What a bummer Ken. I had a weird experience today too - but first - it all started last Thanksgiving, I invited some of my children's friends for full course turkey dinner. Did it many times in the past - so felt I knew the "ropes." Anyway, this bird was so big, that I had a hard time fitting it into the roaster I had - and without my knowledge, one wing extended over the side of the pan. Well, as you may have guessed, when the guests arrived, I had a whole house full of smoke and the smoke alarm was going off like crazy. My daughter came in and punched the self-cleaning button - and that just made it a lot worse. I turned off the oven, and fortunately, put out the fire in the undercarriage, and after a good airing, we all sat down to dinner. As luck would have it, this year, I'm invited out (oh happy day) and so only had 2 pumpkin pies to contribute. However, just about time to take them out - a repeat of last year's episode occurred - lots of smoke - and the alarm again! Fortunately, it was short lived, and my pies didn't suffer any the worse. I don't know what triggered it this time - perhaps when my son cooked an over-loaded pot roast - and some grease got down below. Anyway, I'm not sure I like this new oven - from now on, I won't go off and leave it for any length of time, that's for sure. Hope you have a nice Thanksgiving otherwise (at least no work today eh?) - and again, many thanks for all the good advice - I've appreciated all of you fine folks here on this forum. Really makes my day a bit brighter. Bejay

I think there's a bright side. If your husband is dealing with cancer right now - that's your first priority. You don't need the stress of dealing with the project you've been planning. I mean imagine what would happen if you were in the middle of the job - and the husband you've been relying on to do part of the job has some medical needs that prevent him from doing the work you had counted on him to do. I can tell you - in a way - I have been there - done that (but to a lesser degree). We were renovating a condo - our contractor was running late - and we had to close on our old place early and move into a hotel. Then my husband got really sick. He was in the hospital. Then when he was ready to be discharged a couple of weeks later (better but still not ok) - the darn contractor still wasn't finished. And I read the contractor the riot act. I said I'd sue his pants off if my husband had to be discharged from the hospital to a hotel. Well that job got finished enough for us to get our CO by the time my husband came home (the contractor busted his you know what and so did I). Anyway - a husband is more important than a kitchen. And I think that a husband with cancer doesn't need any additional stress (whether from finances - disruptions around the house - etc.). So first things first. I hope your husband's prognosis is excellent for the next year or two. And if things settle down with his health - you can then put your project back on track. In the meantime - why don't you take a few dollars and take a nice peaceful long weekend trip with him - enjoy one another - and let someone else cook some nice meals for you :). Best of luck, Robyn

Thank you for the kind comments. Was a struggle and lots of elbow grease to complete. Our goal was to be done by the end of Sept. Looking back, I guess I'm surprised we got done this year at all! The job I work, we're allowed to build "comp" time to take off. I took off 6 weeks of comp, 3 weeks of vacation to help put the biggest dent in it. Looking forward to next year, when we can take a real vacation. Don't think I'd attempt to tackle such a project again. It did help since I spent 10+ years working for a remodeler in my earlier days.

Voting is another topic on which I have very strong feelings. I firmly believe if you live in this country you have, not a "right" since we determined that there are no "rights" only privileges! ;) or a "privilege", but rather a duty. You have a duty to vote in my mind. It bugs me so much to hear people complain and then say they didn't vote. I've quit being "nice" about it. I tell them if you don't vote, don't complain. Simple as that. The, er, privilege to complain comes only with performing your duty to vote. There's all kinds of excuses not to vote but it comes down to convenience and laziness it seems. But interestingly the same inconvenience and laziness disappears for other things. I'm stepping down off my rickety soap box now. Be sure to vote. I'm very proud that Minnesota is a leader in the voter turnout and almost always is one of the top. "Minnesota 'Nice'" or "Minnesota 'Living Up To Our Duty'"?? :) Vote. It's very important. Have a say in your future. And I hope you'll be an informed voter and use more than just commercials. Compare and contrast. Sometimes the decision is easy, sometimes not so easy. But that's all part of the duty. Looking for 100% "I Voted" in the forum! And yes, I'm looking forward to the end of the campaigns!