Well, it seems my experience with Home Depot is soon to move way up on the satifactions scale. I spoke with Ass't Mgr today and he says he has located a unit (Cub Cadet RZT50) at a store west of here. It should be available for me in 3-4 days as it is not priority shipping for them and must be transferred from store to warehouse to his store (I did tell him earlier that I was not in a big hurry). He wants me to come in and inspect it when it arrives and, only when I am satisfied, then we will do the necessary paperwork to get the additional 10% (up to $300) off. Patience and asking questions pays off - I hope. I should be able to confirm that by the end of this week. db

Perhaps the update and the concern are unrelated. However, a prudent person could conclude they are. Since this is a post-update concern have you thought about removing the focus update if you can? If you can get in Safe Mode, open Windows Update and then its history. The information for uninstalling an update will be available there. Not all updates can be removed. Not focusing on Amity, but for the benefit of those reading the thread, this is an example of why users are alerted against updating audio and video drivers when the system is operating properly without the update. In other words, please consider leaving well enough alone. Make note of what's available, what the change log is, and where it is located. Also, often hardware manufacturer drivers released through Microsoft are already obsolete due to lag time. If something needs to be updated a visit to the manufacturer's website first is advisable. DA

Some more progress in the past few weeks - it's been a frenzy of furniture assembly with some painting on the side. And working full time. And guests. Anyway, the seapearl paint colour has worked out VERY well and I get lots of compliments on it. A very warm off-grey, reminds me of a plaster color. The pillows on the chairs are placeholders destined for my daybed. I originally had planned a grey sofa cover in here but the navy called my name. It's a bit dark but not bad for $99. This bathroom is killing me - two coats on the wainscoting and at least one to go. One on the walls, one to go, And now I realize I have to do the trim as it is so discoloured (aged oil). It is so much brighter in there, it's unbelievable. Needs new blinds obvs. I wanted a "sandy" coastal feeling in here and ended up with BM Ballet White. I did finally learn how to cut in after 20 years. Looking forward to my new tape-free lifestyle. I told my husband I deserve a cookie or possibly a gold star for cutting in this corner over the shower. Let's just say my ladder position wouldn't have won any OSHA awards. I also realized, I don't think the bluer left wall was an optical illusion - I think it's a different color than the other walls by accident or design. The grey right wall is the same color as the ceiling. This is my life now. I forget what it's like to sit on something I didn't assemble first.

I have sent photo cards since my oldest was a baby. I love receiving photo cards...I had no idea that there are people who don't like them! In my demographic, which is families in the midst of raising children...photo cards are the norm. People do some amazing layouts and really creative cards... It is so fun to see what everyone has come up with. I love them all. Makes getting the mail so much more exciting in December. One of my best friends and her husband are incredibly funny and creative and come up with the most amazing cards each year. Last year they did a Downton Abbey theme, but changed the name to Downton "Their street name." They and each child dressed as a character (photo shop was involved) and the whole group was photoshopped in front of the real Downton Abbey house! It was awesome! i have another friend who is so smart and wickedly funny, besides being an incredible writer. Her Christmas letter has had me literally laughing out loud with tears streaming down my face it was so funny! Who wouldn't love getting that in the mail? I love Christmas letters, even the ones that might be construed as a bit braggy....who cares? It it interesting to hear what everyone is up to! last thing...I try to put a little note on most of my friends' cards that live far away, but I never judge people who don't! We are all busy and who knows what might be going on right then. Getting a Christmas greeting in the mail is just a fun tradition, and I hope it never goes away entirely!