That's sounds interesting! Thanks Mia, I'll be inviting both my sisters. :) Alexis

Tikanis - I know now why my back used to hurt so much (thinking about carrying the six 10-lb sacks of potatoes!) Here's a question for all of you re: our 2010 Census. Have you received yours yet? If so, how was it delivered? Even though I was home all day yesterday, no one bothered to knock on the door or ring the doorbell. It was not delivered by the postal service. I accidentally found the envelope on our driveway floor by the garage doors. Fortunately, the rain had ended, or it would have been reduced to confetti. Our whole street was done this way. I would not have noticed it if I hadn't been taking the trash can out to the curb. And yet the government stress how important it is to participate in completing the form. Foolish me - I just assumed it would be mailed to us, but just throwing it on the driveway like the daily newspaper is the last way I would think such an important document would be delivered. Is it just down here in the boonies this is happening?

awm : thank you for the sweet and supportive wishes. I sure hope your ride goes well. Two of the folks I am with have done that ride and loved it. We are indeed fortunate in the support we get from our families. tina thank you too. I will keep up the updates as it helps to clarify things in my head too :). I am glad you are enjoying it. golddust. we had flashing lights but it was just a miserable set of circumstances....hopefully not to be repeated. Glad you like my TALL tales. Sue yes it never has stormed today but we have had a fine time. We walked several miles to go to a Dollar Store and to stretch our legs. Time for a nap I think. Your trip sounds wonderful. I bet you will always cherish that time as will I this trip. Most likely won't do another as I don't want to leave DH this long again but this one time it is good. More later. c

im starting to rethink city loft since the sample looks a bit dirty. The perception of dirty is about context. Colors only look dirty because of other colors nearby. And it can be managed - to a degree - with contrast. A difference in Munsell Chroma of 0.20 usually manipulates the negative perception of "dirty" to a more positive "muted" and harmonious. not sure what the 75% does to the chroma levels to compare the whites. The truth is no one is sure. Because no one can concisely answer 75% of what. Exactly. Some BenM stores have standardized cut formulas in as much as they have a predetermined 75% formula. But, again, no one is measuring what is essentially the brand new color. Because whenever the formula is changed its a brand new color. Which means no one can compare the 75% version to the original and map precisely how they're different - if they're different at all. Which is why I don't do custom formulas unless it's an absolute last resort. also does color matching BM at SW mess with the different levels of chroma and other values? Probably. But not by much. Usually. Crossing brands gets you in the same hue family neighborhood and within a tight Value and Chroma range. Crossing brands works well for those who can live with 'close enough is good enough' and consider it a bonus if the match ends up spot-on.