I know this post is a month old and you likely already selected your countertops, but in case you haven't I just wanted to share my experience with Colonial White granite. We had it installed in our kitchen about a year and a half ago, and it still looks exactly the same as the day it was installed! No stains or scratches, and we have 2 young children who make lots of messes! It has only been sealed once so far, by the installer. Very pleased with the Colonial White granite.

I'm considering Kurapia for a water-saving, no-mowing lawn alternative. Can you share your experience with it and if it is a good choice for a green look but low maintenance and water saving. I'm in SF Bay Area.

Please share some personal experiences on your use of Worx Hedge trimmer below. This could be a dream for my wife and me. I have always trimmed once a year with Corded and Gas Trimmers with safety in mind. Battery Powered Equipment has Impresses me as being Good Power And Safe Used Properly. Cheap Me! I have so much “Old Gas And Corded Equipment”, I thought I would not ever give in to Cordless Tools. Time Brings About Changes and Needed Help! WORX WG261.9 20V (2.0Ah) Power Share 20-inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer, Bare Tool only, Black/Orange

Marvin Ultimates (wood clad) casements in the house. The windows are really great. Their screens are a huge PITA. I've had cheap builder grade windows with better screens. Pulling off the screens to wash the windows and then putting the screens back on is like death by a thousand cuts. The taller windows are more difficult with the screens. Go to a showroom with Marvins on display and ask to see how the casement screens go on and off. We took most of the screens off the windows and stored them just so as not to have to deal with them, and left just a few on that we know we keep those windows open in nice weather. If I were buying windows again, I think I'd choose another brand just because of the PITA screens, even though I like the Marvin windows themselves. Having said that, our windows are about 8 years old; maybe Marvin has improved the casements' screen design that has them inserted via crappy springs at the top and tiny finger wells at the bottom that only a child's fingers could fit, that someone at Marvin designed just to make people hate them.