Well hello desperate, congrats on getting away from the Elephant People ;-) (A side note, I typed this about 4:30 a.m. after a sleepless night. Just finished up, too tired to proofread now, hope it's coherent.) So, no doubt you want your Sec Dep $ back + a good reference. As far as damage from burst pipes and leaks from EP's terrace, it would be a very big stretch for LL to attempt hold you responsible for that. LL would have to be able to prove (if it went that far) in court that you burst the pipes and caused the terrace leaks from above. Not likely! If you are even remotely worried you will be blamed for it, take photos (many) as is, right now. Don't know as I ever knew what State you lived in, but many States require a written, detailed accounting by LL of any Security Dep funds to be given to tenant in certain time period (30 days post move out is generally typical). If not done according to state's stipulations, in many cases it's then a forfeit by LL and all $ goes back to the tenant. BUT, there's a catch that tenants often miss. In many states tenant must provide LL with a forwarding address, often in writing within xx days of notice or lease expiration. In my state, if tenant fails to do so LL is not liable for returning any SD $. (But tenants don't know that law and I'm not so tightly wound that I hold them to it. ;) Haven't seen too many states in my googles for this forum that permit sending to 'last known address' (a.k.a. unit in question address). Worth a google of your State's laws to get specifics about SD returns. *Just make sure if you're required to provide a forwarding address in writing that you cover that part via Certified mail.* (If you don't have an address within time period, offer a trusted relative or friend's where the $ can go. RE: spackling/painting. Again, I'd refer to your state laws. In my state I cannot charge a tenant for routine painting on move out. Spackling is a nice gesture and one I'd appreciate! Providing it's done correctly using real spackle (she said in a wry tone). I've had tenants stuff blobs of caulk in dings or nail holes. I'm not thrilled with that, ends up with little sink holes in the walls once the caulk dries and shrinks. If you were to buy paint, you'd have to get an exact color + sheen match and even at that it's still going to look different because paint color morphs as it ages, sometimes fading. So your new little painted spots will be pronounced if they're big enough. I'd suggest just doing the spackling. A couple tips: buy the little tub of spackle that dries white, not pink. (Had a tenant use the pink dry stuff once, it looked like Dr. Seuss' place when done.) For picture-size nail holes just take your finger, dab in the pot of spackle, make a quick swipe over the nail hole. For larger areas grab a wallpaper sponge (inexpensive big 3" thick ones that don't flake). Dampen sponge, wring out all water. Apply the spackle with putty knife, wipe gently once or twice in different directions with the sponge held flush on the wall. Voila, it's done. Nice and level, no excess beyond the hole, no sanding needed. Any scuff marks I'd take a Mr Clean Magic Eraser and get those off. Presentation counts. But in a nutshell, I'm with your dad. ;-) I get that EP have driven you out of your gourd and you'd sooner live in a tree. But I wouldn't recommend putting that in your official notice letter. (As long as you're giving required time period, no reason is needed.) I'm encouraging you to hold off at least till you get your SD $ back. Don't know what kind of folks you're dealing with as far as LL, but probably best not to put them on the offense, at least till you get your $ back. (Just in case they're the nitpicky type that will nickle & dime you on stuff.) Once you get your $$, you can always send a follow up note that keeps it friendly (for future good referral) but at the same time lets them know how you feel. e.g. 'Just wanted to let you know I received your check. I really enjoyed my apartment but regrettably couldn't tolerate the noise from upstairs any longer...' (IOW, giving a negative by itself, there's the possibility they'll get defensive and bristle as humans do. Give a compliment with the negative, and they might think harder about losing good tenants to that deal upstairs. Final inspection: push and shove if that's what it takes, especially if you have any doubts. About moving into a new place and seeing damage. I see no harm whatsoever it dropping a friendly note to new LL. Funny you should mention tile scratches (well, not funny for me when I found it). Had a situation where tenant was great. But once out, furnishings out, all kinds of things were found. Bad things that tenant's belongings hid. I ended up with a list a page long, much of it requiring big $ if I were to replace. One of them was multiple short but deep scratches all over wall tile in a spot where no heavy objects came in contact (such as an appliance moved or bumped against it). Only caught in certain light up close. Dang, it had to take some effort to make those gouges! In the middle of the wall, it will darken over time, and look bad, and redoing the tile is going to be a real PIA and costly (their SD didn't cover all I found). So if you see things like that when you're first in, do note it! If you cover yourself early, you're not stuck with the bill. ;) That's about my two pennies worth. Got a good LOL out of your last paragraph ;-) Hope you can find a place that has no EPeeps!

