OMG, where do I start...to think my idle comment sparked this hotheaded commentary, lol, boy am I glad some of you who favor terse and boring passages in their descriptive prose have not read the novels that I have written on this forum to expostulate on my mower's ailments...which mownie has picked up and RUN with... I have to defend Mownie, here, because it is precisely his willingness to expound on details that makes his posts informative, AND exceedingly helpful. I learned more in a week about my mower's basic fuel and electric systems than I have in the ten years I have been dinking around with it...and I am definitely an amateur. Mownie's eloquent and colorful descriptions really make the problems and the solutions clear, and no one of course is ever beyond correction or clarification for that matter! As far as the quotes...they serve a vital function in separating the "quoted" from the response, especially when you are like me, and mownie, and tend to ramble on about this or that, and it helps to REFERENCE the passage that he is about to comment on. Guess some of you never really learned the mechanics of goood writing and the use of punctuation to illuminate your efforts to communicate??? Besides, aren't you talking about *****ASTERISKS??****** those are NOT "QUOTES" !! In my opinion it is very helpful to have that text set apart from the answer or comment or whatever. Finally, Mownie, I think this is a very helpful thread to anyone who in fact is NOT aware of the cut-and-paste basics of computer-ese, which I suspect from reading posts in ALL CAPS and mis-typed words and stuff like that, and that a lot of folks who DON'T dabble in computers use these forums because someone suggested they try. And in the end it IS a FORUM, and if the info is too elementary to be useful to you, you can proceed to more complex dialogue as it suits you...whereas if you DON'T know stuff like cut and paste, it could be a pretty handy gadget when someone opens your eyes to it. SO in the spirit of assistance that these forums are supposed to offer, mownie's post on this subject is in effect very useful, or is bound to be for someone, and that is why it is there. There are folks out there that will surely be helped. Finally, oh, i said that already, in general cut-and-pasting of elements relevant to your search for a solution when gathered in the course of surfing this forum is indeed a good idea, especially if it pertains to your particular make and model of mower or engine. Now to find those little tidbits out there again... SO Thanks, mownie; every once in awhile an innocent and well-intentioned attempt to be helpful sparks a major outpouring of public opinion. The beauty of the human condition, lol. And 12G, YES, you said it Bud! Should be up there in top Tractor Forum posts! I think I will cut and paste THAT little gem, to start! OK I'm ready, all you people of few words, bring it on...!!! =)

benjesbride - the house is a typical city "shotgun" layout - each room is the width of the house and leads to the next w/o and halls, etc. There is an enclosed porch = office, living room, dining room, then the kitchen is at the rear of the house. We can add some room to the kitchen from that end if we take space away from the DR, but cant actually change its location. mama goose_gw zn6OH - I haven't figured out appliances at all. I was planning to just buy the most affordable pieces that come recommended here : ) The hood and range is on an interior wall separating the kitchen and the dining room. I think we probably could reverse the swing on the basement door. What benefit would that add? blfenton - The window across from the range faces south, and the one over the sink faces south west. The two by the table face southeast, however they look out to the neighboring house, which is barely 6 feet away. sena01 - never thought to alter the space in front of that long hall! A pantry would be amazing. I didn't think I could get one in, but was hoping increasing the number of top cabinets would give me enough storage. Another idea I had was to take the exterior landing (upper right) and enclose that so I could add more footage to the kitchen and change the point of entry. Just not sure if I would be gaining enough space to warrant the cost of adding an extension. I was planning to increase the opening leading in from the dining room, but worry that would make it even harder to maximize space. The funny thing is that this kitchen is quite literally double the size of our last two, but somehow doesn't feel as though it can look or feel spacious due to the doors and window placements. Also, wondering what steps to take first? Architect, KD, GC? Will the architect understand kitchen function? If I go to the KD first, will that person have enough knowledge of structural concerns in order to take moving walls, existing gas lines, etc into consideration? Do I see a GC to price out the cost of changes with moving walls and adding an extension? Hmph - no idea!

I would post this in the home decorating forum, this is about the nuts and bolts of windows and doors not decorating finishes.

How about facing your two couches and put the chair facing the TV? Then you could have a play area behind one of the couches with a rug to play on. The couch would sort of separate the play area from the TV area and easy to put the toys away. I remember when we had two little boys and how they "helped" me put their things away. An end table or two with lamps and you home will look nice. I do agree that your TV is high but maybe that is the best place for it.