jem -- I thought about some of the typical older home 'faults' you detail when we built new in 2001. We have a 10/12 roof to shed snow -- and to provide a 'second story' for some future owner who wants to add some dormers -- yet the gutters are only nine feet above the ground. (Building such an 'attic' would seem a waste, but our lot is zoned for a 6,000 sq ft home, while we wanted half of that and one story. The taller profile fits better in our neighborhood.) Our north-facing 42" entry door is wood, with sidelights and no storm door, yet it looks like new because it's protected by a roofed six foot deep stoop, with arched openings front and east. We are also a single step above ground level at every entry point. Single story is nice, but you have to get *into* the house easily too. Having endured aluminum-frame windows, I appreciate tight, efficient doors and windows. Casements lock at two points; French doors lock at three. I have to look out to know if a car is driving up to the house; can't hear it. A mistake I made was having a row of French doors on the south with inadequate overhang. I must close the doors if there's any wind with a rain. I bet you could replace your picture windows with same size more efficient ones without alterations. The new glass and frames are *tight*. You would have less re-structuring and painting to do, and wouldn't throw off the exterior symmetry.

Thanks everyone! I do not need to learn it in a few weeks I just want to be able to speak and understand someday! I have hung out with his fam on many trips and they do speak enough English so I manage. As for the wedding, we are headed to the Courthouse. Nothing big in terms of a wedding. We both have been married before. We just want simplicity. After we are going downtown (I live in the country in between San Antonio and Austin) to the riverwalk and staying in a nice hotel and having friends and family get together for a fun dinner. We will be eating at a place called Boudro's and my new last name will be Boudreau! Kind of funny!

(Had to scroll back to find the "nude dude". I like 'em.) I'm not a minimalist so all the "stuff" I would find interesting to visit. I'm not a fan of red rooms but so many over stuffed rooms I've seen pictures of are red so maybe that's part of the formula? The massive numbers of pillows on the sofas drive me nuts! I can imagine sitting down (daintily) and having them fall over my shoulders onto the floor, knocking the snifter of cognac out of my hand on the way down. Damage to expensive carpets be damned - I hate to waste cognac!

......... dance. Sing. Iron. I make it look worse than before. Do directions. It's amazing I can make it off our street. Bake well. Fry things. Learn other languages. Do math. Work the DVD, Netflix, etc. I can't watch movies unless DH or DD are home. Paint walls/trim. I mean, I can, but it's best that I don't. I get impatient and sloppy. Clean windows well. Ditto ovens. Use a flat iron on my hair. I end up looking like the Cynthia doll on Rugrats. Listen to country music. I'd rather stab my ears with ice picks. Use a drill well. I'm dangerous with it. Stay back. Find good deals--coupons, credit card rewards, miles, etc. I just can't figure it all out. I know people who are all, "I earned a free trip! I got $120 worth of groceries down to $11!" TEACH ME YOUR WAYS. Pronounce certain words. Apocalypse, abominable, and so on. I get the letters mixed up, much to the amusement of family and friends .... and dashed any hopes of public speaking. Have more confidence in myself. I'm hard on me.