Stringweaver and Steph, brick and mortar department stores are losing money hand over fist to online shopping. Other than groceries, and clothes I buy at thrift shops, I rarely buy anything from stores anymore--Amazon is my go-to for nearly everything. The older I get, the more the heavy perfumes and detergents like Windex bother me. And the whole walking around all day thing isn't a good experience for me, especially when I know what I want and can order from Amazon in five minutes.

Chris, as an editor it is embarrassing to admit that Hime Dipit was a typo, haha! I normally proofread my posts before publishing, but I failed to do it this morning, and now I'm horrified that I made several mistakes. LOL!! :-)

Weaver, congrats on becoming Razz's new guardian! Sounds like he'll be a great addition to the family! I also like the pine litter, and hopefully Razz will adapt.

Chris, as you suggested, I looked up your little town on Google. I'm up in Spokane, and while we're not exactly next door neighbors, you're not all that far away. Your town seems to be dying out. Population has steadily declined ever since its inception. There's a very low percentile of minors under age 18, and a high percentage of baby boomers on up. Kids leave when they get out of high school and don't come back. Population is just under 170, according to the U.S. census. It's also very white--nearly 95% Caucasian. It would make a very interesting novel, or set of short stories, or a memoir to write about life in that town, especially by an elder person who has witnessed the slow decline over the decades.

By the way, I like your cozy sofa cover! Very nice!! :-)

Steph, you are a trooper extraordinaire! Sinus infections are the worst! So painful! I'm glad you're getting better, but wish it weren't so gradual! Didn't your doc give you any antibiotics?

One of my good friends got a Roomba for Christmas, from herself, haha! Lori and Rico are very practical--for Christmas they got for themselves a new furnace, Lori got herself the Roomba, and Rico got himself something for polishing his car. Luckily their two teenagers got a PlayStation and iPad, lol. But so far Lori loves the Roomba! They have four cats and Lori is obsessively clean. She uses it every day.

Weaver, I'm also interested in hearing how the rubber broom works out. Would it be appropriate for vinyl plank tiles?

Chris, in Washington state, as in many states, to declare a manufactured home as real property it must be set on a permanent foundation and must be on the homeowner's own land. I'm in a park, so I can't convert it to real property. I assume it's that way in Idaho as well? Steph, I read somewhere that Arizona makes it very easy to register a manufactured home as real property because of all the snowbirds. Is that true?

I honestly did not accomplish much today. Joy and I had a coupon for $8.99 for lunch at Black Angus, so that was our Valentine's Day treat to each other. :-)

So I'm off to take a shower and then need to read for a couple of hours for school. Church in the morning, so up early...at least early for me! :-)

Have a great day everybody!!

"Just getting through the day is hard enough with added health issues."

yes, it is - and I'm sure not getting much done. I hardly got anything done after last Thursday (when Jed and friend were here) for about 4-5 days. then woke up to this on Wed morning and had the ah-ha moment. this had been festering in me and I didn't know it. and boom - it shows it's ugly head. no wonder I had no energy or staying power to do anything really. I've managed a few hours a day since Wed tho - even with the pain.

jed came by today to disconnect things from the old trailer. in attempting to disconnect the water line to it - a section broke and he had to cap it off. I didn't lose much water cause he saw it immediately and shut the pump down. he had to go get an end cap for it. I had him pick me up a chicken sandwich from CFA while he was over there. He also tore out the electric box and did or is planning to cap off the septic to it.

he also took down my clothes line... I didn't know and went out to hang 2 things on it... nightshirt in hands I'm reaching...reaching...reaching for the line - but it ain't there! what??? did I walk right by it? no. I turned around and it wasn't behind me. turned again and it wasn't in front of me! a clothesline thief! no, just Jed preparing things... lol! he came out and put it back up for me to use this next week. I did think for a few seconds that I'd really lost it... he said putting up a post for it is no big deal, so he'll do that after the old trlr is down. and put one up close to the back door / steps. much easier / closer to get to then. now I have to walk around to the old trlr on the east end of both - about 50' and to the south about 15'. that's were dog's cable post is (and her fenced area) too. so some of that walking back and forth will end in my near future. I'll probably wonder why I did it this way for so long (years now). I really hate it when it's raining or really cold (like below 40).

and dang does my dog love him. she whined and yipped at the back door for him while he was next door working. he came over here and she ran for her toy... but I told her he wasn't here as her 'playdate', so she'd have to wait til another time. I don't worry so much about her escaping and running off while he is here 'cause she'd run right to him.

he planned out moving the steps - which set of steps should go to which door - with my input. the old cement straight out steps to the back door (to laundry and into kitchen - most used door), the steps there now (blue metal with side rail that can't be moved without cutting it off and resoldering it to the other side) that'll go to the patio door. he can move it by himself and it's a side step set - going up/down on the west side. that's ok for the patio door. and the front steps (regular 'ol mfg home steps) will stay there. they'll mostly be used for letting the dog out/in of her fenced area (hopefully next project). the cement steps can't be moved by man... without the bobcat - which he'll bring over next week or so.

then he took all the stuff on the 2 top shelves in the bedroom down so I can go thru (trash or keep) and the 1 high shelf in the kitchen. my cookie jar was up there. he was really impressed with it - said it looked more like cookie jars did in days past (he's only 30). it's actually daisies I think. my sister made it for me in her ceramics class back in '71. I'd just recently been thinking about it and wondering if I'd ever find it (or had lost in a move). And there it was today. awesome. i have no real use for a cookie jar anymore - so furbaby cookies will soon have a very nice place to live! And last Jed handed down to me the stuff on the 1 high shelf in the bathroom - most everything went to trash.

and he carried over a box of old '78s for me. too heavy for me. those interested him. I explained those and 45s and 33.3s to him. he said he knew little about anything before the 8 track. I did notice that my turn table was in a pile of old boxes - trash? I wonder if he (and his friend) didn't know what that was... that couldn't be, could it? when I go over again I'll rescue the turn table and bring it over here.

tomorrow i'll go over and work on the stuff he brought down from the high places. I'm taking over my vacuum and a bucket of water to clean off the thick, thick dust on everything. I could write a note in the dust, erase it and still be able to write another note in the lower level of dust on anything over there...

the trash bin and recycle bin that were empty last week are both about 3/4 full today. and there's a large stack of boxes to be flattened and taken away too.

