Are you saying all that was in the drain? Why would anyone do that?

Kathy, only a higher power knows why the previous owners ever did or didn't (the true case) do anything. At inspection we actually had to call in additional inspections of the roof, HVAC, electric, and radon. We got estimates for the things that we could see and decided to buy the house knowing that there would be more but the amount of more has been staggering. The day before our moving van arrived from MN I had a HVAC contractor out to bid replacing the broken 30+ yr old furnace and blown air con unit - when he turned on the air con the tech yelled because sparks were flying out of the unit. He cut the electric to the unit and the next day they were trying to remove all of our HVAC while the movers were moving us in. In the first 3 months we replaced all HVAC, had to replace the roof and all sheeting underneath because they never vented the bathrooms the outside and we had loads of mold. We also had to run a 200 amp service since everything kept blowing and had 3 floods gushing up from the powder room toilet. Six months later we replaced all windows except for one room (those will be here in about 12 weeks). When we had the vents cleaned the tech pulled out a 2 ft long tangle of dust, hair and crap - he was grossed out. The list goes on. Interestingly, the house was clean for showings even if the colors were bad and outdated. We find nasty surprises every time we open a wall or fix anything at all. We've also had to replace every appliance. We just renovated the hall bath, and will start on the 4 season 'ice cave' in back next. Kitchen and laundry room will follow and if we aren't bankrupt the master bath is last. Still have to replace all of the trim in the house and have painting too. Yikes. The next owners of this place will be extremely lucky since it will be practically rebuilt when we sell!

Are those pipes draining in the big pipe? That is too weird.

I am truly confused as to what is happening there. :(

Happy Ukrainian Christmas to all.

eaw- Are those paint brushes in the drain?

Only 12 days have gone by since Christmas Day? Seems like a long time.

Good guess, I thought they looked like branches...

8" of snow 19 deg. and falling.

notes: socks on shoes and wipers give traction.

floor matts also.

shaving cream on windows so they don't fog up.

plastic bags on outdoor mirrors.

and yes, i have used electric blankets but every year they go bad so going back to the heating pad they dont go bad.

Fun - we only have subzero wind chills here in northern IL. Love the socks on wipers hint, I'll have to use that!

MI is in 15F and in a few days in the 40's. Weird weather.

It dropped to 25 F here is Savannah last night, an unheard of cold. It stayed cold today it hasn't gotten over 40 degrees, it's just odd. They said it could actually snow a little. I think I should have moved further South. :-)

Rolling, we have both heavy and lighter weight winter coats in this house if you need a loaner...

I might, when we left Denver we left the winter coats behind. Hm... oops. Then again staying in seems like a good idea right now.

It is 24 degrees right now in STL.

Minus 6F. currently in S. Cooking Lake.

I'm hoping MI will get it's weather from the west rather than the northwest this time. :)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/hygge-danish-secret-winter-1.392260

Try this!

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/05/what-is-hygge/

I've slept in/on bean bags more than once. Surprisingly comfy. :))

Or you could flip it over, crawl in like a cave.

'It's not something that can be manufactured or sold. It's a state of being'

Hygge is the Danish secret to surviving winter.

I wish I could have this Danish secret for my state of being;P

Pronounced "hoo-ga," this Danish concept roughly translates to a feeling of cozy contentment and is how the Danes survive their notoriously long, cold winters. So upgrade your throws, light a few candles and hunker down until spring comes.

Cozy is only good for so long and it turns into cabin fever. :)) Trips to the south and Mexico help alot.

What big eyes you have. :)

Actually you look a lot like my pup Stuart.

Mich, not just winter...year round!

Two bears Margo! They must be BIPOLAR. Lolololol

Well, I agree. I just don't think it works well when it's mid-winter and the sun hasn't shone in two weeks. Then you've gotta get out of town and go south. :)

Snort!!

Rox love the articles thanks. I wouldn't mind one of those chairs to sink into. The problem would be getting back out of it .

Lol Rolling! You're welcome.

I believe Hygge is enjoying the here and now.

hygge hoogah

http://www.last.fm/music/Blue+Swede/_/Hooked+on+a+Feeling

and yet its the swedes that put in a song. lol

oh, after they stole it from an american!

Cracking up Fun, where do you find this stuff???????

HF, I definitely now have hygge!

Loved your post. I've got a song in my head and a smile on my face....genuine pleasure.

Surprise snowstorm in the D. At least six inches and we have a high wind warning. Also it's going up to the mid 40s today so no need to shovel. :)

Pure, ugh! We had snow yesterday and rain today so the roads were an icy mess this morning. Almost all snow is gone now though and it feels like spring at 43 degrees!

i remember singing along with it as a teen. even the hoogah part. lol

Yup, it's official - that song is my new earworm...

Fun, I just checked my e-mail and look what was in the inbox: http://www.bonappetit.com/story/what-is-hygge?mbid=nl_001_01122017_Daily&CNDID=39454113&spMailingID=14068675&spUserID=MTM3ODMwNjA4MDY4S0&spJobID=903291693&spReportId=OTAzMjkxNjkzS0                                                                                                                         Looks like you are truly a trendsetter!