That's the way, isn't it? If you want to do something, it no longer is a have to. That's the one I try hard to do, embrace something for what it is. Like go to work. Or live with people I want to live with. I'm lucky to have what I have, but some days, I get out of focus with that.

xamsx, which part of "you deserve what you got" did you not see? I fail to see where I asked for *any* advice on my Realtor. If and when I want that kind of advice (and I have read lots of past threads on this forum), I'll ask for it. In the meantime, perhaps we could stick with what I *did* ask for help on. Thanks, graywings. If they were just cheap and outdated, I might throw some towels on and call it good, but these are loose (I took two down today that were barely clinging to the wall), dented, and stained. Yuck. I'm really pleased with what I've done thus far. Just a few perk ups are making a huge difference in the feel of the house. There's some "heavy lifting" type clean up work that I'll find someone to do, since I don't have time, but otherwise I am an updating master! :D I'm doing the blinds (amazing difference), towel bars/tp holders, etc., lighting, switch plate covers (just new almond ones, I'd have to change out switches and outlets themselves to change to white), new medicine cabs (cracked, stained ones are so not enticing), front door handle (if it fits the existing door), shower curtains, knobs (dang, those are more work than I thought -- I did all of four today), and taking out the tchotchkes for sure. A few other things, can't remember them all now! Not going to add any WTs (valances, etc.), just taking down some bits of leftover hardware from previous curtains, patching and painting. A good clean up and it will show sooo much better. I don't think it will all be done but I'll take new pictures tomorrow when most of it is done.

A few things to clear up here. Turning off the power to a computer through a surge strip is not a problem. You should of course be shutting down the computer first and I'm guessing that was the assumption being argued. Venting a dryer inside should not be done with gas dryers at any time because of the gas fumes being vented. Electric dryers are fine to vent inside in many cases. Of course it depends on where you live. I can't envision someone in Houston or in the swamps of Florida wanting to vent their dryer inside. However, I live in Minnesota and the humidity is a welcome addition during the cold/dry winter months. In my state many people buy humidifiers to add humidity to the air since dry air can be detrimental to humans, animals, furniture and the structures themselves. A lot of furniture is damaged from dry air; people get nosebleeds from dry air, animals suffer from static issues, and far more. Now I should add that I did not vent inside during the summer. During those months I chose to remove the humidity. Where are you that you had such mold problems? If you're in a warm climate, it's very likely to happen. People seem to forget however, that the cold basement walls in the winter in a northern climate is not very conducive to mold growth. Likely the mold was a summer issue. Leaky basement in the hot summer and never open windows? Prime breeding grounds. And actually, by venting, you'll circulate the air a bit more than without. Especially if you supplement with a fan you can actually decrease your chance of mold in some circumstances. I vented my dryer inside my house for 25 years. I am very sensitive to mold. I sometimes used a fan to circulate the air to even things out a bit in the house. I have had no mold problems from the dryer. There was some mold on some things because of excess rain making it's way into the basement and soaking things in the summertime. Truly folks, this paranoia over mold needs to end. Additionally, venting inside may well shorten your drying time since you should get by with a shorter vent which gives less restriction therefore less lint build up. It's also likely to avoid a couple of pipe bends so the restrictions are lessened even more. I had a sock type filter on the end of one vent and a screen on the other. Simple to clean and the dryer vent stayed much cleaner than when vented outside. People can choose to use a humidifier or they can vent a dryer inside occasionally to regularly depending on the use. Now I suppose I should also clarify that I am not suggesting that the people who feel a need to run a washer and dryer nearly 24/7 should vent it inside all the time. Something that just occurred to me, I was looking at buying some laundromats some years ago and I did a lot of research on the issues of ownership. With dozens of machines in there and the nature of the operation, you would think that mold would be an issue, but I found absolutely nothing mentinoed on this topic. Looking back, I find that very interesting especially considering the number of topload washers used and other issues. Also, I don't use fabric softeners. I don't like them. Therefore I didn't have the issues Grainlady fears. Although I don't claim them to be totally safe since I have no idea, I do see some awfully inflated claims by some of these websites. I don't criticize someone for playing it safe if they so desire, but I still remember what killers eggs, bacon and hamburgers were said to be 20 years ago. Now proven to be pure hysteria. I have far more personal concerns over things like the irradiation of meats. I don't like the idea of it since we haven't seen enough testing to be conclusive. But to each their own.

Holly-Kay, I agree (though in my case it might be iced tea). After my mom passed, I took my dad to the veteran's cemetery to see the marker in place. Remains there are placed in the order recieved and my dad waited until they were on the side of the columbarium facing a pond and then calculated the days expected to be able to place her in front of it and between two trees. And that's exactly what he got for her (and later him). As we were there remembering her, a great white heron was standing at the water's edge. It let us watch a while, changed locations a couple of times and then took off and flew around and over the pond. I felt my mother was acknowledging our presence and letting us know she was free and at peace (she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's 11-12 years earlier and had a broken hip and horrible GI infection at the end). Now I remember her when I see one linger when I approach or fly overhead. That's as close as I'm going to get while I'm still here. I'll take it. Patty Vinson -- I haven't seen a lightening bug is so many years. I used to have them in my backyard of the house I lived in before DH and I were married -- so I guess that would be about 25 years. I miss them, and I like your list. :)