Thanks, Susie, Toomuch and Tennessee! Chelcass, That is good to know--that it is such a sturdy vehicle. Karen, We always went places in Bill's truck, but that did include one trip to Indiana--723 miles from the driveway to the cabin--and all the running around while we were there that year. 18 miles to the grocery store-LOL Here at home, it is 3 miles to each of the 2 malls,Target, Michaels Hobby Lobby and Joann's, 7 miles to the Naval base,(commissary, exchange and hospital/doctors). and since we have 5 Walmarts here at least 3 of them are not any furthur 7/8 miles. Church is 8 miles. So I really don't have to put many miles on the car.

Polly - There's a local thrift store near us where the money goes to missions. That's where all our stuff goes. Most times the large items that aren't in bags people want before they're even unloaded right! My last trip I took two of those video rockers chairs in great shape and an old school desk (which I'm now kicking myself for getting rid of!) The people there are super nice. That's a good idea to sleep in the room before hand. I do need to get some type of blinds, I wouldn't want to sleep with nothing on the windows. I don't have any pillows so that's on my list. Also need to get over the door towel hangers for the bathroom. No, I don't wash towels with every shower - they don't either so it's ok. :) I do have extra bedding and night stands so that's a plus. I just realized I don't have that many days off to do all this stuff. I need to get my butt in gear! Thanks for all the warm wishes!

Allison, I love your laundry room! I wish I had a bigger laundry room but just having one across from my bedroom and not in a tiny little closet and not having to go to the laundry mat is one of the nice features that sold me on the townhouse I bought a little less than 11 years ago. Where are your hampers? I just love your taste of knowing where everything should be in a room to create rooms with both class and beauty. I just bought two white wicker hampers with two compartments at Fran's Wicker & Rattan Furniture Store and were amazed at the just about no smell. They have velcro cotton drawstring bags inside and are very well sealed. I aired them out for a week so they will have no smell at all. I am glad I went with such pretty hampers that were reasonably priced for the quality. Now I have to take the suggestions I got from others on making the rest of the room nice when I have time.

Thank you all for your kind words and your advice. I have to say though that I am still so torn. I was planning on painting the cabinets white if I got soapstone but I am married to one of those men who loves wood - even if it looks like zebra - and I am not sure I am confident enough to go against his wishes. I have to admit that it is a lot easier to keep our oak cabinets looking decent than the white ones in the bathroom. I really had this vision though of an old fashioned kitchen with the white and soapstone, and Victorian style faucets. But I have a 70's house so I guess that was kind of silly. I was getting so obsessed about this that I just had to step away for a while and put it all into perspective. I have been perfectly happy in that kitchen for 18 years, formica, oak and all, but to make a change it all has to be perfect? But here I am, everyone else in bed, and I am googling pros and cons of countertop materials. Guess I haven't stepped back that much! : ) I'd like to "trust my gut" but all it tells me is that I am going to make a mistake! lol. Lascatx: I live in Plano, just north of Dallas. Thank you all for all your insight, and I will let you know if I ever have the courage to make a decision!