"recently the bin has been dropping a manageable quantity of castings into the bottom chamber all by itself" flowthrough nervana. That is where I want to be. "drilling a series of small holes through the sides of the FT" I'm experimenting with big holes in the sides of the FT. No horror stories yet. I'm not convinced the air goes more than 1/4 inch. "I am currently experimenting with using one of the COWs as a finishing bin to allow the output from the FT to get extra processing." Yes, yes, yes. This is exactly where it is at. The flow through mixes the lemon rinds with the egg shells, the watermellon with the cardboard, the lime with the coccoa nut, to get all to a balanced. The harvest from this is perfect for the COWS. The big worms can be tossed back on top of the flow through. The cocoons and babies have a nice, safe, nursery. rookie09 Yeah for "small kitchen trash-can flow-thru"'s. This is similar size to what I have. I read about yours first. It is a nice household size. It is interesting that instead of using a small kitchen trash-can to throw stuff out the same size can be used to make good stuff. A magical inovation, I feel. I hope in the future many people have these or if needed large flow-thru's.

I lurk much but don't post often however as I've been in this dilemna several times through various moves, I'll offer a couple of thots FWIW. Although it may seem so while the wardrobe is empty, 4' is not a lot of space thus your idea of placing complete outfits in there is an excellent idea (IMO). My goal was to have 7 separate outfits allowing 5 work days of "wearables" plus 2 for the beginning of the following week (just in case that laundry thing didn't happen as quickly as expected). Then do 2-3 "weekend" outfits & your pretty well set to go. If you had double hang space in a 5' plus closet, I'd perhaps be inclined to put all the pants together, all the blouses together, . . . and like that but it's not the case here thus the "outfit plan" is excellent. I definitely would not take all the clothes from everywhere and put them in a big pile. Can you say "Overwhelm" before you even start?? Instead I'd find all the pieces of my fave two outfits and put them together on hangers & place them in that wonderful new space. Are all the pieces clean/ironed & ready to wear? Great - that takes care of Monday & Tuesday. After that find the two next fave's, doing the same procedure and you'll have Wed & Thurs done. And like that. At some point you are going to have all your *7 faves* and your weekend stuff (plus likely a few 'special purpose outfits') done & stored. That's when you look at *the rest* and decide if you love it, if it fits well or whether perhaps it has a higher purpose at someone else's house. Higher Purpose stuff gets bagged forthwith & placed in trunk of car for delivery to said depot for same. Now you pour self your favorite cocktail and contemplate what you (MOST deservedly) might want to purchase to make your *7 faves* or your *weekend stuff* smashing. :-)) And, on delivery of 'higher purpose items', you head to store(s) with list created at cocktail time and go shopping girlfriend. LOL!! Gloria's idea of putting a dresser & mirror down there if you can manage it is a great one. Maybe you could find a folding screen to make the area a bit more 'personally yours'?? As to DS, when he is paying his share of the mortgage would (IMO) be a time when perhaps he might voice opinions. I assume that time is not now so unless he wishes to lift weights in the back yard he (in my household) would be well advised to zip it. Have fun! Hope that helps a little to keep you going. :-))

It sure helps to vent, and what better place than here? You are trying so hard to be everything for everybody else that you've forgotten to look after yourself. Learn to say No now and then, and mean it. You might be a super woman, but Superwoman you aren't. So stop trying. Can you get occasional respite care for your mother? Try having a chat with the doctor, and the social worker at the hospital, or a local church or charity organisation. One day a week to yourself will be very rejuvenating for you. Pass the buck onto SIL if necessary. I have a friend who takes things on like you seem to, and people walk all over her with hobnailed boots. Now and then she remembers some good advice I gave her some time back - use the 'what if I were dead? ' tactic. In other words, if you got run over by a bus tomorrow, the world would still revolve, someone would step in to take over from you. They'd cope. So - sometimes, let 'em cope! Meantime, you need some free time, some space, and some freedom to live and breathe for yourself. You've earned that right.

What a beautiful door and entry! I see a closet door - why not use the closet???? I suspect you have too much stuff and need to brutally cull (but keep the kids). I see a bulletin board and lots of papers. You may need an organizational overhaul. If you bite the bullet and get rid of stuff and designate one spot in the house (not your front entry) for organizing, it might be easier to keep things under control. Then when you walk in your front door you just see your lovely home.