superbeetle's Profile

Victorian duplex, husband and I in 2500 sf, my parents in 1200 sf, plus a 1500 sf unfinished attic, full basement, two car garage, lot and a half, parking for six cars, and two beautiful 100 year old trees. For less than many HOA fees. That's the trade off for living in BFE.

I have an 1930s cast iron sink, and bar keeper's friend makes it shine. Try it!

Having a picture of a psychopath who killed 50 million people on my wall? No, thank you.

I love the colors and could happily live with them, but I see no point in ignoring the moldings. Why do a bunch more taping only to ignore the architectural features that sold you the house in the first place?

The lead picture reminds me of the 1950s home magazine photos of a carpeted garage with a living room sofa next to the car. Both are manufacturers trying to sell a silly and unrealistic lifestyle.

I think everyone should eat what makes them feel good. The reason people ridicule the Caveman diet, the Paleo diet, etc., is that is outlandishly foolish to assume we KNOW what early man actually did eat! If the diet is good on it's own, why on earth would it be necessary to make such spurious claims to give it some respectability?

I actually own a knock off lounge chair and footstool. I didn't set out to buy a knock off (I didn't even set out to own an Eames chair). It just happened to be sitting on the side of the road for $25. It's hard to find run-of-the-mill used furniture that cheap, let alone one that comfortable!

I've been on both sides of this story, and boy is there a lot that people who haven't been poor just don't understand.

I can cook easily on $31 NOW, sure, because I have a full pantry, oils, spices, baking goods, a full set of cookware.

As a child on welfare, our pantry typically contained a two-year old can of government mystery meat and some dried up ketchup. That's it! Can you imagine having only two food items in your house? NOW try cooking on $31 (though, round here it's closer to $20) a week.

To do this challenge right, you get two pans - one teflon that is flaking, the other an old aluminum saucepan. You have one or two utensils, no plastic storage containers, and no disposable products of any kind (paper towels, wrap, plastic bags, etc.). You also have no clean rags or dishtowels because you can only afford to do laundry at the laundry mat once a month.

Do it that way, and then I'll be impressed.

I think yellow would be fabulous! It's just paint, and you can repaint it if you get tired of it down the road. Whatever color you go with, pick it up in a few accents around the room!

This is the kind of post I'd really like to see more of at AT. Some real information rather than just an amalgamation of links.

Brion, you should post many more pictures of your grandmother's work!