As far as getting flamed for letting the chimney get that bad.... I find my self in the same boat with many things, I am almost always behind and trying to catch up. I have developed the train of thought to say that "whomever has the time to complain or give me crap about the things I am behind on better have there work close on and be ready to get busy." If this doesn't do the trick just start pointing out some of the things they don't have done yet......things tend to get a lot quieter.....LOL.