Since last spring, this has become my family's standard for all Macaroni salads, the only one they want. It was printed in the Boston Globe May 2009 and is from St Alphonzo's Kitchen, a small restaurant in the South End of Boston. GRANDMA SIS'S MACARONI SALAD - serves 8 INGREDIENTS I pound box of elbow macaroni 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 1/2 tsp salt or to taste 1/2 tsp black pepper 1 small green bell pepper, seeded cored and cut into thin strips or chopped 1/2 red onion coarsely chopped 1 large ribs of celery, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced 1 jar (6-8 ounces) cocktail olives with pimiento, drained and chopped In large pot with boiling water cook the macaroni for 6-8 minutes or until it is tender but still has some bite. Drain the macaroni into a colander and shake to remove excess moisture. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl. Add the vetable oil Sire well and set aside to cool. In a small bowl, whick the mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and pepper. Stir the mixture into the pasta until it is coated all over. Add the bell pepper, red onion, celery and olives. Toss gently buth thoroughly. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if desired. Cover and chill for 1 hour before serving. Personally, I found that there was enough salty taste and seasoning without adding any of the additional salt to the recipe. Fran

"Yay for being steadfast, adamant and b*tchy enough to get things done right!" I get that steadfast and adamant helps but does b*tchy work? Today I was so "bad mood Betty" at my contractor because I just want my house done, that I think he finally got exasperated with me...this coming from my long-time contractor who has built four homes with me. So glad to see that your counters was finally done right! A laughably bad story gone good. I like a happy ending!

Dh just came home & I asked him. This is my layman's version. Red paint is mostly colorant and so has less base paint in it and takes more to get a good cover. If you used 3 thick coats, it is probably just that, too thick & needs more cure time. On the spots not sticking, he said if they are truly not adhering, you have a problem and you should either scrape, strip or sand those spots until you get down to something solid, smooth the whole door & start over. If it's sticky, it will gum up the sandpaper, but can be done. Then, if you are using a neutral base paint, use a gray base primer and it will be easier to cover. What is the specific paint you were using, i.e. brand, type (acrylic latex, etc). He suggests you go back over it with an acrylic latex and you'll be fine.

#1 Bright white around porch, darker gray-blue shutters on brick, light gray-blue door. #2 Lighter beige around porch, darker gray-blue shutters on brick, light gray-blue door #3 Trim beige around porch and sidelights, darker gray-blue shutters on brick, light gray-blue door #4 Trim beige around porch, sidelights, and window capping, darker gray-blue shutters on brick, light gray-blue door #5 Lighter beige around porch and sidelights, beige window capping, darker gray-blue shutters on brick, light gray-blue door #6 Bright white around porch, beige sidelights and window capping, darker gray-blue shutters on brick, light gray-blue door #7 Toned down softer white around porch and door, darker gray-blue shutters on brick, light gray-blue door #8 Toned down softer white around porch and door, beige capping around windows, darker gray-blue shutters on brick, light gray-blue door With some landscaping! #9 Toned down softer white around porch and door, darker gray-blue shutters on brick, light gray-blue door #10 Toned down softer white around porch and door, darker, gray-blue shutters, light gray-blue door #11 Toned down softer white around porch and door, light gray-blue door #12 Beige porch with dark gray-blue shutters, light gray-blue door #13 Bright white around porch and door, dark gray-blue shutters, light gray-blue door #14 Bright white around porch and door, light gray-blue door #15 Beige porch, light gray-blue door You think you're confused! Think I gottem all :) HTH You can right-click and save to file the ones you might like (put in Word or something). You can also print the whole thing to file ... Word ... then just eliminate by deleting. Easier than scrolling all around and comparing :) Please let me know what appeals to you and what you do!