Well, that's a mouthful.....lol I got started from getting some plants from my Aunt and Dad that had become overgrown. Then began looking into it more and finding what I liked best-They like spiders, I like rufflies. I have added a few new ones every year replacing the ones that I didn't like as much or didn't do well. I get some from trades, some from fellow gardeners that share overgrowns, some from purchases, and some from making my own. I have a limited budget so I won't spend over $30 for one plant-and usually keep it under $25. Dad and I get together and buy from Maryott during the BOGO sale and if we both want one he buys one and I buy another kind and we share. I have all three kinds-evergreen, semi, and dormant and try to make sure I have some that are blooming in all seasons or rebloomers. Realistically in the north though, many plants that are listed as rebloomers don't always rebloom. The growing season isn't always long enough. How often they get divided depends on the plant. Some grow faster than others. I have one plant that I have had for about 8 years and only have 4 fans. It has never been divided. If I didn't like the bloom so well, it would be gone. I have others that grow like a weed and have to be divided every few years. I use the divisions for trades, suppliment my Dad's sales (as he does tours and sells out of his garden) and go to a plant sale every spring-which is where I get my budget for the purchases that I make for that summer. I usually clip mine down about to 4" in the fall as it makes it faster for me to clean up in the spring. I zip through my yard and help Dad with his gardens. I think I covered all the bases. :)

I agree with all of above - too long and not a good start. Nip it in the bud now by either getting a better schedule set up that they can commit too. I wish I had started things a bit tighter on our project but thanks to the advice here, I've been doing better on that and finding the right phrases to communicate frustrations '2 days off the job with no work is not ok' 'I need a clear idea what will be completed by the end of this week', etc (thanks edlakin and others). A couple of comments or concerns I have for you though: 1. you mention cabinet field measure. Are your cabinets already ordered or is this measure prior to ordering? Depending on what you are doing for cabinetry, they may take many weeks to arrive or be made - anything from 3 - 12. Be sure that you account for that in the scheduling. Personally, I would have thought you might want them on order before starting demo so everything can be available when you are ready for it. 2. Regarding the offending insulation. Perhaps you could ask your contractor not to bring over large scale materials such as this until they will actually be required. Your house will quickly ressemble a building site in any case, so better to only bring materials in close to when they will be needed. 3. Not giving you a cell # is really poor. I would want a contractor who is much more readily available. Who knows what reasons you might have ... plumbing leaks, crew not following instructions, etc. This is a must have. Good luck.

Has anyone used the Euro model yet? If so, how is it? The TapMaster site says you can push the lever in any direction...left, right, push in, pull out...and it will work. You're only limited to left/right if you want to lock it "on". Now that I finally installed my NeverMTs, I'm ready to tackle the TapMaster battle ($296 @ Conservastore)...I want one for my prep sink, at least. (I suspect once my DH sees how nice it is to use he'll want one on the cleanup sink as well...) So, any input on the Euro style is welcome! (The cabinet door one is out since I sometimes lean on the sink cabinet doors w/my knees while working at the sink.)

Oh boy, can't wait to see what you picked and how you chose to have it set! As to the expense, oh one gets so worn down by the renovation process, and the 'need' to make a decision on tile. As the months go on, the expensive tile which was a resounding NO initially becomes a possibility, if it will just look right. OK this is terrible. I have 2 teenagers. Sometimes I think of kitchen purchases (gosh, let's pick a random item like a fully integrated fridge) in terms of what we'll be paying for college (50K plus/year). 5-7K (for the big purchase) vs 50K x 4 years (hopefully no more) x 2 kids? Hmmm, a drop in the bucket. Feel free to use my 'Theory of Relativity' anytime you need to justify a large purchase :)