^^^ Quite right. The thought process we use in justifying a little more care taken in planting trees and shrubs is along the lines of "What's a few more minutes spent planting a tree when that tree could conceivably be around for one hundred years"? kind of thing. Most folks can understand that if so told. But yes, there is a problem when most projects are bid out time and materials. I oversee lots of bid-out projects for our local stormwater utility. The range of quality and care taken by different landscaping firms is huge. As these are usually subs hired by the main contractor for the project, we don't always have a lot of control over who we end up with on the landscaping end. We can use language to sway things a bit, but ultimately, bottom dollar still rules much of the time. I'm on vacation through the end of the year, but in keeping in touch with the engineers I work with, I've learned that our least favorite landscaper is installing trees this week yet! That's very late for this part of the world. There is a warranty period, so in that sense, we'll be okay, but it could easily be a lot of wasted motion! +oM

People are giving me a lot to think about. And I did broach the idea of a lift to DH. The lot is just over half an acre--150x160. For what it's worth, I've been watching the expanded northwest/west Chicago suburban area for homes with extra large garages (or both an attached and detached garage). There aren't many and they disappear fast. They will only appeal to a certain market, but to that market, they're in high demand. (Car collectors, people who have a hobby that requires a large workshop) As for garages in the neighborhood, the few existing homes have 2--several with an additional detached garage. The new homes mostly have 3--and a few have 4. I know it's not what everyone would do but that's one of the reasons to build instead of buy--because we can plan for the things that are important to us, even, or especially, if they're not commonly available. But when it comes right down to it, few of us only have as much house as we "need". I *need* a place to sit with a computer. I want it to be comfortable (desk with pullout keyboard tray), and I want a window to look out of, and I want to have nice furniture in it. I don't need any of those things (although my chiropractor might make an argument for the keyboard tray). But I want them and can't think of any reason why I shouldn't make them happen. We're all different--there are those on this board who prefer jack&jill bathrooms. I hate them. There are those who think a 2nd sink for a hall bathroom shared by kids is a waste of money. I disagree (and so would my kids)--but that's okay. We want a house with a large double shower and don't care at all about a soaking tub. Someone else wants that tub enough to devote 36 sq ft to it. That's all okay. Looking at houses on-line, I saw zillions of "newly remodeled kitchens" that I hated. Some were objectively bad designs. But most of them weren't--they were just finishes that I didn't like at all--and knew we'd pay a premium for that 'newly remodeled kitchen' even though I'd want to rip it all out. It's all part of why people build instead of buy. We want what we want--and some of us are fortunate enough to be able to make that happen.

Heidi, sometimes I think that standing on my head might be the answer! I'm already planning what I'm going to do this year, in my gardens. I'm looking forward to seeing what the plants I bought from Prairie Moon will do in their second year. They looked rather weevily this year, but that's to be expected. On the other hand, the Silene Regia sure attracted the hummers, they looked like they were fighting over the few blooms there were. I'm not buying any plants (oh sure), l want to work on my containers, hanging baskets and planters - seeds for the annuals. I need to do a heavy mulching again this year too. Can't wait to see the Iris! Well, I am watching the second game of the night - the Dubs are winning - nothing unexpected about that. I am also composing a letter to the Pistons coach, which starts: "Dear Mr. VanGundy, why do you bring your team high scorer in off the bench? And in case you haven't noticed, KCP can't hit for S--t. Just saying" I am too old for this. Shirley!

It really depends on the situation and every home and need are different. In the basement overcooling situation, you gotta do it for the comfort. Some people have insulation between the basement and living space so you don't want to lose your heating to that area. Then there is the problem with imbalanced pressures. If there are supply duct openings, where is the air going to go? If the basement is closely coupled to the area with a return (upstairs?) and you don't mind a little air down there to dehumidify, or warm it up a little bit, leave it alone. If the basement is sealed off from the return upstairs, it may leave the area more closely coupled to the outdoors. It will be pressurized and the air will tend to leak out through the openings and cracks to nature. That will, in turn, depressurize the living space and suck unconditioned air from random cracks and openings up there. It might even come down some flues. If that is going on, you gotta fix it. You can do it by adding a return or sealing the supplies. Ducting systems are complicated. I hate them.