Sorry I missed so much over the last few days. I got invited to join some friends on a trip to the eastern Sierras for the weekend. I've never been to eastern Calif and it was quite an eye opener! GORGEOUS! GORGEOUS! We stayed in Mammoth Lakes (alt. of about 10,000 feet). The fall colors of the quaking aspens amongst the stunted conifers were stunning, and even the sere scrub lands of the valley had flowers blooming. We went for a canyon hike that took us to a series of small lakes - so very pretty how they reflected the blue sky dotted with white clouds. It was a 6-mile hike up to 11,000 feet so you can bet I was feeling it! Above the tree line, dramitic rock formations towered over us. It was awe inspiring, astounding and majestic!

We came back through Yosemite, and my GF and I ate lunch on a rocky bluff with a view of Half Dome. The dogwoods in the Yosemite valley were just starting to change colors. They were very pretty, but won't reach peak color for another week or two.

Well, just to support that research with a personal story... My older sister (14 months older than I am) had a birth injury to her head that damaged her speech center. So she was aphasic - unable to talk. She couldn't even really say mama clearly until she was about six. She was intelligent and understood the spoken word, but it took years and years of hard work and therapy before she was able to speak intelligibly. My parents always encouraged her to talk even though her speech was unintelligible (she couldn't form consonants at all). Once I learned to talk myself, I had absolutely no problem understanding what my DS was saying, so I interpreted her speech to family and friends. When we were about 3 and 4 years old, my parents bought a 2nd hand tape recorder (an unusual thing to have in the early 50s). They encouraged both of us to play with it and talk and listen to ourselves as much as we wanted. There was a green dial that jumped according to the level of sound being recorded. We loved watching the reels spin, and we loved making that light jump! ( Sorry, story is so long... )

Anyhoo, when I was an adult, I found the tapes and listened to some of the them. I was ASTOUNDED to find out that I could not understand a ~single~ word my sister said! It was complete babble and gibberish! It was obvious that we were having a "conversation", and I know at the time that I understood exactly what she said. My understanding of her talk could only have been through some kind of mental communication that had little to do with actual word sounds. At least that's the way it seems to me - a form of early childhood telepathy.

Gee, I'm just talking about me here - sorry!! :o I've got to get along to making dinner, but I'll try and catch up on our conversations a little later.

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Shell, sorry you'll have to get back to reality tomorrow. Whew and an early day at that. Hey, that 1-1/2 pounds will disappear quickly with those workouts And although I love the shore, I think I'm more of a mountain girl, too--and I don't think I've had on a bathing suit since I was 19!!

TB, so nice to hear from you. What a delightful weekend! Thank you for your description--I can almost see/feel the area. Sounds like heaven. Gosh I miss "scenery."

Wow, I don't doubt at all you "knew" what your sister was saying on a non-verbal level. but that must have been some shock when you listened to the tape as an adult. Terrific story!

I so love having you all as friends!

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Good morning!

Peg: O-M-G. What a horrendous mess. Boy, you really got to the bottom of it, and with a migraine! A hex on Sprint. A hex on B of A loan officers, and a small hex on daughters who open accounts in your name without telling you!

For the life of me, I can't figure out why Sprint can't call the loan officer (or vice versa) to ascertain the bill is paid.

If you can stand more phone calls, perhaps you could call Sprint. Get a name and phone number that will bypass all the electronic crap. Then have the loan officer call Sprint to confirm the bill is paid. I'll bet that's too easy.

I also imagine the great disappointment you must have in your daughter. For some reason, sometimes kids have this idea that their parents money is THEIR money, even when they are grown and married. I am still wondering how to ask my DH's daughter for the $1,000 she borrowed years ago (with promises to repay, of course.) She is now getting married in Las Vegas with a honeymoon trip to some island. Her new husband is president of a bank and she doesn't have to work. She runs around all day taking pictures of birds. Am I bitter? Yeah. Especially since she doesn't even send us a fricking Christmas Card, let alone a birthday card to her father.

