I have been using the electrolux induction slide in range for over 3 years now. Its in a peninsula with no hood over it as electrolux said I didn't need one - and they wore correct. The burners are fabulous -water boils quickly and you can cook anything to perfection. I did not buy expensive pans - Macy's and Walmart brands. The oven is a dream to bake cookies and cakes in - they always come out perfect using timing given in recipes. The Viking may be prettier, but the electrolux is less expensive with a very spacious oven plus a smaller low oven. Quality wise I had only one issue and customer service fixed it in less then a week. (a part had to be obtained.) I can only say good things about the unit and the wonderful customer service. Would suggest anyone wanting induction consider this range because it is less problematic them Vikings. BTW, a store near me in NJ allowed me to come in and test drive the Electrolux burners and oven before purchase.

Polly, I'm so glad this worked out so well! I bet you'll notice that others in your family and friends will follow your lead and do this too. What you avoided: My four-year-old neice just received 9 (yes, that's nine) new American Girl Dolls including all accessories and furniture bits for her birthday. Of course, that was only part of the gift haul. She's got an older sister and an entire toy room of dolls and furniture and costumes already. My SIL is from a big family and they celebrate all holidays and birthdays with big get-togethers and I think there's a lot of competition as to who buys the most/best. These are NOT families with a ton of money, either. Holy cow. Thank you thank you for being so strong and forging ahead with your idea! You're happy, your son is happy, the charity is happy, and your guests are happy. That's what a party is all about! Good job!

I thought I was alone in the messy son bed-room wars. So glad to hear that they get more tidy with age. This post is perfect as we are redecorating from this gawd-awful G.I Joe theme to something new______ Right now my DS is thinking Skateboard, Snowboard, World Traveler, Basketball... so many ideas to think about. Here are some he has been looking at. I love this look. It will be a perfect guest room when he goes off to college one day. Dare to dream : )

Kimberly & Oneplustwo, I'd say that the wall color leans slightly to the blue side when you put bolder colors w/ it like the red, white & blue color scheme going on now. When the rm. was empty & it was just the white shades, white trim, cream area rug & some white furniture it seemed more sophisticated & leaned less toward blue more towards gray. This rm. was our MBR originally & after the reno was done (as far as it's gotten) & painted, I nearly moved back into the rm. I'd just go in there by myself & sit & be quiet. The color is an old Lowes color that I think is by the Valspar manufacturer. It's called Silverware. They still have it in their computer & in the old fandeck that they have behind the counter. A close BM color is Blue Lace. Teacats, I found some wonderful posters that I have my eye on! Thank you! Les, Love the idea of maps on the ceiling. In fact I have quite a few framed antique & reproduction maps including a huge wall sized one dug out of an old one rm. schoolhouse that my FIL was working on. I've been looking for a hanging place for them & I think that after your suggestion I've found the spot in the upstairs hallway. The old soft colors will really tie the upstairs rms. together. DH stopped at the shop & made the slats for the beds yesterday on his way home (that was the fastest he ever get furniture fixed for me!) & here are the headboards. Now I just have to get a mattress set this wk. & get the beds put together: I love those beds so much that I asked DH to work w/ my dad between workshops to make a king sized version for me in black. It was midnight when I asked so I'll see if he even remembers. You can hardly see it in any of the pics but there is also an old horse drawn wagon seat bench that DH re-finished that is the perfect size for little kids to sit on. Somebody didn't want it anymore & just dropped it off at the shop. My kids love it! Now that my camera battery is recharged I will have to take a pic of that & the toy bench that my dad made once DS2 gets up. DS1 who normally talks me ever-lovin' ears off was speechless when he saw it! He said that he loved it & I got a big bear hug & lots of "I love you's'. He even played w/ his little brother fight free for a few hours in it before we had to leave for a car club banquet.