I don't think the Thungergia is NEARLY as bad as wisteria, it just grows a whole lot bigger than the books and stuff I'd read indicated and I wish I'd known so I could have planted it in a better location. Don't think there are any runners anywhere, tho' it's wider at the base than it was, but I'd think that was reasonable after ten years or so. Others have taken it out because it starts blooming late and gets frosted, but in a mild winter I think it would bloom all winter long. (It may have, but I don't remember for sure.) But it is so beautiful, and full of bloom right now and has been blooming for months, just not so heavily. My neighbors have wisteria so I have to fight it all the time. Don't suppose I'll ever get rid of it, and like you say, Mike, it really takes over. It's lovely in bloom, but it's a much shorter bloom season.

My island is 12'long and 49" wide. There are 3 heights - 42", 36" and 30". To me, the 42" height is useless although it is where DH sits when he is in the kitchen. It was his idea and he now admits that 36" would be better. SO--- I would have 8'at 36" and 4' at 30". I get to correct all my mistakes as I have 2 more kitchens to do - maybe 3. Not looking forward to it! I'll be around here for a long time. I made a lot of good decisions - the best being changing the layout to a galley from a square.

oakleyok, what came to mind when I read the subject of this post was to choose a floor plan that would position my kitchen in such a way as to allow some connection to adjoining rooms (pass through, arched openings..), but not be completely open to them. Then I read your post and found it ironic that you were thinking the opposite would be preferable. Different strokes... In both my home and in our 2-yr-old lakehouse I have open concept plans where the kitchens are open to my dining rooms and other rooms, as well. It is ideal when it's just DH & myself (empty nesters.) But I don't like it when I'm entertaining, which happens more now with our kids, spouses & grands returning for visits and since I've taken over holiday meals as my parents have aged. I would appreciate more privacy & less disruption when I'm trying to measure out ingredients or making a dish where it's important to focus on timing/texture, etc. Cooking IRL is not like being on a cooking show. The process doesn't start with prepped ingredients in little glass bowls. It's often messy and cluttery and I would love to have a more private workspace to do my cooking and baking and have my "Ta Da" moment when I present meals in the dining room. I hate serving a nice meal and looking at a counter full of pots, pans, prep bowls and kitchen equipment that needs washing. I would love to have a kitchen space that allowed me to go back and clean up later - after I've enjoyed eating and visiting with guests. I was a big fan of the open concept, in theory, but after living with it, I wouldn't do it again.

Kframe, yes we get a refund sometimes more than $2500. We discussed this some time ago and I am pretty sure he adjusted it the maximum (or minimum allowed). I am definitely going to follow up on this. I know you are supposed come as close to breaking even as possible on taxes, so I am not sure what is going on with it. As a followup on the 401K, we decided to go ahead and do the max. Well, the HR gal called my husband and told him that because we was in a highly-paid mgmt position, it was too much and he would probably get money back. We both laughed at the "highly-paid" part, but anyway we had to cut it to about $9000 a year. We didn't realize we would have this same issue as his previous job because this company is much, much larger with many employees above him. I check out Pond's website and found this questions posted. Question: "My husband and I are each contributing 10% of our incomes to our companies 401(k) plans and have some money left over to invest elsewhere. Would it be better to put that money away for our kids college or make extra payments against the mortgage?" Pond's answer: "Probably neither at this stage. Rather, you should add to your retirement savings plans at work if you can get to 15%, great. Then, I think you both should do an IRA. While saving for college and paying down the mortgage are both noble objectives, your most important objective at this stage in your life is putting enough money away for retirement. Moreover, contributing to plans at work and IRAs are simply better financially than college savings and extra mortgage payments. Since there are limits as to how much you can contribute to retirement plans, each year its a use it or lose it proposition. If you forego putting as much money as you can into a plan in a particular year, its a year that can never be made up in the future. But once youre over the hurdle of putting enough money away for your retirement, then you can go on to college savings and prepaying your mortgage. Perhaps you could do a little of both with whatevers left over at the end of the month." I have been putting a bit extra toward my mortgage for almost two years now. Maybe I shouldn't. Next week we will be talking to my in-laws accountant. I think I better print this out and bring it with me.