Don't paint the cabinets! Invest in some lighting and a new backsplash.

Agree with other recommendations - don't paint the cabinets, get some better lighting and if you can't switch to lighter countertops then remove the tile backsplash and just paint it a lighter shade that goes with the floor.

We would not even attempt that hanging project. Good luck!

to clarify there is a very detailed template for the custom order, just not lifesize like their other gallery walls

Described in an article in the WSJ as a gown that "accentuated the bodice"

Whether we like them, find them pretty, etc, or not, they are remarkable pieces of design, engineering, and workmanship! My greatest accomplishment is a Spongebob costume made out of upholstery foam and mottled yellow fleece, and a glue gun! After Halloween, the fleece-magnet cat decided it made a great bed.

This dress was made of sand. I can’t quite wrap my head around that. I always enjoy seeing the looks.

I bought the whole LG kitchen package 6 years ago and every appliance has had peeling by the handles. I followed the cleaning recommendations. LG was replacing the doors but now states they are no longer under warrantee! Any class action suit at this time?

Is this also happening with current models that have the print proof stainless? Seems like that would just be a coating of some sort as well. I would really like another LG for my second home but the only options for the size I need are print proof. The eight year old fridge I have now is fine and doesn't have this problem but it's black.

Hi - newbie here. I don’t have a weight problem but I’ve let my once healthy eating and exercise habits sink to rock bottom. The decline started years ago when DH quit traveling for work and my time was no longer my own. I thought I’d be stellar when I retired and had all the time in the world but I sunk even lower.

So last week I had my annual lipid panel - all within normal range (with medication) but I clicked on the button to show trends. OMG - my HDL has plummeted and my triglycerides have skyrocketed in the last two years. So I looked up the cause of that - too many refined carbs and lack of exercise. Well that describes what I have become to a tee. For some reason this revelation has been a real wake up call when knowing I was getting out of shape didn’t do it.

So I’m back at my cardio yoga routine every other day and walking regularly. All I was doing was golf and that isn’t real exercise if you don’t walk (though supposedly you burn about 650 calories playing 18). No more junky carb snacks or sweets around and I’ve replaced rice/pasta side dishes with more veggies. I quit alcohol last fall so I already have that going for me.

So that’s my story - thanks for reading. 😊

Sueb, I don't recall what your foot issue is.

When I tore an ankle tendon, I did this

I believe it helped in healing.

Feathers- you sound like the BEST broken record! Way to go on the strength gains! Welcome 3katz and I love your goals! Sue- I ate my way through France last summer and lost 5 pounds! So enjoy all your trip has to offer! And I really hope you can get your foot fixed up. Pain just makes everything sad.

I did my first little running session - it's just 3 times a week and so far very small bits. I think my legs will be ok with doing that and pickleball. I certainly don't want any injuries. I've decided to not even wear my apple watch for now. I just want to do my best and not worry about my HR or time, just go by feels. We'll see how my knees and legs feel as I progress. I really need to keep up with the stretching and strength, and have some rest days.

It's only day 5 of the no alcohol, but I feel good about it so far. Again, very early in the process!

Gscience - I am so bummed about your zepbound, that you found something that was working for you and now you can't get it. I hope the supplies free up soon.

Oh my goodness - so cute. He looks like a little love-bug. Whenever one of my cats passes on I always think they'd want me to give a good home to another one in need.

I think I need a Teddy - so happy for you, Lynn!

Oh he's so cute!!!!!!! Happy he has found his fur-ever home!

We don't do much gift giving any more - no kids, no grandkids, etc. I stopped the gift giving to niece's children when I never received an acknowledgement which should have come from the parents as the kids were too young at the time. We are not close to this family so I'm sure gifts from us are not missed and they want for nothing so fewer gifts is not a hardship. We also give wedding gifts and in those cases it's a one-time gift giving occasion so if no acknowledgement is forthcoming so be it.

Whenever I see this thread pop up I think someone is asking about No Thank You cards and I try to imagine for what occasion you'd send a No Thank You card, lol.

If you have to be thanked, maybe you shouldn't give gifts. (And I think most people know if a gift was received--especially if the recipient is a relative.) Sure, thank you notes are lovely to receive, but my joy is in giving the gift--not receiving a thank you.

Bosch dishwasher, LG fridge.

Consider induction instead of gas, if you haven't already -- they offer all the control of gas, but with less fire, fumes, and heat. Also greater safety.

