Hi, I googled, found this forum/article and want to add my two bits. I was also contemplating a fireplace with wood-stove features - back in 1991 when I was planning on the building of my new house. I decided the way to go then was to use the Vermont Casting Winterwarm system. It consisted of a 250 lb sheet metal cabinet that had a standard stick frame/plywood exterior built around it and the accompanying insert unit which added another 400lbs - it was then state of the art. The framing created a chase where 8" double walled steel flue was set with firestops (code concerns), insulation and a complete stainless steel sheet capping off the chase, with the vent pipe popping thru, of course. The framing could have been covered with vinyl siding, keeping costs lower, but we chose to brick it all the way up. So the costs amounted to (in 1991 and 1992) for the foundation- a couple $hundred, framing- a couple $hundred, brickwork - less than $3k not including the stove /fireplace/flues which ran under $5k parts and labor. A fresh air vent with shut off was installed at minimal cost - I did it myself. BTW, the fresh air vent is the key to health and happiness here. It minimizes pressure differences between the house and outside resulting in less backpuffing and a moister atmosphere in the house during the cold seasons. The results were that this baby heats my 3700 sqft house down to 10 degree F. everywhere except the room over the garage. When I have it lit, that is. Now the concerns: Vermont Castings ain't like it use to be. the company got bought out by a publicly traded one and the corporate mindset set in. The product is no longer on my recommendation list. My unit, built in 1991 needed a catalytic replacement after 10 years, the second one lasted only 3! Otherwise, I have sunk in less than a thousand dollars in 15 years on replacement parts. As for you concerns on costs: A conventional masonry fireplace cannot be used in conjuction with an insert. New codes stipulate that the stove has to have heat rated pipes going all the way from stove to the top. You can not use clay liners. My suggestion is to find a high quality insert out there made by a company with a wide distibution base, build a zero-clearance or minimal clearance base/chase according to the manufacturers specs, use double walled or better stainless pipe. You decide what to use on the exterior of the frame and the interior walls. But remember, if you think of adding brick/stone to the looks in the future, overhang at least 4 inches of foundation on the sides for weight handling. Good luck! Andy S.

Well, speaking of Penzey's, sooz, I'll share a DUH! moment with you. A couple of years ago, I'd just begun to hear about the company and what great products they had. Then, out of the blue, a friend sent me a Penzey's gift box of the hot stuff she knew I loved -- Northwoods Fire and 3 other very spicy blends. Well, one taste and I had to have more. Immediately! So I went to their website. There was this little pop-up box to help you find the store nearest you. Thinking the freight might be cheaper if ordered from Atlanta rather than Dallas, I entered my zip code. The answer I got was that the nearest Penzey's store was...1.2 miles away. LOL! It had opened 3 weeks before. Omigosh, have I had fun since then! I think my very favorite discovery is the shrimp/crab boil. It is sooo fine!! Puts Zatarain's and all those others (including my favorite from "Joy") in the shade. sm

My heart is with you Teresa. I remember how I felt on each landmark holiday I used to share with my parents, and although the years are now starting to dull the sharpness of it.........it's still there and at unexpected moments, something will make it seem like just yesterday. Yes, I am getting a bit of quilting in this weekend. No panic push, just wander in to the sewing room when I catch a small block of time to stitch a little bit on the finishing border of my sun/stars quilt. It's so near to completing I could likely finish it up if I'd work on it solidly for a full day. However, I have enough projects and deadlines that I do not wish to add this one on the pile. It'll get finished when it gets finished. I sore had the temptation to not even quilt in the border, but since there are a gazillion hand stitches in the body of the quilt, may as well not take any shortcuts at this point. I sort of wish I hadn't made the design so fussy, however. ;-)

The vent helped. Your comments helped. This was a hard lesson for me. I've accepting my DH's first response -- which was pretty much the same as Jim's in the very first reply here. It's Good-bye and Never Again! There is no benefit for me in having any further contact with this gal. More 'stuff' keeps turning up: There are faint paw prints on our mattress pad. (I'd made the bed up fresh and covered dust-covered it before we left.) By going outside, I can see scrapes where dog scratched at the porch and French door screens -- before breaking through them. Branches were 'planted'. I evidently needed these 'last straws' to give up my wishful trust. My guess is that House-sitter is leaving town. She had said her mother was planning to remarry and sell the house here. She's probably moving downtown. It's where *normal* single adults live. Calling a locksmith. Changing the entry code on the garage doors. Hoping nothing serious is yet to be discovered.