Laughing here.  Only thing worse than an accountant is a government
accountant.  And there is no such thing as zero risk and no audit that can
catch everything.

At least in the private sector we have to be able to show value for cost for
our services.

(And yes I do believe I've overall saved my clients more in taxes and
business losses that I've cost them over my career. )

Jo

Mary-
A word of caution.  I have a ceramic counter-top stove and I broke it
(serves me right for trying to cook).  I dropped a heavy bundt pan on it and
broke off a corner.  I was going to replace it but then figured I'd do it
again so I just keep a vase or candle over the corner and the stove still
works.  Your kitchen sounds great.  Jan O'

oh!  how fun!!!  yes.  i know how much work it is.  and i know it is body
challenging.  but the sense of accomplishment and creative effort will put a
smile on your face every morning when you see it for the first time each
day.  wish i could see it.

personally, i totally love to tile.  i did all the tiling, by myself, in my
upstairs bathroom--the tub surround, tub end stub wall (for plants, candles
and/or pampering basket), window sill, and of course, the vanity top.
actually, a couple of general contractors wanted to hire me as a tiling
subcontractor after seeing my work in that bathroom.LOL  i laugh, because
there is a no chance i'd take them up on it with this body.  i still have
the intention of tiling the small front door stoop with terra cotta tiles
(to match my house's outdoor brick window sills), after i get around to
replacing the front door.  maybe, after the gimpfest.

are you helping a professional tiler or a friend who knows how to do this?
either way, one piece of gratuitious advice, if you don't mind and if i
may---seal coat the grout at least twice, this first time, before you use
your counters, because of the kind of use your counters will endure.  and
re-seal the grout, at least every 2 to 3 years, after that (every year
really is better, but who has the time or remembers to do that).  that's a
very easy part of the job to do, just brush the clear liquid sealant into
the grout and it will preserve the pristine appearance for you, against
discoloring grease, spills and stains, in the long run.  personally, i'd
rather be faithful with the sealant than have to remove the grout and
re-grout.

as for the gov't and it's idiotic approach to managing resources and money--  
well, butch had a term for the gov't managers of most things like this.
his term was "running dummies", meaning they could and would come up with
more ways of running in one spot or in tight little circles, to cost the
nat'l budget more and to simply give the appearance that they are doing
something worthwhile to justify their paychecks.  (((((((maryz)))))))) it
has to be totally frustrating to deal with the "running dummies" and their
busy work procedures and "ideas".  and jo's right---huge difference between
gov't accountants, the "running dummies", and private sector accountants.

kate

I get so frustrated with these insane rules that were

ROTFLMHO!!!!
My hubby is a bean counter. I know what you mean too. He gets so anal when
it comes to that stufff. He is still in school for his CPA, but he has
become so anal. He has a two year degree and I thought he was getting stuffy
then.lol.. He is so sweet though and hopefully he can give accountants a
better name.:o)

RhondaM

Good job. I bet you will be so proud of the finished kitchen.

Just don't overdo it okay. You take care and don't work too hard.

I LOVE tile work!  Love to do it, love the results.  Haven't done it in a
while though, no place needing it.  (mom and sister tiled a floor last summer
though, just a few months before the tree fell and destroyed that room!)  
You're gonna love the finished results when you are rested enough to do so.  
Meanwhile, I'm searching the thrift stores in town for the right piece to
play some mosaic games on.............

it's just nuts the way they DON'T have loopholes when they really should and
DO have them when they shouldn't.  Government for you, I s'pose.