"graywings, For goodness sakes, this is a healthy young couple making $140,000 a year and no credit card debt. They have a family support network. And they obviously have put some thought into this." they do have debt. they spend about $950 @ month on car and student loan debt. $950 is a lot money for the next several years. in 5 years they will have spent $57,000 in payments plus whatever interest is there. they should have paid those off with their 20% and re-save. in 2-3 years they would have had their 20% again w/o ANY debt. The poster also mentioned that he and his wife would like to have children in the next 2 or 3 years. May I point out that daycare alone is probably way more than $950/month - so that money may already be encumbered. I think the point we fiscal conservatives are making is not that the OP shouldn't buy a house, it's just that the goal of buying or building a dream house may be out of reach in these uncertain economic times. Actually it is often out of reach for one's first house. The OP absolutely has the means and ability to buy a house and he definitely should move forward. But I happen to think the cost is on the high side and may create future stresses (e.g., HAVING to work to meet a mortgage payment versus being able to downshift one's work schedule to meet family needs). My husband and I have a similar gross income as the OP without car or student loans and there is no way I could imagine paying $2600/month for P&I and taxes and insurance and still have enough money to meet our needs. OTOH, we have two children - can I say they are incredibly expensive? We spend about $100 a WEEK on tutoring, music lessons and sports on my daughter alone. While we can look forward to tutoring ending within the next 6 months (and saving $65 a week), it's not an optional item that we can cut.

Nice house. Like your front door and the entry you've created. Would not add shutters to any windows. it is the contrasting trim, even without steep roof lines, suggests the Tudor vibe. The two story roof being extended over the entry suggests the Chalet vibe -- but it also could be a more modern or even a mid-century modern vibe without the contrasting trim. Would want the entire house one color -- no contrasting trim color and no contrasting garage door color. That said, IF you want your front entry to be m ore dominant, painting the entry porch ceiling and the walls beneath it and the porch post a different color -- or different shade of the same color -- as the siding could help make your entry the focal point of the front of the house.

Sam does know all the tricks. when I’m cooking they are guaranteed treats. It’s hit or miss with Wes. Bella’s tail is shorter, proportionality, than most Drahthaars and its really thick. Usually when she sits it is straight out behind her. In this photo its tucked under her bum so she is elevated just a bit.

Bkay, I don’t know this as a fact, but I’ll make a guess. Air is a great insulator. Think of puffy down jackets or duvets. Denser quilting would make the quilt flatter and therefore less able to trap more air. Maybe this is what Sharon meant.