I re-read your letter. I applaud you for not abandoning your children, and leaving them to fend for themselves if you left. That is a real father. A father who will make sacrifices for the children. It sounds as if your wife was in the wrong type of counceling. It sounds as though what she really needs are classes in anger management for the well being of your children. Perhaps that is one of the things you will require of her that you will not waiver on. After re-reading your first two posts, I believe that what I suggested in the above two posts sounds like a long shot. And I can imagine how difficult it would be to pull off with a person who is angry and bitter. Especially given how you feel about her. Does she have ANY good points? If so, what are they? I think it would be so depressing to live with someone who has been depressed for 20 years, and is so angry and bitter. If it were me, (OK, I am climbing up on that soapbox for a speech) I think I would tell them that I am sick of them using depression as an excuse for rotten behavior. I would tell her that if it is real depression...meaning chemical imbalance of some sort, then to get herself to a doctor and get her medications right. And if it is depression caused by her own disappointments in life, then suck it up and put a smile on your face and start doing some of the things you need to do. Because the kids and I hate living like this, and your anger and bitterness is destroying our family and the childhood of these children. They do not get a second chance at childhood...this is it, and it is going to be happy from tomorrow on. And if you cannot be a part of making this family a happy and good place to be, then I (meaning you Dave) will step up to the plate and raise these kids and give them that happy, safe childhood. Your 14 year old has so little childhood left, and I (meaning you Dave) am going to make sure it is great! Are you on board, or are you going to continue to hide behind your depression and anger and bitterness, doing your best to make sure home life is crappy for us all? She has a choice to make here. And you may find she is on board, and will begin some new changes, or that she likes being angry and miserable...and then you will know what you need to do. Forgive me for the two messages above, as after I re-read your original posts, I realized how they must sound to someone who is really in the pits in a marriage to someone who is so angry, and bitter all the time. I am not sure any of us could actually rise to the occasion if we were in your shoes and actually pull off what I suggested above. It sounds as if the marriage is just too miserable to actually bring yourself to do as I suggested. Not that it couldn't be done, but it would take a better person than I am to pull it off. Unless she actually makes a decision to change. If she does...perhaps she will surprise you all! In my best pollyanna view...I sometimes think that we can change someone else by being really kind to them. I sometimes have these wierd thoughts that you could take her for a morning of pampering (facial, massage) and then take her for a new outfit, and take just her out to dinner. That by you treating her differently, that maybe she will thaw out, and begin to see herself differently, and begin to change and laugh and smile. That she will "want" to be a better woman for her family. Perhaps it is just wishful thinking...but just maybe????? Anyone, I forget that some people actually "like" to be angry and bitter and miserable all the time. That is their comfort zone. Perhaps she is one of those people. I don't know.

Well, that's not our problem, for sure. Our Florida vacation guest room has an unfortunate limitation that prevents virtually all abuse -- it's just over 7' deep by 7' wide, with a pocket door, 2 small closets separated by built-in drawers to the right of the door and a single bed to the left, window straight ahead with a little side table below it. For obvious reasons it's used by easy-going singles who aren't claustrophobic, but it's nice and comfy and works very well. Notably (aside from a second single bed, writing table, and reading chair of course), it holds almost everything that article recommends. Extra pillows and blankets of varying softnesses and thicknesses, bath linens, small space heater, fan, are all ready in closets that are otherwise empty for guest use. An adjustable reading light is mounted on a wall so the little side table remains clear, and decor is simple and serene. The drawers are topped by a mirror, and their top holds a couple of welcoming things, including chargers plugged in and ready in a basket. Most of the other useful items mentioned in the article, including toiletries and meds, are waiting in the drawer(s). No TV so far, though I would like to add one, and flowers stay outside, but otherwise... Once the business of switching out the weird jello-wobbly bed that came with the place for a good one with soft, smooth linens was attended to, the rest of the comfort was/is easy and inexpensive.

I'd like it to be temporary enough to where I can close off the room as I choose when we have guests staying with us. But once they leave I could pull/push/slide it to the side for more space and daylight. So your idea is perfect! I just found soundproof room dividing curtains online. I could install a wire curtain rod the width of the room and just use that. I believe this would be much cheaper/faster than building on to it and leave it as is. you!

@periksencat I had no idea that software was that inexpensive. This forum used to have a guy on here, Rabbitt Design, that regularly blew people away with really quick renders using that program. Can you scan in a floor plan or elevation and get a photorealistic 3D render? Couldn't figure out how he did it so quickly.