When he went to the hardware in our little town, he forgot to ask if they had replacement wheels for wagons. So, I'm gonna break down this next week and make that stop a priority. I need to know if they have them and if so, how much they are. I need 2 immediately and 2 as future replacements for the 2 still on the wagon (but sure to go within minutes of being moved by 'wheel power'). having the wagon usable would be a great help to me.

Missouri - no, the doctor didn't - that I remember. Seems it was more like you were told - no specific reason, it just happens. both of mine were the same eye - my left. I did have to wear dark glasses - they gave me a pair of disposable ones to wear at least that week when outside.

I don't know about cataracts really. if I'm getting them I don't know it. maybe I am... haven't been to the eye doctor in about 5 yrs. ok, that sounds like I'm probably due for it. i suppose my glasses are about 7 yrs old now. yikes! maybe this coming yr. that'll be next fall. I don't plan to go places like that in the heat of our summers. I hibernate in the summer - lol!

my sister had the cataract surgery and wasn't impressed by it. I guess her eyes weren't either.

"I read somewhere that Arizona makes it very easy to register a manufactured home as real property because of all the snowbirds. Is that true?"
Debbie - I don't know for sure. my sister had her's on a foundation but still sold it and it was removed after they built a house behind it. She lived in it winters for about 5-7 yrs. We have a lot of snow bird mobile home parks here - most in more outlying areas. my neighbor's are snowbirds but theirs isn't on a foundation and they do own their land. I don't know why it'd be made easier because someone was only here part of the yr - it's about the movability of the home, not the person. If it isn't on a regular foundation, it's moveable.
btw, check out landscaping in some of these snowbird / over 55 parks/areas. they have some great yards with stone, statues and cactus. very little in yard upkeep. years ago I went to one out off of E Southern in AJ area to look at their yards for ideas. They had some really nice ones.
I didn't go to the doctor for this. I woke up to it Wed morning and by Friday it seemed to be easing up. It was the longest 2 days of pain I've had in a very, very long time tho. I was prepared to go to urgent center on Friday if it hadn't seem so much better. Eating without pain seemed like a lot better to me. lol!

I hear you there, Steph! Doing anything without pain would be really cool. I have never experienced a single day without pain. But if your sinuses flare up again, really you should go to the doctor. Antibiotics will clear it up and get rid of the infection. The Tylenol and mouth rinse and warm washcloth definitely help ease the symptoms, so do that too, but they don't kill off the bacteria that are causing the infection.

The landscaping you saw sounds really neat! I'm going for very low maintence that isn't an eyesore to the neighbor's. Cactus is a great idea! I wish I could afford some nice statuary and fountains! I'll keep an eye on Craigslist and Freecycle, though, because you never know what people will give away. Thanks for the inspiration!

There are different types of cataracts that have different causes. For example, I have a very specific type that is caused by years of Prednisone use. They have to wait for them to grow to a certain size because if they remove them when they're mature they never grow back! Meanwhile, I'm practically going blind waiting for the little suckers to grow up! The outcome is supposedly really good for this type. But there are different types, as I said. Some grow back and you have to get them removed all over again. And some outcomes are better than others.

Debbie, I think Hime Dipit is a perfect name for the place and forever will call it that. And speaking of typos. I am the queen of them. I obviously have dyslexia and turn things around. Or just hit the wrong keys. Lots of times I am posting in a hurry so do not bother to proof and just as I hit post see the opps. Try to sort it out.

YES I totally agree a book on our town would be interesting. There are a couple small historical books with pictures already written. I know of at least 10 people that have passed away and not replaced in incoming population. This is a town for the retired except it is at least 20 miles to any kind of shopping. I am not a shopper. Like you I can spend half a day in a thrift store but I spend 10 minutes or less in walmart. I despise walmart but it is the one place I can get the cat food and littler less expensive. I have to conserve $$ any time I can. I am also finding shopping online is just easier. There just is not much I really need any more. Clothes food and animal stuff some garden plants in the spring. I did not even buy them last year.

Been hurrying around this morning trying to get my chores done. Gee chores seem to be getting in my way of fun today. I am just about ready to sit down to glue all the glass bits I laid out yesterday. Then I can grout tomorrow and have another project done. I am pleased with how it is turning out. It went along much faster than I thought it would. I keep learning to re-do if that I did does not please my eyes. It is not that big of a deal to change it. I am calling it a learning process.

Happy Valentines Folks. I am off to play.

Forgot about the Trailer license. Both of our manufactured homes we had made to real property were on full foundations and on private land. I think the laws are the same here. There has to be a full foundation.

FYI: be careful using LED bulbs in enclosed fixtures. They are sensitive to heat build-up (we've discussed this in the Lighting forum on several occasions). They are best used in "open" fixtures; e.g., the types that you can reach in and change the bulb - not the type with completely enclosed glass globes, for example.

Some mfgs have recently come out with LED bulbs suitable for enclosed light fixtures.

Yesterday was a finish it up kind of day. I grouted the trunk top and drilled holes on three window frames I have done mosaic on to add the hanging hardware. Cleaned up my studio to make it ready to do another project. It is a toss up between a heart shaped rock that has been hanging around for 2 years or a shovel bird that has been hanging around for about 5 years waiting. Maybe this is the time to finally do the shovel bird. Hummmm Today I plan on cleaning up the rest of the house. Feeling good to get some things totally finished. I do need to get one thing in the mail but need a good sturdy box to ship it in and it is an odd size.

This is the re-done trunk top with happy colors.

And the mosaic dragon fly done on a recycled window.I am not good at getting the iridescent glass to show up. His wings and the green tips on flowers and leaves and pink flower are iridescent.

OK enough arts and crafts from me but it really is all part of getting stuff done. The dragon fly goes to a friend in town so another project out of the house.

beautiful Shades.

Razz is fitting in well. Ben is very comfortable with him. Zach hissed at the door separating the cats a few times this weekend, but as I was carrying Razz this morning while dragging the litter pan from bathroom to bedroom for his daytime isolation, she saw him and after moment made a nice friendly sound. I am smitten, he is a very sweet little cat.

