You may have meant voles, voles can wipe out your plants. They just eat the roots away and when you go to check your ailing plant it come right up in your hand, which is agood sign of them. Now could it be something else? could a weed killer or other toxic substance gotten blown through there? This happened to me, my neighbor powerwashed his house with chemicles and killed 18 years with of gardening in 2 weeks time. In this case leaves will curl up and turn brown like in weed killer. There are several reasons it could've happened. Inspect the damage and contact your county ag extension, they might could tell you.

Condoms fail, women lie, young men lust, young girls don't make the best decisions. Un-wanted children are born every minute...these are facts. So in our situation, an unwanting mother brought her unwanted teen to an unknowing, unwanting man(father)and woman. So terribly sad. Who hurts..I believe this young person does, I'm certain we do, and I pray his mother does so she doesn't make this mistake again, yes mistake..and yes, my husband has learned a huge lesson..see line one. We have not only stepped up to the plate...We're batting like heck at all the crazy pitches!

Do you know of some friends in similar position with whom you might share housing? There are several advantages - there'd be shared chores, and if two can agree on how a chore should be done, sharing it is more fun than doing it alone. You'd eat better: more than tea and toast for lunch. Increased safety: if one falls or needs help, there's someone within earshot to help, and can triage it: we can look after it ... or we call a family member ... or we call "911" - right now! There's more intellectual stimulation than when living alone ... and some say that it may help to keep certain forms of Alzheimer's at bay ... for a while, at least. If there were several sharing, there'd be enough savings over living expenses separately as individuals that they could afford a part-time housekeeper. Two would work - three wouldn't, for two would become friends and the third would be somewhat socially isolated. Prior to starting, have a prospective sharer move in for a few days, or a week or two, to see how well the system might work ... and if it didn't look worthwhile, they could return home and make other plans. Had one been in a hospital for a while, and could be released, but not able to function alone for a while, and no person available to help out for a while at home, sometimes they are "bed blockers" in hosp. ... but in this situation the other house-sharer(s) could watch over them, and take care of the chores, until the person were back on her/his feet and able to share work again ... and if that were not going to be possible, other arrangements would need to be made, but there'd be some time to make them. Possibly some food for thought ... (better than tea and toast for lunch, maybe?). ole joyful

Jennifer - I'm not a pro, so I really cannot offer any advice. Just want to let you know that I really feel for you. I'm in the Chicago area and I wish there was a way I can direct message you as we had our basement finished last fall and was happy with our contractor. We also got new countertops last year and was very happy with our fabricator. I hope neither was the company that you worked with. I just want to correct you in that Cambria is not the only company whose quartz does not come from China. There are many others. The "cheap Chinese" quartz that a lot of people talk about on this forum are companies that do not use the Brenton technology. I will say though that I agree with you on your assessment with how a lot of the Pros "talk" to the homeowners on this site. It can certainly be frustrating. I don't know of a "designer" around that will work with a small project -- and the first thing the Pros will tell you to do is consult a designer. Great - tell me one that will work with a budget that less than 100K. Or a small project as many of us don't have the financial resources to do a giant project at once. It sounds like you did your research and I'm not sure if there is a problem with the fireplace not being a vented fireplace that caused the issue but if Quartz Masters said it was fine, then I would "think" they're at fault.