We had an older furnace for several years and were looking at the need to replace it in the coming years. After seeing the expectations about the high energy costs this winter, we decided to replace the furnace now, rather than wait.

You want to get a tune-up for your furnace every year and regularly replace filters. That can help a great deal.

I kept looking down the bench to see if Steve was coming back, so much so I may have whiplash. But the guys did a great job without him.

It's going to be hard to replace those guys. But we still have a good group coming back.

You have to look at these numbers over a few months. Coming in, we had several months of very substantial gains. The basic picture is that business spending is bottoming and showing some signs of improvement, but it's not really robust.

You have to look at these numbers over a few months. Coming in, we had several months of very substantial gains, ... The basic picture is that business spending is bottoming and showing some signs of improvement, but it's not really robust.