Marti8a ~ Between the oppressive heat, my determination *not* to run up the water bill, and my lower back pain . . . I made the deliberate decision to let the entire backyard go last summer. In the past 3 weeks (since the tornadoes & hail), I've spent more time in the yard than I did all of 2011! Lots of storm debris, but lots and lots of 2011 weeds and leaves. I strongly 2nd someone's earlier recommendation that you employ a lawn service for a season (month, summer, year) -- you can select the $$ or type or method of service. So they could weed or they could napalm or they could use only organic . . . its your choice. But this will kickstart the project until it gets to a level you can manage. I did the same thing with a cleaning service last year -- I've never used a cleaning service before, but things had gotten out of control (both cleaning & life in general), so we did a one-time turbo clean for the kitchen, one bathroom and the living area, and I'm so glad I did. ~ freshair

I found that our local lumber yards have better prices than the big box stores. For pre-hung, solid wood doors, the best local prices are at discount building suppliers. Our exterior french doors (Neuma) were ordered through a local building supply company. Our interior 8' knotty alder door slabs were purchased from a local door supplier - but they seemed a bit fly-by-nightish and didn't stay open long. Brand wise, the only recommendation I have is for the Neuma french doors. We have a single 8' door, two sets of double 5-0 8' doors (one operable, one not), and a 7' triple unit, one operable door between two fixed doors. I paid $5700 for all these doors, which was about what one Pella or Anderson double french unit was quoted for. All of the doors open outward, which increased the wind rating. I did not get the impact resistant doors. Here is a link that might be useful: Neuma Doors

Thanks pinkpowertools. My painter had told me last year to pound in the nail (which makes a bigger but shallow depression) and do at least 3 passes of joint compound, but never explained how to get the texture right. he told me then to just put 2-3 coats of the same paint (no need for primer) but I found that w/o primer the compound just soaked up the paint and the sheen was never right. I'm using BM Regal Matte so it's not shiny paint. I just had to fix a dozen more screw (not sure why screws would be popping as the house settles) pops in MBR. I'll do another coat of paint over the 1 primer, 1 paint in those areas but told DH that we may just have to paint the whole wall again like they did with our DR and study in order to hide the rows of nail pops in those rooms. Monaw - I've had seams (and settling cracks, but mostly seams) taped professionally 9 months after building, a year later they're back. Think it's just that the house is still settling? DH says we have to wait a few more years then fix and paint again - how long should it take a house to settle enough to make a repair permanent? Thanks

My wife organizes a yard sale every year for her church. When it's all said and done, every thing left is picked up by good will. maybe you can donate it to some organization. Remember, no matter how little you have, there's someone out there with less. Sorry about the sermon:-)