Msmarion, glad these threads have inspired you. Let us know how you do. I, too, find everyone's hard work inspiring. It motivates me to keep going. Today I worked on my clothing closet with my good friend. I tried on all of my dresses, skirts, and jackets. I got rid of 17 items. It was really interesting to have someone objectively evaluate how clothing looks on you. It made me realize how harsh I am on myself! My friend is someone who is particular about how clothing fits, flattering styles, age appropriateness, etc., and it was a positive experience. I got rid of two vintage dresses because they didn't fit or flatter my shape well. I really liked these dresses, too , but I chose to keep others that look much better on me. Two contemporary dresses were nixed because they were a tad short. My friend said I could get away with them, but because I have others that look better I decided to keep just the best ones. The process has started to feel and sound familiar to other culling tasks I've completed -- my closet has a limited amount of space; I have lots of clothing but certain items are the most flattering; these clothes are in good condition; I enjoy wearing them and do wear them. I keep only the best of everything. I am glad to have gotten this far, but still have a lot to do. Slacks, tops, and shoes remain, but I already have more room in one closet. I need to start a list of particular items that would help round out my wardrobe, but I'm not going to buy anything until I have completed the entire culling process. Also started working on removing an applied texture from the walls of one of our bedrooms. Originally thought it was sand-textured paint, but it's a bit thicker than that. I'm using a spackling tool to lift and chip it off. It's a bigger project than anticipated, but I think the results will be better. Tina

My knowledge is based on my sister's recent purchase of granite for her kitchen and 2 baths reno and she lives a bit south of Charlotte, NC. She chose her fabricator based on past experience with him for a Silestone countertop. They talked about price ranges in her budget. He told her what granite slab yards he like to work with but which yards she went to were her choice. To stay within her budget he told her not to go higher than Level 3 granite. Slab yards usually are not fabricators but sell directly to fabricators. The price of the job is based on the fabricator, not the slab yard. The slab yards usually price their granite in levels, or grades, and assign a letter or number. When my sister went to the slab yard, she told the salesperson not to show her anything above Level 3 so she wouldn't be tempted to go over budget. Once her choice of stone was made, the fabricator took over from there. He templated her counter areas, then she went to his workroom to help him layout the templates in order to capture the patterns of the granite she most liked. I recently called this fabricator because I am putting together a budget for a new home. He told me that his cheapest price is $50 per sq foot which gives a choice of about 20 granites. The next level is $60/sq foot, then on up to $65 and $70. He gave the example of Red Dragon granite being $70 sq/ft. This price includes measuring, templates, cutting, complete installation and sealing (as needed).

my sister has AW cabs and they're beautiful! I love them and would love to have them myself. they're oak in a med brown stain.(not orangey). they look great with the butterum I want to get. BUT, in cleaning my cabs in the new place I found the uppers are in just great shape -inside. the outside color and doors are yuk tho. Several of the lowers are in really bad shape too. So, I'm thinking I might attempt to replace a few of the lowers (checking CL and going to restore) and redo the finish and get new doors and drawer fronts. It should save me some (maybe), should be less work than having all of those uppers pulled out. Less stress on me - maybe. And will save some orphan cabinets somewhere from continued homelessness. I'm going to live with what's there for a time to let it all sink in and give myself time to change my mind again 300 times. Then (maybe) I'll have the strength to face making the changes. I do think going with good used/other boxes is a good thing!

Thanks, everyone, for the supportive comments about the sofa! As beautiful as it is, I must admit to a bit of a guilt attack after I purchased it. I usually pace my furniture purchases out a bit (LOL for years and years I purchased nothing!). Squirrel, I live in New England. Western Massachusetts to be exact. For the most part nothing good ever gets listed on my local Craig's List--so this was a big exception. I have no problem driving an hour or two to see something, however, and have had better luck closer to Boston or NYC (Fairfield County CT has great stuff!). After years of scanning estate sale ads and the like I think I've developed a fairly keen sense of what's worth driving to look at and what isn't. Regarding the sexy XXL PJs and odor eating socks--well that did happen, but not exactly as I originally posted. I love big, roomy flannel PJs up here in New England and told that to DH years ago. I actually told him to buy me men's small or at the largest, medium flannel pajamas. I guess he thought that wasn't "romantic" enough, so thought an XXL was the female equivalent. Now, my DH is a reserved and somewhat shy guy, so would never buy anything sexy for me because he'd be too embarrassed at the store--I guess the "leopard" was as "hot" as he could handle. I have to wonder what the saleswoman must have thought . . . Regarding the odor eating socks--I don't think he even knew what he bought! He didn't say a word after I pulled them out of my stocking. Obviously I got a little paranoid about stinky feet after that, and actually asked him once if it was true! He had no idea what I was talking about! I didn't want to embarrass him so I never pursued it, LOL. Actually, he has given me some pricey jewelry over the years--but I'm just not into jewelry that much and it seemed that his naivite was always exploited by the overpriced mall jewelry salespeople so I hinted that I had enough jewelry and didn't need any more. He may not be classically romantic, but he's the best friend and father I could ask for (he spent the day scrubbing floors, shopping, and wrapping gifts to help me out for Christmas). Over the years I've learned that he really wants to give me everything I want, he just doesn't know how! And the older I get (I'm 48), there's not much I want that I can't get for myself or already have. Except, of course, for the gorgeous sofa I just found on Craig's List. Which is why he will be thrilled to learn that he bought me exactly what I wanted for Christmas! Happy Holidays to You All!