Hi, lisa…nice to hear from you. I am in the same spot as you with little free time on my hands and I miss my daily fix from the OLLDs. I am so busy right now with my jobs and my rental, summer stuff and yard work that I haven't caught up on this season's Mad Men!!!!

Can someone tell me about marmoleum? (sp). I don't know if it a regional product; I have never heard of it. Any good? And best for what?

mp, maybe a good thing? the "one door closes another opens". Hope so. Fingers crossed.

You need to move to Maine. :>)

Monhegan Island, Maine
No cars, paved roads, or streetlights mar the scenery on Monhegan Island. Perhaps that's why it has attracted artists for more than a century―there's beauty to capture at every turn. Plan to devote a day to visiting, because the island is accessible only by boat. (Ferries run from Port Clyde, Boothbay Harbor, and New Harbor.) A few galleries welcome visitors to browse through studios; monheganwelcome.com.

Better yet, P-town.

Provincetown, Massachusetts
This town on the tip of Cape Cod has long celebrated its rich artistic heritage. The Fine Arts Work Center aids budding artists through its residence program, workshops, and lectures. The Provincetown Art Association and Museum holds a large permanent collection, and offers summer classes as well as fall and winter workshops. Just south of Provincetown, the Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill hosts spring classes in painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and poetry; provincetowntourismoffice.org.

Oh MP!!! I hope this works out for you, maybe it will work into a great full time opportunity! Unfortunate about your boss but remember when one door closes another opens. And often for a very good reason. Fingers crossed!

Judy, isn't marmoleum the commercial flooring? It's kind of dull and speckled? Not 100% sure.

When you all have time, check out this Houzzers ideabook, it's his home that he's done himself. Really, really good and creative: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5142215/thumbs/designermark-s-ideas

Ha! Judy! Great minds still think alike, even when they're OLLD!

I've heard of it judyg....can't remember what it was, but nothing negative I'm sure of that.

Yes...This woman is a Director of Education for an artist's grade acrylic paint distributor....soooo sounds perfect for me! And yes....another chapter of my life will begin shortly in the workworld and I'm in a positive frame of mind as to the new doors! :) Thank you!

MP, come back to California! Ya know ya want to!

Bob, I've seen that guy's one room before and he DID do a great job! Beautiful! Haven't seen his other rooms yet.

I know I want to....lol! But I've done that, loved it and maybe it's time for something totally weird and different for me! who in the heck knows!!!!!?????

Congrats MP!! Exciting!!

found one review judyg??????????

I have Marmoleum in my kitchen, installed in 2005. Yes linoleum is natural, made from cork and linseed oil. It's beautiful and somewhat cushionny underfoot. But two drawbacks-it's quite expensive and can be damaged by water. What happened was, I was taking very good care of it, wiping up spills, sweeping every morning, cleaning ONLY with a Swiffer Wet Jet. Then my dishwasher broke and flooded the kitchen. I mopped up the water but some must have seeped under the Marmoleum, causing some buckling. Since the Marmoleum came with a warrantee/guarantee , I asked the company to look at it. They saw it was water damage, denied my claim and offered to fix it for $850. I don't have lots of money hanging around, so I've just lived with it since. I still keep it clean but you can still see where the tiles have lifted up. Someday if i get a windfall, like a surprise inheiritance or tax refund, i'll get it fixed.

another one...

We had beautiful Marmoleum in the aquarium/science center I used to work at. (We chose a different material for areas near any water-play.) It held up well in the heavily traveled exhibit areas. It was also the flooring for the dining room in the cafe, and was fine as long as water wasn't left for long periods. A puddle that sat overnight would result in a cloudy spot that eventually blended back in to the rest of the floor after a few days. It was wonderful to stand on compared to other floors. Unfortunately the commercial dishwasher in the cafe taught us this: marmoleum dissolves into a foul goo when exposed to heat and water over an extended period. This likely wouldn't happen in a home setting, but if you have plumbing issues, especially under an appliance it could be an issue.

