Y'all are so nice to me, and you have been so nice to me for so long. I am deeply grateful. I really appreciated hearing that you have had similar experiences with loved pets and loved people. I would really love to hear more. Please write to me at jimchaney@cableone.net One of my wonderful nieces had the same suggestion of getting a new kitty, and when I arrived back at the house a few days ago, my niece, who has a doorkey, told me to close the front door quickly. I asked why, and she pointed to a doorway, where I saw this little black streak running through the den and then the connecting living room. My niece had called the "pound" in five counties to find a cat that looked like Abigail. She went 50 miles to get my kitty, who is black with white on her throat and part of her belly. I named her Esmerelda and call her "Izzy." Izzy is a nine week old darling ball of black fluff who sleeps on my chest when I am in bed, except when I turn over onto my tummy and then she sleeps on my butt. And purrs. Funny sensation, the sense of whirring in your butt. The last two days I've been studying for an exam-12 hours a day, and Iz sleeps on my tummy except when that cute black furry face looks over the top of my book at me or gnaws on the edge of the book. Iz is what the term "beautiful cat" is all about. I've been at the computer for about an hour and in that time she has managed to turn over the trash can, run through the house many times, has snuggled up to my feet, looked up many time with an "Isn't it time to play?" look, and is driving her 7 year old thirteen pound stepbrother Tupelo to distraction. Tupelo jumps up on the desk to get away from her and then sits on the scanner. He's now licking his left front paw while he stands up. Tupelo is very patient and usually gives me 5 minutes before he throws the papers off the scanner so he can lie down. Cats are hilarious. Please let me hear from you. Jim

You are correct in what youre saying, BUT what are you gonna do about it? When a Manual J is done to size the AC/Heat, it considers the slab. To me, if you key in on proper attic ventilation with soffit/ridge vents, roof radiant barrier, R38 attic insulation, R13 walls, double pane glass, good caulking, efficient A/C sytem...it may not be very cost effective to go beyond. I designed my house with good orientation, good shade trees, two story instead of a sprawling one story, lots of ceiling fans, an upstairs that can be closed off, anf R19 between the two stories, so my highest summer electric bill in South Texas has been $125.

Hi Gray, yes, for example I had a set of upholstered armed dining chairs with a print that had some color in it I did not like. So, I just painted over that color. It's monotonous work! However, six armchairs with front and back upper and lower upholstery would have cost me a bundle if I wanted to have them re-done. If you do it right and use good textile paint no one can tell. With the Jacquard brand you can use it on natural or synthetics. You are meant to run over it with a warm iron on the reverse side if you are using for clothing for a "set". I never used an iron but never used it on clothing. I think they just have that on the label to cover the Permanent*Washable/Drycleaning*Nonfading/Lightfast claims. If omitting a color with textile paint you can't rush it. You need some good quality paint brushes. I prefer oil brushes or a semi medium stiff real bristle brush. The size would depend on your project. A small 2.5 oz container covers a lot of ground as I like to water it down a bit, paint a light layer, dry and another light layer. That whole headboard took slightly over one 2.5 oz bottle, maybe just under a container and a half. You can put as many layers on as you like. By doing it that way it still feels like fabric when done, not painted fabric. You will also need a plate to swish your brush across after loading with paint to get the paint around equally within the brush as well as to remove excess and will also need a rag or paper towel if you need to blot. Or, a stencil if you are adding a pattern! I soft brush it all out when dry but some do it while still wet.

Hi Juelle and Kathy, My step-father wanted me to clear Mom's closets and drawers and if there was anything I wanted, I could have, and pass the other things on. I cried just sitting in her closet, remembering her in her everyday clothes, and dressed up for Mother's Day, etc. In her her jewellery, I came across 2 brushed nickel hearts, one engraved with my name, and one with my niece (her only granddaughter). They were obviously meant for us for Christmas, they still had the little store sticker thing on. That sure set me off. Memories, things, dates, times of season.....so many things trigger memories of our Mom. I can find something every single day to bring tears to my eyes. I miss her so much, too. One of the "funnier" moments was when DH and I were at Bulk Barn. Every few weeks they have a $3 off coupon when you buy $10 so it's nice to take advantage of it. In the past I would stock up on brown sugar, oatmeal, etc etc for both of us. The last time, I bought what I wanted and I was short the $10. So I ran and bought some more yeast (even though I didn't need it) to get to the $10 mark. In the car, I wondered out loud why it was hard to get to the $10, and DH said, because we weren't buying for Mom at the same time. Duh. Sob. It will be a year on August 1.