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FOAS, I have encounters as you described with men day in and day out and never give it a 2nd thought, as do most women. I'm guessing you give off no bad vibes. My most recent questionable encounter was in broad daylight in a busy parking lot at a UPS drop off store. I pulled into a parking lot and a youngish man caught my eye. Why? IDK. He walked past my car and around the corner of the building and I waited until he was out of sight and exited my car because it felt safer. When I came out of the store not 2 minutes later, he was on the sidewalk right in front of my car smoking a cigarette. Tho he paid no particular attention to me, it was odd that he'd come back and was standing right there. All my spidey senses went off, but I continued to my car. He crossed to a grassy divider behind where I was parked and started loudly vocalizing threatening things about women, using the b word. I was happy to get into my car and out of there.
The bear exercise is a random man. Could be you or it could be him. I'd choose the bear, which would be more likely to run away than that man would have.
@petalique - I wasn’t searching at all, just completely randomly stumbled across this reddit post!
https://www.reddit.com/r/relationship_advice/s/JkRj1QFEW4
I’m a deputy and plan to keep working. She’s a nurse and loves her job. (Yes a stereotypical couple I guess lol, any rookies out there keep away from the nurses!)
Thanks. I would advise him no need to tell her. Go slow on proposal, get to know one another.
KW I think it is just a cove ceiling but the lighting is making look like an actual frame of some kind, but I don't think it's more than a reflection.
KW, the frosted glass is angled, between the backsplash and the upper cabinets. I have seen that pegboard on the uppers in photos of that style of kitchen. Looks cool, but i can imagine dust getting in, especially the dishes that aren’t used and washed that often. Or just dust settling within the peg holes. My louvered doors collect enough as it is.
Thanks for the explanationn @bpath I looked at picture & see it now. Those angled storage pieces look like some of the older bathroom over sink storage I’ve seen.
I've been buying the mini avocados and demi-baguette ciabatta at TJ's. Both are great for avocado toast!
Judi, I am never without the ciabatta demi-baguettes!👍🏻
Thanks, I won't have any problems talking with the daughter...it will be what to say to the mom and how to say it.
Tell her what you want her to know, then follow her lead.
Olychick - Hugs to you and to your friends family. I recognize that this is a choice that not everyone believes in but for some it is a viable choice and although difficult for the family it's a true blessing when all embrace it.
The MIL of a friend of mine chose dying with dignity in the fall of 2021. What was interesting was that in the spring of 2021 the MIL had a friend who chose to end her life in the same manner and the MIL was all up in arms about her choice. She was critical of her friend and saying How dare she do this to her family and be so selfish, etc, etc.
But the MIL had cancer for a number of years and in the fall of 2021 it metastasized to her brain and her doctor was very honest with her about what was going to happen to her both physically and cognitively. And then she understood.
It has plenty of character already. Not sure I would change much.
I like the spare look - a really nice change from all the crazy gables that are currently in style - I wouldn't change the house, just would add some lush landscaping and large pots for flowers as others have suggested - enjoy!
Maybe just leave the front door the color it is I might confuse a bugler in case you get one of those and it's okay that your front door is there I just thought it was a big picture window maybe you can put a planter to the right side of the door and you would help distinguish the area there but but that's nice it has a clean line on the porch that everything is the same color in the framing
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OK, couldn't miss the last April puzzle. Thanks for the well wishes!
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Olychick I love that idea! Any idea what general rule of thumb would be for height given the couch is already taller than the window behind it? Does that matter?
PS already ordered custom granite to place on top of radiator. Trying to be budget friendly so snagged from a contractor friend for free!
Not too big at all. The idea is called a 'snug' in the UK. Its a phenomenon that started during the pandemic. I thought it was my own idea... jamming furniture into a small room and using it as a little get away for drinks, entertainment, etc. Apparently the lockdown gave us all the same idea. Not sure you should pull the sofa away from the wall as floor space is a premium in a snug... but if you like the idea then I would just do a stained board mounted on the wall with brackets and not pay for a table no one will ever see.
https://www.wsj.com/style/design/snug-room-interior-design-08f08f26
Why Americans Want a ‘Snug,’ a Special Room That’s an ‘Instant Magic Pill’ of Comfort
As sprawling, noisy open-concept floor plans prove divisive, some homeowners are adopting the British snug—a small, comfy, den-like space where a television doesn’t dominate the décor or the vibe
It is definitely water damage, so you have a leak. Hard to say if its mold right now, but, it will be shortly, if not already. Could be a bathroom, if you have one above that room, or it could be a leaky roof.
The forum is lousy with people regretting their tile decisions when in actuality its not bad at all. Have no regerts.
Great comments and suggestions, except for the obnoxious ones. There are some trolls on Houzz who set themselves up as authorities( "PRO") and talk down to people who are just asking for help. They have nothing better to do and they comment on all the questions. Get a life.