Only ones I remember specifically from my senior year are Little Feat and Fleetwood Mac. There were more but what was at the top of my list when I was a senior is a blur.

Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, the Doors, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin. Spirit.

This was probably my favorite song of my senior year in HS.

I got to meet some of this band at a party in Laurel Canyon (L.A.) in 1973.

So long ago:)! I graduated a semester early, in ‘68. The Beatles still ruled, but I remember carefully transcribing the lyrics to Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues, and loving the Stones, Byrds, Lovin’ Spoonful, Jefferson Airplane, Buffalo Springfield, Love, The Who, Cream, Pink Floyd, Kinks, Procol Harum, (I saw many of these acts live) and of course listened to the radio constantly. We turned our noses up at the Monkees, as I recall. I also really loved folk music (Joan Baez) and protest songs (Phil Ochs)-and saw them, too.

Cool house - I can see why they loved it and are excited to make it their own. I recall the overwhelmed distress you were feeling about clearing everything out. I'm so glad the selling process was quick and painless - other than having less time to get everything done.

Jsk, Iwas so lucky that the buyers kept the baby grand piano. It would have broken my heart to have it dumped.

Yes, you were! And lucky buyers to have a baby grand!

I suspect a baby grand is more desirable than some off brand upright, but I was surprised to find out how hard it was to dispose of it. And how expensive. But I needed it gone.

kitschykitch, these blankets are donated to give to children who are in crisis...critical care, ER, taken from domestic violence situations, etc. I doubt they know or care what "everyone else has" and are just glad to get something comforting. This started in part to help me use up my acres of excess yarn, so they get what they get. I do try to make them attractive and useful, though, even if not to your taste.

I did a similar project when we moved in 2015. At that time I dealt with not only some of our photos but a bunch of photos that belonged to dead relatives. Anything with people or places I didn't recognize got trashed. Any poor quality photos - trashed. I kept a few old photos of the relatives if they made me smile. I put some of the ones of my brother in an album to have on hand at a gathering when he died. The rest are unorganized in one plastic bin possibly to be looked at some time if we are in the mood and have nothing better to do. Or possibly they'll still be untouched in the bin when we croak. I did this without DH on hand which I'm sure made it much easier to purge a lot of them. I guess I'm fortunate that for quite a few years I put photos in albums and labeled each album with the months/years of the photos in it. I do look at those once in a while.

Oy, photos. I"m the keeper of not only our immediate family's photos but my mother in law's and my dad's.

I did finally go through the ginormous cardboard box stuffed to the brim with my own family's (husband and kids and me during our life together so far) drugstore photo packets (remember those?). That has been sorted and culled with the envelopes, negatives and duplicate pictures discarded.

My mother in law was the classic organized hoarder who kept thousands of pictures. Hell the woman kept EVERYTHING-not sure why she hung on to rough drafts of her eighth grade English essays but here we are.

Have done as others mention-all the pictures of places they visited are gone, pictures of their friends nobody knows etc. She had some kind of flex about taking pictures of random places and items in her home. I suspect it was a comfort ritual for her because she grew up very poor as a Depression era child in a chaotic family. So random pictures of her pretty bedspread, tea set or china hutch seemed very important to her. That said, they aren't important to anybody else so they are gone.

My dad was married twice after my mom died so many of his pictures are long gone but I took the albums and boxes remaining and have done a preliminary sort.

Now I have a dedicated closet area in the guest bedroom full of a few remaining albums not yet culled and a bunch of cheap photo boxes from Michael's.

At some hazy indeterminate point I plan to sort, label and file everything in perfect order. Note, I do not have any motivation to actually do all this so most likely someday someone will be cussing at me as they toss them but oh well, that's life. Maybe I should leave a note saying 'get rid of it all'.

I have several times done frantic sorts before holidays to make personalized photo albums, not sure if my now adult kids particularly cared.

But my siblings loved one I did of all of us growing up, the year our dad died.

And as a holiday gift I made one for my terminally ill brother in law with photos from when he was born until what turned out to be his last Christmas. He, my SIL and my niece seemed to like it a lot but he said it was tough seeing "my whole life laid out". Still have mixed feelings about that one.

Most of my photos do not have people in them - when I traveled, I wanted to capture the places that I went to (and I almost always traveled alone), and I wanted to see the landscapes for what they were. Very occasionally I would have someone take a photo of me in these places, and I have a handful of photos of friends, but really not that many.

