finnime
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Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.
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Post by finnime on Mar 8, 2019 7:53:21 GMT -5
Getting work done on house and yard, and traveling. The house and yard need quite a few things, including renovating the front yard garden, replacing the doors and painting pretty much everything, including trim, in every room. We've been here more than 15 years now. It's time. I'm planning on selling the house in about 2 years and need to prepare it anyway.
We will do smaller trips to Manhattan (where DS lives), Maine and a weekend to the shore here in Maryland.
A dream trip for longer term is a cruise to the northern European + countries. We went to Finland years ago and loved every minute. I'd like to cruise Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark - no, I'd LOVE to. Plus get back to Spain and go to France when possible.
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chapeau
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Post by chapeau on Mar 8, 2019 9:47:08 GMT -5
DH and I are hoping to get the bathroom tile torn out and replaced next week. He has talked his son into helping with it, so I might not even have to do anything! Well, I have to pick up the tile and grout, pick the paint color, and I’m thinking about replacing both the ceiling light and the exhaust fan. Those depend on the weather next weekend though, since that will mean replacing the wiring to both—our attic is really cold right now!
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geenamercile
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Post by geenamercile on Mar 8, 2019 17:34:27 GMT -5
We got a camper, still need have a few things we need to do with it, nothing that makes it unusable but it was cheap. We have a week reserved at Myrtle beach already in July, and looking to do a in state weekend in May. So far the goals look strongly possible. Still trying to decide if I want to get passports for all of us, but I think the next few years we will work on traveling in the USA and then look to expanding out.
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ednkris
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Post by ednkris on Mar 8, 2019 20:00:32 GMT -5
We got a camper, still need have a few things we need to do with it, nothing that makes it unusable but it was cheap. We have a week reserved at Myrtle beach already in July, and looking to do a in state weekend in May. So far the goals look strongly possible. Still trying to decide if I want to get passports for all of us, but I think the next few years we will work on traveling in the USA and then look to expanding out. we camped alot at myrtle beach travel park very nice park indoor and outdoor pools plus a lazy river besides the ocean of course. Down the road from it is pirate land that is nice but the sites are alot smaller. Have fun we enjoyed it alot.
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geenamercile
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Post by geenamercile on Mar 9, 2019 8:30:18 GMT -5
We have a spot at the state park on the beach. There are a few things we need to do with the camper next month to get it ready, but it did pass the state inspection. Planning on doing that with the girls next month. Thinking about doing a run down to the tide water area here in VA, or one of the closer camping sites in May to test it out. I am way excited. Then hopefully next year I will be planning a several state trip for the month of June since the girls and I will be on the same school schedule. Thinking of several 2 night stops, it would be awesome if we could make it to the Grand Canyon and back. This year I just have the month of July off.
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on Mar 9, 2019 10:17:05 GMT -5
I'm not sure where to go with this. Seems like I should think more about such things.
The new job is super demanding, not just of time, but of my headspace as I'm creating everything from scratching and fighting for the necessary staff to execute it. I am working 3 weekends this month with day-long meetings or conferences, and looking in the calendar for a break where I can schedule a vacay and I am not finding it in the immediate future. At least I will be clocking in some comp days to add to the bank
I don't want to take a vacation where I am working on the weekend right before, I'd prefer to take a friday, weekend, whole week, weekend then maybe the following monday off to maximize my break. A friend told me research showed you needed 8 consecutive days off to feel the "break", so working on getting that - maybe twice (!) - this year.
If I get asked to teach the same stats class I did last summer I will do it, I should ask about that so they keep me in mind/I know what is upcoming.
So - a real break would need to be before summer if that is happening. The only thing I'm up for is lazy beach days interspersed with hiking and other long nature-type walks. I'm thinking maybe Puerto Rico near the el yunque tropical rain forest, or possibly Costa Rica.
Would appreciate any info about that from some of our more frequent travelers! What would be a good vacay spot?
So - I guess a vacation is my #1 wish list item. Then - house and garden projects, getting back on track with yoga, thinking about socializing more.....most of my socializing is career related - I don't think I have a social life outside of that to go back to anymore. I meet up regularly with my research writing group, former coworkers, do a lot of socializing at professional conferences, vendor events, etc. but nothing completely disconnect from that except for family stuff.
So - I think I need to really work on that. Or is that something that just happens as you get older - especially as a professional? I was thinking of joining in with an old high school group of people since I only have 1 job right now and out of school, but after finding out who to talk to about joining in I did not pursue it. It is still on the table, but would be an investment of time, and some non-inconsequential money. Just wondering if I really have the time, I could make the necessary financial investment if I did, but it would not be small (3-5k) but if not now, when? Now - that sounds overly cryptic! We were very serious band people, I stopped playing about 30 years ago and would need to buy a new instrument, practice regularly for a few months, and then see if anyone in the network knew of a group needing my instrument.
