We kind of flip flopped with the sleeping situation. DD dated someone for 2.5 years post college but they lived in separate cities 2 hours from each other (we live 6 hours from her). He came here twice and we put them in separate bedrooms (all of our spare rooms have twins, with one room having a trundle). That was our first experience with a BF/GF staying over so I think we just weren't ready for it yet or maybe because it was DD, not DS...I'm not quite sure. Later, youngest DS moved to Chicago after college and dated somone for a year, then they moved in together. When they came to visit, it seemed kind of dumb to have them in separate rooms since they were already living together. I set up the trundle but they ended up squishing into a twin....ah young love! I like your criteria MTN of working adults.

blessed; I don't know if this is really what you are talking about, but this has helped me greatly in the past few months. #1, I reread Buehl's "read me" frequently. #2: I have made an Excel spread sheet that lists all the items need to make decisions on. As I've decided on the pulls, the cabinet details, the lights, I fill in what the product is, how much it costs, and where I am getting it (i.e. bricks and mortar, or website). If I have communicated with a specific sales rep, I place their name on the sheet. I have also started a column with a "order date" on it, so that I know when I need to order that product (i.e., I'll order the recessed cans and undercab when the cab install starts, having talked to the lighting sales rep and knowing what the lead time is) 3. As I enter in the products, I have a "running total" cell at the bottom. This has helped keep me very aware of costs. Sure, I'd love the Dornbracht pre-rinse, but I don't like what it does to that "running total" cell number. The Blanco Meridian will give me what I want! We (uh, me, as my DH travels) am going to be GC'ing this project. This has helped me communicate with my DH as decisions are made. Someone a few threads back (gizmonike?) gave wonderful advice: they made a decision and moved on and didn't look back. With this Excel spread sheet, I've been able to put the decisions down on paper and not let myself look back. Hope this helps, Rita

These aren't that rare in some places. About 15 years ago, we were on a driving vacation in Europe. The car rental co. had upgraded us to a Mercedes. which was fine with me. At one medium-sized hotel in an urban center in Germany we had reserved, there was a small driveway I pulled into to register. I asked "Where is the car park?" and was told "just pull forward into the opening, the elevator will take you down to the garage". I'm thinking, what? The "opening" was like a very tight garage portal into the building. I inspected it first- it allowed about 6 inches of leeway for each side and front/back for the car I had. Sweat streaming down my face, I pulled in carefully (which a lot of backs and forths), rolled the window down to push the down button, and took the ride down. After the platform stopped and I backed out, I found myself in a large underground lot with parking for >40 cars. And yes, the only access was this tiny elevator. We stayed there nearly a week, and I had at least one in and out each day. I got more comfortable with practice but the first time was really stressful.

Do you love the oak paneling, or do you just not want to paint it because you think it was expensive? If you don't like it and you want a beach feel in the house, paint it. By the way, I'm jealous that you have a home on Lake Michigan!