Some people have asked me why I have no people in my photos, and I just tell them that I visited places alone. This makes it a lot easier for me to sort through photos and pick the ones I like best.

The "selfie" craze leaves me baffled.

Only once has anyone left anything for us and that was a bottle of wine. I thought it was a nice gesture.

My DS is in the process of buying a house from a woman in her mid-80s whose husband died fairly recently. They lived in this house for 50+ years and I already kinda feel sad for her because she clearly loved the house and maintained it so well. The listing agent said she literally cleans the house every day. Every window is covered in multiple layers of drapes and all the furniture screams 1960, and not in a cool MCM way. More like Italian Grandma. But it has a sweet vibe. Too bad none of the wallpaper is as cute as your closet paper! They have wallpaper in every bedroom and bathroom and hallway.

I am guessing the homeowner may not leave anything behind, but the house will be immaculately clean!

Speaking of keys — I have these that were hung on a hook in my parents’ garage. Late family dogs’ tags! Why I kept them, I’m not sure but they hang in our mudroom, usually covered by coats.

Did you end up talking to a few more realtors? It is so important to work with somebody that you trust but also has the experience in all kinds of market situations such as higher interest rates and low inventory. That's where we are now. If you'd like to check in with another realtor, my sister is a realtor in LA (West side) with 30 years of experience. Private message me if you'd like to discuss further.

My realtor says if no one is interested and they have no specific feedback about why then the problem is the price.

Don't discount the value of a good realtor's knowledge of the local market and ability to price a property properly. Even if you don't hire an agent, ask 3 agents for free market analyses.

If you have a buyer all you need is a real estate attorney - much less expensive than a realtor and more competent that many of them.

We do not so no help here other than to say we stayed in a vacation rental with the TV over the FP and DH and I both thought it was a very uncomfortable viewing position. Many people seem to do it though but it's not for us. I also don't like the appearance but the frame TV would help with that problem.

We had one years ago with a tilting arm. I can't remember ever adjusting it, though.I didn't like it but everyone else did. It did feel too high to me. My SIL has a beautiful skinny tv in their living room (in Florida--no fireplace) in a very modern and ddg condo. When it isn't on, it is a beautiful "painting".

Do you give up something in quality to get the Frame or are they jsut as good?

By all means get induction. The benefits far outweigh any disadvantages. I always thought gas was the way to go until I discovered induction. I've had my induction range for eight years and only have one small scratch that happened early on. I'm sure it was from my husband using it as a counter top when he pulled something out of the OTR microwave. Since then I've kept a placemat on top when it's not in use and nary another scratch. I try not to slide pans around and I've never used anything under them.

"Ive read they scratch and crack easier and you cant slide your pans around"

I have the LG LSE4617ST induction range. I slide pots around and there are no scratches in the glass cooktop. Current model is LG LSIS6338F.

"I understand the learning curve and specific pots and pans."

Not all pans are induction-compatible. See page 32 of the instructions for details and how to test your cookware for compatibility.

I am a dog person, but in my experience when one passes the other pet grieves just like we do. We had one dog who quit eating for a period of time after his lifelong companion died. Our vet said it was normal. I don’t think adding another cat at this time would be a good idea. I am sorry for your loss.

I was just thinking about that time I was down to one cat. She was not at all disturbed by the absence of the second cat. In fact when I did finally get another cat she went on a hunger strike for about two weeks. I took her to the vet and there was nothing physically wrong with her. She was just PO’d that another cat came in and ruined her only cat life. She always was a prima donna.

So cute!! I would never have the patience to do what you describe.

Thank you, Annie.

Lovely!

I have a full size fridge for two people. It's rarely full but I like not having to fit things in like a jigsaw puzzle. We also like to keep a variety of cold beverages in there so that takes up a bit of space. I had a 36" cooktop in my last house and I do miss that so I understand the desire for a 36" cooking appliance. It sounds like the small fridge would work for you. We recently bought a different home. A small fridge would have been a showstopper for me. Even the 36" counterdepth is a PITA. Fortunately there is an overflow fridge in the garage that we can use if needed, primarily when we have overnight guests.

The advantage, then, is we could fit a 36 inch range in.

Nope, nope, nopety-nope: I would not trade fridge space for a larger range. I rarely use more than two burners on my stovetop, and I can bake wedding cakes in my 30" oven. In contrast, I fairly often have a full refrigerator.