Wow. Where did that rant come from, LOL!

Shelley, 0400?? That's what I call an early call! What a way to start back, and reality sets in with a BANG. That 1.2 pounds will just melt away in a day or two. I'd be happy with that, too, if that's all I gained on vacation.

I guess Brenda's 15-minutes theory won't work for sewing! Doesn't work for painting, either. But it does work for CLEANING! Hmm. I should make a list of 15-minute jobs around the house and tack it up on the fridge. Include in there some 15-Minute DH chores, too!

Brenda, perhaps we are all a little psychic and just don't realize it? Heeding that little voice may be the guardian angel on our shoulders. You're right about so many people having the unexplainable happen (like Terry!) that it's hard to discount the possibility.

Terry, your little trip sounded fantastic! Sure does beat sitting around the house thinking about tile floors!

That was a fascinating story about you and your sister. Peg mentions that children are naturally psychic to a degree. You must have experienced that with your sister. How cool your parents saved that tape and you were able to listen to it years later!

Which leads me to ask Peg to recount those experiences she had as a child. Scared the bejeesus out of you? Now you have to tell!

And, Peg, you also mentioned you practiced it for a while as an adult. HOW does one practice this?

Yesterday was a busy day with office work and arrangements for Chicago. Just a small tint job today, and I re-scheduled the big one I was to do tomorrow, so I'll have time to do my nails. (Certain priorities, here, LOL!) Also have to clean the van, unload all the work stuff and put some seats back in, which is always a BIG hassle cause neither DH nor I can remember how to put them in. Lots of lists to make, etc.

Talk with you all tomorrow. Have a great day!

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

Oh, Peg! I can hardly think of anything more frustrating and infuriating than the runaround from all those financial robots--some of them electronic. I especially hate it when my pocketbook is threatened. It's bad enough when your head doesn't hurt, because it always hurts after you've been at it for an hour or two. I'm so sorry. Grit teeth. This too shall pass.

Teel, your description of the scenery tweaks my wanderlust but good. I've got a world of roadtrips in my future. On the subject of language, there's documented evidence of something called "twinspeak"--a private language invented by twin toddlers. Sounds like you and your sister might have shared a version of that. And like any 2nd language not practiced, it faded into your memory bank.

My dad ended up in the ER yesterday afternoon, and was admitted to the hospital to be treated for suspected pneumonia. It's entirely possible he's been incubating a bacterial infection for quite awhile, since he spent so much time with my mom in a close space. They'll take good care of him. Thank God once again for a sister in town, so we can share these little dramas as they come along. I'm sure Dad will be fine.

I'm actually not sore from the run on Saturday. I can feel a tiny twinge in my back, but I spent enough time in training to be ready for the effort. After all, I've got beautiful mountain hikes waiting for me someday! I don't want to miss out.

You'd think I'd be skinny--but Mother Nature has arranged ample energy storage on my body. I'd be great to get stuck on a desert island with--I'd last a long time without using up anybody else's food.

On that cheerful note...

Have a nice day.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Hi Gang!

Oh Barb! LOL about not using up the food on a deserted island! Still so impressed about the run. Though you do run fairly regularly, don't you? So sorry to hear about your Dad. I remember when my Mom would finally be put in the hospital. My brother and I could breathe a big sigh of relief for a while knowing that she would be well cared for and not dealing with her life alone. She actually dealt quite well, well into her 80's, but then began to lose her ability to remember, as well as the toll aging takes on eyes and hearing. As I have alluded to, my brother and I finally did have to move her to an assisted living facility (though a beautiful campus, where she coull live in one half of a duplex [not far from her former home in CA.]). It was traumatic for all of us, but turned out to be very good for her.

Terry: How good to see you writing with some energy again! It sounds as though your trip was just wonderful. DH and I honeymooned at Lake Tahoe, and drove up into those mountains. It was absolutely gorgeous. I think that people in other States, have no idea of the breadth of scenery that there is in CA.! Your description was wonderful! How great it was that you could get away midst the tile fiasco and everything else. Good going, girl!

