A mini-split system sounds like a good idea, but I still always prefer central air. Here's why: constant, whole-home air circulation (if desire), and you have allergies so if you have an air filter (media, electronic or HEPA), this could help; and more even temperature throughout the home (with a variable speed blower). Sometimes this is cost prohibitive and not feasible. If the contractors you visited with (I don't know if you just talked to them via phone or they visited actually) recommended this, I'm assuming they have a "plan" in mind. Sometimes it's difficult to retrofit, sometimes it's not that big of a problem. A mini-split sounds like a feasible option, but do you really want to see them hanging on the wall? Some people don't mind them, others don't like them. :) I wouldn't worry about air handlers leaking in the attic--that's what an emergency drain pain is for. If water begins to fill into it due to a clog in the main line, it is piped outside where you can see the water. There are also emergency cutoff switches should there be water in the emergency drain pain. Call a couple more contractors for their opinion and get an idea of prices. Hope this helps.

Hi Rosemary, I am sorry that you are feeling rather isolated from your young ones. It sounds as though they are either in process of, or on the verge of, getting more and varied responsibilities. As you realize, and a number have said, even the nearby ones sometimes don't visit a lot, though there are more opportunities of seeing the grands (even if for babysitting). And one can get a fleeting glimpse of them from time to time. Rosemary, do you find that you sit at home quite a lot? Don't sort of stew in your own juice, I hope. Have you found some social, church, sport, community, etc. functions where you can meet new friends? How about some volunteer activities? There are many people who find it hard to get around, or are lonely, who would apprciate a friend. In our area they have organized a goup of younger seniors who help some older ones do chores in their home, to permit them to live there longer. There's Meals on Wheels in a number of areas, and driving people dealing with cancer for treatment, etc. We've heard of Big Brothers and Big Sisters but I haven't heard of Big Grannies (Oh! Oh! I think I made a boo-boo!) but many families with children have the Grands at a long distance, so could use some substitutes. When we were in Korea, our children used to call a number of the other unrelated adults Aunt Helen and Uncle Frank. Our chilfren's mother was head of food service in major hosp. for 20 years and I overseas missionary for several years, parish clergyperson, liberal protestant, for a number of years, then a personal financial advisor for several. Our children were taught by both parents to choose their own way, and I've often said that it seems to me that one of my main jobs as a parent is to help my offspring prepare themselves for independence. Two children, both in their 40s, no grands. My daughter is rather footloose. She spent a year in Hamburg near the end of H.S. (2nd last?) and later a recent German immigrant, initially speaking German to me, thought that daughter spoke it so well that she'd learned it at home. She spent a few years in AZ a few years ago, then was connected to a S O 120 mi. away for several years, but now breaking up and she's moving to back to AZ - planning to buy a place and taking her stuff with her. So helping her move the last of it to storage on Sunday was rather bittersweet. Serious business. Bachelor son lived in Toronto, 120 miles away, for several years, and here in London for a number of years recently, and we have spent quite a lot of time together. He hasn't had a driving licence and I've driven him around quite a bit in rcent years. He'll be getting his licence back soon. Their mother died in this city about three years ago and they were busy for some time disposing of her assets and selling her home. I've always felt rather close to daughter (her mother and I parted when she was 6, son was 9). AZ is a long way away. I've done some long distance driving, going 1,600 mi. from here through U.S. to Sask. several times. But I'm nearing 80, and my son is making objecting noises about my idea of driving 1,600 mi. out there for family reunion at brother's farm in July. Would also like to visit former colleagues in British Columbia, and son doesn't like that idea. Also have some idea of visiting NC (former overseas workers' reunion) and GA (niece's family) at the end of July. Daughter is thinking of attending family reunion at my brother's in Saskatchewan in early July, I said maybe get one way ticket, we drive her home to AZ, then I head for NC. Son doesn't like that idea, either. This business of his vetoing my major travel is a new thing. So I am feeling rather bereft at the idea of "losing" daughter. We call back and forth and send emails. I have an old computer but may upgrade to one that will allow me to have a mike and webcam. But, living in the country and unwilling to use satellite, I am confined to landline and am not sure whether webcam works on that. M a y be sl o w m o t i o n! Rosemary, I hope that you find ways to alleviate some of the sadness and emptiness (empty nest syndrome?) that have been part of your experience lately. And not just some sort of stop-gap alleviation, but some ways of operation which will prove increasingly satisfactory over the long term. ((((((Rosemary)))))) ole joyful

