Well, here's what I wish someone (hadn't discovered GW back in the "old days" in 1990) had told me about kitchen remodeling and managing the all-important "want" list: Certain parts of the kitchen are easy to change and certain things are not. Had I known, for instance, that one must measure the walls at 3 points to get an accurate in-between measurement, I would not, almost 20 yrs later, now be short 1/4 to 1/2" to fit in a pro-style 30" range. I would now have to move a minimum of six cabinets - remember, all of which are in perfect condition but more importantly, aren't made any longer so cannot be easily matched even by custom - in order to gain a lousy 1/2" of space. That's a slight exaggeration, mind you: I'm actually only short 1/8", but I figure some of those pro-stoves get pretty hot on the sides so I'd want a little bit of airspace, just in case. When we replaced our refrigerator in 2002, I found they had gotten bigger and bulkier (Energy star requirements needing more insulation), so instead of a 23 cu.ft. refrig I had to go down to 19 cu.ft. in order to fit in between the surrounding cabs. Thus, I know now that such things as light fixtures (not the wiring), floors, counters, sinks, faucets, venthoods and even DWs, aren't that difficult to replace. But it's a real pain when you're later limited to certain appliances only because you're lacking a few all-important inches somewhere. Once the cabs, electrical/plumbing/gas lines are in, it's costly to change those around. So Ive learned there's a reason for using a few filler strips. I could easily have planned for larger appliances by moving a non-bearing wall we installed in 1990 back another 4". I didnÂt, and can only regret it. I could have put in a good, middle-price stove (just as I did) and gotten 5-10 yrs of service out of it, then replaced it with whatever I really wanted to splurge on. ItÂs a lot easier to spend the extra a few years down the road, when youÂre just replacing one or two appliances, not remodeling the entire kitchen. When I started hearing about the Bluestar, I went to see one and loved it. Could have paid cash without any trouble. But it simply won't fit, unless I change out my cabs. But the Cormatin will fit much better, so I'm willing to give up a little of the BS performance for Lacanche's good looks and still better-than-average performance. If I were remodeling my kitchen top to bottom, and wanted a Cluny but couldnÂt quite afford it, thereÂs a few choices to be made. First you scale down as much as you can (the aforementioned easy-to-change stuff), and shop every sale like a fanatic. Sheet vinyl flooring remnant? Take it! Fight the crowds, serve your family cheap plastic-cheese pizzas, whatever it takes. Save every penny. No more Starbucks lattes, no more Haagen Daz. Bring your lunch, rent a movie instead of going out. Yeah, itÂs awful, but you (hopefully) donÂt have to do it forever. Ask your friends for help, whether itÂs watching the kids or going to the grocery store and taking your list along with theirs, while you stay home and tile your backsplash (after taking that free class showing you how at the local big box store). Promise to pay them back with half-a-dozen great meals cooked in your gorgeous new kitchen (and then be sure you actually do it). If you still canÂt manage the cost, plan properly. Arrange your upper and lower cabs, vent/wiring/gas or electrical, so that youÂll have enough room in the future. Remember my sad lesson of 1/2"  give yourself a skootch more room than you think youÂll need. Figure out what works best as a substitute. A 36" range with a small countertop convection oven as a second? Or maybe the Kenmore/Frigidaire 40" 5 burner? No, they wonÂt make your heart race, but they work, and work well. WeÂre in an incredible time right now, with a plethora of choices available at every price point. Then start saving for your Cluny. YouÂve got a bright shiny goal, itÂs either worth a bit of personal sacrifice or it isnÂt. In the meantime, at least youÂve got a working kitchen that has a better layout and is more beautiful than what you started with. We are all on budgets; some of them larger than others, but most of us cannot afford EVERYTHING we want, all at once. But if you realize that prioritizing your wish list between the "wants" and the "needs" can mean if you're patient, you may eventually end up with what you wanted  and sometimes, something even better than you originally thought.

Mona and Deborah nailed it. You still haven't told your husband about her behavior with boys, have you? I don't know what the "sensitivity" is about not telling him, but your daughter's behavior trumps that. I cannot stress enough that he MUST know now. I don't care if he screams at the top of his lungs, hits his fist through a wall or throws something, he'll calm down and think rationally once he gets over the shock. lol If she were my daughter, she'd be grounded for the summer. I too had raging hormones at 12, and they were totally out of control. Thankfully I didn't have sex but I sure did like to kiss boys! All it took was for my dad finding me and a boy together at 12 years old kissing him. It scared the pee out of me! lol. Oh, he was mad alright but I changed right then and there. Shannon, you're trying too hard to make your daughter happy right now. Nix all suggestive clothing. It's time she dressed and behave like a young LADY. Tell her she will be greatly respected behaving like a lady instead of an "easy" girl. I think it would be fine if GIRLfriends came over to visit, chaperoned, and if she goes to a GIRLfriends house chaperoned with parents you approve of. I wouldn't allow her to walk anywhere. Or go shopping alone either. Someone needs to have the "Come to Jesus" talk with her ASAP or it will be way too late.

tos~ How she and her best friends have maintained their friendship, despite the miles, is a source of amazement to all of us. They have a very special relationship and they are all so close. I was just speaking to one of the other mothers last pm, and we both continue to marvel at the strength of their bond. They make it a point to spend lots of time together whenever they can (when she's here for visits). My stepson is best friends with the 2 older brothers in the families, and we adults are friendly as well...have occasional cookouts, pool parties, etc. Although, I think the kids friendship has fostered the adult/family gatherings.... As far as her friends in NC...the majority of her non-school time is spent in dance class, so she is friendly with the girls she dances with. But she says that she really doesn't have any super-close school friends that she "hangs out with", etc. She rarely has sleepovers or talks of anything she does with other kids there. Mostly she is at the dance studio...she's a very accomplished dancer. Lack of good friends there was actually one of the things she discussed when she brought up the idea of coming here for high school. So tos, it's your turn....are you a step-parent? Are you a NCP? What would you have told your daughter in the "hypothetical" situation I posted?...seriously WWYD? Like you, I have no intention of EVER divorcing, but I can "imagine" what I'd do if I were faced with a similar situation....so, please, tell us what you'd say. For the record, my DH fought the move in court. Michigan is a no-fault divorce state, and spousal infidelity has NO bearing on custody, whatsoever. Michigan is VERY pro-mom, despite the fact the courts say they have no "gender bias". Essentially, the only time a mother does not win custody is if she can be deemed "unfit", due to drugs or extreme circumstances. Even homeless mothers win custody here...since we have many women/children shelters, etc. It's really disturbing that the courts do not really have the best interest of the child as their main focus. At the time of his ex-wife's affair, the children were ages 1 & 4. Since they were babies (toddler) he felt that the kids should stay in their home, and with his work schedule at the time, it just made more sense for her to stay in the house. He got an apartment closeby with the understanding that it would be temporary while they "worked on it". Obviously, the outcome was different than the plan. Trust me, if he could have changed the outcome of the custody situation, he would have. Initially, they had joint custody, 50/50 split. When she decided to move, she filed for sole physical, joint legal. He fought it and lost. The judge thought that her soon-to-be new husbands job promotion was more important than children having close, easy access to both parents. That was the sole deciding factor...her husbands increased income. So they can use spouse income to decided custody, but they won't use it to calculate child support...go figure...great court system.

Surprising even myself, I like this room even though I'm not particularly fond of red. Being just shy of 5', I would be using a step stool to climb into bed. Make it something in wine red.