You are braver than me. Every spring the finches try to nest in my big hoya, which is all the way back on my deck next to my house. But I shoo them away, because they are sooo messy (while building their nest), they are loud (sounds like they are actually in my house), and I'm fearful of what will happen when they lay eggs (not sure we can co-exist peacefully). They are VERY persistent ,,, I keep waving them off and they keep coming back. After several days they finally give up. We go through this every spring. I don't feel too bad because I back up to miles of greenspace, so they have plenty of other options. Anyway, you'll have to take pictures and let us know how it goes. Good luck.

LOL at Quirky I really don't think I have a dog, but wouldn't mind if that ends up to be the case. :) This is what I think is going on.... this couple moved from a large farmhouse to a small 2 bedroom and I believe the wife is overwhelmed by 2 kids and this pup in a small place. Plus, I don't think she's as fond of the dog as her husband and kids. And, the one time I was in their house, there were toys and kids stuff everywhere. Well, what's a pup to do? LOL I believe that young man did the right thing by trying to find a temporary place for the dog, but think he jumped the gun by taking her back too soon. He is getting a 12X12 kennel this weekend and my husband is helping him haul it home and set it up with a short fence running from back door to the kennel. This will help with being able to allow the dog to go out without someone having her on a leash because they don't have a fenced in yard. Pretty sure the wife doesn't help when husband is at work during the day. During the time the pup was here, the young man came over at least a dozen times. He's kinda distaught. He said this was his first dog so I don't think he knew what he was in for. But, I am sure of his interest in the dog and hope I can help him get to keep her. She's a great pup. Husband and I discussed it, and we may buy him a crate to keep her in during the night because she sleeps in one here. We're also discussing having her spayed. We really want to help educate the guy, not chastise him for his shortcomings. We definitely will be getting the new puppy next week. I took off the whole summer to devote myself to it and my oldest grandson! :)

To me, they all come under the heading of common sense but I realize that sense isn't common anymore. When I stay with someone I always make the bed first thing when I get up. Maybe it won't be to my hosts' standard but it's an effort. I'm often up later than my hosts but I'm quiet. I never sleep well away from home so I'm up early and also generally awake a few times at night. I usually have a pot of coffee ready for them when they wake up if they're coffee drinkers. Many times I'll just wash the dishes when I'm up and they're not, whether they have a dishwasher or not. If they want to run them through the dishwasher again, that's fine but not having a DW, I probably wouldn't load the DW right, plus I wouldn't start the noise when they're sleeping. I like to cook and often do if it's welcome. However some people are possessive of their kitchens, ala Granny Clampett so that's respected too. When I host someone, I always have toiletry items available if they need it (toothbrush/paste, combs, etc). I don't like sharing things like toothpaste. I always have paper cups available. My house is a stench-free zone so no perfumes are allowed. I don't see it to be putting me out to throw away their leftovers they probably left with good intentions. I really am not offended by it. I will tell them if I wouldn't eat it so take it with you but if it's forgotten I sure wouldn't get upset. Takes a second or two to toss it. There's generally a lot bigger things to take care of after a guest has left anyway. I guess there really doesn't need to be a list. Either you're a considerate person or you're not and if you're not, you don't pay attention to suggestions anyway!

Lillian, I have lots of plants that I winter over in just a sunny window. Don't you have even one? They only really need a couple of hours of sunlight and I have some that don't even get that much and they survive. They may lose all but one or two leaves if you grow them as evergreens without lights but they will survive. Personally, I wouldn't go through all the trouble and expense for just one plant but would just window hop to give it a few hours of sun. Just my opinion of course. But if you're determined then Tina's (above) advice is excellent. Good luck with whatever you decide. We've had one of the darkest and wettest Oct and Nov I can ever remember with days of sunlight that I can count on two hands and my plants are showing it by losing some leaves but they will survive just with less watering. Donna