I shopped several stores for suitcases....lots of 60s and 70s vinyl cases with rounded edges. Nothing like in that fabulous photo. I may end up doing the same sort of thing with boxes or wooden drawers. I could decoupage drawer fronts for interest. But not anytime soon, so I will keep looking for suitcases.

I did a little cleaning and started putting the bedroom curtain warp on the loom, then decided I wanted a trapeze for easier winding onto the loom, on the north wall of the dormer. That sent me into town looking for a 30 inch towel bar to screw into the studs, high up on the wall. Well, no one has a 30 inch towel bar. I ended up describing what I wanted to one of the clerks at Lowes, which gathered two more clerks and ended up being a short lesson on weaving (fun). And then we all brainstormed and I got two enormous eye bolts and a 7/8 inch wooden dowel. Then numerous other errands ensued and I never had time to set it up, so that is tonight's task. And then I will wind 12 1/2 yards of yarn onto the loom. Having the trapeze will make winding quicker from now on,...but given that it took time to drive to town, find what I needed and then all those other errands...I'd be done by now if I'd just done it the usual way.

Shades, those are BEAUTIFUL!

String, I want to see kitty pictures!

Steph, I have a Roomba that I bought myself for Christmas a few years ago. My boys named it "Thomas". I was really surprised at how much Thomas picks up. It is fun to watch him work, too. I need to look up how to program him, because I just pull him off his base and drop him in the kitchen, where he goes to town; I have never "scheduled" him, and he still speaks french. Ha! The best part, though, is I can start him up, and come home to clean floors. *contented sigh*

I was looking at a couple new models recently, and the ones I saw were reallllly expensive. Like jaw-droppingly expensive. I bought mine at Costco, so it pretty much has a lifetime warranty. If Thomas passes away, (LOL) Costco will replace him.

If Thomas passes away, (LOL) Costco will replace him.

oh, that is awesome! I think it was hsn that had 'him' on for

329.00 on Sun or Monday. I'd sure love to be able to have a 'him' sucking dog hair off my floors while I sleep...or watch tv...or anything else!

I should just tie 'him' to the dog's tail and let 'him' follow her around... maybe next yr i'll work on stashing some $s back for my very own 'him'!

shades - your last 2 projects are beautiful!

Shelayne, someone just dropping in to that comment If Thomas passes away, (LOL) Costco will replace him. would be very puzzled and rather horrified. Love it.

I get odd looks sometimes when I mention Mario, my Kohler Karbon faucet. Mario is major sink bling. I love him.

Here is a picture of Razz.

I'm partway through my February list. I want to get some underbed storage from Ikea. The choice is, do I pay $17 for shipping for two, or do I drive 2+ hours to get to the store, spend who knows how many hours and browsing and buying still more stuff and 2 + hours to get home? If I go I'm sure I'd be inclined to pick up Billy as well and I'm not ready to install that yet- or spend the money. I'm just waiting on news about whether I"m off on a work trip to make plans of when to order (or go).

The rubber broom ..gr. When I ordered it, it wouldn't ship to my PO. Thinking that meant UPS I gave my street address, where I do not get mail delivery (after my third street side mail box was vandalized I gave up replacing it- although the kid responsible grew up long ago). So they sent it US Mail and it was returned. Not sure if I will reorder. I don't know why they won't ship to a PO box. If it fits in a locker, they put packages in the locker and leave a key in my box. If it doesn't fit, they leave a note to pick it up at the counter, just like they would when it wouldn't fit in a street mailbox.

" ship to a PO box"

they don't ship to the PO because it isn't your physical location. Mr UPS doesn't stop at the PO to drop things off. that's one shipper vs another... I don't think the PO would accept a delivery from Mr UPS.

they sent it US Mail and it was returned - that's why they wanted your actual physical address.

yrs ago when I worked - I licensed people for businesses in a local city, on the application they were asked for their location address - many people wanted to put a POB and that wasn't acceptable. it was not easy to get them to understand. I got to where I'd ask them 'do you live in that POB?' or 'is your business physically located in that POB?' We wouldn't license anyone with an actual physical address. for some I had to ask something like 'do you have a phone and a desk in that POB?' There are legalities involved with a bz.

Mr UPS or Fed X will drive up to your house and leave a pkg, not put it in your mail box.

oh gee. that's a bummer tho... can they redeliver it to a neighbor's house?

on the IKEA - If they can deliver it to your actual house/bldg. I'd do that. that long drive each way and time would be worth the 17.00 to me!

It wasn't shipped UPS, it was sent US Mail-which should have been fine to my PO. US Mail doesn't deliver to my residence as I took down (or rather didn't replace) my vandalized mailbox years ago. I know perfectly well to tell vendors UPS, Fedex, DHL etc. to my house, USMail to my PO, but the website only said, can't ship to PO< leading me to assume it was UPS< which is wasn't. If they'd just state what service they use at checkout it would save me having to guess. And since my PO is in another town conveniently near my office, I can't simply put both PO and street address for them to chose.

no redeliver, it went back to sender that same day.

Yeah, I'll probably have the Ikea shipped for that price, but I do love to browse there and there is a new public aquarium near Ikea I want to visit sometime. However I think there could be snow this weekend, which makes staying home and weaving more attractive than a long drive over the pass.

OH ARGH on the PObox verses home address. And the hysterical thing here is UPS DOES deliver to the post office then I have to go pick it up. Many sites will not ship to a PO no matter what and send it ups and then gain off I go to the post office to get it. The post office does not do in town delivery. Every one has to have a pobox but it is free. Which is really good because it is so expensive otherwise.

Kitty is darling. So glad he is working out for you Stringweaver. And I totally understand the trapeze for warping. Good idea. I did buy a tension thing to warp with but I always found it was much easier to get help from my weaving friend and I help her. There is nothing worse then wonky warp. One string can be retied but then it usually leads to another and another. The driving thing and money spending when not ready and so on is where I was when I bought this new to me computer. Can not pass up such a good deal but not really wanting to spend the money this month. I am sure some one else would have snatched this computer right up. She had not even put it out to sell yet.

