Breezy: Thanks for the confirming experience report. But most of all, thank you for taking the time to post, given all the moving hassles. May things get better sooner rather than later. Buehl: It's good to know that "water all over the countertop" is not just a local phenomenon -- and that you have considered this same modification. You are the GW kitchen guru, after all! Davidro1: Yes, indeed. Our mental lens certainly conditions our view of our world. As my favorite anthropologist -- who likes playing with language -- had this to say on the matter: "Material culture makes culture material.... when culture is insinuated into our physical landscape, our housing, and its furnishing, the premises of our existence are also the premises of our existence." [Culture and Consumption, Grant McCracken] I just love that last phrase.

jannicone, thank you Anglophilia, I'm going to quite nagging my husband after your comment : - | Laura, Sometimes it seems like the house is conspiring against us - every little thing becomes a giant thing! I'm not sure my sense of humor will always remain intact, and yes, it seems problems keep expanding! Tree stumps were ground were yesterday, now DH has to take a week off next month, rent a back-hoe and dig french drains, install dry wells on both sides of house and smooth trucked-in top soil, plant seed. Moisture barrier goes in next week - all this before the hardwood can go in! We have to re-landscape where the trees were next spring and re-build our veggie garden at some point.. and all this is outside the house! cpartist, and that your nose is the last of your woes. Read this to DH last night... we were both laughing so hard at the rhyming! I have seriously considered taking up those funny "cigarettes" again. Something I haven't done in over 30 years. I honestly wouldn't blame you with all your problems! I may be switching to the 'hard stuff' at some point.. I'm thinking moonshine! LOL! ninasmom, thank you. Doc said 'bed rest for few days' and I took that to mean 2-3 days. No scans, so I'm taking it easier longer now.

lukkiirish The blob in the dining room represents a buffet/serving table We are now anticipating a budget of 40K- but we won't know for sure before January. We were considering putting our 2 rounded curio cabinets on either side of window rather than the brown blob/buffet. Behind the stove is a wet bar in the living room- our next update project. In the entryway hallway is a tiny powder room that butts up behind the sink of the bar. Fireplace is in the family room (click to see) which we plan to change out for stand alone in corner by windows - and doing something creative with the niche/bookcase/fireplace area- another project down the road. Their buffet is turned diagonally- entry into kitchen shown Wet bar behind kitchen (updating this will be next project): Husband wants pool table where sofa/coffee table are (placed at diagonal for more playing space?) and chess table where side table This is the dining room furniture we plan to bring: 2 curios do fit on either side of picture (what would be the window in new house) 2 rounded curios Linen chest:

I don't understand what your first picture is, it's blurry. The 2nd pic is upside down. Can you fix them? You'd get a better response showing pictures of your space as they are now and including a to-scale floor plan with measurements of both spaces.