mybrowneyedgirls, I checked and the tile is from Florida Tile...I'm sorry, I could have sworn the box said American Olean and my husband has cleaned up the garage so I can't find it. Anyway, the name of it is Retro Classic Flair and the color is "Green". It's 3 X 6. Everyone, I called the tile store this morning and it *ain't* over yet. My salesperson ordered the colored (flexible)caulk for the lowest grout line replacement and was surprised to hear that the tile man had never returned my call. She understood that he had. Hmmm. She said his normal practice is to run the tile out to the countertop edge...and I said he didn't do that this time. She says he can certainly redo it, but when I asked about financial obligation, she said she'd need to speak with her boss get back to me. Story continues....I'll get back to you if/when there's a resolution. Again, thank you everyone.

I'm sorry that I've caused such a stir. I know that when traditional gender roles are challenged that all sorts of feelings come out about it. Honestly, it works for some but I think for the vast majority, it's too hard to get past the traditional role of what I am supposed to do as a woman and what he's supposed to do as a man. I feel like it's my job to clean some even though he's home all day. I feel like it's also my job to care for my kids when I'm home from work. I'm a VERY driven person and I always have been. He's not but when we were dating he put himself out there like he was. It was almost a little smoke and mirrors but we all do that when we are dating a little bit, I know this. I don't exactly know how I'm going to broach the subject of putting some of my kids child support away for them. I know he's going to be really upset when I tell him that's what I want now that he is working. After all, he has the same opportunity to go after BM but he chooses not too. She lives on the other side of the country from us (she moved right after we got married), never sees the kids and never calls them. It's really sad. DH says he's just lucky to have his kids out of the deal and that he's not willing to go after her for support b/c he fears losing the kids. I know his thinking is very backward (he'd never lose those kids to a deadbeat mother like she is) but I can't tell him that he must take that chance b/c what if by some twist of fate, he does lose them. So therein lies my problem with that whole mess. But - I do think that I should be able to do whatever I please with my children's child support. I fought hard for that support with my ex and just b/c he makes good money and I didn't have kids with a loser (like BM) my kids should have the benefits of that support to themselves. Am I wrong to feel that way? Is that a bad way of thinking and will it ultimately divide our family? G-d, some days I just hate being in a stepfamily. It's so so hard. Harder than I ever thought it would be. The Brady Bunch can go suck an egg. ROFL!

Sorry to say, but this is really messy. To start with, the original GC should have been responsible for the water damage that was done -- not your insurance company. Second, $500 seems high to hook up a dishwasher and a line for the fridge-- But it's hard to know without being there. Nonetheless, you paid the GC to move the dishwasher and he should have done that or hired a sub if he didn't have the skills (or license, etc). Lastly, you hired a plumber to put in your new sink. If they can't install the disposal, then they should have let you know up-front. I'm not sure about current code on disposers -- some local codes may require a cord. However, hard-wired disposers are common. If it's code, fine -- they should have told you up front. If it's not code - I sure don't want to hear Joe Plumber's opinion and I certainly don't want someone doing 3/4 of a job and walking away. The dishwasher should have a check valve that prevents water from draining back into it. This valve is usually on the pump assembly. I don't know the age or condition of the dishwasher or why that valve isn't functioning properly. It could simply be food particles that will flush out when you run it.

Joanie, oven heating elements have always cycled on and off to maintain heat, so I don't think that is new. But I do agree that how they do it can create problems. In a former home, we paid to upgrade the builder's standard (above average) appliances. We got a gas cooktop and a DW we loved, but as excited as I was about the Whirlpool double ovens (my first DO), they were awful. The tops of everything burned quickly with the rest uncooked. The broiling element was coming on to maintain the heat setting and everything was broiling. I had a tech come out and test it, spent a long time on the phone and said he couldn't believe that the Whirlpool folks said that was how it was designed to work. I resorted to placong my pizza stone on the top rack to protect my baking. I need to replace my oven -- or maybe see if it can be repaired after reading this. I have Wolf DO now. I've has several service calls, but I do like the way they cook. If I replace, I will probably go with Wolf again.