Like others I can relate to this thread. We are in the process of settling my mom’s estate currently. Want to move most of her things along. Many items are in storage. Better than my house, but it is getting expensive storing all this stuff. I think my biggest space wasters are photos, 7 decent sized moving boxes of family photos. Very little family interested in having any of these. What to do with these, no idea. Then the 5 boxes of genealogy research, Grandma was a librarian and this was one of her passions. I do plan to move this information onto the computer, so the boxes will go away eventually but it going to be a big project. Also have china and silver plate, that I need to figure out. Sterling, I will likely sell one of the two sets. Love the other one. Everything on the estate front is such slow going. My grandparents collected Chinese art, sculptures and such. Most pieces are 19th or early 20th century. My mother kept them all. There are probably 80 pieces,. They are not particularly valuable but worth the effort of auctioning over donating to a thrift store. Contacted an auction house, they are so slow. Over a month waiting for estimates, but supposedly soon. The auction house is fairly close and reputable so I am being patient but I am really just wanting to get this done. JJ - I have the ivory problem as well. While I am morally opposed to the ivory trade, the artistry of these antique pieces is just incredible. Would love to donate to a reputable museum rather than just have the pieces destroyed. However, my understanding is that there were several billion dollars worth of ivory in private collections when the law was passed making it essentially illegal to sell any of it, so probably many others in the same boat. Again, no idea what to do. Asked the auction house if they have any recommendations. Thankfully, most of mom’s things were sold in an estate sale last year when she moved into an assisted living complex.

You're right Elmer, I should have been more specific in my post. Both the phone company and cable companies are regulated. But nothing in the regulations requires them to provide workable internet. Internet, apparently, is not a "utility" so does not fall under regulation as such. Our whole community has tried to get help with the bad internet service here and there is no help. If we don't like what we have, we can cancel it, but the gov't won't force them to provide a workable service, or any service at all. (I am only speaking of the internet portion, not phone service). Our state's Utilities and Transportation Commission has taken our complaints but can't do anything about them.They also will not force them to upgrade to fiber optic. I once was canceled by an old provider (Earthlink) in error and could NOT get reinstated by the phone company because they claimed their facilities were at capacity. Earthlink had a grandfathered in contract with the old phone company, but did not have a contract with the new company, so they couldn't get a hook-up for me either. Even though my own connection should have been available. It was a mess and I had to get satellite internet for 2 years until I was able to get a workaround to get back with the phone company. The phone company 2 years later was still saying they had no capacity to add me back, but I was able, through persistence and avoiding customer service, to sign up online and get hooked up again. It took me TWO years. No one in gov't could do a thing, because it was internet and not phone service that was the problem. The FCC regulates cable tv companies, but the same problem exists. There is no regulation that requires them to extend their service lines and they will only do so if they find it financially beneficial to them. Based on the number of complaints I hear, they must not be required to provide great service either, but I've never been able to get cable, so don't know first hand.

Love the idea of beadboard in your vintage house bathroom. And, I’m still rooting for the subway tile in your kitchen for backsplash if you think it’s a manageable project for you and your wife together. I do think it’s an investment that will pay off if you do sell your house. Another idea I just had while looking at your kitchen pictures is, instead of subway tile, what about small sized hexagon tiles? When I looked up images of them I see that they are sheets of small hexagons - they’re attached to a netting. I wondered if they would be easier to manage with less cutting of tile pieces to fit around moldings and such. The look of them is somewhat vintage too and they are budget friendly also depending on the material. A simple white would work. Here’s a link to hexagon used as a vintage look tile Hexagon tile in kitchen And a link to a YouTube video installing hexagon tiles Video. There are a couple videos at this link on how to cut small tiles without a tile saw also. I‘ve never installed tile but maybe the videos could help with a decision about whether it’s a manageable project.

Thank you all :) Would love to have you all over & decorate with lots of wine!!! Sue, I have no idea on the plant, but ive had it for 2 years (what!?!?!?) & got it at Lowes. I just lost a beautiful maiden hair fern that i actually kept alive for 6 months, so sad. Ive cut it back & hoping itll come back.