I have been working on papering inside the bathroom shelves. Two left to do. Then a bit of small touch up painting. Might not get all done today but I am giving it my all. I forgot how taxing it in on my back reaching inside the cabinets. Was on a break. Now back to work.

" it was sent US Mail-which should have been fine to my PO."

then that is something to take up with that particular PO. Here they'll hold a pkg 10 days (I think) then return it if not picked up.

shades - you have more energy than I do! I just spent the last hour wiping things down that I brought over late yesterday and putting away (if I had a place for them). why did I have a fisherman santa? yikes. the only person I can remember that fished is an old housemate/co-worker and he died in 2000-2001. It had to be for him. I think i'll send it on to one of his kids. I have something from his kitchen (a remembrance to keep after he died) and have been planning to send it on to his dd now that she is grown with her own home/family. didn't have anything for the boy tho. I'll send mr fisher santa to him to remind him of his dad's love of fishing.

I have a few more things to wipe off and move away from the patio door, then i'll have to head over there and gather up more crap and crud - and a few things I do want to keep. the recycle bin is full again and the trash bin almost full. and I have 3 small empty boxes here now to take back with me for any misc things lying around or on the floor or anywhere.

I do need a box to use for trash in the bedroom. I'm tired of gathering up trash in my hands and walking out to the kitchen area to dump in the bin. will just take a box in there with me and make things easier on myself!

i'll be so glad when this is over. it's exhausting (@ about 2 hrs a day). and I'm so glad I went to town yesterday and got a 'to go' dinner. It'll last me thru tomorrow for food - no bothering to fix anything here.

Well, lol. Just got a shipping notice from amazon. They are re-shipping the broom to my PO, which is what I wanted in the first place. So I guess I will be able to post a review soon after all.

I must have misunderstood something. I thought it ended up being sent by US mail to the PO where your POB was - and the PO sent it back/refused it.

I'm glad you're getting it and can give a review. In time I will have a few area rugs and I think that type of broom will help clear the dog hair away.

Oh, String, Razz is adorable! He looks like a real sweetie!

I ordered a rubber broom yesterday. Short rubber bristles, said to be very good at gathering pet hair on hard floors,

I hope your rubber broom is better than the one I ordered off of one of the shopping channels several years ago. Total. Waste. Of. Money. I remember the look on my husband's face as he watched me unbox the broom and all the stuff that came with it. He just shook his head, "they sure saw you coming" he chuckled. He knows that I am ever the optimist that these kinds of things work as promised. He was right. The broom was worthless. I kept giving it a try, because it surely had to be me and not that that thing was a piece of crap. Hubs walked in when I was sweeping with a regular broom right after I had pushed around the rubber one. "Honey, I think it's time to face the fact that they got you."

I hate it when he is right. ;)

I will be curious to see if this one works well for you. I hope it does. :)

shelayne - was that qvc? I saw them on there yrs ago. recently saw them on hsn. but I'd had the carpet tore out of this place... guess it works on other floors too. or they say it does... lol!

I should just put the $s to the Roomba. I do have an Oreck upright (used once or twice).

the bathroom cabinet project was more involved than I had planned. I ended up having to paint a few edges. I used acrylic craft paint because it dries fast and hard and does not stay sticky like latex does.

Before photo. The shelves look so dirty but I have scrubbed and scrubbed on them. This cabinet is over 75 years old and had many years use as a kitchen cabinet.

And finally the finish project. I also papered two drawers in my chest of drawers.

And yes I have a hugs stack of washcloths. When you are dealing with illness in the house a person can not have too many on hand.

SO not sure what I will be doing next. Maybe the shovel bird. I have it prepared ready to go. And then I might take a break for awhile. Hubby is not well again. Talked to triage nurse this morning with his problems and she said nothing life threatening and he goes in on Tuesday. And as usual if he gets worse go to his PCP. Shaking my head. I hate to drag him out on a 90 mile trip for nothing. BP is a little high. She did say stop the chemo. It is not going to matter for these few days left of that treatment. I think he will be changing on Tuesday. Not sure when they will start his routing on that.

yes, really old cabs can be like that. unless you totally repaint them, it's best to just put down shelf paper. I've done both.

I also have tons of wash clothes. sometimes I've just bought the pks of a few doz at W for about 4.00. they are good for the face/skin- a bit rough so they get the dead skin off. not having a washer here, I've just bought new and soak/rinsed a number of times and hung on the line.

saw those purplish towels! I have some too!

sorry to hear Joe isn't feeling well today. it's up and down when taking chemo, isn't it? tell him I said 'hi'. I'm sure that'll make his day - ha!

I'm about ready to head over to old place again. I still have things sitting outside the door from yesterday that I need to slide on in here. will do that on my way over there. I'm sure I have several more wheel barrel loads to bring back. I really need about 4 more days but not sure I have that many. will see if Jed calls me soon to come over here...

Best wishes Joe feels better...no a 90 mile trip is not a good thing for nothing. Especially when not feeling well.

I was going to be heading to California for a couple of weeks tomorrow, for work, but that was cancelled, so I have the rest of the month to be home and continue integrating cats, cleaning house, warping the loom and so on. yay, I suppose, but I had been looking forward to some warm and sunny weather (and wineries).

there has been a thaw here, then it started snowing again. I think it will go back to thawing. I'm waiting for the snow to melt enough to get to the back corner of the yard so I can repair the plastic garden fence I've ziptied to the barbwire fence, which the snow bowed over. Once that's fixed I can let the dog out unleashed again, he'll enjoy that now it's getting warmer (ish).

Steph, I believe it was QVC! It also had attachments for the garden hose. As if Hubs would let me even try it. Ha!

Shades, I am sorry that Joe is not feeling well. :( Your cabinet looks very nice though, and it looks like it is plenty big for your needs. I love shelf paper; it hides a lot of things and gives it a fresh look. Bonus is that they are wipe up very easily.

I have to say I am sick of winter. I cannot wait to open my windows and let the fresh air in. I won't complain too much, though; we have had a mind winter this year. That has been a blessing.

Thanks for the well wishes for Joe. Tonight he is doing better.

I actually used wall paper for the cabinet and went around top bottom and both sides in each compartment. There is a second long side on the left and a long,right to left, cabinet between them. So glad this is done. It has been bugging me for years. The cabinet has been inside this house since we moved here , almost 8 years ago, and in my storage shed for a few years before that.

