I'm sorry I can't think of a way to say this gently -- But it sounds like you have planned the rest of your life with a "me and my daughter" mentality, and the time for that mindset appropriately ended about 10 years ago. After a late start, it seems your daughter has managed to launch herself into a successful, independent adult life. And while it may not feel like it right now, that's a good thing and as it should be. For her, that is. Now what about you? Well, I'd say it's time to do the same -- Time to launch your own idependent adult life. You're no longer responsible for your child, only for yourself. And if you're healthy, you're far from old and still have many options. Where would you truly prefer to live? (Planning only for yourself -- NOT around your daughter.) Where can you afford to live now, work now, saving a bit each year? Forgive your daughter. Just turn around and walk away -- walking off in your own direction. Walk toward what you want, not away from her. And let her know you'll be happy to see her wherever, whenever.

Gizmonike, Are those electrical outlets above the garbage pullout? How did you modify the upper drawer so that it would accommodate the outlets and so that the drawer front would slide back and then over the outlets like that? Fantastic idea. I also had the idea of putting a shredder on the garbage container in the back of the pullout cabinet so that I could use it for paper to be recycled, which would necessitate an outlet inside the trash cabinet as well. Is there room inside the cabinet to accommodate that?

The left is mounted on the side panel and the right is mounted on a special piece that IKEA sold for this application. Don't know if they still sell it, but I'm sure it could be reproduced. The center piece is basically a 1 1/2" piece of MDF that extends the depth of the cab and is secured at the back and front to the bottom of the cab. It functions as a short cab wall and I have a drawer rail mounted on both sides. In your case you could position in where you need to achieve your right wall. I hope I'm explaining this clearly enough, but hope this pic helps. I can take more pix tomorrow if that will help you. IKEA under sink pullouts

foggy, I think the difference between a minimalist and being poor, is : one is a choice, the other well, it's hard to get out of. I don't consider myself a minimalist... but I chose to purchase a small house, that I could afford, that is a cinch to clean, cheap in upkeep. Since it is small, I don't have an abundance of stuff... so, some of my acquaintances think I am a minimalist, and my friends know I chose to live like I do, instead of going to work, to make money, and then be tired and worn out to enjoy the stuff I could afford. Nope, I am not poor. I am however frugal. :) patriciae, I am sooo with you. At the moment I have two rolls of paper towels in my cupboard. One I purchased at the beginning of the year, and the other is from my daughter, she gave it to me when she dissolved her household and moved overseas again. I use cloth, and self knitted dishcloth for just about everything from spills to cleaning. Even my dirty bike chain gets cleaned with cloth... the kind that just looks to yucky to reuse... and there are always some in a container in the garage for extra yucky clean ups. Moni