Thanks guys and gals. The left kneecap will not ultimately be a big issue - it is slowing me down at time when that is a problem but is a minor break - I think I'll be in a splint for a few weeks but will be absolutely astonished if more is required. I'm more concerned about blowing out the other knee while waiting for this one to heal. Have just started walking evenly on both legs after injuring my left foot last fall and the uneven weight distribution was very hard on my right knee. I've known for a long time that two knee replacements are in my future but would rather that happen later rather than sooner.

Neighbor finished up today with the main work. Additional pier under the house and damaged pier repaired, floor jacked up and leveled, new floor joists and floor in bath, wall studs around the tub all well=sistered, bathtub replumbed from the ground up,new tub with adequate lip newsurround, drywall around formerly catywhomped doors repaired in both back bedrooms, hall, and bath, doors close that didn't, new drywall around the suround, new vinyl - thanks crowhugger,you are entirely on target -that is definitely redeemable, especially since the bathroom is now going to have to be repainted. He is also sealing the seams around the front stoop where wather keeps getting at the mudsill. A temporary fix as it needs rebuilt, but he and I will both keep an eye on it and he will patch as needed to minimize water damage until I can afford a more permanent solution.

He and his wife went out this evening and brought back a shower liner and shower stool so that I can actually use my new facilities!

There is plenty of stuff that needs done and plenty of stuff I want done, but these major problems that threatened the structural integrity of the house. I am so relieved to have them identified and really dealth with. It would have only gotten much worse and even more exspensive to fix.