Steph you know me and my purple. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. My towels are the lighter ones. Joe the darker ones. There are 8 and I do not think I will ever need to buy towels again. I also hit a great yard sale find several years ago on the off white towel sets in there so I have nice guest towels too. I just love nice towels. I also bought the packages of wash cloths at walmart for the $4. No need for fancy wash cloths. Just needed a lot of them.

Hard to believe I got to the end of my want to do list. Well Joe said he wants me to finish the floor tiles in the cupboards and some in his dresser drawers too. So next trip to town we will get another box. They are inexpensive and clean up well.

After reading this thread (and I'm not even at the halfway point yet, I have so many questions but I don't want to derail this. Steph, I sent you a message.

Debbie, I'm running Windows 8 and have resisted Windows 10 because I just didn't want to learn it, and didn't want to deal with any of the bugs. I have no idea how to remove stuff I don't want like Chris did. Am I going to be forced to switch over eventually? I usually have the Geek Squad at Best Buy work on my computer, but I didn't renew the Geek support thing this year. I have heard that there is a security hole that needs to be dealt with as soon as Windows 10 is installed. My computer and software are at least 3 years old (I lose track of time), so is that going to make a switch to 10 harder?

Shelayne, have you had any problems with Republic? I looked it up and see it runs on the Sprint network, and we are just outside their coverage area. But I have ATT now and barely get a signal most of the time. What I'd really like to do is change internet providers but there is only 1 high speed wireless in my area that I can find.

Missouribound, I do not know as much about computer issues as Debbie does. And until I brought this new to me computer home I had never even been on a windows 8 machine. I worked with the windows 8 for just one day doing factory reset which is just a matter of clicking the right buttons and it does it all by itself.

My biggest issue with windows 10 right off was I had no idea where the power off button was to be found. There is no start button it is not a windows icon. Win 10 appeared to be the same or close to windows 8 from the little I did on win 8. The one security issue I shut down is the automatic cloud transfer. I also slapped Cortana to the ground. She is there to answer your questions like Sirci (spelling?) on many peoples phones. As I understand it she also transmits your questions so adds on webpages are more personalized to you. Then I added ABP a small program to block adds.

The other issue with win 10 was loosing the "start" button or it would no longer work. I googled for the fix on that one and it is a bit scary for me to do but followed the online directions with copy paste in command prompt and it corrected that issue. Might sound like I know what I am doing on this one but honestly I was terrified to do it but it worked. I carefully followed the directions. It seems to be an issue with many people.

There is a lone list of apps alphabetically so I removed many apps in start up. Ebay Amazon and stuff like that I already have links to in my bookmarks. I wanted start up as clean as possible.

I also imported all my bookmarks and tool bar in google chrome and it feels like I am right back on my old computer only this one runs smoothly and not hot.

Then I downloaded Mozilla Thunderbird for my ISP email and EC for yahoo and gmail. It gathers both email accounts in one place and the free version does two mail accounts.

BUT I had no files to lose in the transition from win8 to 10. I was starting with a empty machine. I do keep my important files backed up on an external drive or two. OR three. LOL. I saved all my photos to a 32GB USB drive. This is from 2000 to now. I make my own folders for things and do not automatically let the computer choose where to put things. Like in libraries. I do put all down loads in the download folder. So this is my take on win 8 verses win 10. And if there is another security hole I need to plug Please let me know too.

GAH back to projects.I forgot I still need to paint the master bath. It did not seem to cause hubby lung issues for me painting the hallway. SO I guess I need to commit to the painting in the bath. UGH I really dread doing that. The worst highest part of the ceiling and wall is in the shower. I guess I will have to take the doors off and put a board in there to set the ladder on. But only part of the ladder will fit in there. Just not sure how I am going to do it. I need to go as far up on the ladder as I can get to be able to reach. I have two gallons of paint. The whole room is 8 by 12 1/2. I hope the two gallons is enough considering the big shower and vanity take up wall space that does not need to be painted. There is also a window and two doors in there. I also dread painting around the glass work I have done in there. Not sure I will start on this today. Maybe. Need to move furniture out as much as possible. And that cabinet I just papered and put everything back into would need to be emptied again and moved and it is really heavy.

When I first got this laptop, I had to search to find out how to do just about everything with Windows 8. Once I figured out how to make the desktop look like the old windows desktop, I really don't mind using it. At least I know where the start button is. lol

I haven't done anything with my February goal (pantry). Instead, I found a freebie on Craigslist, the top hutch of an credenza, and am rebuilding it to make it an entertainment/storage center.

Then I do not think you will have any trouble with windows 10. I did not know a thing about windows 8 and decided to just go for the 10 since I was already in the position to have to learn a new os. So why not just go for the highest at this point. Fro several years I worked between 2000 XP Vista and win 7 and rarely had to stop to think how. I seem to adapt easily.

Bathroom project is growing. Since I did tile base boards on all the new vinyl there is no reason to not continue in the master bath and some day in the living room dinning room too. Sooooooooooooooo I made up some more pretty glass glob strips on mirror as some bling between tiles here and there. We need to buy tiles. I only have enough for 14 foot. So before I do any I will see what we get if I have to hide a difference from one to the other. After I feed us lunch I will start in on the painting part.

I just got to the part of this thread where you posted the picture of the suitcase cabinet. Really cool. You said you could put felt on the suitcase, but you could also put it on the bottom of the shelf; might be easier putting it on a flat shelf than a contoured suitcase.

stringweaver, where did you find your bed garters? I had some years ago but haven't been able to find them lately, and we have one set of sheets that has a corner that pops off all the time.

I like that idea much better missouribound. Good thinking.

Missouri, I found the bed garters at KMart.

Missouri - got msg. trying to think back to it. will try to reply tomorrow.

Shelayne, have you had any problems with Republic? I looked it up and see it runs on the Sprint network, and we are just outside their coverage area. But I have ATT now and barely get a signal most of the time.

