Tom,

Prior to 1990, that was my every two to three years late spring project. I also had a detached garage. My wife, God bless her, would never want the same color and the SOB that claims that one coat covers any color is full of you know what.

My neighborhood has what you might call forced urban renewal. Instead of hurricanes, we have tornadoes. The one in 1983 caused minor damage. Couple of windows and some clean up. The one in 1990 was a little bit worse. We were able to save the basement and the driveway. I am one of the few people which has built two houses on the same lot. The first thing I went with was vinyl and aluminum on the outside. Instead of paint brush, "Power Washer" like Tim Allen would say. The only thing I have to worry about now is staining the decks but they now have a new decking which is made from some type of plastic. I am waiting for the price to go now before I replace the cedar. But the minute it does look out.

I will be joining you in watching the race this afternoon. Two weeks ago it was 53 degrees here. Last night we got an inch or so of snow. We gotta love the Great Midwest in February.