Andrea, I am unable to partner in the purchase but I did make a modest donation. I hope you raise enough money to meet your goals or find a wealthy benefactor to pick up the entire expense. Brenda - thank you for bringing this to the attention of the pond forum community. CT

@Xedos “ you are plainly out of touch if you don't know that waitstaff make less than min. wage , and think their employers dole out any luxuries to them. In fact , don't know any employers that hand out luxuries to the worker bees. “ Talk about being out of touch. At least read and understand what I wrote before jumping all over me. What I said was that tipping is appropriate for wait staff who, apparently, make low/below minimum wage – not for everyone under the sun just for doing their jobs. That’s gotten out of hand. No, I don’t understand why so many workers feel they are somehow more deserving or work harder than others so are entitled to tips. As far as I can see, a lot of these people are making good money even if they don’t think they are. I also said that employers should give up some of their profit margin - their own personal luxuries - to pay their employees better if they are actually underpaid. That is, not expect their customers to pick up part of their payroll expense with tips. We pay very high prices as it is and they seem to be doing quite well by it. "under snookums take the slaves shouldn't have complained, they had all their meals , housing, clothes , and transportation all provided for them , wanting more or extras just made them ungracious ??? Excuse me, but that is your take, not mine. Stop misrepresenting me. No, I don't think everyone deserves a tip just because they did their job (which I think is a valid and reasonable complaint these days, not to mention common). It’s a ridiculous concept. Tipping expectations are out of control. What, do you think the rest of us have money trees growing in the back yard? You assume we all make more than you? My comment about jobs 100 times harder refers to the many occupations that require a college education (sometimes extensive) and entail a lot of hard, long hours, extra work and/or continued education, along with huge responsibility. Often, those jobs don’t pay more, or much more, than the good wages you complain about. There are no tips. Extra hours don’t necessarily reap additional pay more less overtime wages. It’s just part of the job. I don’t know why people would assume I was referring to physical labor. I’ve done physical labor, too, and my body suffered for it. No tips were involved (sometimes no pay either). I never would have expected such a thing. I thought the money was very good. Apparently I was uninformed, lol. Frankly, I think it can be rather insulting to tip someone for doing their job. It can come across as patronizing and condescending. Often it is, for that matter. “I agree with weisman that tipping has gotten outa kilter in some areas and with snookums that younger generation are coddled and have questionable work ethics. “ Then we are in agreement about the poor work ethics today. That is basically what I was saying. I really don’t have a problem with tipping, per se, just when it’s not warranted or people are making good money. We all have service jobs. I happen to ‘tip’ the people I work for! Because I am grateful and enjoy both my job and working for them. (Actually, that is not always the case, lol, but I do it anyway).

Carol - thanks again for the feedback. I have made some changes and I'll note them below. Every time I look at the plan I end up removing cans and subbing out with other items. I will note that every can minus the outdoor lighting are 4" cans rather than dated looking 6" cans. (See below for update comments) David - I never thought about that but that is a good suggestion. The ceiling will be a stained beadboard. -I am not familiar with surface mount disc lighting or how good the technology is (I've spent all my time researching recessed and the best retrofit kits). Could you please give me a quick and dirty of the best surface mount lighting available? (Product links would be helpful as well). -Yep - good call. Wash room is now 2 sconces and no recessed lights. -That's a good idea on the surface mounts for mud room - If you could please either link me to some info on them, etc. I will take them into consideration. -David - noted on the wi-fi issues. I'm thinking of making a central control tower in the basement for all/most media equip (same idea the Control4 guys pitched me). Some Miscellaneous Lighting Updates: #1. 1st Floor Wash room only has 2 sconces now #2. Dining room is only planned to have a rectangular lighting fixture hanging over dining room table for mood lighting #3. Fixture in Foyer now and removed cans over stairs and lining steps with sconces at top/bottom of each stairway. #4. Cans are removed from all 2nd floor bathrooms (minus water closet can) and sconces are going to be used in both master bath & guest bath (2 per vanity in master, 3 for double vanity in guest). #5. Backside of watercloset is a make-up vanity and will use mirror with in-mirror lighting #6. 3rd floor bath removed can, went with 2 sconces and a light in the shower. Thanks again for your help everyone. I think this is really starting to come along well! Andrew

First pic - Living room. Remove one of the armchairs and put the couch under the front window. Remove TV and stand it is on. Remaining armchair can likely fit well in that space. Don't need coffee table in the LR for pictures or showings - more floor space is a plus. You likely don't need the table that is currently between the armchairs either unless the light from the table lamp is needed in the room. Clear the mantle and get a nice vase with some fresh flowers for pictures and showings. Clean, clean, clean. Second pic - Kitchen. Remove everything from the top of the cabinets and the valance on the window. Clear out at least half of what is behind the glass doors on the cabinets and keep pretty colour coordinated pieces to display through the glass door. Take down all the hanging cups and is that Garfield in the corner - if so, sorry Garfield but you've gotta go too! Clean, Clean, clean. Third pic - Bedroom. Move the storage armoire out and the armchair too. Move the head of the bed to that wall. New plain bedding. White would be nice or another plain colour. Get rid of the plant and the stand and whatever it is sitting on. Clean, clean, clean Fourth pic - washroom. Remove plants and valance on window and the folk art in the window. Clear at least half of the stuff out of the cabinet with glass doors. Leave only pretty things showing in there. Remove all the things from under the sink and roll up a few towels if it looks too bare. Clean, clean, clean and then clean some more. Nobody likes to see someone else's dirt in a washroom. For pictures and showings the house should look like nobody is living there. All towels clean and folded straight. Put wet towels in the laundry before you leave the house. Please put the toilet seat down for pictures and showings. Nobody needs to see the inside of a toilet to know what it is used for! Clean, clean and then clean some more. If you are using an agent they should offer their opinion of other changes that might be needed. In my opinion clean and clutter free is key, that includes the outdoor spaces too. Power wash walkways and clean up garden beds and make sure garbage bins etc are out of sight if possible. Good luck with the sale. It is stressful having your house in saleable condition and keeping it that way so I hope it sells quickly and you can move forward.