Missouri, I have been with Republic for just over two years, and I have been quite happy. I even bought one of my boys a Moto G and had him on their plan as well. When he got an iphone, he had to change plans, as Republic only has plans for their phones as far as I know. My plan comes out to be somewhere around $14/month, and I just can't beat that. I live in a metro area, so coverage is not an issue. I did travel up north with it, and I was able to use it and get online without issue. Of course, YMMV. :)

**edited to address reply to correct person. Sorry, Missouribound!**

Missouri - reply sent.

eta - if anything else, let me know. don't think my memory is good on it tho.

Nearly the end of February. Fast month.

I checked my goals for the month up at the top of the thread...I haven't gotten very far. I found an underbed storage box at Ikea, but it's out of stock for shipping, though "likely in stock" at the store. I have added quite a few things to my list there, the weather is going to be fine and I'm contemplating a trip there this weekend to shop in person. I can get some units and gewgaws that will help with studio storage as well.

My wardrobe update is on hold, as I have started a diet and I have some old things I can shrink into.

The wine fridge is spoken for, but she's out of town for several weeks, so it is still cluttering the carport.

Sounds like you are making progress Stringweaver.

I am not sure if I had painting the master bath on my February list but I did finally get it done. I do have a few tiles to put on the baseboard that need to be cut with my tile saw. Not going to get it out in cold weather and get soaked. So this will be a summer project. As it is now it is fine. I worked a good part of five days on this project. It was so dang hard to do. I did paint the ceiling too and of course that added to the hard to do part. Ceilings go up to 9'6" at the peek. My muscles hurt so bad from reaching out and having to use poles on the paint brushes and pads to be able to reach. I am trying to take it easy for a few days then maybe start in on the guest bath and laundry room. THEN I will finally have the whole inside of this house painted.

Photos:

I also painted the little corner cabinet white and did another coat of white paint on the old screen door in front of the window. When I have energy again I will flip the screen door upside down so the pretty part is up in front of the window.

Window wall.

See the cute detail just peeking out behind the table top. I want that to show in the window.OK I flipped the door so this is new photo.

Mirrors above the cabinet I put the wall paper into.

I put pretty turquoise bling strips between the tiles on the base. Of course had to get my mosaic toilet in the shot. LOL Oh and the floors are clean it is a mottled pattern on them.

Adding in shower area. No idea why that wall beside the toilet looks blue. It is the same color as the rest. It is a lighting or camera issue. And yes I need to finish that little bit of tile base by the shower.

I think I am done with February. It will take me to March to recover from this last project. I would not be in any hurry to get the guest bath and laundry rooms done but the painting stuff is still out and ready to go and it would clear up three more gallons of paint. I am using up paint I mixed. I think I will use the same master bath color in the guest bath and then go lighter of the same color in the laundry room. The two rooms adjoin each other.

shades - I see some awesome glass work above! my modem keeps cutting out and often now I can't post or refresh a screen whenever I want or need to. sometimes I'm lucky to get 15 min out of an hr on here. yesterday it wouldn't connect for about 4 hrs that I know of (I was next door a lot yesterday).

so I'll read the new posts later, I want to post while I can -

it's still Feb AND the old place is down! flat as a very fat / huge pancake. i'll go out and take a pic tomorrow - tho I haven't been able to post pics here for some time now - i'll give it a try.

I did forget to get over there and take a pic of what I had for a kitchen. I asked jed to put it all back for me to take a pic - but he just laughed at me!

by the point that I had out all I wanted (or at least the guys had it all out of the bedroom - the last room to be 'emptied') and into the then empty 'space' that had once been a bathroom. they moved it to a clear area while I was there to tell them what was to be kept and what was trash. I had a ton of empty boxes, smashed boxes, crud and crap. jed had told me just to leave the trash on the floor and they'd take care of it. thing is - it started getting confusing. I'd see those boxes and things and think it was more stuff for me to sort thru.... I was so tired, so sore I was about ready to just say 'who cares anymore?' I did leave before they actually got everything moved to the cleared space, so I can only hope they got the last few boxes/things out of my bedroom. if they didn't, hopefully it won't be anything super important. Jed is so very good about things like that, it's hard to imagine he'd miss something.

a few things were so cruddy from being over there for yrs in the blowing dirt/dust that I just threw them in a box or trash bag to be kept for me to go thru later (when I had time and running water to clean a few layers of dirt off before dealing with it/them). with the blowing sand storms here it doesn't take long to coat things - left alone for yrs in a room with an open window - it was very, very bad.

I did take a slight tumble in there. turned around, lost my balance and fell into a stack of boxes ... they also then tumbled over. it was a rather soft landing into them, so it wasn't a bad / nasty fall. it did tell me that I should be done with it all and get out of there. fortunately, it was at the tail end of clearing out that room. the built is cabinet w/3 drawers I had Jed just take the drawers out and put outside (covered) for me to go thru tomorrow (now it's today). most everything in there i'll just trash. haven't used those drawers in yrs so think nothing in there needs kept but I think should double check it. His trailer (to haul things away) is still here so i'll just bag any stuff up and put the bag in there.

WOW Steph So glad you were not hurt in your fall. Also happy to hear the old trailer is finally flat. I know this has been a long time coming for you and a HUGE effort on your part to get moved out of there and into your new home. Soon you will have so much more energy and able to spend it on one place only. Cutting loose of the old place will definitely lighten the emotional load.

" Cutting loose of the old place will definitely lighten the emotional load."

boy, is that the truth! plus the physical - and always 'yet to come' in my life of moving my stuff out of there.

the last time I went out the door over there my comment was 'and I never want to come in here again!' it's been a horrible burden.

of course, now the 'burden' is going thru so much and deciding what to keep and what to give away or trash. but, I can take my own time on that. I quickly went thru a small box of books I had put in a back room attempting to make more space for the 'incoming' boxes. out of about 15 or so books in it, I only kept 3 and 1 of those was to send to my gsons. the rest will go to GW. I have several stacks of books to send to the boys. i'll do that in stages using library rate. I did keep a few small boxes that would be about the right size for 8-10 books at a time. don't want it to be too heavy to carry into the PO!

