omg! i'm so excited for you! honestly, i feel like it's ME! wierd, i know but you are describing my feelings exactly. we've been pretty set on using the weathered gray but haven't found any installations using this color. the nichiha website has been updated though, and they have more photos up in the gallery section for residential. we've been at a bit of a stall since there are many properties here with acreage going for a song. dh wanted me to look around and see as much as possible before continuing. it made me a bit upset, i'll admit as this is not the direction i want to go. so once again we're pushing on. we fired our engineer before thanksgiving (well, at least they called themselves engineers) and dh is interviewing another tomorrow. not quite done drawing yet either although i'm hoping once i jump back in w/ the architect that will go quickly as well. the whole process puts me on edge, but i LOVE it. hard to describe really. anyway, i'll continue to look for your postings and check on your progress. you have my good wishes and hopes for a mild winter. a very happy new year!

I haven't seen any synthetic shakes that didn't look like what they are -- synthetic. On the other hand, it's possible I've seen some synthetic shakes that looked so genuine, I didn't realize they were synthetic -- but I'm not aware of them. One of my neighbors down the road recently installed synthetic slates that are made from recycled tires or some other rubber product. Upon installation (about 10 months ago), the look was impressive and real looking. So far, so good. I'm not sure how they'll look in ten years, but for now, they're beautiful.

Well ... I guess we can shut off the lights and close and lock the door of this thread: I'm to fly out of Detroit early evening Fri. Jan. 23 - fly out of Phoenix morn. Mon. Feb 2 ... just under $250. For folks who might be in or able to come to Phoenix, my email address is available here, and I can send daughter's address - don't remember the suburb - and phone. Got a card in mail Fri. Nov. 28 saying item to pick up at P.O., picked up passport Monday ... postmistress says it somewhat resembles me. She's supposed to have identif'n., but not too concerned ... I got out photo driver's licence ... she said she doubted that she'd let me into States on that - look too much like terrorist. Application went in Nov. 21, it was issued Nov. 26 - really quick service. I am disappointed that I'll not get to visit folks along the route ... but hope that I can meet several of you some time in the future: maybe a spring or fall trip (summer too hot). I hope also that you have the start of a fine week under your belt. ole joyful

We put Tando shakes in Pacifica on our house a few years ago. They are gorgeous from afar, but look fake up close, so you might not want it somewhere where people will see it up close (like your front porch).