@ tishtoshnm, Yeah I do not live in ABQ, I live at 7300 feet elevation at the highest point on 337 (old South 14) just a few miles from the Apple Valley Ranch (about 14 miles south of I-40). I watch my outdoor temp sensors daily and my land has not gotten to 100, maybe mid 90's tops. Its usually at least 10-20 degrees cooler here than ABQ. And unfortunately, no I did not mulch and yes it was suggested, darn it. Live and learn, now I know next year to mulch. Thinking about Kennebecs now, lol after reading how much easier they are at growing in harsh dry climates. So potatoes are sensitive to the heat in the ground? Hmm, interesting, my carrots never get mulch and they grow like super carrots on steroids in my soil (guess they don't care about the heat). I wonder if its to late to throw on some mulch now at the base of the plants? Probably so, oh well there's always next year. Thanks tishtoshnm for the important information. I will definitely mulch next year as I hill up the soil. Rod

5 days keeps everyone's schedules more dependable and won't require changing existing patterns and habits? That's good for the very young, to be able to have and experience organization and dependable schedules. It's also usually less stressful on parents to not have to shuffle and re-settle into new patterns. 4 days of longer hours will require some shuffling before it gets to feel 'normal' and before it then becomes the new dependable pattern. It will require new duties from your partner in terms of taking the baby to daycare. Is he aware and able to do that? Do you have a choice about Mondays or Fridays to take off, or other days if taking a 4-day work week? You might be able to negotiate a 'trial' of a week or so with your employer so you can get an idea of the physical requirements and whether this kind of schedule is do-able for you (you need your health and sanity as intact as possible). Other issues can be complicated. Do you get a 'free' day to do the things you need to do (the thing to consider is whether, at stressful times, this change would feel like something that is resented). When the adults involved are both sleep-deprived their judgement can be impaired, or their thinking processes relatively slowed or otherwise affected by that lack of sleep. It can seem like, when offered what is felt to be needed (a free day) then of course it would be a good idea. It's harder to predict how one's life would change as a result. (If you end up feeling so overworked those 4 days that you really can't consider that 'free' day as 'free'; then you might a lot more support from your partner. He may not appreciate that, or be naturally adept and providing that as needed. No one benefits much at all if this change causes you to exceed your body's limits in terms of exhaustion and sleep.) deprivation. Basically, spend some time thinking about your own body's patterns. Which kind of work schedule would agree more with your own natural patterns (and why). What considerations are 'pro' and which are 'con' for the change. How sleep-deprived are you both, and how sleep-deprived are you both feeling (that is important because 2 people can have similar degrees of deprivation but one person's functioning might be more impaired by that)? Who will have to do what with the baby's schedule either way (note required changes)? Go through all these kinds of questions for yourself and with reference to your partner and baby. You'll be able to come up with a good idea about whether this change might be worth attempting. you can ask your employer for a trial of this change if you'd like to explore how you might be affected (positively or negatively, or not at all)

Hi, Suzanne - No cats..I'm afraid of what Riley might do to them. My dogs have always 'helped' me with any project, such as sewing, painting, wallpapering, you name it. It's nice that they want to be so close, but they end up with paint on them, sitting on fabric, etc. I had to pull Riley out of that chair and put him in another, as he did NOT want to get out of it. My dogs don't nap or sleep on the floor, they are always in a chair, sofa, bed... :-) My upholstered furniture is covered with sheets. They're great on cold nights! Laurie, the original foam cushion was in perfect shape and custom made for the chair, so I was able to reuse it. I used the old cover as a pattern and put in the zipper. I am going to cover the foam with batting, although the original was just the foam inside the blue fabric cover. I have replaced the foam on other chairs and I buy it locally. I get the densest grade and I cut it myself with an electric knife.

Well, I have a bit of an update. Most importantly, the first day of kindergarten went really well. I cried when I left the classroom, but my little one was really happy and chatting with his new friends. He came home happy each day he has been at the school. And he didn't care one bit about where his breakfast came from. :) As for the floor, things are not so good. The restoration company said that the water saturation levels need to be at or below 10% for the floor to be considered salvagable. Our floors are around 25% and have not come down much. Worse, the finish is "wrinkled" at the ends and edges of many of the boards, and we are told that this will not go away even if the floor miraculously dries, and this will cause the finish to flake off easily. And because it is engineered, and not solid, it apparently can't be sanded and refinished well, even through the manufacturer and the box said otherwise. So the restoration company thinks we should replace the floor. We got this news on Tuesday. Then yesterday, the insurance-company-recommended restorers came in for a second opinion. They also think the floor needs to be replaced and that we should file a claim. We called the insurance company yesterday afternoon and they said an adjuster would contact us within 2 days. So maybe I will know more by Friday. I will keep you all updated with how our insurance company reacts. This whole experience has made me rethink the wood. The wood we have now runs continously through the dining room, kichen, and a room we creatively call the fireplace room because it has, you guessed it, a fireplace. There are no walls between these rooms anymore. I think we may cut the floor at the transition between the kitchen and fireplace room (where a peninula run ends), and replace the wood in the kitchen and dining room with travertine tile, which we have in other parts of the house, including an adjoining foyer area. The wood in the fireplace room suffered no damage. The travertine is cheaper than the wood, and it is more resistent to moisture damage, but will stain more easily and be harder underfoot. I'll have to embrace the idea of a floor with a patina. Any thoughts? I am feeling better about everything, although I do avoid going into or even looking towards, the kitchen area. You all amaze with your outpouring of support, virtual hugs, and virtual bottles of wine. I feel fortunate to be a part of this community. Stephanie