I have soooo many boxes of just 'papers'. I noticed some are from when I worked - many I won't need to keep anymore and a few will need shredded (I noticed some had info of local bz owners on them - and I need to shred those docs). I didn't want to take the time to sort them all out so I just threw them all in boxes. I know I also have receipts/tax/work info docs for several decades gone by. don't think I need to keep those things anymore - but i'll need to go thru them some to determine that. I also have several boxes of fabric - and I know i'll never actually make clothes anymore - so those will go also - to GW. on and on. so much as I checked boxes there were things I know i'll never need or use again. I also have tons of cookbooks that I will never use again. a good number of them I never did use - they will find a new home that isn't with me! and old computers manuals! and programming books! yikes - i'll never program again - don't think I'd know how to on computers now. can we even get into DOS on new computers? I have no idea. that's all more than I want to think about anymore.

all the clothes in the closet were just covered in dust/dirt. I just bagged those and will take to the Laundromat when I go. didn't even want to touch them. (I did buy a small box of latex gloves to use while over there!) then I'll decide if there's anything I want to keep and what will go to the GW. but when they are clean! I left most of the hangers there. I had bought a few doz of those huggable hangers. that should be enough for any clothes I want to keep.

I did buy some new boxes at W last wk. the small ones were 68 cents ea. So as I sort and clean, what I continue to store will be put in new (clean) boxes small enough for me to lift and move around.

my sister recently told me that a new GW is opening much closer to us - bravo for that! I won't have as far to drive to drop things off!

"WOW Steph So glad you were not hurt in your fall."

thx shades! so was I. it told me that I need to finish that room and get out of there quickly. I'd been working on the rooms w/Jed off and on for about 4 hrs - much longer than I'd normally do. with Jed there with me i didn't worry that something would happen to me and no one would know and get help. he did the heavy work anyway, i was just checking things, deciding if it stayed or went, boxed up papers and misc junk. I took time out about 3 times and come back to lie down for a bit. that was usually when my back hit it's limit. there was a lot of bending down / over to pick things up - and that really irritates my back.

that last hr or so, the place was also being jiggled / rammed by the guys ripping off the outer metal siding. by the time I got to the bedroom they'd pulled off all the south walls up to that room. hey, it let a lot more light in everywhere but that room! but it did cause the windows to break - the guys had already taped up the windows so they didn't splinter as much as you'd expect. the front window had broken inward on the north side in front of the doorway. I did have Jed clear that away for me - I didn't want to be walking into the room thru glass - in case I did fall. I didn't want any trips to the ER!

Well I sure a happy for you the place is now flat. It is great they were able to salvage some of it for recycle. Hope the overall mess is soon cleaned up and gone and your new place will now get all the attention. It really has been quite a journey for you.

Hi all! Let me lead off by saying everyone's OK, but Joy and I were in a car accident last week. I was turning left across two lanes of traffic into a strip mall. The truck in the first lane had stopped with enough room to let me through. He waved me through and I didn't see anyone so I went. But a car was coming down the second lane and we didn't see him until it was too late and I t-boned him.

My front end took some minor damage, but it's a tank (Ford Windstar mini-van). The other guy's front door was totally smashed in. But luckily, no other damage.

The guy, Mark, couldn't have been nicer. I was prepared for him to come out screaming and swearing. But he was just a really decent guy. We exchanged info, I told him I'd take care of it right away, made sure he was OK, and off he went.

Geico was also wonderful! They asked a lot of questions, I sent them pics while we were talking, and the lady, Melissa, was so sweet. She said Geico would be taking care of the repairs to Mark's car 100%, and I didn't need to worry about it any more. I'm very happy that Mark's car will be made whole, and very happy that I went with $0 deductible on collision! I have a $500 deductible on my van, so I'm not going to fix it at this time. It's minor damage and it's a 1999 vehicle, so it's not worth $500 to me to fix it.

My back hurts like hell, but then again, it always hurts. I've needed back surgery for years, but I can't find 4 months in a row that I can take off for recovery.

Anyway, that's why I've been MIA, or at least one of the reasons. I'm glad to "see" you all again! :-)

CHRIS: love, love, LOVE the bathroom! I said to Joy, "If I ever go visit Chris, I can't go to the bathroom there because that toilet is way too pretty!" HA! Love the purple! And the floor! Can you take a pic of the counter top? It looks really neat!

MISSOURI: YES, you will have to upgrade to Windows 10 sooner or later, so I'd suggest doing it while it's still free. Microsoft has made a change in how they are going to do future versions. There won't be a Windows 11, 12, 13, etc. All future versions will be downloaded as upgrades to Windows 10. And while there are always bugs in any new OS, it's actually more unsafe to keep running older programs, because Microsoft doesn't fix bugs and other problems in older versions. You're still OK if you have Windows 8, but eventually you'll want 10, so my advice is get it now and learn it, so when future upgrades come, you'll be familiar with the basics. Also, just to warn everybody, since Microsoft is giving away Windows 10, and upgrades will be free, they are now going to make their money by selling Office suite and their other main programs as subscription services. So you'll no longer "own" your Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., you'll pay an annual fee to subscribe to them. Chris--haha!! I too had a terrible time finding the start, restart, shut down, etc! :-)

STEPH: It scares me when you fall down! I'm soooo glad you're OK! And so happy you're in the new place! I imagine it's truly a burden that has been lifted. Congratulations on all the HARD work you've done!

STRING: I think you've made some good progress this month! Not the least of which was the acquisition of your new kitty!

I wish you all a happy Monday and a blessed week! :-)

OK, so I just scrolled all the way to the top and read my February goals. I have to say I'm fairly happy with the progress I made. I did indeed move into my house last weekend, and surprise! Joy moved in today. We're trying to be very minimal until my friends move out. My storage unit is STUFFED! We had to rearrange stuff in order to get Joy's mattress to fit in this room. I love my friend dearly, but can't wait for her and her husband to move out. The hoarding is hard to live with because there is just STUFF EVERYWHERE!! And that's after she's just spent several WEEKS cleaning it out! They also have two large storage units and are talking about a third! Joy asked me tonight, "How can people live like this?" I said, "It's an illness, sweetie. She doesn't understand that her house is unlivable. For some reason, it's important to her to hold on to all these items, and to keep acquiring more. We just need to be model house guests and keep our room nice so it can be our haven."

