We had Home Depot install the GE Smartwater ( which is the same as Rheem, apparently). The whole process went very smoothly. We called the 800 number in the phone book, and they arranged for a local plumber to pick up the heater and install it the next day. We never had to deal with the not-so-good service at the local Home Depot. The price was competitive (about $650). That included the cost of a building inspection, required by our city in Southern California. As it turns out, the plumber charged for the inspection permit but did not pull the permit until I mentioned it on a follow-up satisfaction survey.

I lived in a Sears home when age 1 to 3. Still have pics of it from the outside, but remember nothing about living there. Bought the Sears Catalog of homes a few years back. This book can still be ordered. I don't remember anything about the house but definitely found the same one in the book by referencing the family photo. Also have photos of interior Sears homes from visits to friends when a child. The most interesting part to me about these homes was an option for a bathroom or an outhouse....which could be ordered. There are a lot of interior photos inside the book. I love the long sinks in the kitchens....and most likely bathed the babies in. Would love to see photos of anyone who is currently living in one of these.

One thing you can do with old photos is to scan them at the highest resolution that you can. Then begin blowing up the scan, and looking into the detail of the photo. You will be very surprised what you begin to see. I did this with some of the old old family photos taken back in the early 1900s. Blowing them up and peeking at things like the scuff marks on the shoes of the children, the detailing on the home made dresses, a barb wire fence between the yard and a corn field, which had corn ears fully grown on it, so it had to be late in the year. And most of all, I could see the expression in the eyes of my grandmother. But you might see the detailing of the boards on the porch, the way the steps were built and from what, and were they painted or not. Any flower beds and what was in them. Many of the homes in my old pictures were not painted, but were of rough lumber sometimes board and batten. But the young couple were invariably standing proudly in front of their home, probably newly built or expanded. Hard working people in homemade dresses and overalls and brogan shoes. It was as close to Southern American Gothic as you can get. Another one I loved was of my great grandmother Sophia taken in the hog pen with this huge hog which she was feeding. Going on the assumption that they had pictures taken of important things or events, I decided this was important because she was proud to be able to feed such a fine hog which would be slaughtered and feel her family well during the winter. Plus, she loved animals and took good care of them. I guess I inherited that love from her.

@tangerinedoor You can see why I want to keep a lot of the historic elements of the exterior! The last owners picked the dark greys. I like how moody and cozy it makes the family room, but it reads so purple in our dining room that I’m going to paint it a nice greige. The bedroom is a Sherwin William historic arts and crafts color called Indian White. It’s really creamy and I guess does read a tad peach (I’m not a huge fan of that selection and I just made it two weeks ago!)!