I guess my wish list would be that I could pick that up again. But the time investment would be intense. Just thinking of a twice a week practice might make my life spiral....
But I guess it is a wish! I will think about how feasible it is to actually try to do it.
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on Mar 9, 2019 13:29:03 GMT -5
I found the instrument of my dreams! it's about 15k. But - even if I was willing - it is apparently a limited edition and none are available. It is so beautiful to look at I would buy it just as a work of art .
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Mar 9, 2019 19:42:25 GMT -5
Rukh I would go with the vacations before I would spend 15K on an object, however beautiful it may be. I think the vacations would do you more good. JMO of course. And you've talked about going away with your kids ... I'd rather spend my money on that but we all have our priorities.
Frankly 15K is a HUGE chunk of change. I really can't imagine spending that on an object (since I have never heard you mention music before now).
We LOVED Panama and Costa Rica. We spent 3 weeks in Panama, only 4 days in CR. The place we went to in CR was extremely remote, probably not worth going there if you only have a week or 10 days off. It took us 24h to get there, but it was worth it. DS1 went, told us about it and insisted we go. (He was in Panama, we were visiting him.)
DD and her BF went to that same place in Dec, even though they only had 10 days total in CR. I told DD it's too hard to get there, not worth it. But she had heard DS1 and us talk about it for years, and she wanted to see it too. They LOVED it. But they're young, and they drove there (NOT recommended).
Look up Corcovado Costa Rica. There's PLENTY of hiking LOL. We stayed at La Leona Ecolodge. You can look that up too.
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laterbloomer
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Post by laterbloomer on Mar 9, 2019 19:54:50 GMT -5
My wish list includes a soaker tub in my bathroom. I need to refresh the whole bathroom but the cost scares me all in one chunk. So I'm going to get the tub and tile around the tub done first. Then I'll watch for a sale on vanities, medicine cabinets and lighting.
I'm already going to Jamaica for a week, but I want to get one or two more trips in. One for sure in October and maybe one in March. This isn't counting my trip to see my parents in the summer.
So I've gotten my trip to Jamaica done, it was a blast. I have a quote for the bathtub and it's scheduled to be done in June. And I'm going to Vegas and the Grand Canyon in 2 weeks. So far so good on the wish list.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Mar 9, 2019 19:58:13 GMT -5
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laterbloomer
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Post by laterbloomer on Mar 9, 2019 20:03:31 GMT -5
Ya, don't ask about my organize and declutter goals.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Mar 9, 2019 20:12:47 GMT -5
Rukh O'Rorke I reread your post. If you used to play and you're serious about getting back into music, you do NOT need a 15K instrument. Get a cheap one, or rent one, and see if it actually happens. Personally I think you have too many other/competing goals going on to make a 15K instrument worth your while for now.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Mar 9, 2019 20:16:10 GMT -5
Another goal of mine ... new glasses!!! Mine are nearly 4 years old. I've needed new glasses for a LONG time. I finally went to the ophthalmologist last Thursday.
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lynnerself
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Post by lynnerself on Mar 10, 2019 0:53:06 GMT -5
Still no progress on painting and new carpet. But Costa Rica was amazing, tomorrow looks good for skiing and we're off to Hawaii on Thursday.
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plugginaway22
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Post by plugginaway22 on Mar 10, 2019 9:37:36 GMT -5
Travel is usually the only thing on my wish/dream list. We are going to the Outer Banks in NC for a week with 3 kids and their spouses/SO and grand-baby! We are invited to a destination wedding in Punta Cana that we haven't decided whether we will go or not. Then just DH and I will go somewhere for a week in September, place TBD. We are also making very slow progress on the main bathroom that we are doing a face-lift on.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Mar 10, 2019 10:23:55 GMT -5
I have a landmark birthday this year, and DH has the same next year. I want to do another epic family trip but, this time, outside of the U.S.. I need to find a way to sock $$$$$ away while paying for college x 2. 😬
I also want to buy myself an upright piano and take lessons. I should be able to find a reasonably-priced used piano, or even better, a free one. We have a pick up so can easily take it home.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Mar 10, 2019 13:11:26 GMT -5
Oh, and we want to buy a small RV. Maybe I’ll start a thread...
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Mar 10, 2019 21:02:27 GMT -5
Travel is usually the only thing on my wish/dream list.plugginaway22 travel is generally our priority too, but the house still needs to be maintained. But I remember you talking about new rings and a new bed/mattress LOL.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Mar 11, 2019 6:30:54 GMT -5
A new roof. Never fall in love with an old house.
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plugginaway22
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Post by plugginaway22 on Mar 11, 2019 6:51:50 GMT -5
Debt you reminded me that a new refrigerator is still on my WANT list, not need list. We took care of the new mattress set and replacement rings!