I just read one review where the people love it so far, but recommended NOT getting a solid colored one, because it is almost impossible to keep clean looking. They said they wished they had gotten one with a pattern. Supposed to be a super duper green product because it's made with all natural materials and easier in the feet!

just checked out Monhegan......i could do art and then become a lobster fisherwoman part-time! :)

A lobster fisherwoman....can't see it! You'd be painting designs on all the lobsters you caught!

But, you could do that in P-town, too. You would love this town, mp. It is about 30 minutes from us and the main st, Commercial Street, is bustling, energetic, spot to go to eat, drink, shop, do galleries.

You would walk by this house, and this….everyday.

Is this something that David can help with..
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/awkward-kitchen-needs-help-dsvw-vd~507930

that is just gorgeous judyg......

And this: I am bribing you…:>)
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/9-6-windows-dsvw-vd~340295

hahaha!

J is at home right now making me a very cool lounge chair for the deck....he can be the sweetest thing in the universe sometimes! I think he needs to sell them! :) They would look good in Maine too!

Keep that man busy, MP!

That kitchen is in Oakland, which says it all. Lots of old Victorians in various stages of disrepair, some still with the original marble entryways,

Angela! Did you measure your cushion yet? I'll be sewing this week, so if you still want it let me know the measurements and I'll see if I have enough fabric!

*sigh*

Dd thinks I'm the worst mom ever at the moment. Had to bring the dog back to the humane society. Not being able to breathe was a bit too much for me.

oh robin...so sorry. but you are not the worst mom. just going to have to find one of those pups that don't shed etc....you'll find another one. I know that must have been the hardest thing to do in some ways. It's hard, but sometimes you just have to and it's the best thing you could have done. Don't be so hard on yourself!

Robin, trust me, you're not the worst mom ever because you had to give a dog back because you couldn't breathe! Geez! DD will understand eventually. How old is she? Just tell her if SHE couldn't breathe, you wouldn't be giving HER a bad time about it.

So I wonder if someone could help me understand something because I hate to admit I'm technology dumb, but I really don't understand this. We bought the new TV which is an LG, which is not compatible with the Blue Ray we have which is a Sony. The Blue Ray was on its last legs (no sound!) so rather than buy a bunch of cables and splitters and interfaces, we just bought a new LG Blue Ray. Which came with installation instructions, on a DVD. So, if you don't know how to install it, how can you play the DVD?

On your computer, bobbi. :)

Oh! Hahahaha! Thanks, Creeser, I never would have thought of that! Not all dumbs are blonde, you know. I'm so embarrassed!

*LMBO* Don't be bobbi. My best friend was complaining that her computer quit working and she had no idea why. She had poked and prodded and done everything and then called me. First thing I asked was if it was plugged in. She told me "of course it is smartass'... then got quiet. Ooops... She had unplugged it when cleaning the floors earlier. *L*

OMG, that's totally something I would do! Is she blonde too? hehehe

Actually, she's something of a dishwater blonde, yeah. *L*
My first rule of fixing things. Start with the easiest , most obvious, first. Then work up to the hard stuff that needs a repairman!

Yes! Or call someone else!

speaking of dumb, my yard guy showed up around 5:30. no mower and 10 days late. he pruned and cut some larger limbs. then calls me out to show him for the 3rd time what 'extra' things need to be done in the backyard.
the tiny grey mosquitos were wild. dozens of bites in minutes. so dumb me came in and took 2 benadryl. OOPS.
completely forgot i was supposed to attend a casino night fund raiser this evening. sounded promising but i'll probably be knocked out by 8. oh well, tomorrow i'll can here about the hot guys i missed.

Mo, did you have any luck at your yard sales?