Alida: Re my credit story: I ended Friday with a stand off from the Bank officer and the Credit officer at Sprint. Neither would call the other! No dice. No amount of pleading on my part would move either one! Last night I FAX'd a copy of my AMEX card bill showing my payment of the Sprint bill, as well as my payment of the AMEX bill to the bank officer. Her explanation through all was they needed written proof. Well, she's got it now. I didn't call anyone yesterday. I needed a break from it all.

I had to laugh at your small hex on my DD3! Believe me, around this house it has been a BIG hex! I don't know if you all remember, but my DD's have a terrible inherited family tendency to "cut me off" when they don't like what I've said or done (Family systems is my "bag" clinically). DD2 is currently in the throes of this. So, I've treaded lightly with DD3 and expressed my dismay, but saved my real anger to share with DH. I'll see her on Thursday and Friday this week. They flew into Maine last night to be with a friend of DSO's ("Significant Other") wedding over the weekend.

Do have a good weekend with your relatives. It sounds as if it will be a great celebration of your Aunt's life! I well know what it is to get ready to travel! We're doing that now.

Brenda: The feeling is mutual about you, my dear! I give thanks for all of you as friends too! And, listen, about the bathing suit thing ~ with that cute little body that you showed us with your knitted top, I can't imagine why you wouldn't get into a bathing suit! Listen, you guys, I put on a bathing suit every summer and go swimming. Of course, here in the East, no one cares what you look like. In So.Ca. everyone is measuring everyone. Not here. It was amazing to me when I first realized it. It must be that way in Chicago, I mean, that people don't notice. Or.........(said stroking my goatee, in my best German accent)..might it be that YOU don't like what you look like?????? Whaddya mean, I don't have a goatee? If I didn't wax, I could!

Shelley: So glad you are back! It's so good to see you writing again. You left a hole in the circle with your absence. But, now the "Shelley hole" is filled. Yay! So, exactly when IS 4:00 am? (kidding) I woke up at 5:30 this morning as if it were a new day! (I know, it IS a new day) I would have gotten up, but I couldn't figure out what a person does at that time of day. :eyes: So, I went back to sleep to find out what my dreams had to say to me today. I've been dreaming copiously. I find that for me, my psyche, works things out in my dreams. I learned long ago to pay attention, not slavishly, but with lightness and amusement.

Judy: Thinking about you this week with all the work you have to do! We're keeping the home fires burning for you. (We DID have a fire in the fireplace yesterday. DH finally gave in and believe me when I said it was COLD in the house!). I suspect that you are still in sandals. You lucky duck. Keep eating and sleeping well, my friend. That stress can be very damaging to your health.

Rachel and Donna: BIG HUGS!

My weight is up another pound today even though I ate clean and drank water yesterday. I'm holding up my head and saying to myself that it is okay, it will go away.

Peace, Peg

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young

Good morning!

I hope everyone is as well as possible, given all the things that are going on.

I didn't have to be at school on Friday. I went to the park district health club to check out their facilities. Later, I went swimsuit shopping. I was able to find a Speedo suit in a chloroban fabric. It was more expensive than I wanted, $78. But, it doesn't stretch and is supposed to be resistant to the chlorine. So, if if lasts longer, it's worth it. As of this morning, I am down 10 pounds from last Tuesday. I guess I am finally getting it, that this is permanent and I can't be making major excuses for my eating. I am not avoiding carbs. However, I am trying to get some foods in there that are supposed to be anti-inflammation friendly.

Over the weekend, our grandchildren spent the night. It worked out ok. My DD and DSIL spent the night in a hotel, relaxed from all the stresses of life.

Yesterday, I did a bit of sorting in the basement. At some point, I need to set up studio space down there to do jewelry and stained glass work. I didn't do too much, as I didn't want to strain my knees.

I goined the park district health club(Fox Valley Park District). I do have three days to cancel. I am worried about the 20 mile trip from there to get to work. Today it took 40 minutes. Today, I swam in the warm pool for 30 mintues.