Pictures will be forth coming. I took some yesterday, but they didn't turn out very well. I'll take more tomorrow. I'm going to open up all the drapes. My friend keeps all the shades drawn 24/7, which makes the house even gloomier. They're at a church retreat right now, so tomorrow I can take a lot of pictures while they're gone. I'll also commence the measuring.

OH Debbie so sorry about your car/van wreck. Glad both of you and other car driver were not injured. Well except for your ongoing back issues. I know what a pain that can be. I hope you are feeling better or as better as you can feel soon.

HA windows 10. I still get into a glitch or two but I believe it is operator error verses windows 10 issue. Nothing serious. I do not have the need for office programs now except I seriously considered the Excel for where things are located. I wonder if Open Office will work on windows 10? I used it on several computers and it worked just as well as MS office. AND it is or was Free. I am trying to keep the new to me computer light in programs to keep it running smooth and fast. I did notice I had no need to DL my camera program. The photos transfer smoothly with out any special down load.

Thanks on the bathroom. I really had fun with it. The counter photos are here and if you keep clicking on the right arrow it will take you through many close ups. Master bathroom counter close up

As always after it was done I wished I had not added the green tiles and done it in all white. I might change it but it will be a big job to do so.

Debbie: Congratulations on the move and so glad your accident turned out to be not too traumatic.

Steph; congratulations on your clean out and demolition. Must be a huge weight lifted.

Missouri; I have found Windows 10 to be more similar to previous versions than 8. I had a seamless transition and no hiccups with any of my software.

I had a blast of work this weekend to round out the month. I made a trip to Ikea and found about half of what was on my list and things that weren't on my list. I got the underbed storage boxes, some divider boxes for my dresser, pendant lamps and lampshades, the wine rack which I turned into a reed rack to store the long tools for weaving. A pair of hanging planters were a complete impulse buy. My dresser is more organized ( I could use a few more boxes). Things that don't fit and/or don't like are in a pile for the thrift store. When I get the underbed boxes made up I'll go through my stash of smaller clothes to them and put them under the bed and check periodically to see if I have shrunk into them. That will clear out the closet quite a bit.

The bedroom table lamp has a new white shade, the pink shade I bought for a pendant light over the dining table ended up on my old bridge lamp and the pink satin shade that came with the bedroom lamp is over the dining table. There's another plug in pendant to go over the circular sock knitting machine in the studio and that will let me move the floor lamp back over to its usual spot by the loom with the new warp.

One thing I really wanted were some rollaround drawer units for the studio. Nothing at Ikea had the drawer depths I needed. When I got home I got online and did some searching and found a set of three, with the correct drawer configuration. The drawers are fabric boxes, which is a little scary, but most of things intended for them are not heavy items. The fabric is a pattern of birds on blue. I've been struggling with color for the loft, but I knew there would be birds, so this will give me a starting point for curtains and focal wall colors. Delivery will be slow on these.

One thing I wished I had bought was a small stool. It had a small hole cut in the top and a small removable cloth bag beneath. Perfect as a hamper for my hand and machine knit socks that get washed separately. However I have a small table that needs a little sanding and varnish. I can cut a hole in it and make a bag for my sock hamper.

The rubber broom arrived. It works well on hard floors and has a low profile, so it can reach under things better than a regular broom. It is not designed for rugs, I don't think it would work well, the 'bristles' are short and soft. It picks up hair off hard floors very well. I use it in conjuctin with my eye-vac, a cpu shaped vacuum 'dust pan' Sweep stuff up to it and it just sucks it in...no more chasing that last line of dust onto a dust pan. I saw a brilliant idea at Petsmart yesterday. A clerk was cleaning the entry matt with a little grooming slicker brush taped to a broomstick. I immediately tried the brush on my thick white fleece blanket which is polka dotted with tiny black cat hair pills tightly twined into the fleece...it worked perfectly. I don't have any rugs to try it on, but I bet it would work. Pity slicker brushes are so small.

The new warp is about half threaded. I ordered a skein winder and some coned yarn to make up in skeins and dye when the weather finally turns warm. The snow is nearly gone from my yard.

The cats are in a tenative cease fire. Fewer hissy fits, more silence and even some moments of friendliness. Ben really likes Razz, when Razz is hidden under a blanket, Ben will hunt for him, dig him out and give him kisses.

Stringweaver. Lots of accomplishments. Nothing seems to go in the perfect straight line for me as far as checking off my to do list. I always and this is certain ALWAYS get a case of the but firsts when I start in. One thing always seems to lead to another and another until some times I forget where I was headed to begin with.

The under the bed boxes sound great and reminds me there is still one thing I never did get to and that was to sort the two suitcases under the bed to the trunk. Sheese see.............. Thanks for the reminder. I still have hours to go here for Feb.

Love the light shade fixes and I too was thinking about the floor lamp I used to have in the dinning room that is now by my sewing machine. I need a light there but not sure it needs to be a floor lamp with 4 lights one being the big Mogul(spelling?) bulb. Thinking wall sconce would be better and I do have a few of them in that trunk or suitcase I need to sort. LOL And that floor lamp move was done over 2 1/2 years ago as a temporary thing.

Well hubby managed to get the truck running after sitting in the garage for over a year. Battery was dead and fortunately did take a charge. So we will be heading to the dump and town for a little grocery shop. I have not been out of the house for a week other then to take the dragon fly to friend yesterday. Still no word on the repairs to our car. Feeling disappointed on that but not ready to pitch a screaming fit yet. After all it has only been there since Wednesday. Hopefully they will get to look at it today. Guess I will pick up one more gallon of paint to add to the mix for the guest bath and laundry rooms. I have enough ceiling paint but only 1/2 gallon of the wall paint left. I used a full gallon doing the master bath and the two rooms combined are about the same wall space as the master. Guessing on this because I am not a mathematical genius.

So off I go. Will catch up on the rest of the posts later. Sun is out and 39 degrees. Our yard snow is going off fast now.

And the good news is we have our car back all fixed. It was just a computer update kind of thing. All under warranty. Bummed it took them 5 days to figure that one out. Oh well all is good and we got grocery shopping done and truck fueled.

The bad news is I smashed into the snowmobile loading thing on the truck and put a big purple goose egg on my forehead. At least purple is my favorite color. I will get over it. Feeling very dumb.