@Creeser..very similar to medical issues also!! And pretty much everything else..

some luck at sales bobbi. bought a pretty vintage sideboard. the style will work better with my dining table and chairs than the current one. there was a similar one in a resale shop last week. it was not in as good condition and the price was more than double. i'm picking it up monday so the contractors will be here and they'll unload it for me.

now i have to decide about the sideboard i've had for 15(?) yrs. it would sell easily but i like it and it holds alot so it can stay if i figure out where to put it. it's stained but i may distress it with paint and glaze and use it in the great rm.

looked like you got great prices on the things you bought. too bad the crowds aren't better to ensure more vendors in the future. maybe they need to advertise more.

Mo, I live in a very small town, mostly cows, horses and sheep. They really have no need for sideboards! There were more people than last year, at least. Sound like you got a great buy! Good idea waiting for the contractors to unload it. First rule of thumb: Never work harder than you have to!

I saw some Marmoleum at our local ReStore this week. It was a light yellow swirl pattern. I've always wanted to get some but I thought it would be a tough sell in our market as people wouldn't take care of it correctly and then be mad about the bad product I used. Now I'm glad I didn't since we were thinking of using it in a bathroom. The price was right - about 500 sq ft for $85 - and 20% off all stock today.

Thanks for the info on marmoleum. What good is a floor if it can't stand up to water and spills?
It would never be a match for my tequila.

Linda, been away, but what is happening with your properties? The porcelain floors that look like wood or strie seem like an option?

I am itchy for a project of my own, but unless we move there is nothing left here to do except maintenance.

bobbi, making the cukes tomorrow with the vinegar, salt and pepper.

mp, all those pix of P-town didn't entice? I hope your new job prospect works out.

crees, where have you been? You are worse than I for keeping in touch.

Jayme, our friend's daughter just had her third. She is 44 and hubby is 51. Talk about no retirement.

judyg, did you say tequila? I think that is what ollds needs tonight! Drink time!

@judy...she had a baby at 44? WOW! ..people r starting later it seems nowadays, but a female's fertility is extremely low by that time.
You're right about the flooring.

Judy, did you sell your cottage yet?

My wine bottle opener did overtime last night...so tonight I am relaxing, watching "American Greed" on Hulu....Interesting and appalling all at the same time!

I have a neighbor who had her first three children before she was 21 with husband number 1. They divorced after about 20 years and she married a guy who had never had any children. So, at the age of 43 or 44, she had IVF and had another baby. She actually has two grandchildren older than her youngest child.

If something happened and I ended up with grandchildren to raise, I would be willing to do that, but I can't imagine wanting to have another baby after the older ones are grown. I"m just finally getting the chance to work on my own projects and have my own time. Children are expensive and I wouldn't want to be trying to be pay college expenses and save for retirement at the same time.

Judy - I was on vacation for 2 1/2 weeks so haven't gotten much done lately. One house is pretty much finished but not on the market yet as the street in front is totally torn up for sewer work and virtually impossible to actually get to the house. But, on the plus side, when we do list it, the street will be in great shape and the sidewalks will be brand new.

Currently working on another small house - it's been cleaned out, painted interior and exterior, and redid the deck railings.We installed reclaimed oak in the kitchen and refinished the hardwood in the rest of the house and now looking at getting the kitchen and bathroom put in. We'll probably do a black and white mosaic floor tile or possibly a light gray. Usually we just do the bathrooms with white wall tile and a bit of dark trim but this time we won't tile the walls since previous owner left a brand new tub and surround set in the garage. I don't normally use acrylic or fiberglass tubs and I don't really like shower surrounds but the price was right and it will look nice when installed. I know it isn't very exciting, but we like to use white bathrooms as they're never out of style and someone can always put in color on the walls or with a wild shower curtain.

Lisa , I am in Mallorca on holiday right now. Back to cold and rainy Scotland in another week. Ladies I wish it was my holiday cottage, but we just rented it for 2 weeks. Love it here, we are trying to work out of there is any way we could move, but doesn't look likely. We have been round a bunch of antique and junk shops this morning. Stuff I am dying to buy and refurbish. Have to keep myself under control!

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