The freezer is where we tend to miss the space

Yes, I was going to say this same thing.

We are staying with a 36" fridge. Also fitting in the 36" range. It's a win-win!

I'm sure she is. If you want electric, induction is the way to go and in my opinion the only way to go even if you like gas. I've had a convection oven for years and very rarely use it. I just use the conventional mode.

I have the LG LSE4617ST induction range which has convection and non-convection cooking. The current LG LSIS6338F is similar.

Roasted chicken -- whole bird or pieces --comes out better using convection. Roast beef too, but who can afford that these days. Your oven might come with an air fry feature , which is just convection with more fan speed & no preheat time. I like that for fish & pork tenderloin, for reheating day old breads, recrisping pizza, roasting veggies, & warming leftovers.

For years my pie crusts burned, & I had to pull out a hot pie to cover the rim with foil for the final minutes. Don't have to do that anymore with convection. Pie crusts come out beautiful.

Bottom right from what I can see though I wonder about the handle.

I like the one on the bottom left corner and the one next to it to the right - both with horizontal stripes.

So these WERE the top 3 contenders:

Bottom Left, Radley London bag, an inch too large both height and width but still a contender of nothing else pops up

Bottom Right, Kate Spade, already sold :( (It was perfect now that I can’t have it!)

Second Row far right, Nine West, have inquired about dimensions and no answer for 24 hrs so I probably won’t get one.

So happy to hear everything is coming along for you. That is sweet - wallpaper love.

What nice karma to have people you like as the new owners of your family home. I'm happy for you.

The design is giving me contact paper vibes! My sister had wallpaper in her room in a very similar pattern, but royal blue, lime and purple. Ahh, the things parents put up with!

Congrats on the sale!

Caftan that I really like. Inspired by the wallpaper?

I don't have a sofa cover but I have a couple chair covers for my cats that I purchased from A. I have maroon cover on maroon chairs so it doesn't look too bad. I don't use the straps - not necessary. There are similar for sofas - just look for pet sofa cover. My neighbor has them for her dog. Description below - link didn't work.

RHF Reversible Recliner Chair Cover, Chair Cover, Recliner Cover, Pet Cover for Chair, Furniture Protector, Machine Washable, Double Diamond Quilted(Recliner-Small:Merlot/Tan)

What DLM shows is what I have on my chairs - works well and washes up nicely.

I used quilted covers for the sofa seats until we got two dogs that shed all year. And in the summer they sweat and it smells awful. Because I haven't used top sheets in years that's what I use on the sofa, but definitely tucked in at back and the ends where it meets the arms.

Most dogs dig a spot where they sleep which is why I tuck in the sheet.

Now that it's summer, a sheet will be a nice and cool spot to lay on, even for people. :)

You can buy a top sheet by itself to match your decor. They're so easy to yank off and wash.

My dog is recently allowed on the sofa after a 3 year ban when we got a new one. On the old couch we used a big quilt but it was a pain and unwieldy. I've ordered a seat cover from Etsy thanks to this thread. Thank you!

Appreciate the update Lars. Our lake house goes on the market next week so I have some understanding of what you’re going through - no painting for us though. And I imagine you’ll be dealing with what we are in SC - finding a doctor, dentist, etc. I’ll be thinking of you and wish you and Kevin well with this transition.

It will save me time packing not to worry about whether something is a duplicate or not, and the duplicates that I have for the kitchen will not take up that much space. I prefer to decide which of the duplicates to keep when I have both of them in hand, and in many cases, I will choose to keep both.

I’m like you Lars. It’s easier to decide in situ.

I've had both and can't tell the difference.

I had a gas dryer from 1996-2000 when I was living in Northern VA. It was a GE Profile and it was their TOL of the day. I remember that I was very satisfied with that GE dryer, but I could not really state that it was significantly more economical to run or that it dried more efficiently than the previous Kenmore dryer I had. Since all the appliances were gas in that house, the cost of running the dryer did not leave an impression. When I built my next house (also in NOVA) I switched to electric (though the gas line was there). Maybe now with dryers being so much more advanced, it might be easier to analyze true cost savings than it was 30 years ago.

I had gas in my last home and electric in this home. I have not found that one performs better than the other, both dry clothing just fine. Last home was in San Diego new home in Pennsylvania. Utility costs are basically half so even with having and electric stove and dryer and running the heat and air conditioning my bills are far less than they were in CA.

