For that small area next to the house I would do a JM or fringetree. The emperor 1 as mentioned is probably too big Fireglow might even be too big. Pagoda Dogwood is definitely too big. I'd also suggest putting something evergreen in the corner closest to the driveway. For the side yard I would plant something like a Green Giant or your regionally popular screening tree and some bowhall red maples or crimson spire oak or something to give you some screening. That looks like a pretty nice view there of the countryside but make it so when you sit outside in your backyard or look out your windows that you don't see any other homes. Thus I wouldn't suggest any of the plants on your list for the sideyard. Something tall growing to give you shade and screening and some privacy. And something long lived and problem free. You also will problably want some clearance there in case you need to access the back yard with some heavy equipment for some reason. As for the back yard it's hard to judge from that photo what I'm looking at and where the property line ends. To me it looks like you've got room for one of each of those on your list. Out of all of those, the yellowwood and horschestnut are what interest me the most. I think you need some oaks in there and some maples and beeches. Maybe a tricolor beech.

As long as the corn is sturdy, and well rooted, I don't think you need to worry too much about the bean growing too tall. I've grown Cherokee Cornhill Pole bean on 8' corn. I'm positive that this bean would go up at least 15' if given the support. Yet, even on stalks which broke in half, this bean simply made a shorter cornhill, and... produced wonderfully. Last year I did an experiment, just for kicks. I had two broken spading forks, less than 4' tall. I stuck them in the ground and planted Childers Cutshort, a pole bean, on them. Childers Cutshort will go up at least 10' if given the support. Yet it produced very well on those two forks. It simply did loop di loops. Some of the taller beans, when grown on corn, will actually "jump" from plant to plant, growing across the top of the corn patch. I've observed this with Tarahumara Pink Green bean, among others. George Tahlequah, OK

@sunfeather I've talked to plumbers on other forums & they said that the flush is about the same. Both have around a 1000 MAP score (which is very high & good). One of the main differences now between the Drake & Entrada is that the Drake now has a canister/tower flush mechanism instead of a flapper but the Entrada still uses a flapper. But I've had people tell me they still perform about the same. E-Max will use less water (so might need someone to hold the lever longer or do a second flush if there is something particularly stubborn in the toilet) but the benefit is that it will use less water & meet eco standards in some places. E-Max will probably save $ on water in the long run as well as up front on the costs since E-Max is cheaper. I would give it a try, but I can't say definitively until I use an E-Max toilet. If I ever finish the reno & get the E-Max installed, I'll give an update on how it performs compared to the G-Max .

Thanks all... some replies: - Hitting up family isn't much of an option. This had been my in-laws' house that they were unable to maintain due to age, disability and income; the project was to build out a ground floor "apartment" combined with foundation work. They're in it with us, and have no financial resources to fall back on. And unfortunately, MY dad recently joined the ranks of the unemployed, so I don't want to impose (he's been a great help to me working on the house, and they've graciously contributed financially prior to his job loss). - I don't want to count this an a rainy day emergency just yet -- we're doing fine living in a rental and we do have the option of ceasing all work and taking a break for a year (or whatever it takes) while we regroup. I'd rather have any savings banked for other financial hiccups, like job loss or true emergencies. Do any of you have experience with unsecured loans from credit unions, other lending institutions, or even going to credit card companies? Just curious if these are options. Actually planning on hitting the street today to visit my two CU's, and thinking a call to my credit card holders might be worth while -- as long as they don't get scared off by my request and pull our credit!