We did have the house inspected before we bought and the foundation is sound. Believe me it was nearly a deal breaker. We passed on the house when we first saw it. We were just starting out and didn't have a lot of money. We were looking to rent a house/apt. But this house was the same $ as rent and has great potential. It is in my "dream" area. The school district is great and the homes here sell for a sickening amount of bucks. We actually made out like bandits.

Okay, so thoughts: Is door placement set? I'd put the toilet near the door, with sink next to it. I'd put the shower in a back corner If this is a basement, I'd put a drain in the floor of the room (and maybe leave it concrete floors so I could potentially hose the whole thing down?) Laundry in a back corner (other corner) Hanging things between laundry and shower storage/hooks/etc along other wall sink near door. I think I went around the room. If you have the option to put the door in the center of the room instead of the end of a wall, that might be best. But, you can play with that a little.

Yes..I do come here to vent actually. Mainly because I don't want to be saying and spewing these things at my DH. And that's because deep down no matter how I feel towards his daughter..that's still his daughter. No matter what her lies or deceptions are..she's still his child. At one time a child that cared but I believe she no longer exists. What's replaced that caring person is a very unhappy individual that is jealous and controlling and protects her mother at all costs, fearless of who she hurts with her lies. And I've watched people very afraid of saying anything for fear she starts in on them. With me..you either like me or dislike me. There is no in between. I'm colorful, blunt, and to the point like no one you've met before. I don't hold back words and if you lie to me - you get told you're lying. I don't excuse/condone lying for any reason. I have a 21 year old daughter myself and I've never condoned it from her. Big difference though..my daughter adores my DH. Respects him, loves him, and treats him like he's part of her family. Maybe there's a part of me that was hurt in the beginning because I've never understood what I did to deserve his daughter acting like I was such an intruder when my own child is so accepting of him. She buys him gifts on Fathers Day and you can tell she cares deeply for him. That's just it..she's accepting. My DH's family let me in VERY quick from day 1 his daughter was a total nightmare. RAN to me with it. I let them know that I was not the local pansy and anything she threw at me she better be able to back up her lies. And call her out I have done..many times. Just recently I'll give you an example...2 months ago she came in my house and proceeded to go on and on about the huge college university she is 'attending'. Told my DH that in 2 quarters she will be a full fledged teacher..do you know of a degree like that? I have heard my DH brag of her college BS a few times before this...so I let her talk. I then proceed to tell her that I work with a young man that goes to that same university and works part time in Student Services. He could not find her on the student registry..this quarter or any other quarter for that matter. As usual, her face became flushed because she knew what was coming. I told her I could go to the computer and look up the schedule..of course if she 'attends' class 4 days a week by now she knows by heart her courses and professers. I told her to tell what class she attends on Monday..? Tuesday..? Her silence said it all..she knew she was caught once again. So as usual she left saying she was being judged and will come back once it stops. You know what's sad..? My DH actually THANKED me for it..I honestly think he WANTS to call her out but does not either know how or does not want to be the bad guy. Honey...dump it on me. I have no hesitation or reservation in being the bad guy when it comes to lying. But you know the saddest part of all? This is not the first time she has said this lie..she has recycled the same lie 3 times before. At other universities...thing is she has never even gotten a high school diploma. Seriously...if you want to come to my house..then come. Bring your husband..your kids. Sit down and talk...DO NOT BRING YOUR BS INTO MY HOME. Talk about your day..your kids..your thoughts..the latest TV show you like. But don't come into my home with such crap as what she makes up and expecting my husband to turn to jelly and tell you he's proud of you for something you aren't even doing. Because if you do...I'm here to remind you that BS is not welcome here. Very respectfully of course, mind you..but you will get called on it. Life is too short to have such drama floating around. I adore and fiercely protect my DH and our marriage. And I am not going to have it so up in the air from BS from his daughter. Who wants that? And why is it fair to say it's allowed because she's his daughter? Like I said..it's 2012. Get over the fact that blended families are happening everywhere and she may not like it. Like it or not..she's part of a broken family. And that family has since moved on and she's still in the background trying everything she can to gain attention from mommy and daddy. Grow up already. We went putt putt golfing last summer and she proclaimed she was going to stop because 'no was was watching her'. And I watched as my DH asked all of us to watch a 21 year old women putt her little golf ball..or she was going to quit. My answer? "Well, then make sure you put your club back at the stand at the beginning....I'm sure no employee wants to clean up a club thrown by an adult in anger over not being watched. Who's next?" I feel very secure in what I have...and again I refuse to let his daughter think she can destroy that. Because of the statement justmetoo made - "For pete's sake, somebody take the power away from this woman beast. She has far too much power involving herself into the personal lifes of everyone else. " Bingo. My thoughts exactly.

Good morning, Tom. Yes, I place and remove the 'diapers' :-) (paper on bottom of cages) once or twice a day when I'm raising the little cats. I wish I could leave them on the plants but they quickly perish. I'm going to try the large bags over the big milkweed leaves and see if I can protect the cats while still on the plants. This would be ideal. I just don't know how well it will work here as we have so many different types of wasps, spiders and bugs that feed on the little cats. I've thought of putting a bag in a bag, then slipping this over a leaf to see if the double layer might help add another level of protection. Those bugs that have the long spike they use to spear the little cats are already out in force. I was trimming a butterfly bush and they were already sitting on leaves, waiting for prey. Wasps are flying around, checking the plants for prey. Then we also have the little Carolina Wrens who are so delightful. They nest here every year and are always all over the garden area all year long. They will even go into the greenhouse and nest in the flower pots, if allowed. I adore them but I suspect they feed on the little cats, too. I understand it is the circle of life but it is sometimes hard to witness. My thanks for taking the time to give me your opinion, Tom. It is deeply appreciated. Mary