You have inspired me. This is now my next project (after the bathroom is finished). I have always thought this piece was ratty looking but it served a purpose in our bedroom. The cat sleeps on top and the TV is there also. I also use it to keep my office papers. Thanks to you it will soon have a new look. I just checked it out a bit and noticed that the drawers are dovetailed but could not find a manufacture's name. Do you know who made yours?

If your looking to not add on and just make it nice, I would: Resurface the cement or cover with some kind of tile mosiac. repair lattice and landscape around it to cover it. Wood if decent I'd restore and reseal, but build new railing wither with metal balusters or bench/planter. I can't see the rest of the yard nor what your budget is so its hard to say. It just looks like it needs some TLC which the above would not cost too much. Me, I went IPE and doubled size to 700 feet and droped a 500 gallon Hot Springs hot tub and had a custom wrought Iron rail made at 100 feet. I started off as a $4000 budget job but grew into a monster of a project long leaving that budget! The imagination is limitless but everyone has a budget! Good luck!

""I think their upbringing is primarily their parents decision and responsibility regardless of the parents living arrangements. External participants should be there to support these decisions, NOT make them. I have done a lot of research and have talked to professionals who say the exact same thing Parents ultimately should be the decision makers not step-parents."" I agree with this statement. My kids are in a somewhat different position, because they live with me (their mother) and see their father for weekly dinners. Most of my kids see their father's current wife once or twice a year - yet she still thinks her opinion matters, and on one occasion came to a parent teacher conference for a child that I am not sure she would recognize if she bumped into her. I don't think there are any circumstances where it is appropriate for a stepmother to attend a parent teacher conference or volunteer in the classroom unless the mother gives her permission or the father is a full-time custodial father and the mother is out of the picture. Nor is it appropriate for a new wife to "defend" the father - if I were a man in that position, I would be embarrassed. It may be sexist, but I suspect a lot of men would feel that real men don't depend on someone else to fight their battles.

Hi everyone. Meredith - Your plant looks like a Cryptanthus, and all though I don't grow them personally, I have friends who do. Looking at the potting mix, from what I've been told I would say your plant is being kept too dry. These plants grow naturally under the cover of trees in rainforest condtions so they don't get strong light. If they are grown under light that's too strong it can bleach and sometimes burn the foliage. Although they thrive in conditions with high humidity and every effort showld be made to keep them moist, never stand the pot in a saucer of water as this can lead to "wet feet " and eventually cause the plant to rot. Below is a link to a site which gives good basic cultural information about this genus in an article called: Cryptanthus Bromeliads - How to Grow Cryptanthus Inside > https://www.thespruce.com/grow-cryptanthus-inside-1902529  I hope this helps you. All the best, Nev.