Well, take care!

__________________
Ilse

380 (Highest)/318(9-11-08)/230.2(current)/154
5'6"
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney

Twinspeak! That's an interesting thought as we were close enough in age to share our babyhood. It wasn't exactly like twinspeak (as I understand it ...which is little). I was speaking English and my sister was speaking her own way. As far as I recall, we hadn't "developed" our own code. I'm hoping your dad is better today. How great that you have your sister nearby and can support each other. What a comfort that must be - to not struggle with an ill parent alone.

Wow, Shelley - tough luck getting a 4 am call on your first day back at work. I bet they really missed you while you were gone! Man, you really had to hit the deck running, didn't you? I hope the rest of the week at work goes smoothly.

I want to thank you for raising my awareness about funny lumps on the skin. The dermatologist left a message saying biopsies of my "funny stuff" (hand and nose) were only precancerous; but still needed treatment. And, she wants to biopsy the hand again, more deeply. I found that a bit confusing, but I've got an appointment to go in Tuesday for the biospy and to discuss the proposed treatments. I probably would not have gone to get checked out at all without your good example and reports.

You guys asked about the floor situation, so here's where I'm at on that project...

I have 2 quotes for tile replacement, and someone is coming from Home Depot today to measure for another quote. I'm not really sure of the "procedure", but I guess I'll submit the quotes to the fumigation company and ask for a settlement amount that's the average of the quotes. Does that sound right?

After I get the money, I'll go shopping in earnest and see if there's enough money for a wood or bamboo floor. Abbey Carpet and Flooring told me that the material cost for wood is more, but the installation is less. The salesman thought I could go with wood or bamboo for 'about the same amount' as tile. Wouldn't that be nice! Haha - you know salesmen - the devil is in the details, so we'll see.

The bamboo floors are attractive, but color choices are more limited. The hype with bamboo is that it's supposed to be more "green" than wooden flooring. Maybe -- although it seems like they use more chemicals in the manufacturing process.

I'm definitely moving the cats out when the noisy stuff is done. Our Bumble had a bed wetting incident when guys were building the new fences last week. She hid in our bed and was too scared to come out for "relief"; so she peed on the pillows :( . Poor old gal - at 14 years old, she just doesn't seem to cope well with stress.

Brenda, when you made your floor choice, did you look at solid wood vs "engineered" wood (kind of like a very thick veneer)? If so, what did you think was the better choice? You are our wooden floor guru, you know !

Alida, better get those nails done after you put the seats back in the van - wouldn't want to mar a nice new nail job. Please travel safely - weather can be so dicey this time of year. Check in with us from the road if you can. Do you know when Paul will arrive? Is he going to be in a VA hospital or will he recuperate at home? Poor guy... I keep thinking about him being so bunged up. I'm sending along healing vibes for Paul.

Judy, I know you are so busy with many demands and challenges at school. I hope things have settled down a bit. Let us know how it goes when you get the chance.

Peg, OMG - that story about the credit and finance companies just had my blood boiling. I hate stuff like that! What a PITA and so frustrating! I hope the fax helps to get everything settled. Your step-granddaughter sounds like such a worthy person - very mature and deserving. I also think it's very admirable that you are there to help her and fight some battles to make it happen. Crossed fingers for a quick resolution of the credit hassles!

I've kind of shirked any mention of my weight management for quite a while now. That's because my personal BTB effort was so lame. My weight has been as high as 141.5 due to some extravagant food choices. This morning was 139 - not horrid, but I'm not leaving myself much wiggle room for the upcoming holidays. My body just seems to think that fall is the season to fatten up for the privations of winter. My body doesn't realize that I currently live in a temperate zone and the land of plenty at that. I don't ~need~ to build up fat reserves to get me through the winter!

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Omigawd, Terry!! I SO know what you mean about storing up fat reserves for the Winter! Seems as though my bod wants to do that every year since we moved back East.

To all: the loan for my granddaughter went through today. Money will be deposited with the school in 24 hours! Yay!

