Sounds like a great package deal......though I heard the only thing anybody grows in Arkansas is poke salat and turnip greens.....hehehe....(I'm of east Tennessee stock myself)......I figured if several of the folks coming in from out of state were to bunch up, we could share suites at the Indigo or nearby, and likewise share a rental car to lighten the load on all concerned.....make our own package deal of sorts.....free up loads of dinero for those rare plant purchases likely to occur.....

Rutgers1, I am completely in agreement. I, too, am new to the world of organic lawncare. Although the health and environmental reasons were enough to convince me to make the switch, more pictures of successful organic lawns might help to convince others. I envision a site where users could post pictures, their locations, types of grass, fertilizing schedules, etc... I wish you had posted sooner. I just resodded my front, and would have love to do a before/after type thing, as well as pictures of it establishing while being maintained organically. Of course, it's never too late, but being able to show the before pictures would have put everything in much better perspective, because my "lawn" was atrocious. Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress.

catherine, hah, I just realized that your email wasn't associated with the message...I received your post in my email account and I hit reply. I just checked, it wasn't from your email account, so I know you didn't get my response! sorry about that. Here is my email: Hi Catherine, First, thanks for the compliment. That is very nice of you to say. Glad you ordered samples from MS&T. Did you see the new colors? If you do order, make sure you talk to Mary Elizabeth there, she is so nice and she would love to know you saw my kitchen on GW or AT. (don't forget they are offering the 10% discount with the code "THERAPY". Now, as far as the grout goes... You will need to grout it. Although it looks like the tiles fit together snug, they have various spaces between them. It is handmade tile and each one varies slightly. Also, The grout gives the tile a different look. The grout sort of fills the space and helps everything look uniform. It's hard to describe, but, even though in the photos it looks like the tiles are not touching, underneath the grout, they are. It is the bevel that causes this. Very hard to describe. I have pictures somewhere of the tile during the process. I'll find them and email some of the photos of the tile pre grout. (send me an email so I can send them directly to you when I find them) Also, there is a 1/2 grout and 1/2 non-grout photo, that shows a lot too. You will also have to tell your installer that the tiles are set on an angle, rather than going across the bottom row first,then the second row, etc. It is more of a pyramid pattern. I know it sounds crazy, but this way you keep the vertical lines straight. Not sure if you want to tell your tile guy or not, but, it took twice as long to do this than was expected. Although, in all fairness, my "tile guy", is a friend who I didn't let see the actual tile until he showed up on a Saturday morning. He thought that they were on a sheet from the photos. He and my hubby worked from 10 am until around 1 am, then they were back at it on Sunday morning to finish laying the tile and then the grouting began on Sunday. They used a piping bag to fill the spaces with grout. I chose Permacrete White for the grout. Bill_V suggested this to me. He said it is the ONLY grout that is white that actually is all white. All the others have some sort of caramel color in them, and since this grout was going to be so critical to the design, I wanted my grout to be really white. Also, this stuff doesn't stain. Kind of important on a white backsplash. Also, the 10% extra rule? Go higher. Waste is much more than that. Ask Mary Elizabeth if you order extra if you can return it. Well, these are all my "tips". I'll find those photos, but I just wanted to get back to you and let you know, that I can't imagine NOT grouting this tile. -Bee

OMG. It's almost embarrassing. Where to start. But, I'm doing this alone, so I give myself a break. B4 DH bailed, I know my GC husband should have known that among many things, light switche positions need to take future molding installation. I learned never to be rushed. If something doesn't strike me, I'm not buying it. I've learned that just because I think I might be being picky, doesn't mean I'm not right. When grout lines don't match, they're not going to get better later. It's my bathroom I still see with every shower. Someday I'll chip it all out. I keep learning measuring mistakes. I ordered an under my farm sink drawer box, but forgot to take into consideration the drawer glides on the sides. That was a big investment for me, since my money is counted in pennies, by the table. I mismeasured a couple of cabinet doors and am saving the materials for something else. I decided I want crap off my counters, so I bought/made a microwave base cabinet. Now, though, I know I'd like it on the inside of the peninsula where it's not visible from the dining room. I will dig out an installed, CL base cabinet from underneath a countertop a friend built and I'm going to move that cab over there. Another day's project. My biggest, biggest thing is that I didn't know the term "inset" and didn't know that was the look I love and had been seeking! For years. Never really could find something that spoke to me. After (settling) buying and making cabs with default partial overlay, I had an ephifany looking at a dresser and now will eventually work to make and replace all my doors with with an inset style. I regret I won't be able to add a 1/4" bead to the face frames. Oh! I regret I didn't realize how absolutely useless 12" wide drawer base cabinets are. I have 2 sets of a 12 & 36" 3-drawer base cabs, and would have probably been better served with 2 sets of 24", maybe. Don't know. I would have gone with casement windows -- another look I didn't know the name of and didn't know enough to explain -- instead of the windows that have a fixed center window an the two outside slide left and right. Stupid. Only 1 side can be open at the same time. Another Another Days' project to replace them. Be picky. It's yours. You're paying someone. Be specific. Use pictures. Use notes, email & forward text messages to your own email. Be suspicious of someone who starts every reply with "The problem with that is..." instead of "Well, we'll have to consider/do this to make that work..." Ask their opinions. Not necessarily of aesthetics, but of function and impact on future steps in the project. If it doesn't look right to you, say so. Don't wait until later and 10 steps have to be undone because you didn't want to be a PIA. If someone sighs every time you ask them a question, let them know they should get more sleep because you expect them to be sharp when you want information. Not tired. If moving or adding walls, consider the finished (i.e. drywalled) dimensions relating to future cabinet, door, molding, window, etc., installation. If you can plan for standard measurements of those items, you'll save a lot of money. Don't be afraid to whip out a tape measure or level. My eye is (evidently) better than a lot of pros because so far I've never been wrong: they were. FIX IT. If it suits your project, or your tastes, don't be afraid to insist on something being reused. Materials. Cabinet boxes. Windows. Doors. If you don't like something IRL, don't be afraid to change your mind. You'll probably pay for it, but if you don't like it now, it's not going to get better. Negotiate the change order situation. that "good enough for now" or "I'll get it later" translates into NEVER. Don't Settle and don't let yourself be rushed. Hover & ask questions. Be aware that many people come to find compliments prefacing a problem to be condescending and patronizing, breeding resentment. Only offer genuine compliments. Gratitude is different. I've learned with the few people I've been able to hire, that it's better to let them know up front that I am picky. I see level & plumb. I am anal about symmetry. I want what I want and unless it's going to cause the house to burn down, walls fall, doors or windows not close, etc., just do it. You may ask me why in order to accomplish what I want, but it's still my decision. Input is very welcome, but it's input, not final say. I'm sure I'll think of more because I'm learning by more error than trial. Hopefully you'll have the benefit of someone's experience to guide you. I have nerve. The nerve to ask zillions of questions, shop until I am absolutely satisfied, saving for materials I want, and the ability to ask for payment plans. Don't be shy and don't settle.