Lowspark - I love your widget. You have such lovely taste, You really do. However - just a tiny thought here (I have done a lot of decorating for my friends): Your widget placement bothers me. Could you possibly move your stove to the opposite wall? I'm thinking that the refrigerator which is currently there would look better closer to the sink anyway. Of course you'd have to remove the upper cabinet, but as you've said in another thread, the cab in your guest bath does need changing out. Then you could position your darling table against the empty wall. I'm wondering if the table should be pink, though. Could you repaint it? A cream paint with crackle-glaze would look lovely. Do you see where I'm going here? You could also repaint that wall - in a rich red, for contrast. Just thinking out loud here. Place the table against the wall, put your sweet widget on it, and that widget is going to pop! Then you wouldn't need so many hoo hoos, although I'd keep all the ding dongs. I don't suppose you'd change out your kitchen hardware to match the ORB of the widget, would you? Simply trying to be helpful (I am a decorator, of sorts). My rabbi agrees that if a widget is glass, it can definitely be kashered for Passover. But - not trying to be irritating - if the widget has plastic, it's never going to be kosher and also, it was made by DuPont, and we all know about them.

In fairness, this isn't JUST kids these days, I realize that. Evil, and I agree that's what it is, has been around, well, since the beginning of time. This type of thing has happened 50, 75, 100 years ago and for that matter before that too. I remember my Dad telling stories about the history of certain farms in the area, where one murdered their spouse and they could smell something for miles around. They found her body in the attic in the hot summertime weather. I won't go into more details that he told me! That said, this one just got under my skin. I wanted to warn people before reading about it. It's a newspaper article so it's pretty toned down, but still, I was appalled and angry doesn't describe it. I just wish one of the neighbors had a gun or a baseball bat and went over and laid a pile of wood on them. THESE THINGS JUST GET TO ME! Forgive me, but it just does. I very seldom get irate over things, but injustice is one thing that sets me off. For those who didn't read the article, the fellow apparently is doing OK. Last I heard he had another operation on his brain over the weekend to remove pressure and buildup and last I heard, he's doing "well" under the circumstances. And they have the 15 & 16 yo suspects in custody. One caught in the yard and the other hiding in the garage under a car. Too bad they didn't go la-de-da-de-da-da, start up the car and go for a drive over a speedbump. For the one in the yard, well K9s gotta eat too. I don't think I've been this worked up since Katie Poirier was kidnapped and killed a few years back. Even in as bad shape as I was in, I tried to volunteer to help in the search. Couldn't but what really got me going on that one was she was a c-store employee and it was one of my biggest fears when I managed stores. Briefly, for those who don't know, Katie was a 19 yo convenience store clerk who was abducted by a 51 yo. Lots of coverage on the internet. Why it happens or where it comes from? Who knows? It started as a robbery (one said essentially he knew an easy target) and I somehow suspect there was either an ego trip or fear of getting caught. Maybe they didn't expect him to be home, I don't know. Dottie I have a nice tree, anyone have a rope and a horse? I agree with you. What good are they to themselves or society? Except for veterinary experiments. These things make me sick. Incidently he was active in crime prevention in his area and without a doubt it saved his life and caught the punks quickly. A neighbor saw them breaking in and called the police. So all I ask is get involved! Some way. Any way you can. Maybe you can't walk a patrol, but watch out your windows, be alert to something that doesn't look right. And most importantly, call the police if it doesn't look right. Don't be afraid you might have it wrong - far better to be wrong than to be too late. And the police will tell you that too. Maybe if you don't see or hear from an elderly, or hey, even a single neighbor, give a checkup call and say hi. And if you're not moving around much, give a call and let someone know all is well. I'm guilty of not knowing all of my neighbors as well as I should. But this one probably is going to be the incentive to change that. Stay safe. And use seome telepathy to dearly departed to throw an extra log on the fire for when these two, and all like them, arrive.

Thanks everyone. I HATED this project!! LOL Now, I have to admit, she's not too bad looking!If I can get up tomorrow, I'll grout her ball. The weather got cold, my sinuses are on a rampage and all I want to do is sleep!! Katie- the cat had the bow on it. It was sort of a grey bland resin thing. I think that's why I thought of a white cat! Maria

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE KIND WORDS! I knew you TKOers would get my sentiment here. Funny, the only other "person" I have told this to is hubby and he was happy for me...he ain't really into cookware or cooking, but he was happy that I was happy. HA! My kitchen remodel is 90% done and when I finally finish it, I will post pics. I think the before and after pics might blow your socks off.....mainly cause the before was just so dog gone hideous!!! I'll also eventually weigh in on how I like my new induction cooktop. Point is...I've been gaining alot of info and insights from this group, and soon I hope to be giving back.