powermuffin, we're almost neighbors! I live south of Longmont, but used to practice yoga at the studio on Tenacity Drive, and dated a guy who lived on Gay Street (some 16 years ago). He said the street name did give him pause when he bought the house, and though he managed to get over it enough to live there, like your husband he was quick to "explain" the name when giving out his address. My childhood home was on Walden Road, so no street I've lived on since has had a name that's half as idyllic. The streets in our current neighborhood are mostly last names, which is boring, but better than cutesie or pretentious I suppose.

I live near Seldom Seen Road. There are many roads named for long-gone families and farms -- and folks way back when, I think, didn't find some surnames quite as "amusing" as we do know. There is a road nearby that I first thought was Bean Oiler Rd. which struck me as pretty funny. Turns out I misread the sign, it is Bean Oller -- again old family names. Also we have 3Bs and K Road. Running that widget above, I found that every street I have ever lived on is below market average. I have to agree about streets named after first names -- Edna Court, Whitneyway, etc. Even as a child I instinctively didn't like those streets.

Harvey- Thanks My landlord would blow his Colombia gasket if I altered his building. It's a new gut rehab of an old theatre. You got me thinking though, maybe I can find big trees. I hate palms but they do the trick for shade. and yes there are very very reasonable opportunities to live near orchids. One can live very well on about 1,500$ USD a month here. I have a penthouse in downtown. I refuse to drive here so I live in the city. Does this board have a PM? If so drop me one and I'll turn you on to some eye-popping areas in the Coffee triangle. It's a very safe area, modern Colombia is very safe and this area is most beautiful in Colombia. I am a woman alone, I have no problems. If you remember the old Juan Valez commercials...that's where I live :-) and living is good and this is real freedom. There are no rules here. I do not regret my decision to expat at all. I am having a ball. I just saw a brand new eco-house outside of town that was a jaw dropper. 400$usd a month... about 3,000 sq ft in the middle of ....amazing... I didn't keep the pics of the house but I kept one of the view. (below) the national park is behind the house. To James. Yes, I have tried Ecuagenera with horrible results. I just don't like that guy. I've met him several times. I don't like the condition of his product either.- he's lost packages, not done anything about it, not good with him. They are restricted from shipping to Colombia. We have an orchidist about an hour away from me. I've seen his stuff. 4 large greenhouses. Good -but maybe, 30-50 species, mainly cool growers and tons of purple cats-our national flower, grown super dark to my eye. I live in a valley so we have warmer temps Really, when I think about it, this is a real orchid hunt, here in Colombia. I would have never guessed. It's kind of fun to find the rare beauties and then to try to know what they are by blooming them. It's a whole other level that I have to get comfortable with if I want to collect orchids here. They don't come with names or pedigrees. I never know what will pass by me on a cart or in a box on someone's shoulder. I am not confident but I'm going to give it my best effort. Saludos de Bella Colombia and thank you.! I am happy to talk about Colombia anytime :-)

So who chooses the "featured answer" in this forum? It doesnt seem to have anything to do with no. of likes.. Theres no rhyme or reason to it. If brick is to be painted then it needs to be a breathable stain or mineral paint which forms a chemical bond with the masonry, and not a latex plastic film that sits on top of the brick and traps moisture which then creates spalling and damage you may see as soon as 10 yrs from now. Romabio (mentioned above) is a mineral paint and is good for brick and masonry as was said. Also check out Limeworks.us or Beeck - they have great customer service and the price really is comparable to a better quality conventional paint. You may have to either diy or look for a painter who knows about this paint or is willing to expand their skill set. These products have been used in Europe for hundreds of years but for some reason not as much used in the US as they could or should be. They are catching on though. Less effort would be simply choosing another accent color besides white! Thats whats giving it that peach pie with ice cream look! A dark green-black would look appealing, providing a sharp contrast and making the walls read more as a nice warm more neutral tan. It really is a sweet house and will look great once you get all the colors working well together.