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Mar 11, 2019 10:43:39 GMT -5
Finally getting ready to do whole house flooring and kitchen remodel done. This has been ongoing since last August when we had a sewer main break under the cement slab and we had to dig it up. Hopefully it will be done before summer, but we’ll see.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Mar 11, 2019 15:36:03 GMT -5
I ordered new glasses today. They'll be ready in about 10 days. I don't want to jinx myself, but for the first time in YEARS, my "wish list" is shorter than my "DONE!" list. It's a wonderful feeling!!!
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Mar 11, 2019 18:02:07 GMT -5
I am feeling really ashamed.
We have the cash to do a big remodel - master bath and kitchen - but it won't happen if I don't do it. Dh agrees it needs to be done (house is >20 years old and neither the kitchen or master bath ever had a significant upgrade) but the thought of the disruption in our routine makes me nearly nauseous.
We lived through a lot of repairs when the tornado took the upstairs away, 3 months living in a rental apartment, then another six weeks living in a house with only subfloor while the insurance company haggled over the price of the flooring.
I think I have PTSD. I wish I could move out for a few months, move in, and find everything done exactly the way I want it, but the contractors aren't mind readers, and if you're not there to check on the progress, it won't get done (or not done well). I know we need to suck it up and do this. I need to look at some design books. I need to call the contractor back (already picked out who will do it) - just need to pull the trigger, and I really, really don't want to. The mess! All the furniture moved around! Everything in the kitchen in boxes! Eating only what we can cook in a microwave!
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on Mar 11, 2019 18:12:00 GMT -5
I am feeling really ashamed.
We have the cash to do a big remodel - master bath and kitchen - but it won't happen if I don't do it. Dh agrees it needs to be done (house is >20 years old and neither the kitchen or master bath ever had a significant upgrade) but the thought of the disruption in our routine makes me nearly nauseous.
We lived through a lot of repairs when the tornado took the upstairs away, 3 months living in a rental apartment, then another six weeks living in a house with only subfloor while the insurance company haggled over the price of the flooring.
I think I have PTSD. I wish I could move out for a few months, move in, and find everything done exactly the way I want it, but the contractors aren't mind readers, and if you're not there to check on the progress, it won't get done (or not done well). I know we need to suck it up and do this. I need to look at some design books. I need to call the contractor back (already picked out who will do it) - just need to pull the trigger, and I really, really don't want to. The mess! All the furniture moved around! Everything in the kitchen in boxes! Eating only what we can cook in a microwave! Gas grill can be your friend. I lived for 6 months without a kitchen. I didn't even have a microwave but did have a toaster oven. And a big ice chest for the few things I kept cold. I was living in apt above my employer while I built a house and we did have a huge commercial ice maker for the guys to fill up their ice chests to take on job site. I wasn't running to store for ice all the time. But no kitchen appliances at all!
But I cooked on the grill. Having said that it was just me and disruptions like this doesn't bother me - I looked at it as an adventure!! Yeh, I know that's sick sounding but that's me.
ETA: I think dealing with Tornado would give one pause about the disruption. But this time it will be your choice and on your terms ! Good luck.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Mar 17, 2019 16:25:14 GMT -5
happyhoix I can understand that. After a tornado you probably DO have PTSD (very understandably)! All I can say is that even if it's hell when you go through it, you'll be SO glad when it's done! And both of those items won't need to be done again for DECADES. Some suggestions: - For the kitchen, some kitchen reno companies here set up your appliances in the basement. Ours didn't. We survived with ONLY a microwave (with one kid at home FT, another at home PT). BUT, our contractor was GREAT about leaving the appliances plugged in until the VERY last minute, and about making sure we had access to them over the weekends. He (very rightly) reasoned that grabbing a dinner or two out during the week was a lot cheaper than eating out all weekend. - Remember, you don't need to do the kitchen remodel and the Master bathroom remodel at the same time, or even in the same year. You can take a (long) break between the two. They're two separate items. - The kitchen reno will be longer and more invasive, so personally I'd do that first. I HATED having boxes of our Kitchen Stuff all over the LR/DR for 3 weeks (I'm rather OCD about my house), but it was definitely worth it! (Our kitchen was over 30 years old and literally falling apart.) - If you have a guest room with a bathroom close by, I'd just move in there during the bathroom reno rather than try to work around it. You probably have a second bathroom, even if you don't have a second kitchen. - I don't know where you live or what the COL is, but if you're that hesitant, maybe you could live in a nearby AirBnB for a week or 2 during the worst of it? Obviously that would cost more but if that's the price of your mental health, it could be an option.
Yes, it's a PITA. Yes, there's dust everywhere. But I encourage you to go for it, it's worth it! You'll be SO PLEASED with the results! Good luck!