Wow - that is beautiful - great job!!

It’s so good! Now you get to enjoy it.

It is so on trend, but the vanity makes it just a little bit different. I love the rug you chose and hope you post when that is in.I might add some bamboo blinds to the windows in a light color like your vanity.

I bought a cute amall butter melter in Sweden - its probably less than 3” in diameter. It is not recognized on my wolf (not surprised) but I set in an 8” skillet and it works great.

UPDATE - They decided to get a new SubZero. They are now 70 and 81 and my mom decided at this age she didn't want to risk it breaking down at an inopportune time in the future when it would be challenging for them to deal with shopping for a replacement. They were quoted a 6 month wait time but it arrived after only 7 weeks. Peace of mind.

Poor thing - she's looking for some love and attention.

Well Jupi - that would have been a shock! Good thing you opted to stay inside.

Daisy being the queen of the screened porch with big brother Romeo. 😻

Sorry - no help as I'm not a backpack fan. I carry my laptop in a sleeve in a leather tote along with other mission critical stuff that I want to make sure arrives with me since I never bring carry-on luggage.

Of the two I mentioned, the Tucano Tugo weighs 1.5 lbs. The Noamtic comes in at 4 lbs. When I travel, I’m all about weight, which is why I carry the Tucano and DD carries the Nomatic.

Check the airlines you will be flying on your trip. Some have weight limits for carry-ons.

Below is a chart that is neither exhaustive nor necessarily accurate, but will give you some idea of the limitations some airlines impose. I would check the website of the airline I’m flying for the most current and accurate information.

Source

Thank you for the additional suggestions. The Osprey Fairview is too big, but a trip to REI (there's one not too far from me) would allow me to try out other models.

Thanks for the reminder, Bbstx. I usually don't worry about weight domestically, but I'll be packing carefully for this trip to use only a carry-on. Weight may come into play.

If you don't move the fridge or buy a SZ, I would recommend making the fridge surround and the cabinetry to the right of it deep enough to accommodate a full depth refrigerator. Cabinet depth refrigerators are so limiting and in most cases there's no reason why the fridge cabinetry can't be deep enough to accommodate full depth. My house has relatively inexpensive custom cabinetry but someone was smart enough to make a 30" deep fridge surround rather than 24" and I love them for it. I just bought a second home with cabinet depth - grrrrr.....

I made a 60 second video regarding considerations when planning walkway dimensions in a kitchen. I hope this helps someone! See it here.

I have a range at my vacation home that has thrown a few errors sporadically. Fortunately an old school appliance repair guy took it apart and re-soldered the broken contacts on the control board. He said it was caused by power surges and we do have a lot of outages at that place. He didn't even charge me because I'd had such a hard time scheduling the repair. All I could think was that a lesser person would have told me it wasn't worth repairing.

I have a 17 yr old KA double wall oven and will really hate the day it no longer can be repaired IMO the best one I have ever owned . Have you checked out a repair I live in a small town but my repair guy fixed my cooling fan in mine with KA parts last year. for $300 . As for the replacement I would probably do the Miele with that warranty.

I do have an "old school" appliance repair guy, who has done work on this oven over the years. I have a call in for him and am keeping my fingers crossed. I have also done a quick visit to an appliance store, and it seems 30" oven cutouts are not a standard thing like dishwashers, meaning that I likely could probably not fit a miele in my current space. There was a kitchenaid oven that would probably work.

Hopefully my guy can keep this oven going, so all these bigger decisions can be put off for a bit longer.

@bbstx - I completely understand your desire to stay with your local pharmacy when you have such a longstanding personal relationship with the family who owns it. I'm sure I would do the same if I were in your shoes. Some things are priceless and worth much more than $140 a month especially if the situation does not create a financial hardship.

Thanks, 3katz. If we don’t support our local, independent businesses (says the woman who is addicted to AMZ and its buddy, Z@ppos), we are soon not going to have any. I’m sure Marie_Cate’s independent pharmacist sold out because he could not compete with the big boys. The chain pharmacies provide a good service to the community. They provide jobs and pay taxes, but most of the local people are not empowered by corporate to provide the same level of service. For example, DH needed to get the Shingrix shot. Our independent pharmacist came out to the parking lot to give it to him so he would not be potentially exposed to COVID (2021). They offered to come to the house, but I thought that was unnecessary.