But aren't mothers also happy for the independence and commitment children display as they wind their ways through this wonderful world? He's a big boy, he will be fine and Haiti will be a better place when he leaves it!. I am certain he will report on "pretty" and "funny", too. That he is committed enough to move there reflects brilliantly on all the "basics" learnt at home. :) Never thought about attempting to sell floorcloths, Cindy. They're a lot of work and I have no belief that anyone would be willing to pay me handsomely for the time required. Though perhaps I ought to rethink that as a designer for whom I've worked expressed interest in them, too. I can't wait to see my brother's reaction; he's always been one of my biggest "boosters" and all my life he's done one kind and generous thing after another for me. I get a genuine charge out of doing silly little things for him. Excellent assignment for a poor student with a definite attitude problem, 'bug. Lol. Bet that's gone over like a lead balloon with Mommy-dearest. It won't kill him, doubtless he'll live to lie another day. ;) Time to begin sealing the underside of the piece. Later!

There are different types of heat tracing. I used constant wattage in my system, and can't comment on other types. Aptly named, it produces heat with no limit, thus the need for control(t-stat)...exactly like your water heater. Memory isn't good, so I can't give prices (my system is over 10 years old)but IIRC, there is a minimum footage purchase (10' maybe)and then per/ft. cost. Insulation cost is a wash- any system should be insulated. My system is designed to maintain a temp. just under the heater setpoint. The longer the insulation maintains static condition the less power used. Cost for my system with expensive, quality pipe insulation was well under a circ. pump. Installation requires no plumbing, but does require minor electrical skills if power isn't nearby. Installing the trace and insulating will take longer than installing a pump (without return line- which could extend time considerably), but is not skilled work, simply conscientious. My situation has 20' of trace,@5W/ft. At the old kWh rate (just increased), operating costs were penny/hour. Note the system does not operate continuously. Circ. pumps consume power starting at ~400W, 4x my consumption, though of course they are intermittent duty too.

I'm in New Hampshire and the cabinet maker I'm using, Crown Point Cabinetry, does cabinets for people all over the country. They're a "direct buy" company, meaning you deal with them from start to finish, as their cabinets are not sold by other vendors. I believe they'll work to your specifications. Have a look at their website: http://www.crown-point.com/ For kitchens, they have a KD in-house who'll work with you by phone or email and mock up the layout you want, so you can see it on paper. I don't think they do installation except under special circumstances, but they are sending someone to my home (in New Hampshire) to take the measurements. Maybe they'd do that for you too (depending on the size of your job?). Or you can have your installation guy take the measurements.

So, I've been working in that room a LOT! Packed up and donated a ton of stuff, but still have plenty left. The fabric and trims will be getting another thorough culling after I regain some steam. I wish I had taken a "before" pic, but it was just a mess. Imagine tubs and stuff and junk just strewn everywhere. Here's my "during" pics: That lamp was a $2 thrift store find! I just found an inexpensive shade, dressed it up with a little ric-rack and painted the finial to match. The desk is getting new paint and hardware. The shelf is also getting fresh paint. That yellow chair is the inspiration for the feel and color scheme of the room. The table...also getting fresh paint. I wanted a table big enough to really work at. Something big enough to sew, paint, cut fabric, etc. I already had that table, and decided this was the perfect spot for it. It has another leaf, too, so I can add another foot or so if I need to. I was looking for a rolling cart or shelf to store the sewing machines on, but couldn't find anything that met all of my needs, so I just made one! I used a piece of heavy plywood, added casters to the bottom and handles on the sides. The paint is still curing, but both machines will fit on it, and it stows nicely under the table. So far, the only new things I've bought were the lamp, the red rolling chair, and the hardware. I'm still searching for closed storage for the fabric, either a pantry or an armoire.