*Something's Gotta Give *parts of house in "Freaky Friday" (remake with Jamie Lee Curtis) *Unfaithful (Diane Lane/Richard Gere house, inside & out) Think TNT is airing it this week, too. *What Lies Beneath (H. Ford, M. Pfeiffer, just watched that again during the night Sat/Sun, so might be re-run again this week on TNT.) *Father of the Bride remake (some rooms kind of fussy for me tho) I know there's more, just can't think of them off the top of my head ;)

Absolutely!!! When I was 11 and saw the carpet color my mom had chosen for my bedroom in our new home, I cried and cried. She liked it and some designer had suggested it, so she didn't even consider changing it. I STILL hate that color with a passion (a dark rosey mauve). The rest of our house was cream and peach and grey. We had a living room with ultra plush cream carpet that we were not allowed to enter, except for photos. It had to be carefully vacuumed with perfect lines (like a baseball field). We had built-in laminate desks in the office and master bedroom that never opened or closed properly, and were always getting chips. We had cream laminate with oak trim kitchen cabinets. And of course, unimaginative art show 3-D artwork whose only merit was that it matched the pillows. When my parents had to replace their grey carpet last year, my mom chose a very light cream plush (this was for the stairs too). And when they renovated their kitchen with granite and stainless, they thought it perfectly great to leave the hideous laminate cabs. More than that, though, I just never could understand their purchasing decisions. They always went with cheap quality (not necessarily cheap cost)/immediately available. So everything was always breaking and needing to be replaced - the garbage disposal, the garage door, our cheaply made clothes purchased at full retail. My father still brags about the amazing deals he's gotten on his new unheard-of brand camera or MP3 player (which are predictably never working 2 weeks later). Thankfully, my husband and I are of one mind and always carefully search for the right item, well-made, and if we can't afford quality (paid for in cash), we wait. Quality is always cheaper and less effort in the long run. I search Ebay, Goodwill, and Craigslist. I don't pay retail for anything except groceries. And of course, my mom hates my house, with its British Colonial/Spanish design, antique furniture, wood floors, hand-knotted rugs, and rich colors. My husband and I aren't wealthy, just patient and determined to have things that last. Life's too short!

Satine, you are going to make it, you can see what to do for now at least and you'll just have to take each event and work it out. By securing all your valuables and making sure your banking is only in your possession you are protecting yourself, even if its, sadly, from your own DD. I would like to say when I read your post, she is innocent but I don't have that feeling. If she was nine years old with the neighborhood klepto, yea, I could see it but she dangled the carrot in front of a BAD kind of guy at the age of twenty. I'd say that was sort of unusual. I don't know maybe you have coins all set out in a bookcase and they are super cool but I'm not thinking that's how this story goes. What was she thinking? I've always told my kids to be kind to everyone but in no way do I encourage them to temp the temped. (guessing you haven't either) Or to jump into danger just because someone else is doing it and it's exciting. Like taking drugs, drinking, all that. Your dd isn't exactly seeing the difference. Empathy is good, although not in this instance. Heaven knows no one is perfect but there are some people who have a hard time learning what is wrong and right or at least people who never seem to learn from their mistakes. She needs a counselor to help her see how much of a wonderful future she has if she can focus on friends that are good for her, to be respectful and honest to others and herself. I sure hope she see's that soon or who knows what kind of life she will have. You don't want to see that, I know but she needs to see that her lousy guy friend is making really bad choices and one day he could/will drag her down with him, even if she feels sorry for him. You will have to dance on that fine line. If you mention to her she should drop him, most likely she will cling on for dear life. If you don't do something to gently help her see the light, she may end up in trouble. Good luck, I hope she does the right thing from now on.

Congrats...You know I watch a lot of documentary and NatGeo productions and I see all these different cultures that have so little and are so obviously happy. Last night I was watching My country, My kitchen and there was a chef on there from Viet Nam....She took us on a trip to her country and cooked native foods in her family's outdoor kitchen. Poverty Level digs by our standards and yet, you could see the love and pride in the family and the fact that they were all together as a family from age 102 to an infant speaks loudly. Just walking through the mall disgusts me to see all the crap there waiting for people who feel like they have to have it..........and some times when they can't even afford it. I hope you find what you are looking for and it is a wonderful lifestyle for you.....Just