You already have a thread posted on this!

I like the look of a bench at the end of the bed, but since I consider making the bed to be an annoyance in general, I just think having a bench there would make it even more of a pain. We don't have a footboard because DH is too tall, so making the bed is easy when you just have to throw the quilt on -- if I had to be tucking it in front of a bench, I'd probably start off my day cranky! Just me and my own issues, LOL.

So many of you have been helpful to me over the years here, I thought I'd join in. BS in Music Education from University of Illinois back in the 70s. DH also graduated from there; same year. We followed his career from the start, but I always found a job as a High School or Middle School Choral Director. Once DS and DD came along, I switched to Elementary School (fewer after school commitments) and that's where I stayed for awhile. We moved to NC when DD #2 was born and that's when I decided to take a break from teaching and stayed home, enjoying the time with them and the chance to decorate, of course! I went back to teaching full time when DD #2 was 5, and she came to school with me every day. Those were great years....hard but I'd never trade the experience. Once she moved on to middle school our financial situation changed and I no longer needed to work full time. I decided once again to stay at home, the last year all three kids were still at home with us. I still teach occasionally, filling in for a maternity leave now and then, and subbing for music teachers when they need someone. But I love the freedom I have now to pursue other interests. I was a voice major but never had the time to practice while I was teaching full time. Now I study with a great teacher and sing professionally with a couple of vocal ensembles, along with church gigs. DH and I are empty nesters but still in the same house we bought 25 years ago. It has seen its share of change and has served us well. Our needs continue to change, as we now look for ways to accommodate our growing family (both daughters have recently married) in the years ahead. Thanks all for your wonderful advice and for sharing so many of your stories!

Our only experience is with plumbers. The first was a friend recommendation. We actually had them come out twice. First for a water leak where our primary wate pipe had siding nailed into it. They fixed the 3" pipe that had. Racked all the way down into the slab. Then told us our 1 1/2" pipe from the kitchen sink wasn't to code and put in 2" pipe outside the wall, inside the cabinet. Called them again when we had a gas leak where the PO had copper run under the patio slab then into the house. Settling happened and the joint completely separated. They came out and ran new copper pipe strapped to the foundation. Fast forward to our kitchen remodel. Called one that was recommended on the Next Door app. They were stunned at the length of copper run outside and said there's no way that will pass inspection. The sink drain pipe that was supposedly not to code would have been fine. The new plumbers did a reasonable job with running the new gas line in the ceiling. I'm not happy with where they drilled the holes through the ceiling joists, but that seems to be fairly common with plumbers.