Yeah, it's a gorgeous house...Full of character...It's been really fun getting the gardens into shape...They were so overgrown with grass that it had turned into pretty much just lawn in the front...It wasn't until I excavated the area double digging that I realized there had been gardens there...I have this gorgeous pink phlox and two peonies that had been there for who knows how long...The poor peonies were just about dead...Soil had just buried them over the years...They haven't bloomed for me yet, but I think this year will be their year! But the comfrey :shudders: Someone at some point planted comfrey and it is *everywhere*...Not in my gardens anymore, but all over the side yard...What are you going to do, you know? I'll have to post pics of the house sometime..It really is pretty

You are right about that Anne....This morning was the first time in YEARS I have not had to take them to school! It was wonderful.....And I hate hate running into town for stuff.....and right now she loves it...LOL....so I got my fetch it girl for awhile.....Til it gets old for her....LOL....Tanner said he has his own personal driver now....Stacy

My daughter,(40) just this week moved back in, she had left her husband and her teenage daughter over a year ago,which was a shock to everyone,she was having an affair with someone at work, and moved in with him. This of course caused a lot of problems, her daugher was devistated,her husband was a mess... I am close to both of them. It was many months before my daughter and I spoke..I finally told her I had to let go and fogive her, not for her, but for me.However our relationship was also strained. I told her I was concerned for her, as this man has a history of domestic abuse. She called me last week, she needed out of the relationship. is broke and now worried about her job, since he is her superviser. I told her, I had 3 rules...she had to be completly honest with me, NO drinking( this had been an issue with the boyfriend, she joined in) and she needed to seek conseling. So now she is living in our guest room.. But things are looking better, after talking to human resorces, her job is okay.. turns out this guy has a history of relationships with co-workers.She is looking into being switched to another department. And her daughter has been comunicating with her, very causiously, but a start.... So wish us all the best..

I am working on the assumption that he wants you to move in and is ready for his place to transform from a bachelor pad to a home and that the two of you have discussed this before you committed to moving in. The first thing I would do is go through the entire house. clean, organize, make sure the space functions and is not cluttered. I don't know his personality, if the games collection is due to a need to hang on to things or a lack of interest in going through things and getting rid of old stuff. How you handle removing items has to be based on his personality traits. I used to tape boxes shut and write a date on the tape so my husband would have to break the tape if he used something and I knew how long it had been sitting not used. After 6 months I placed unused items in storage. After 6 months in storage I would donate the items. If I didn't do this we would have had 30 years worth of stuff. I also did this with clothing - small rubber bands over the hook of the hanger every January - removed when I did laundry. My husband couldn't let go of things. The second thing you need to do is list all the furniture, art and accessories. Figure out what must stay (he loves, you love or you can't afford to replace, too new to replace, doesn't make sense to replace). To make some of these decisions you need to know your future plans. Example - the sofa is big and bulky for the size of the space. No sense replacing the sofa if it is in good condition and the two of you will buy a new home within 5 years. If you are going to be there 10 years you will have to replace the sofa at some point, so you might as well get something that fits the space sooner rather than later. Make notes on each item - can it be painted, does it need repair. . . Once you know what is staying, have gotten rid of things that had to go and have some items that may stay or be replaced it is time to plan how you are going to use everything, what needs to be added and what additional items need to just go away. I know you are anxious to make the space your own, but most young women have 2 choices. They can fully furnish a home with inexpensive furniture and have to replace everything in a matter of a few years, or they can live with the things they have, paint a few items to lighten things up, add some pretty touches and replace items one at a time with well made furniture that will last a lifetime. In the long run, well made furniture saves you money and the journey of shopping and looking and finding that one special piece can make each item in your home a source of joy. Art is another item that I have never purchased to decorate a room. I have gathered art and sculpture over the years as I traveled to different places and events and each piece reminds me of a treasured experience in my life. If it were my space I would keep the sofa until it has deteriorated some. I would replace the smaller items - tv stand, coffee table and end tables. I would keep the dining room furniture, but paint it. You have to commit to doing this right or the paint on the top can become a hot mess. I would also paint the walls, add window treatments, add an area rug, some pillows or a throw on the sofa. Add/replace art as you find items that make your heart sing. Your boyfriend picked a palette of neutrals, which is quite common for men. In general they don't have the experience with color that women have. Our wardrobes are filled with color, they have dark pants and white, ecru, cream, gray or light blue shirts They don't match makeup, nail polish, shoes, purse and jewelry to their outfit. Neutral is their comfort zone. You on the other hand are young and beautiful. I would advise you to use neutrals and colors that complement your coloring. Most of us are happier and more confident when we feel good about ourselves. Surrounding ourselves with colors that make us feel like a 10 also tends to make us happier. Good luck on your journey.