Thanks for the new comments! As I mentioned before I am working on being able to post a much more detailed floorplan. Thanks for hanging in there with me! jejvtr- Thanks for your detailed observations! Some great thoughts. To answer your Qs: Existing fireplace is not appealing - it's old and ugly. Hard to see from floorplan, but the hood doesn't impinge on the masonry fireplace - it's actually in front of one of two existing pantry closets that flank the existing fireplace (this room was originally a tiny den). This wall gave us a lot of headaches - considered a wall of pantry closets surrounding a fireplace with the kitchen on other side of room, but this was a much less functional use of space and would also have been $$$$. I really appreciate the comments about issues involved in covering over the FP - will definitely ask ALL of those Qs. Range - A range is not my first choice - I prefer two full sized ovens, and not to have to bend down, but I'd consider, if it would really help matters (they do look great). Base cabinets - definitely want drawers for pots and pans - they are just not shown yet. Pantry - an extension of one of the existing ones. Re: adding a cabinet to the right of the sink - I can make that happen by reducing the size of that window. Only issue is that the pane size won't then match what is in the rest of the back of the house, but that doesn't bother me - it also gives a natural ending place for backsplash. No room for a wrap around hutch there, unfortunately. Thanks very much for taking the time to look at this with me! mjlb- Thank you -loved the drawing! I am especially excited about the idea of bringing down that corner cabinet to the counter - I think that would, indeed, give some balance to the run. I think you are also on to something as far as switching the position of the fridge - it's not that much farther away from the window sink and becomes easier to access for others. If I end up putting a primary sink in that island, it's like having two zones and remains very close. I like the concept of open shelves there, too. Verry interesting. To answer your other Qs: As mentioned, we can reduce that window and make room for a cabinet to the right of sink. I thought of a single post lamp fixture. Only Q is whether it would provide adequate light for the current 9' island. I have given some thought to the idea of two smaller islands, too. However, I'm also thinking of moving the sink to the middle of that island and making it a primary sink, in which case I'd need pullouts for trash, a dishwasher etc. But I would consider. Main entry near pantry is from the front of the house and the foyer/main hallway The room "below" the built in desk is the existing (already decorated) living room. Your point that the old part of the kitchen seems vacant is well taken. I felt that it was even worse when we tried to design a plan that was flipped the other way, though. Bigger is not always easier to design -unfortunately walls are not always able to go in the right places! I like your idea to try to break up the uninterrupted built in cabinets against the wall look. - a separate hutch, rounded edges, a desk designed to look like a desk, rather than a built in , etc. I think that with this comment you really got to the heart of one of the major things bothering me about the space. Thanks again for all your help! segbrown- Thanks for your suggestion! I especially like the idea of ending the island where the ceiling height changes. I will look into this. Maybe there is some creative way to incorporate the island with that in mind. I do think there is an issue with turning the island 90 degrees in that it can't be too long before impinging on the breakfast room space. Thanks so much!

The truth is that evergreen azaleas are not really suited for Z5 climates unless they are grown in very protected niches and/or given winter shelter from burlap or other barriers. Labels and catalog listings make claims to the contrary and hide behind the "semi evergreen" ruse, but they all wind up looking just like yours after a typical Z5 winter. Your theories are logical and might apply if you lived in a warmer place, but plain old cold temperatures and wind are to blame, nothing else. Any flower buds set last year were probably killed. If you prune back to live wood, new growth will very likely emerge, but next winter will result in the same sort of damage. You can try barriers of burlap or evergreen boughs to protect from sun and wind, but this doesn't really do anything to modify deep cold. There are rhododendrons and deciduous azaleas which will grow and flower well in Z5, but Karen and other evergreen azaleas just won't.