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chapeau
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Post by chapeau on Mar 17, 2019 20:25:38 GMT -5
And don’t forget your crockpot, in addition to a microwave and/or toaster oven. You can cook oats overnight and have breakfast or make soup, roasts, etc. I don’t even have a bathroom counter (pedestal sink), and I had the crockpot going in the bathroom when we were plastering and painting our kitchen.
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on Mar 17, 2019 23:03:36 GMT -5
Still just improved health, that hasn't changed and new flooring. We just don't need a lot, everything here is in good condition. Oh and I need to paint DD's bathroom, her bedroom, and what used to be the dining room. I just received her new curtains from Pennys, very nice lined ones with grommet hangers, good prices too. I have new nice ones all over the house now, I'm afraid Pennys will end up closing down and couldn't get them later, wasn't ready to spend the dollars yet but did.
I think we will have enough money to do the flooring by fall, depends on what we do.
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Mar 18, 2019 8:01:23 GMT -5
happyhoix I can understand that. After a tornado you probably DO have PTSD (very understandably)! All I can say is that even if it's hell when you go through it, you'll be SO glad when it's done! And both of those items won't need to be done again for DECADES. Some suggestions: - For the kitchen, some kitchen reno companies here set up your appliances in the basement. Ours didn't. We survived with ONLY a microwave (with one kid at home FT, another at home PT). BUT, our contractor was GREAT about leaving the appliances plugged in until the VERY last minute, and about making sure we had access to them over the weekends. He (very rightly) reasoned that grabbing a dinner or two out during the week was a lot cheaper than eating out all weekend. - Remember, you don't need to do the kitchen remodel and the Master bathroom remodel at the same time, or even in the same year. You can take a (long) break between the two. They're two separate items.
- The kitchen reno will be longer and more invasive, so personally I'd do that first. I HATED having boxes of our Kitchen Stuff all over the LR/DR for 3 weeks (I'm rather OCD about my house), but it was definitely worth it! (Our kitchen was over 30 years old and literally falling apart.) - If you have a guest room with a bathroom close by, I'd just move in there during the bathroom reno rather than try to work around it. You probably have a second bathroom, even if you don't have a second kitchen. - I don't know where you live or what the COL is, but if you're that hesitant, maybe you could live in a nearby AirBnB for a week or 2 during the worst of it? Obviously that would cost more but if that's the price of your mental health, it could be an option.
Yes, it's a PITA. Yes, there's dust everywhere. But I encourage you to go for it, it's worth it! You'll be SO PLEASED with the results! Good luck! DH and I have debated if we should do both at once, or one at a time. Given how much I hate the disruption, I'm thinking doing both at once and getting it over with would be better, even if it's worse while it's happening. Also, we live in a sort of remote location (30 minutes from everywhere) and it's difficult to get trades people to come to our house. I think if we have a large project like a kitchen/bath reno that will cost more, we'll be able to lure in a good contractor who may not want to come that far out of his way for smaller jobs. Third factor is that DH and I are considering downsizing when he retires, which is in about 4 years. We need to do an update to maximize how much we can get for our house, but we don't have the luxury of waiting several years between the jobs.
I wouldn't mind moving into an air bnb (or long term residence hotel) except that we have 3 cats, one of whom is elderly. It will be harder/more costly to find someplace to rent that allows cats, and the elderly cat does not do well when she's out of her usual environment. (Peeing randomly).
I've thought about waiting four years until DH retires, renting an apartment, moving what we need into the apartment, and then getting the masterbath/kitchen remodeled right before putting the house on the market, with DH there to supervise. We'd get more for the house (as long as we don't go overboard on the remodel) but dang it, I would really like to have an updated kitchen/bath NOW. Our twenty year old versions are very shabby. And who knows, we might end up using this house for our retirement home, if we can't find the kind of retirement house we want. So - I need to stop being lazy and just DO IT.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Mar 18, 2019 14:07:48 GMT -5
That makes sense about the contractors happyhoix . This said, it MIGHT suit BOTH of you to take a break of a few weeks or months between the two. You could still negotiate a good price if that suited your contractor. Your contractor might appreciate being able to do another job between your two jobs because he didn't want to put off another good (maybe smaller) job. Dunno, but worth asking. ETA: I say all this while putting off redoing our bedroom for (partly) the same reasons. But while I too am dreading the disruption, in our case, the main reason is money. There are still a few other things I want to do first (ie finish paying off the kitchen, get a new oven).
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Mar 25, 2019 13:21:22 GMT -5
Picked up my new glasses ... another item gone! Kitchen loan will be paid off next month. So just two items left on our "Tier 1" list (as Rukh O'Rorke calls it): - new oven - our bedroom reno Despite everything I posted to happyhoix I'm not sure I'm ready for the upheaval of a bedroom reno. But I definitely can't manage it during the school year, so it's this late spring/early summer or next year. How are your wish lists progressing?!
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