Well, it is hard to say. Do the old ones really need fixing or is that just how they work as they are 10 years old? How much would it cost to fix them if you can even find replacement parts for them? Is the Maytag Epic reliable? Have you looked for reviews on Maytag Epics? You said you have to leave them behind if you sell the house. Is that required by law where you are? Everyone I know who has moved has always taken their appliances with them unless they were moving into a house with a better appliance than what they already have. If the sale of their house was contingent on it having appliances they just went out an bought used ones or ones from rehab outlets and left those behind. I got my FL as an anniversary gift so if anyone thinks its going to be left behind if I move, they are totally delusional. I'll replace it with something else if I have to, but my machine goes with me. Are you planning on being there long? If not, you might as well keep the old ones and only worry about replacing if it is really needed. Or you can put the new ones in, put the old ones in storage and when you move take the new ones and just put the old ones back. If I remember correctly, the average life span of a FL is about 10 years, but sometimes you get that diamond in the rough that just keeps going. I'm fairly certain that a newer machine, depending on the one you get, would probably clean better than what is there now. It could depend on what detergent you are using too and what stains aren't coming out. The scorching in the drier is definitely a prob as I still have my old TL drier and it isn't scortching any of my clothes, so that definitely needs to be fixed or replaced. Lord knows how much that may cost to fix too, if it can be fixed. I'm hoping some of the questions I posed helped. Unfortunately it is the best I can do to assist you. I use something until it wears out. Depending on my finacial situation at the time, I'll fix said item if that is all I can afford. If it keeps breaking down then I save up to replace it, but your situation is unique as you have to leave them if you move.

Kids today (I have 3) are unbelievably spoiled and disrespetful. That's not to say that mine are this way (well, maybe a tad), but many of their friends are and it's a struggle to instill good values, respect and a work ethic when their friends and class mates have none. Much of your SD's behavior sounds pretty normal and there are very good strategies for coping with her. However, let me first say, I feel you are being a little overbearing in not letting her spend her money. She has to learn how to manage the money and that when it's gone--it's gone. I hope that money in her wallet is money she earned. By the age of 10 she should be earning her spending money. There should be guidelines established AND WRITTEN down and posted, maybe on fridge, that state something like the following: SD must make her bed, feed the cat twice daily and help set the table every day WITH A SMILE ON HER FACE and in return she will be paid 7$ each Sunday. The $7 is her money to spend at will. That is how kids learn the value of money. Of course, include SD in the discussion of her chores and allowance amount before the final decisions and stay flexible in case changes need to be made as time goes on. Have her check off her chores each day as they are done and on Sunday, if she has done her jobs well, she gets paid. If she hasn't done them well or has complained, then her salary is reduced somewhat. This teaches consequences and responsibility, which is your goal. Also, seems to me your wife is letting you take a lot of the heat and hassle and she comes out smelling like a flower. You two need to talk, big time. At the very least, she sound say "I agree with him." And never be afraid to use the phrases "Because I said so" and "Because I'm the adult." My oldest daughter was very articulate and argumentative from an early age and I found myself in the same arguments you're in. It's exasperating to try and reason with a child, especially a child with snotty motives. You won't win by arguing! Explain the "why" of it ONE time and when she starts in for round two, calmly say "Because I said so and that's the end of this discussion" and walk off or just remain quiet and refuse to engage in further discussion of the subject. Whatever you do, don't lose your cool because then you are losing your position and any respect she may have for you. Read John Roseman's newspaper columns and books. He's also on the radio--he is great. He says it's perfectly fine to have double standards when it comes to our kids, and he's right. For example, Roseman tells how he had a motorcycle but refused to let his teenage son buy one. His son complained that it was unfair and Roseman said that didn't matter. Period. End of discussion. Too many parents today worry that they aren't "FAIR" or that they're being "Hypocritical" so they let their kids do all sorts of dangerous things rather than run the risk of being unfair. Being a good parents very often means being unpopular. But I'd rather be a good parent than a bad one. James Dobson also has some wonderful parenting books. You can find them at any library or bookstore. One good point I'll never forget Dobson making was when he son kept whining and asking to stay up later because he wasn't sleepy and couldn't fall asleep. Dobson told him it was o.k. if he couldn't fall asleep, he had his full permission to lie in bed and stare at the ceiling all night long. I've used that one MANY times!!! Another point Dobson makes is that if you're doing your job correctly, your kids are going to be mad with you on a frequent basis. That's because you'll be saying "no" and they want to hear "yes, yes, yes". Or you'll be enforcing the rules and they want to be left alone or let off the hook. You're doing the right thing in seeking advice and again I strongly urge that you read John Roseman and James Dobson. Through the 17 years of parenting, so far, I've used their advice innumerable times and I've never regretted it. I've never regretted educating myself on child rearing, figuring out exactly how I stand on an issue and then holding the line. Oh, I think both of these men have websites so try a google search and see what you find. Good luck. Tigerlilysc PS--just wait until she starts dating....that's when the real fun begins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MizLizzie....Macy's, Martha Stewart Whim collection. Not the highest quality, but they were on sale for almost 50% off. They are fun. I do not expect them to last very long, but not a big deal...our son loved picking them out for our bed!

can you sketch up a rough floorplan? we can't make many suggestions without that. off the top of my head: I would turn the bunkbed so it's against the TV wall. then switch where your bed and desk are. after that, squeeze all of the smaller furniture in wherever it makes sense. then declutter, which will majorly help you just feel better in the space. it looks like there's some stuff that doesn't necessarily need to be in a bedroom. such as that small table with first aid (or vitamins)? and the skates and cleaning supplies? can any of that stuff go somewhere else in the house? is there stuff being stored under the bunkbed that belongs to your parents? move it out so your kids stuff can be stored there. for privacy, is there any way you can DIY a privacy curtain or get somebody to help you with that? it could be accomplished with curtain wires like this, plus some cheap bedsheets or cheap curtains found on amazon. just make sure they're not too heavy. if it's pretty long, you might need to add a support in the middle of the wire with a hook screwed into the ceiling. or check amazon for privacy screens. some of them are really cheap. not beautiful and they don't get stellar reviews, but could work as a temporary solution.this one is only $57: