gschick, that's a fun link. Thanks! I am looking a lot at before/after painted pieces for inspiration. My garage is now half full of tables, nightstands and desks, etc., most under $20, all needing some love before we head south. This will be interesting since I have been more into wood refinishing in the past, but Florida seems to cry out for clean bright light colors. When I see a redone yellow or coral or turquoise or robin's egg piece, I think they are wonderful. I'll have to get over being timid and shake off the painting-wood-is-sacrilige mentality. I have time to think and pick colors, as we won't move for a year or two. The garage shop is shut down anyways for a couple months until spring. Way too cold out there to paint or finish anything!

Thanks all. This is not a water heater. This is a boiler that heats the house and gives us hot water. This is not a cheap installation. Unfortunately, we will NOT be getting any savings in energy. What was there was a 90% plus efficiency system. We got all the quotes we needed. We are going with a system just below 10K. the bids were coming in up to 20K using the best German boiler, Viessman. I think that is a bit steep for us and an overkill in the city that rarely sees a freeze. We made our selection. Handing over the keys and are going on our planned winter vacation. Hopefully when we get back, everything will work... I am counting my blessing that this type of thing does not put me over the financial edge. I am really lucky to have a good job and be able to pay for the luxuries of life when so many people cannot. Happy new year to all.

We're pretty sure it was the little twerp (about 9 years old) who lives diagonnally behind us. I had told him previously to stop cutting through my yard and climbing the fence to go from our street to his. We didn't realize that the first time happened there--we THOUGHT the first incident occurred at the new house. Until the second one which HAD to have happened back at the old house. After that, we installed a driveway alarm and it did catch the twerp cutting through a couple of times. We obviously can't prove he was the one who did it but we're about convinced. No, not in the garage, but we live over 30 miles away, so hopefully.... And yes, it's very annoying that someone would do damage like that, I've been SO angry over it. And even now--I am thrilled that DH had the work done for me for Christmas, but when you get right down to it, the little twerp actually cost me a Christmas present--I'd have gotten something else, something fun, if it weren't for this needed (and wanted) repair.

No tea in it yet, Moni. I almost don't want to get it dirty. :) Flamey, that bee is so cute, isn't it? It's English bone china and I sure hope I don't chip or break either one! They may just end up being for show. I'll see how I feel about it. Thank you all for the comments. I'm happy to see others treat themselves well as well.