Hello, I work in delray and would love to come see what you have. Please let me know if you still have stuff available and when a good time would be.

>You will also miss springtime, we don't have one here. We go straight from a six-month winter to summerHogwash! You make it sound like the intermountain region, try living in Pullman for instance and then say we don't have a spring over here. Non-maritime climates are where winters are forever and springs (and falls) last about a week. Trees that bloom for about a week in continental areas may bloom for weeks in the PNW. Hybrid roses here may be in bloom at Christmas, by February even the native shrubs are starting to bloom. Local weather scientist Cliff Mass defines the spring here as February to July. Last spring was duller than usual, I've heard the expectation for this year is another poor spring followed by a hot summer and lovely fall.

As a mom, I understand your wife's feelings. I have two sons ~ 20 & 23. The 23 left at 18 because he didn't like my rules, he came back several times because he couldn't loaf in any one place very long... but when I allowed him to come back, he ALWAYS had conditions! Had to find a job... spend his day looking, not sleeping all day. He had to do chores... more chores if he wasn't working because he had more time. He had to pay $50 a week. and he had to follow our house rules.. no staying up all night watching movies or playing video games, clean up after yourself, and he could only fix himself meals when we were preparing our meals. (He was welcome to eat what we were having but if he didn't like it, he could fix himself something else... but he could only do so when I was making dinner~ not after all the dinner dishes were done & kitchen was clean, because even though he had to clean up after himself, he is not very good at it so we'd end up having to do it over.) Consequently, my son CHOSE to not stay with me very long.. usually a few weeks & he'd find someone's couch. That's why he came back several times. We stuck to our conditions and he kept coming back, hoping we'd let him slide. He eventually joined the military and has matured a lot in the last two years. But, I am also going through it with my 20 year old son... having to stay firm & consistent with the rules. If they don't like it, they are "adult" age and can go do something else. You should not feel like a prisoner in your own home & suspect your wife agrees but it's her son & she doesn't want to turn him away, but maybe is conflicted because she remembers how bad it was when he was there before... I feel for her. Oh yeah, if he is leaving Dad's because he doesn't like the rules or being told what to do, does he think it will be different in your home? I think this is one time you & your wife should get together with Dad & stepmom to have the same rules/expectations in both houses.

I'm new to this forum. I was looking for decorating ideas. This is one inviting comfortable looking room. I do have a couple ideas that I would do. I think the room has too much furniture. The TV looks off in front of the window. It seems a bit cluttered even with very little clutter because of the amount of furniture. The room needs a focal point. The TV in front of a window catches the eye because it's dark black in a white room and in an awkward place. I'd put the wicker chair, the small dresser(?)next to it and the brown piece behind it in another area or store it. I'd also remove the piece on the left of those wonderful brown chairs (the one with the vase and the plate) unless it's a part of the sound system. In that case, I'd just remove the vase and plate. I believe this will "open up the room" and make it look a LOT bigger. I would put the tv where the wicker chair/dresser/brown piece was. I'd also remove the wicker pieces from the coffee table but leave the candle. I think you have "too much of a good thing". The carpet, the mantle and the rest of the seating arrangement is wonderful! You have great colors and a lovely dog :) PJ