I too am EXTREMELY SENSITIVE to poison ivy and recently broke out in a similar rash after being careless while propagating my all time favorite plant, the philodendron micans. I also suspected that had to be it so I took a fresh cutting and dabbed the sap several times in my arm and didn't wash off for a few hours. Somewhere between 12 & 24 hours later, I started feeling that familiar itch and watched as my test patch gradually spread out the size of a dime and rose up with the little tiny bubble pattern I'm used to seeing with poison ivy rash. THIS SUCKS! I'm in the middle of battling it right now and in my research found this helpful article. I also read another helpful tip that said the sap from these plants can somehow penetrate through standard medical gloves so thicker gardening type gloves should be used when propagating and caution should also be taken when refreshing propagation water. I plant to purchase some thick, SOLID rubber gloves that can easily be thoroughly washed. NOT those gardening gloves that have a breathable section at the back of the hand and wrists! You should also clean the tools you use and the work area. Rubbing alcohol AT LEAST 70% grade is known to be effective for cleaning tools that have come in contact with poison ivy so I plan on implementing that. As well as never shortcutting again by taking rushed cuttings and not doing the basics like laying out a protective mat and immediately washing my hands afterwards. I lazily let my NUMEROUS cuttings drop to the floor (CARPET!) and I know I didn't wash my hands right away like I normally do. A couple hours later I laid on this floor in a tank top and got a mild rash a day later across my upper back and shoulder area as well as my ear lobes which I believe is from handling my earbuds right after propagating my favorite plant. PLEASE MAKE MY PAIN WORTH IT AND LET THIS BE A LESSON TO YOU... PUH-LEAZE!

Mannington is a great company and they make great products. As a dealer of theirs I will recommend you glue this product down for best results. Any other dealer that suggests otherwise is nuts. I had too many claims against the floating version due to the product not locking properly, raised edges etc. and zilch for the glue down. It's not worth the hassle. Durability of the product is great. Please use coasters or pads under chairs and couches (as with any floor). The product will handle great against dogs and toe nails. --A trapped dog attempting to dig its way out of a room will tear up any floor, even this one. Keep an extra box handy, accidents happen. Glue down is much easier to repair, as noted above. Prep of your subfloor is everything. Make sure it is prepped properly and by their guidelines.

Wow, this is all GREAT.................I am starting to come out of panic mode and seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. I really like the continuity of having ALL wood - no seams anywhere - just ALL wood across the entire bottom level - BUT - some of these ideas intrigue me as well. Would a marble or mosaic look appropriate? We are in a higher-end home and my decor is very formal, upscale vs. a cottage look, beachy, rustic, etc. A hotel that we visit frequently had some wonderful marble mosaics as part of their lobby. Wonder what that might look like as an option? Thank you, Beth, for those pictures and being part of the sane ones talking me off the ledge of craziness with this whole situation, lol. And Flo. Very wise words - it is NOT brain surgery, you are right! I have a picture of the two gouges on my phone but I don't know how well they will show up. I'll try to log on from my phone and post the gouges so you can see. COuld be they can still fix what is there. I shall know soon! IN the mean time, going to see what else I might can put in that foyer - starting with the ideas already shared :)). Another quick question since everyone here is so knowledgeable - are the engineered hardwoods of 2017 much different than the ones in 2002? In terms of durability, resistance to scratching/marks?

Dadoes, My DW was chosen for its ability to dry, because my normal loads don't hold enough heat to work to dry the European way. Even so, I have to use specific settings to get the drying. The DW isn't worth using, IMH, if the dishes aren't dry, especially since they might sit clean for a couple of days and start smelling. There are still a few pools in depressions, of course, but those don't get that put away wet smell, and are inevitable, even with angled loading. It is within the realm of possibility that a fancier, newer DW would get dried, stuck gunk off better, or maybe a more aggressive detergent, but using a minimal amount of extra water to prevent failure of what I have, works for me.