We're getting ready to leave for a late dinner out but wanted to add to what tinan said about NOT letting your cats loose in the car..........EVER! Definitely contain them in travel cages/carriers, with halters on. If you need to get into their cage/cages while you're on the road, make sure all your doors and windows are rolled up. Us with cats all know how fast they can be. As my husband is always saying, better safe than sorry. As far as your one dog, look into Thunder Shirts. They can be a little bit pricey but oh-so well worth the price. Pet Smart carries them. We have a friend who used one for his large dog and it was like night and day when he was moving from CA to Texas. His wife had their cats in their SUV (he was in their truck), all in large wire cages (with locks on the doors) and altho they stayed in pet friendly hotels, they never let the cats out in the rooms. They were large enough that they could put small litter boxes in the cages (when they stopped) and food and water bowls. If I remember correctly, they opened from the top and not an end or side. When we moved from Northern California to Arizona (with 2 cats and a very large German Shepherd) a little over a year and a half ago, we used one on one of our cats. He absolutely detests being both in his carrier and in a car and altho for the first hour of travel he vocally let us know/hear his displeasure. But other than being vocal, he was calm and safe. Our other cat slept most of the 12 hour trip. We also had their favorite toys in the carriers with them. And don't overfeed or over water them if you're traveling with them. Barfing dogs and cats aren't pleasant when you're traveling. And try to make sure that the area where they're going to be is cool. Another thought, and I don't know if this is possible in your case, is do you have any friends or family who would make the long drive with you in a separate vehicle? Maybe they could take either the dogs or cats? Is your new home already going to be set up when you arrive with the critters? If so, don't open the cat carriers until you're in the house with the doors shut. We had already been here and met the movers so our house was ready for the fur faces, as far as their needs were concerned. We already had a cat box set up when we let them out and food and water came immediately after. Our brat cat immediately went to his safe place, which is under our bed. I sure do wish you well with traveling with your critters. I'm sure there will be times that you'll think that it's a PITA but you all will survive. Just think of the stories you can tell your friends and family of the time you traveled across country with them. I'm also very glad to have read that you're taking them all with you. It just makes me sick to my stomach when I read ads in the paper or on Craig's List that say something like "Dog/cat free....am moving and can't/won't take them with me/us". Please let us know what you decide and how it turns out. Jenna

Janice, don't even think about gel staining these cabinets. If you don't want it to look like a cheap DIY project, it will take you days of tedious prep work. And for what? espresso color, dated cabinets? For the amount of work that takes, you'd be better off painting them. You said you're selling. Why go through the expense of taking up all of your flooring to lay down a vinyl plank? it's not exactly a high upgrade, and certainly not high enough to warrant extra money in your pocket you'd get after selling. Do you plan on doing the entire area (living room, kitchen, bedrooms?) What is the complete price for demo of current flooring, PLUS buying the new products and install? The one thing that will definitely give you bank for your buck is to scrape those ceilings and get a smooth, painted finish. (check for asbestos first) No one wants a popcorn ceiling. Start there. look at this link. her kitchen cabs are very similar to yours. Minus the appliances, she spent approx $1600 to completely make-over her kitchen. She actually did a pretty good job. (the flooring was already there and makes a huge diff compared to yours. ) https://inmyownstyle.com/kitchen-makeover-plans.html also, if you paint, you can fill in the middle handle holes and put in new ones where they should be. Instead of removing the upper doors, you could remove the middle panels and replace them with glass. (seeded, frosted, clear, etc...) https://inmyownstyle.com/diy-kitchen-makeover-completion-cost-breakdown.html (she bought new appliances, but if you need to replace anything, check Craigslist for slightly used items for a killer deal)

If in doubt go darker. Like 3-5 times darker. When the product is PURPOSEFULLY stained a different colour than the floor, it is used as an ACCENT. That accent can then be 'picked up' in other ways. Such as a dark railing or dark spindles. All it takes is TWO items to create a 'look'. This works with pillows and area rugs or area rugs and drapes. It can work for stair treads and railings/spindles. Simply make the decision that makes TWO items the same colour. Maple is a pain to stain LIGHT...but it is very handsome when worked in a DARK stain. It will look 'almost' painted but not quite. Ask the wood trim company to create a dark charcoal or 'almost' black stain. And then MAKE SURE you get ONE OTHER ITEM in that same colour. The two put TOGETHER make a statement. It's a brilliant way to fix an oopsa.

ostrich, I have the Dyson V11. It was a gift from my daughter when we moved into our new home. It is truly the worse vacuum I've used. Let me explain. I've had Dysons in the past but their regular corded vacuums. I never liked them compared to my other corded vacuums which were Electrolux and Hoover canisters. We used the Dyson uprights in our office. I found them heavy, clumsy and difficult to change tools. Now I have the V11. It is very heavy for easy use. The moter, filter is up close to the handle. You have to keep the trigger held in when vacuuming which, in itself is not a problem except to hold the handle to clean the filter, empty the cup, change tools, your thumb keeps hitting the trigger. Not terrible but annoying. My biggest issues are The weight up by your hand due to the motor being up at the top of the pole. My arm hurts after 10 minutes of vacuuming. Because the weight is up top, the head swivels loosely and is difficult to control. It goes sideways, turns around just so annoying. I actually have to use my foot to keep it straight. Next big problem, the attachments are difficult to detach. Again, the weight is at the top by your hand. You are trying to push the button to separate the pole, the button is so stiff, you need your other hand to pull but the weight is on top so it falls. I take my foot to hold the head on the floor while I try to separate the poles. I can't describe what goes on, you would have to try it to see what I mean. Its just so difficult to use. It does not work at all, on throw rugs. I have rugs by each door to catch the sand (I live in Florida) from shoes, I've always vacuumed them with my Shark, no problem, not so with the Dyson. Even lowering the suction, the Dyson stalls as soon as it hits the rugs. I've written enough. I could go on for pages about how user unfriendly this vacuum is. Its just a really dumb design. It was a gift and I know my daughter felt she was giving me the best. It was quite expensive for a stick vacuum. So I will keep it, but will either get another Shark (which I loved) or look at the Bissel. Unfortunately, it seems Shark is now putting its motor on top of the handle also. Makes vacuuming difficult on your arm and hand. The motors are too heavy. But, at least it doesn't have the trigger in the handle. Jane