We have quite a few Federal styled pieces, it seems. DH's favorite piece is a really nice Federal style couch. The clock has a label marking it as a Waterbury Clock "Independence Hall." Assuming that's what's painted on the front (or used to be painted on the front. That mirror is, as far as I can tell, in impeccable condition but is definitely quite old. I'm going to have to get it back out to see the quality of the carving. The picture doesn't show it very well, and now I'm curious. Plus I don't think I ever looked for a label on the darn thing! $2.50? That's a heck of a good buy! We're still finding things when we open previously unopened dresser drawers, looking in boxes, etc. Some of the latest: a great book of B&W prints from the 1893 Columbian Exposition (stamped with a store's name on the back--was used as advertising, similar to the advertising cards but much more substantial) more Heisey glass than you can shake a stick at :) several old dolls in varying states of condition several antique frames, also (sadly) in varying states of condition boxes and boxes of old buttons and costume jewelry old books like you wouldn't believe (I know these don't necessarily have much value, but it's fun to read about what they knew, or didn't know, about the world/science/etc. during that time two very strange looking porcelain figurines...matching...boots, and one has a boy clinging to it while the other has a girl clinging to it some Victorian-era painted pottery, porcelain, china, or whatever it is (I guess it used to be fashionable for ladies to buy the white pottery then paint it? a chamber pot set with a few other matching pieces for some unknown purpose, all with a little note that identifies it as a wedding gift for "Maggie" (the first owner of the house, circa 1885-1890) It's a little overwhelming but I can't imagine it being more fun! :) I'll keep putting up pictures as we take them. This forum is a great site to at least get an idea of what some of this stuff is, and how old it is (or is not).

My oldest daughter did not sleep well as an infant, and I bought a noise machine at a friend's recommendation. It made a huge difference, and my daughter started sleeping much better. The book "the happiest baby on the block" also recommends white noise as it simulates the womb. I have now moved the noise machine into my youngest daughter's room, and my oldest daughter, now 4, no longer uses it. So she is not dependent on it. However, I did find it helpful to bring it when we slept away from home as it blocked out the noises of a new place and was a familar nighttime sound. The noise machine blocks out the noise of the dog barking, my older daughter yelling, my husband clomping down the hall. In the middle of the night, my younger daughter would probably sleep through all that without the noise machine. But in the morning, the noise machine makes the difference between her waking up at 6 or 7:30. As far as breastfeeding, I was kind of grossed out by the idea (for me, not anyone else). I decided I would try, and if it worked, great; if not, I would bottle feed. I went to a class prior to giving birth, and the one thing I remembered was that breastfeeding should NOT hurt. If it does, unlatch and relatch. At first, it would take numerous tries to get the latch right. But, I never had any issues with pain. I also used Gerber's NUK Gentle Moisturizing Balm, which is like a big chap stick. I liked it better than lansinoh as it was not so messy. Plus, it is not harmful to apply and then feed the baby. Anyway, initially nursing did not feel at all natural. But it worked out good for me--so easy and convenient. Our hospital offered a session with a lactation consultant which was very helpful. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Yes, you would add another 25.5" or whatever the depth is of the deepest item on that back wall. If you have traffic going through that aisle as well as cabinets, appliances, etc., you need 48" of aisle width to accommodate both the traffic and someone working/using an appliance on either the back wall or the back of the island. Hmmmm....that extra phrase "behind the seats" needs to be removed. This is when there's no seating. (Darn, I can't modify the thread anymore!)