be able to achieve what we wanted. I'm happy we tried anyway. I don't consider myself handy and usually don't do my own work, but I spent a couple hundred bucks in supplies and just dove in. Watching a lot of youtube videos, then getting to work sanding (and sanding and sanding and vacuuming and vacuuming and vacuuming), stripping paint, pulling staples, filling holes and YES, staining. I think the pics below speak for themselves. Is the job perfect, NO it is isn't. Does it look better than if we just gave up and painted, YES i really think it does. We didn't even need to go the carpet runner route because the stairs really came out looking so much better than expected. We were even able to go right over our railings with the same stain to better match the colors. Thought I'd leave some pics here for anyone else brave enough to give it a try! EDIT: Updated this post because i forgot about a lot of the parameters we artificially put in place for ourselves in the beginning of this project and that definitely influenced what everyone was recommending. I'll get into the whole landing aspect in a couple days as soon as we finish that up!