Hello, Al. We had some electrical stuff going on here and my power conditioner was going nuts. Today I had to chkdsk my drives and just got back online. I'm not sure yet what it takes to get started. No idea how much of anything I need, though I know I'm not ready to make large quantities yet. I would be mixing in small amounts since I would need to use a container that fit on my rather small table in the garage. If I only need three ingredients, I suppose I could talk my husband into storing three large bags, though I'm not sure what large means since fifty pounds of a lightweight material would be a lot larger bag than fifty pounds of stone. Would the T67 Soil Sieves at $17.97 be sufficient? They don't seem like they would be heavy. Someone mentioned esj collanders. If that's like the one I drain pasta or greens in, it sounds managable. I'm thinking a dishpan to mix the ingredients would be easier than something larger. Mid May seems so close! I know you say it wouldn't be a hardship to come early, but it feels like it would be such an imposition. At the same time it sounds so promising. I could check with my daughter (who has offered to help me) and see if she could be here to work with us and keep my brain less scattered. Since the fibro has gotten worse I get overwhelmed easily. Frustrating because I used to be easy going. I would need to get started now to have things here that we need, especially if I have to order them. Would you give me a better idea of what I would need to have ready and set up? Meantime, I'll check with Mary (my daughter) and see if she would be free on the 13th. Please, if anything comes up that makes it inconvenient, don't hesitate to let me know! Just a side note. One or two of the plants I bought seems to be planted in some kind of bark. The water just runs down the side of the pot and doesn't absorb at all. Is this a danger with bark or did they use the wrong kind/not enough other things mixed in. I don't usually let plants sit in water, but it seems the only way these can get a drink. I don't mind watering often; in fact it would be better because I would be less apt to forget if it was a more regular routine. Reminds me, I need to have pots also. So much to think about. Will wait to hear from you. I don't manage to get online every day but will try and check often. Bless you so much for your willingness to help, Al. Peggy

HC accessibility laws must accommodate all of the disabilities and special equipment likely to be used by the public therefore the laws are complex and extensive and don't apply to homes. HC accessibility in a new home is far easier to achieve and does not usually involve 5 ft turn circles or wide hallways and doorways. The use of a motorized scooter in place of a wheelchair eliminates most accessibility requirements except counter heights, under-counter clearances and entrance ramps. Motorized wheelchairs/scooters cost far less than extensive accessibility features and the expense can be postponed until it is needed which might never happen or might happen in your next house. You should provide HC access to the front door now for guests and relatives who might need it.

I am the person quoted about the"wheelchair trumps a walker" comment. I will tell you the whole story and maybe you might understand the reason for the comment. First of all, Cynic's comment, "Sure, some would suggest that perhaps instead of using a walker they should sit down and ride in a wheelchair. Much easier in many ways. " Oh how nice it would be if it were that simple for me to just get up and try a walker just to get a feel for the difficulty of it! Five years ago I survived a brain aneurysm. After 5 months in the hospital, one of them in ICU, I was released to a world that I no longer fit in. I went from being a 60 yr. old widow who was maintaining the yard work of 3 acres as well as keeping up everything else needed to run the house, to someone totally dependent on paid caregivers to dress me, feed me, and get me in and out of bed, and eventually learn to feed myself, write, etc. with my left hand since my right side is 90% useless. I was deemed clear-minded enough by my insurance company to be able to drive a power chair. I had to buy a specially converted minivan with a ramp that requires having to park in a van accessible space in order for the ramp to go down. Now for the above referenced comment. My caregiver was waiting for traffic to clear so that she could back into the only available space with the ramp area. There was a truck behind us that expressed their indignation that we took the space that they wanted. They parked across the aisle from us and I saw a relatively young woman, who had a bandaged knee, get out and the driver gave her the walker. I then asked my caregiver to hurry and lower the ramp so I could get out and let them see that we were there out of need for the space with wheelchair access. They did look and their angry faces turned to laughter at what one of them thought was funny. I summed up the situation as "wheelchair trumps walker". I understand your posts in defense of those having a hard time with a walker. I should wish to have that option, as well as having my old life back, but you deal with what life gives you and that includes me having to fight for a parking space where my ramp can be used.

@Nancy in Mich, thanks for the details. I just found your bathroom reveal post too. I'm glad you're happy with the outcome. I have been reading about the pros and cons of cultured marble; I had checked out swanstone (not available near me - Canada); I'm only seeing solid stone panels showing up on box store sites but will keep looking. The contractor, who does accessible bathrooms tends to use cultured marble from a particular local manufacturer and say it's great. According to that company's website, "It is possible to repair scratches, chips, and minor blemishes. A repair person can re-buff the surface or patch with a special mixed gel-coat compound." They also say " Cultured marble is easy to care for and keep clean. Simply squeegee after each shower to quickly remove water drops from walls and to clean, you can use most non-abrasive cleaners. If hard water deposits accumulate, they can be dissolved with vinegar applied from a spray bottle. Cultured marble that has lost its shine can be restored by using Gel-Gloss or Counter Top Magic once a year. " Of course they'll say their product is awesome, right? ;) I do recall from years ago my parents had a bathroom vanity with cultured marble all in one countertop and sink bought from a box hardware. It didn't last forever and eventually had to be replaced. Hopefully quality is different now. Also, it might be easier on a wall than a basin that is collecting all kinds of liquids and such. Right now the bathroom is too narrow for dad to go in with his walker; thankfully there's a long vanity counter he holds onto, and when going in the tub, there are grab bars and mom is there to guide him. We'll likely go 0-threshold to allow him turning space with his walker. He also has low vision and one eye has no sight so balance is a concern. Thank God he has never fallen in the bathroom. The reno plan will unfortunately mean a small vanity and essentially no storage. I'm going to start a thread to get some ideas because no one who has come out has any ideas. The main reason is that widening to door will take up their linen closet and most of where the current vanity is. I do wonder about the comfort of a tile floor - seems it would be chilly and hard on the soles of one's feet so you'd need slippers all the time. Dad already wears them but not mom. That will be an adjustment. It'll take some more work trying to find something with sufficient texture and slip resistance while being comfortable for standing on. Did you buy your new shower curtain online? It's hard to find heavy weighted ones in the local stores anymore.