austinisticalist's Profile

Those porch windows are really all I can see, which is a shame because the house has loads of charm. I wonder if there's a way to trim them out so they look more appropriate. Or revert back to the screened windows that were undoubtedly there previously. I know it's hard to give up a protected entry in a cold climate. But no matter what else you do, those windows just really stand out, and not in a good way.

CanadianMango-- it looked like two pots had those type of cacti-- easy enough to keep them away from wayward babies and dogs. They live in Austin, where there is a lot more danger from things like fireants and scorpions than from a few cactus needles anyway. ; )

I'm not quite sure about how it looks when it's lit up. I think it needs more light... but hey, at least they'll have a lifetime supply of replacement bulbs handy! I totally dig that part of it.

I get that they wanted an update, but as someone who has had to deal with several misguided attempts by others at covering up something unsightly, this kind of thing gives me the shivers. ESPECIALLY in a wet area.

Freaky. I look up from my desk and see almost the exact same set-up as image #1. Except my Expedit is the brown/black and the cowhide rug is dark brown and white. And the basket is green.

While I'd love to have built-ins or some other high-design options, you just can't beat the Expedit for practicality at a democratic price point.

That happens to me all the time! I thought it was because the shirts were cheap. Sadly, my theory was proven wrong on a couple of expensive t-shirts. What's the cause? And, more importantly, what's the solution? It's an epidemic in my wardrobe.

Madam P, I like your approach!

The best organizing tip I've gotten-- and it applies to pretty much anything, but is very apropos regarding books -- is to define boundaries for something. As long as it stays within the boundaries, you're good. If it starts smooshing over the boundaries, take action. It could be one shelf, it could be an entire library, but if the books exceed the boundaries, you should either get rid of some or redefine the boundaries and encroach into the boundaries of something else. If you know you have to get rid of, say, family photos or shoes to make room for more books, you'll consider more carefully if you really need more books.

Oh yes, regrets, I've had a couple. I only really regret the expensive mistakes, though-- the others I try to think of as "adventures." Dark wood floors and a dark wood bathroom vanity. The floors are impossible to keep looking anything approaching clean. The dark vanity just looks completely out of place in my ranch, where everything else is 60s-70s modern. I don't know what I was thinking.

We had a police officer come and do a free "security audit." Here are a few of the things he said to do (which, of course, we did). All of them were inexpensive and easy to do.

Use very long screws-- at least 3 inches-- to screw all exterior door frames into the framing around them (otherwise, they are much easier to kick in). Have two locks on all windows (supplement the primary lock with whatever clamp-on type locks work with your particular windows). Put a secondary lock on any sliding glass doors. Trim shrubbery away from windows and doors so it can't conceal a person. Make sure you have deadbolts on all exterior doors, including the door to the garage (and lock them).

And-- "do the five." Make sure you know the neighbors on either side of you and the three across the street. Have their phone numbers and/or email. And go out of your way to ask someone if you can help them if you see unfamiliar vehicles or people around your neighbors, especially if you know they are not home. Watch and let neighbors know if you see people knocking or ringing at their door when they are not home. And try to get descriptions of people and vehicles that do that. It might sound paranoid, but lots of burglars case houses just by knocking/ringing at the door.