Ah...a wing wall...that's what it's called? My handy many suggested something like that saying he's seen them in some neighborhoods ...but it seemed odd so we talked about adding a "box" behind the wall to create some storage. Anyone know if you need a foundation for that??? He was talking like you didn't but if I wanted to extend the roof line, surely you would. Any idea what something like that would cost??? Does anyone have photos of such a thing? I've googled and looked at a ton of links but nothing has photos and I'm having a hard time imagining. Brent - You're right that the door opens up into the dining room...it can be moved right (from the street view) a little and still provide a clear view to the back of the house when you walk in. This seems important so as to not feel closed in. But, I'm not sure it's worth all that effort. Alternatively, I'd thought about moving the door to the middle of the room and moving the table (which is now behind the window) flush to the wall where the current door sits...(flush left when looking from the street) maybe with a banquette seat or something. But, then people would come in and see a wall...and that doesn't seem effective. I'd love to add a little foyer that juts out toward the street...something with a gable...but am sure that I would have to appeal the current rules since such a thing would jut out past my next door neighbors. It would, as noted above, be a crap shoot since they seem to deny these a lot. What would be the least deep foyer I could get away with, in your minds? And, you all may be right in that it's not worth the money. I struggle with this. My neighborhood is less than lovely BUT it has great location....it's just that none of the folks in town with money know it. Seriously...I'm so close to lots of great things and only about 10-15 min from work via neighborhoods but the area is not developing in the way other parts of town are...but I think it will have to in the next 5-10 years. Prices have increased dramatically so we would really have to commute if we wanted to buy a new place with more space and I'm not sure I want to. (The thought of it is exhausting) But, in my neighborhood, prices still range from 80K (for tiny 1000sf homes to 100K). It's mostly immigrants moving in, which I like. But, if we did sell, resale value would be pretty tight, I'd think. We do hope to add a bath onto the right side of the house...although it would come off the second bedroom so it would be back from the line of the house. That might, in face, make the house seem even more lopsided. What seems the best *reasonable* option? Thanks, everyone.

Can't imagine how such a tiny bird survives your usual winters, much less this one. Even here at 36 degrees high today I saw birds almost doubled in size due to puffing out their feathers for better insulation. They do have pretty good protection from wind and rain in the big Magnolias and Cedars...do you have large evergreen trees nearby? josh

Well, he came back, and he brought with him a lady friend... Snakeguybill, thank you so much for the information... I got home from work yesterday and my husband had already figured out what he was... I was thrilled to find out more information, and to know that we have a pair here... Any suggestions on books or websites to help me identify the birds around my home? Thanks again!!!!!

I've never seen them flying at a person's head....unless they had bugs coming out of their hair.......or their hair looks like a nest. ;) I have had barn swallows dive-bomb me. And I've had hummingbirds think I was a big flower when I had on a neon pink top! :) Is it possible there were bugs circling your head.......like gnats or mosquitoes?