Got several errands run today. I have a list as long as my arm. Also, got my SS application done and sent. Now I have to go to the local office to show them my original birth certificate. They only want the ORIGINAL. I wasn't going to send it anywhere.

Brenda: I got some more "shawl" yarn today. Since that seems to be the only thing I'm able to do right now, at least I'll have some to take with me.

Great to see y'all.
Peace, Peg

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young

Hi gang, good to see you all here! Hope you've all had a good day.

Alida, glad to know you're keeping your priorities straight. Must have nice nails :great: Now don't muss one cleaning the van and toting those seats around....And nope, the 15 minute thing doesn't work for some projects...but it's useful for many of those naggie things that are so easy to procrastinate about.

Barb, so sorry to hear about your Dad's hospitalization. Although those things can be expected, it's still tough. And yes, I can imagine having a sister there to share the ups and downs with is very comforting.

Peg, I could weigh 102 and still have fat legs. In fact, I did weigh 102 and have fat legs. Not just jiggle and cellulite, I'm talking F.A.T. I'm not kidding and I'm not exaggerating one bit. A bathing suit is not my best look, and if I can't stand it I'm not going to subject any one else to it either........... But congrats on finally getting that loan through! WHEW. What an exhausting and exasperating process.......... Oh goodie, you'll have some new yarn to work on during your trip. Cool! I'm working on a pair of purple socks--well, more correctly I'm working on "one" of the pair. This is the pair I'm knitting from the toe up. I'm about 3 inches up the instep, doing a mock cable which will also continue up the leg. It's not a hard pattern, just five stitches over 4 rows, but I finding myself off and having to "tink" (That's knitter lingo for rip out--it's knit bacwards ) This one may be the great never ending sock...OK, TMI, LOL! Hang in there, you know those pounds are temporary. Stress always chases the whoosh fairy away.

Rats, gotta go and I'm not half through posting. Take that as a warning and RUN! Be back later to finish!

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

You guys make me smile ... and pull my heart strings. Even though I haven't written in in the last day or two I have been reading here and there. Yes, this is a fairly stressful week. But, it will soon be over and I'll be one more step down the road of this years "events."

One thing that happened today..... In my regular level classes, I have a Jr. Achievement volunteer who comes about 5 times during this grading period. She is a business person that takes unpaid time away from her job to try to get these boneheads to realize that we are talking about real world stuff. The volunteer is excellent, but this particular class has several very immature boys. I was quite embarrassed by their whining about having to change their lunch time to accommodate her schedule. To use the kids term, they were disrespecting her (and me.) Soooo, I got the phone number of the worst one's mom and called her at work to let her know how he had acted in class. This mama "Ain't gonna have that." I get a perverse pleasure in knowing that's she's going to rip him a new one tonight.

Back to the grindstone ........ I have 40 something pages of AcaDec stuff to read tonight so that I can look fairly knowledgeable in class tomorrow. Thanks for tolerating my spotty participation this week.

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Peg, one last thing........ I am still wearing sandals a good bit of the time. In honor of the "fall season", I have painted my toenails a more copper colored polish. We are sleeping with the windows open at night, and I think the high today was low 80s. Heck, by Halloween, the trees might even decide to start turning.

You're going to love winter this year .

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Hi gang!

Judy...no worries...you've got your hands full. We totally understand when you can't *stay and visit* Heck, I think we've all felt the same way, at least I know I have.
I'm soooo glad that kid is gonna get a new one ripped tonight by his mama...hehe. Serves him right, totally and completely

Teel, wow! I'm glad you got your *lumps and bumps* checked out. Hope your second biopsy goes well. Do you know what type of *treatment* your dermatologist has in mind? I'm clueless on the pre-cancerous types of treatment. Sending good vibes your way

Peg...HOORAY for the loan going through. You are one tough cookie, girlfriend! Good for you!!...your perseverance paid off! Hope the mean ole migraine is gone.

Bren...how appropriate to *tink* LOL. If I were knitting, I would be tinking more than kniting, I'm sure. Like I have said before...you are one talented cookie! You go girl!

