Clothes pins are still usable. We, machine knitters, use them all the time to hold yarn tails down. I also use them for other craft projects as well. Manufacturers should not do away with them ever! Pammyfay, you story is cute. It reminded me of when this young cable salesman came by my home tried to sell the service. I politely told him "no thanks". He responded back by asking: "who do you use to watch TV?". "No one. I use OTA", I replied back. He looked puzzled and asked me: "What's OTA?" in which I said "Over the Air channels". Still looking puzzled, I explained further that we use a roof antenna to pick up these over the air channels. He then asked me: "How much do you pay for the service?". "None, it's free" I replied. His final comment was: "Oh, we can't beat that price then" and walked away. LOL...

Live wire- Like you said, the installer admitted he knew the printed specs were incorrect...and he's the owner of the company, right? I think the buck definitely stops with him! Breezy- Live wire is right...this has been great on the job training. Now, you know some of the difficulties, when working with subs (what if this guy had just been some installer, going off company specs?) and the importance of being there, during the install! That's one of the hardest things about being your own GC (and why so many people can't do it). You have to be on the site every day, keeping an eye on everyone and making sure it's done right. That, putting your foot down with people (you've got that one down) and keeping to your schedule. Now, that you're wearing your GC pants so well, make sure you tell any future installers or subs that they'll have to work around your schedule...but try to be available as much as possible, so you don't get too far behind on your timeline. That can be a real problem, when you start having framers, electical, plumbing, HVAC and sheetrockers all working on top of each other....or having to reschedule, if things aren't done on time. That can really mess up your schedule, if they go to another job and can't come back for a month! Of course, this fireplace mess could have been avoided, if the installer had waited an hour, for you to get back from you're dad's very important get together. Family always comes first, but now you know...put your foot down and tell these guys...."I'll see you in an hour, as we scheduled earlier, or you can wait for me outside the house! Be available as much as possible, but sometimes you just have to schedule something for afternoon only...and don't let them bully you into making it your fault, when they show up early. Of course, I don't think that's going to be a problem, anymore :) One other thing, is your former GC (sounds like he's still on the job) is he helping you with permits, etc? If not, it might be worth it to negotiate a fee for some help with things you've never done before, to make sure it's done right...but you can save money, by being the one there, on the job, every day, freeing up his time. Just an idea...

I'm sorry to hear you are laid low with an infection. Need to watch out for infections because of the knee surgery. If you didn't even want to go out to see your daylilies I know you are feeling poorly, but Janelle did a good job subbing for you......Lots of nice purples, but North Wind Dancer gets my vote this time around.....Maryl

There are a lot of horrible people in the world and many of them have children they have mistreated. I don't think we owe dishonorable people the honor of a respectful obituary. If she had earned respect, that's likely the kind of obituary she would have had written about her. I went to a memorial service once for a friend's father - who was a narcissist who lived his life in a way that negatively affected his children in major ways. One of the kids stood up and gave a speech about his father and what a miserable man he was and how his children had suffered from it. Everyone knew it was true, but the discomfort in the room was palpable. We just aren't used to people speaking the truth about the dead, but I don't see any reason not to. I know it was very healing for the man who spoke his truth at his father's service, instead of listening to the things others said about him while tiptoeing around the awful truth.