retaining size after gtk_widget_hide() & pass-thru events

[Paul Barton-Davis <pbd Op Net>]

1) (repeat question):

    how can i get a window to retain its size even when the widget
    that "gave" it a non-zero allocation is hidden ?

2) if two widgets overlap each other, is there anyway i can get
   events that would normally be passed to the top one to go to the
   bottom one ? and pretty please - don't say "use the GnomeCanvas" :)
   Just changing the event mask for the window doesn't do
   this. Well, i try to be optimistic :)

--p