Your new tile is 1000% better than the old tile. Your examples all have gray floors and they work beautifully. I would not replace the floors or the wall tile.
I came up with a couple more paint concepts...difficult to adjust exact colors on my screen...but something that also goes with the gray tile..so leaning to bluer side of teal.
Just met with the first HVAC person and update is below.
Our home is 3000 square feet. We are teetering on the furnace being possibly too small but a bigger one would be suitable for up to 5000 square feet and as a result too big. The bigger furnace would also not work because the ducting would be too small for it. Zones could be put in if we really wanted but he cautioned against it as said it would mean pressure on the furnace which is intended to service 2-3000 square feet.
The wall units in each room are possible but not a cost effective option as they are expensive,
Recommendation is heat pump or AC unit for whole home. Quote will be forthcoming. We don’t qualify for rebate for heat pump because we won’t be replacing furnace.
Estimated price is $8-12k Canadian depending on what unit we choose.
So not going to take a break from replying then. Got it. If I stumbled across this thread I definitely know who I wouldn’t want to work with.
What in the world is this nonsense?
There are ideas already flowing. We’ve had 2/4 companies come to provide AC and heat pump quotes. We are roughed in for cooling with a pad at the side of the house, all set up on the electrical panel and access to furnace too. We have two more hvac companies coming Monday then will move forward.
We are asking everyone the same thing and so far getting the same answers.
Is the size of our furnace appropriate for our house? Yes but barely. Bigger would have been better with bigger ducting too. The size of ducting is suitable for furnace size and a bigger furnace would mean a ducting change which is likely cost prohibitive.
Is it possible the current system is leaky and that needs to be addressed? The two cooler rooms are still getting heat. When the furnace is on you can feel heat coming out of the vents. All other spaces are heating well. The two cool rooms are farthest from the furnace and will likely always be different than other spaces closer to. Unlikely this is leaky ducting.
What are the options for cooling just in the bedrooms? Wall units at about $5k a piece. Can be done. Perhaps not a good cost options since you need for. Recommended brand Mitsubishi
What is better AC or heat pump? AC will be a bit cheaper now but local municipalities are starting to phase out AC usage and in some areas it’s already no longer allowed to be installed. Recommendation is to lean toward heat pump for ease of repairs as well as long term alignment with municipalities rules.
Brands given quotes so far are: Bosch, Mitsubishi, Comfortaire, Daikin
Reasons we didn’t put in cooling when we built the home were cost saving but we did future plan for it. 6-10 years ago AC or cooling in homes in Vancouver wasn’t as common. Since then several heat waves and a change in temperature in summers has shifted things. For reference in 50 years I’ve never lived in a home with cooling.
Save your budget for great professional landscaping and hardscaping of the driveway with a defined walkway leading to a bright front door. Beef up the pillar. Slapping on stone and the like isn't necessary and won't add as much as just giving your very nice house a better setting via landscaping and hardscaping.
I would call it a ranch, since it is a one story house. Some ranches are very long and some are a bit smaller. Some might even call your house a bungalow, however, even knowing the intended style, doesnt change the suggestions here for landscaping. All the landscaping doesnt have to be flowers. It can be trees, and other shrubs, etc. That still helps the look of your house, despite your harsh Iowa winters. I do know all about those winters, since, I lived up north for many years. Despite all the snow, and cold, you still need landscaping . Garage doors should blend in, especially, when they are in the front of the house like yours is. It is possible, to paint your storm door the color of your door, so you can see the color. There is special paint to use on metal. Or you could change out the storm door, for one, with a lot more glass, and a pull down screen at the top. Your colored door will then show through it.
landscaping will be a huge improvement to curb appeal.
that cement area next to driveway. what if you modified it to look similar to this
you see how the planter and shrubs next to the driveway really change the look?
or this one:
even this looks better than concrete
Then redo the garage door and the color palette. add some new lights, address, paint the door
Don't forget the cedar post (s) on the porch. I gave you a 2nd one.
I really like the wood (or composite wood) shake (or scallop if you prefer) in the gable,
along w/board and batten siding, something similar to this, elsewhere.
just another shot of a gable w/the wood accent. I like the two tone option. this color wood would look nice w/the forest green above, and the off white.
I like these nature colors. if you like white, do the siding in the white w/the darker trim and doors.
Or do the siding in the dark color and the trim in the white.
looks great w/the wood
You see how it's vertical in the gable portion?
You can do this^,
or, You could do the shake in the gable, and the vertical around the front of the home.
here's one example of the gable in one material, and the batten siding elsewhere
I absolutely love this color from Hardie. paired w/wood, it's perfect.
Here it is on this exterior. so many ways to use this.
