"For some reason, up until at least a trip to the UK, it was taboo for me to even imply that any money ended up in my pockets or to my mortgage payment."

Hell, you must be making what, a whole $.09/hour from this site?

Part of the reason people contributed what they could was so you could get away for a bit and have a vacation. GASP! OK, so now you're back and have been able to take a refreshed second look at your creation. You have. Do what you have to do. And as Spaw so eloquently put it, " . . . tell the naysayers to go suck a toad's dick. Not one in a hundred can really help but they'll find the right way to do it anyhow."

There are times in emergency situations when firefighters go into what is called 'defensive attack.' No one trapped, just a building burning. Too dangerous to go into and too far gone to save. So they protect what they can of the neighbourhood and stop wasting water on the building that's burning. It's never an easy decision, but it is one that scene commanders make.

The people who really care will support your decision.

BM