Outsmarting the tree rats (squirrels) around my house is a full time job. This past spring I hit on a new idea. When I plant a container I invert an empty wire hanging basket over the container and the plant gets sun and can be watered but the squirrels can't dig in it. Another idea: I bring in a lot of plants to "over winter" under lights in my garage. I have so many that it is hard to reach my hand under the lights (4 shop lights) to the middle for watering. So I bought a pump sprayer with a long wand and it works great! In late winter I add a little liquid Dawn detergent, few drops, to each gallon of water and not only does the soil get wet easier but the worms that are waiting to hatch into distructive pets just don't hatch. Don't know what it costs me to run those four shop lights all winter but I don't care. It is a small price to pay to be able to "garden" every weekend in the garage. Many people have mentioned that they mark their outdoor plants with a "permanent Sharpie". In my experience there isn't a "permanent Sharpie", they all fade and quickly too. A grease pencil/china marker or expensive "no fade" garden center marker are the only markers I have found that won't disappoint you by fading. Eight years ago I decided to learn about gardening so I tapped into my local library. I checked out nearly every book they had on gardening and learned so much. The Gardenweb forums are also a wealth of information and entertainment. There is always something new to learn and I appreciate all of you who take the time to write in your ideas. One last idea from me...I keep a small notebook on my computer table and jot down any idea I find that's new and I will want to try. Little pieces of paper get lost but I always know where my notebook is and also use it when I order "on line" so I will remember the name of the company and the order date. Tina or Trowelgal

Remember I like floating... These samples are all floating. Color wise they're all a silver grey. I was originally looking for a grey. The 2 Wicanders Art Comfort series samples are from the stone plank collection. To me, in these small 6"x6" samples, it reminds me of old hand scraped wood thats been left outside and weathered. I'm trying to attach a photo- 3 greys are all together, other 2 for comp. are an off white and a plain natural nugget style. (not the best pic, taken with my phone) This post was edited by luckymom on Sun, Jan 27, 13 at 9:11

Thank you, everyone. We are meeting with the builder tomorrow and I am going to do that "point and ask." I want to hear their suggestions and remedies. My biggest problem now is that I doubt I can get another granite slab to replace this countertop if anything happens while trying to put in a new sink. We picked 2 consecutive numbered slabs for the kitchen after we looked at all the others in the lot. The 2 we picked were very well matched in color tone and movement but the others all looked a bit off from what we wanted. Advertguy, it isn't a dent, but a scratch in the glazing and I can feel it by running my fingernails across the surface. I will have to say that the plumber was definitely not superman but had a super big gut. The picture I have is of him leaning across the sink to adjust the pull out on the faucet and then swiveling to reach a tool. It's putting a shiver up my spine just thinking about it.

Socal, just for giggles (since you seem to have this issue well in hand), I thought I'd share my dimple experience. I have a shaw's fireclay corner sink 15" square, so two sides are exposed. There was a long vertical dimple, very noticable on one side. I carefully positioned the sink for everyone who came through, so the measurements would be right, so that everyone knew about the dimple, so that there would be no question about which way it went (wrote on the inside of the cab, even). So the day the granite arrives for the island, it is snowing. My driveway is steep and has three switch backs. I have two flights of stairs that the island needs to go up and then there is a tight corner at the top before it goes into the kitchen. It took three granite guys and three football player teenagers to get it in the house. It was a bit of an ordeal. A few days later the plumber comes while I'm at work, and says to my husband, "Uh oh, She is not going to be happy...", and pointed out that the giant dimple runs down the most obvious, best lit side! Mostly it's forgotten, but when I think of it, it just makes me smile.