Ilse, good for you for joining the health club. I hope your commute is hassle free.
And yay for finding a swim suit...that's always been a very unpleasant chore for me; glad you found the perfect suit.

Barb, Sorry to hear your dad is sick. Hope he has a speedy recovery. URI's can be really devastating to the elderly.

Alida and Rachel and Donna (((hugs)))

Well, I guess a lot happened at work while I was on vacation. My boss resigned, and the 18th will be her last day. 2 of our scrub techs are leaving also. It is going to be interesting to see how things work out. Every 3-4 years it seems, there is a big turnover in personel, and that can be a good thing...or not! Life goes on...

I am going to try to get to bed a little earlier tonight. I didn't sleep very well last night; couldn't get my brain to shut off. Then I couldn't get my brain going this morning, despite a mug of coffee...LOL.....always something

Everyone else...HI and a big wave

later, ladies.

Shelley

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

Shelley, is this the new boss that came on board earlier this year? The one where you had a "wait and see" thing going on? Or, am I mis-remembering (again)?

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

T,
You remember correctly! This is the boss that started in May of this year.
Her Dh got a job in another state, so it's understandable that she is going, but I did have a feeling she was not going to be with us for very long.
Here we go again...

S.

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

Judy, I got a real chuckle from your story. LOL, don't you wish you could heard that conversation. Glad with all the rules and regs that teachers can still still even the odds once in a while.

Shelley, wow, what news. Imagine what could have happened if your vacation was 2 weeks instead of one!

TB, oh I'm so glad you got those bumps checked. Goodness, I'll have to inspect myself a little better--and definitely get DH to the doc. Also, yes, I think most of us mammals in temperate zones have some of the hibernation gene, or some such. I see the squirrels loading up on acorns in my yard, already fat and glossy, and still eating in prep for the long winter. Our problem is that unlike the squirrels, we have resources all winter and want to continue stuffing nuts......so to speak :silly:

On the flooring, Terry, yes we considered both solid and engineered. I think agonized would be a better description. There are pluses and minuses to both, and part of the choice depends the installation method--which in turn depends on whether your floor is on grade (slab-concrete) or on joist and underlayment. In the end, we picked a Kahrs engineered product, a 9/16", three-board longstrip with a glued joint/floating floor installation. (Kahrs was in the process of going completely to an interlocking joint, so I don't think what we bought is available now) I think the "idea" of solid wood is lovely, but even solid isn't infinitely refinishable--only down to the tongue and groove, and a good engineered product will have almost as much refinishable surface and be more stable. In our price range we could get a higher quality, better made flooring with an engineered product rather than a solid. With an engineered product, look for the most refinishable surface, and the highest number of cross layers you can afford. Ours is guaranteed for 2 refinishings, and that should be plenty in my lifetime. With solid wood, try to find out how long the company ages the wood--a big factor in stability and warpage. Also look at the samples in the show room very carefully. If the samples aren't perfect, and we noticed many weren't, your floor sure isn't going to be. Much solid wood has beveled or microbeveled edges. You might like that as a "look," but generally US manufacturers use beveling as a way to conceal less than exact and perfect milling. I wanted a perfectly smooth wood floor without dust catching troughs or liquid retention rivulets....

Besides than price limitations, which is the ultimate factor, we also had some experience. We put down a smaller area of engineered flooring in the downstairs kitchenette in 1990. Other than a few dents, where I swear Dad drops iron skillets, the floor looks absolutely wonderful after 15 years, is no where near needing refinishing, and still cleans up like a dream. On an unlimited budget, I'd go for the highest quality solid I could find--there are some beauties out there, but as I said, for what we could reasonably afford, the engineered was much better looking and better made than the solid of the same price range. I do think it comes down also to personal choice--you've got to love the way the floor looks, no matter how it's made

HTH! And keep us posted. From your pictures, I think wood would be absolutely lovely in your home.

Whew, off to bed (or knit, or read, or something!)

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108