Anney, I think if I were you I would get started with just a rubbermaid bin, rather than experimenting with a chest of drawers. Cost-wise it's just as economical as a chest of drawers, and it is a tried and true method of vermicomposting. Then once you get established, you could try the chest of drawers idea with SOME of your worms, while keeping the rubbermaid bin in case it doesn't work out. There are lots of designs here and elsewhere, and maybe someone has had success with using a chest of drawers, but I think there might be some issues with it myself. Like you say, the fact that the next drawer is not in direct contact with the vermicompost below is something to think about. Also a chest of drawers is likely to be made of wood, which means not only that it is going to rot away after a while, but long before it rots away its drawers are probably going to cease operating smoothly because they have become swollen and warped with all the moisture. I could be wrong, but I am a little skeptical of this idea, and I think you should start with a tried and true method. I should also say that I have a Worm Factory (very similar to a Can O Worms) and I do not find it to work as well as I expected it to. The worms do not all migrate upward so that I can just remove the lowest tray after the worms leave. They do migrate to some extent, but I still find myself picking through the compost to rescue the laggard worms, using a light, etc. In short, the Worm Factory is not worth the money, IMHO. If you want to have a tiered system without paying much for it, there is a design called OSCR Jr which you make with three ten gallon rubbermaid bins. I have not made one of these yet, but a friend of mine recently did, and so far she likes it fine. Just google "OSCR Jr." and the plans should turn up. Good luck, and let us know what you decide to do and how it goes. mbetts

Just to wrap up... With really scraping the contents of the cans and previous batch leftovers into my mixing bucket, I ended up with just under 1.5 qts of paint. I added a couple of splashes (1/4 cup or less) of water and mixed thoroughly. I applied generously (confident I had a backup plan). No drips. No blotches. I ended up with plenty of paint for all walls with about 1/3 qt leftover. Unfortunately, I can't say if the splashes of water helped spreadability/stretchability or not. I think so, but its not scientific. YMMV. p.s. Ironically, my color recipe (4 parts nimbus gray @ 50% lighter to approximately 1 part Paradiso) absolutely is dead on with Wedgewood Gray. That chip was in my chip stash, but I started out thinking I was not going to go that light. Amazing how these color choices evolve... Now on to accessorizing... so much more fun!

Has anyone ever used this paint? I saw a display last night at Jo-Anns Craft Store, and then googled it. It is a water based acrylic latex. I was mostly interested becuase it come in the darker colors, including Black and a dark brown called Felt. The website says that you can use the paint directly on laminate, and that no primer is needed. Any reviews on this product?

You guys are waaaay more knowledgeable than any of the store employees who've helped me. Today, I went to Ace Hardware, and after explaining my needs, the guy handed me a tube of cove molding adhesive saying that it would be perfect. Instead, I bought DAP Alex Painter's Acrylic Latex Caulk. I looked at an acrylic latex with silicone, but chickened out because it didn't specifically mention what it would adhere to (i.e. drywall). I asked the salesman to help me choose between those two, and he recommended the cove molding adhesive. I honestly don't mind another trip, because I don't ever plan to repaint this closet. I've pulled out the pine shelving, stripped it, stained it and applied 3 coats of spar urethane. I want to do a good job of painting it before I put the shelves back in. Would you recommend the acrylic latex caulk with silicone, painter's acrylic latex caulk or Big Stretch? I definitely want to use the Big Stretch for brick/wood caulking when we paint the outside of the house, but will it adhere to drywall (the label doesn't list it)? Thanks so much for your advice and patience. I just want to do the best job I can on this project.