Here's another shot in a dark blue in the batten siding on the whole house. paired w/wood and copper accents, it's beautiful
Hardie pre-painted siding
If you like greens and blues, try this palete w/a similar garage door. this style door fits your home perfectly.
another palette that looks nice w/your roof color. gave you gray washed garage door
The gable portion you could do in a solid shake or scallop, diff front door.
I also like these warmer colors w/the charcoal or black
Again, diff garage door. you can paint it one of these colors,
Or do the wood or wood look door. and I added the truss accent too
With these neutral charcoal/blacks/whites and tans, the wood accents really make a nice impact
Something like this one. Iron Mountain is the darker color, paired w/a lighter griege, and wood accents. So pretty.
If you like the darker, reddish wood tones (like a mahogany) I'd consider doing this paint palette (and would look amazing w/your silver roof)
Here's one of the gray colors from James Hardie siding. Paired w/the blackberry colors above, and the mahogany wood tones, it would be very classy looking.
Here's your color roof w/white siding, down spouts and a charcoal board and batten. not suggestion you do this around the window, but in the gable or for the whole siding, could look good
Ironstone board and batten siding : (comes in other colors too)
white board/batten siding in the gable w/dark garage door, wood accents and black elsewhere
I love a dark blue or sage green house!
Make sure to post a before and after!
A combination of berm based landscaping with evergreens and groundcover/bushes to create an enclosed feeling with enlarged windows to view the many options that landscaping creates. Perennials, hibiscus, hydrangea, roses are some ideas. There is a long expanse of lawn. You can add landscaping across the front we don't see to enhance your enjoyment when looking out. The money necessary to give the house architectural presence with gables and a higher 6/12 roof, I'd spend a fraction of that for your own benefit.
yes for longer windows
or easy-peasy, just with frame décor
I would build it out like this and just hide it all. Natural wood or white or wall color.
Bring brightness and a bit of colour into that dark corner. A white bookcase, rattan chair & black floor task lamp, more substantial lamp on the dresser with some decor, art on the wall, bring the stand mirror forward more into the room rather than stuck in the corner...
Sorry. Yes it is a bedroom. The wall to the left side of the angled alcove is a huge low large center window with 2 casement windows. The bed is on the wall I am taking the photo from. I feel like if I move the bed to that wall I would not have much space to get to the master bath with the tall bureau on the right small wall.
We have a limited view of the room but I think the boxes side by side under a window would be fine.
Do you use the breakfast bar or could you just use the table? If not, you could do something like this. Right now 8 dining seat all within 7 feet of each other in such a tight area seem like a waste of space.
@Olychic
I do love the drama of a hat this size. Maybe I will cut this one for practicality and buy another one for drama.
Oly
The glue gun is right up there with mascara and lip gloss! Next to my makeup bag.
I packed for my trip with this project in mind. Do you have travel projects? For a while I made wire rings and jewelry to keep myself busy in hotel rooms.
Olychick you’re right, no marble in the shower. … therefore not on the floor either.
The floor tile in the picture looks calm enough for Taj Mahal. Doesn’t look like marble either. Just the color is wrong.
With no marble on the floor, with a white counter, she has no natural stone in her bathroom.
Nothing like natural stone imo.
Floor and Decor has a pretty big selection - saying a prayer you find something AC, to go with the Taj - or maybe a marble counter! Bathroom is as good a place as any to get it! Might be cheaper than the Taj!
I’d imagine rolling is pretty mindless for you, so I’d be looking for sometiing equally mindless to fidget with. Perhaps silly putty? Or Play-Doh or clay or yeast dough. Something you the feel of.
It’s been about 8.5 years for me, and I quit many times before that. Nevwr kid yourself that you can have just one! Good luck to you!
I quit for good in 1976. Grew up during a time where most everyone smoked. Chain smoking parents and I always joked I never had to learn to inhale since I'd been smoking my entire life. Tried to quit a 2 pack plus a day habit several times. Failure after failure and disgust at myself. The only thing that worked for me was going cold turkey. No last cigarette, no tapering off. Threw out all the cigarettes in the house along with all the ashtrays. Put away the lighters and matches. Washed everything that could be washed, aired out the house and declared it a smoke free home. Never looked back. I officially became a smoker at age 12 and quit at 25.
Smoking is a tough addiction to beat. I applaud you for making the effort. Here’s a general timeline of how nicotine withdrawal occurs. If you can stay nicotine-free through each milestone, congratulate yourself and give yourself a dopamine boost from the accomplishment.
As others posted, it’s important to make new habits to replace the ones you had when you smoked. If you used to sit on the couch, roll your smokes and watch television, try watching television in a different room and, as you said, keep your hands busy with a different task. You have to fool your brain a bit, too. When the urge to smoke hits, develop a positive response like walking around the block or having a little dance session in your living room…anything to focus your mind in a different direction.
Best wishes for success!!!