ethidda's Profile

My partner came with a set of Shun knives. They are wonderful, but need to be sharpened specially, because the steel is different from American steel. (We just get it hand sharpened.) It's definitely a luxury item, but it makes eating at home so much more fun (and probably saves us money in the long run).

I make most of the decisions, since (1) I am usually pickier, and (2) I'm the one spending money on it. I do get his input (and usually he has SOME input, not just "whatever") but I'm the one who usually brings up ideas and does the research.

Before I lived in a Swiss dorm, where it was mandatory for us to clean the communal kitchen, I had no idea that ovens and fridges need to be cleaned. >.< @RPLOWMAN, I was that kind of person.

I actually really like the fact that Apartment Therapy has a number of "back to basics" posts sprinkled throughout. As someone who spent the majority of her life studying and NOT learning household tasks, these are quite useful to me. Thanks!

I traveled alone as an unaccompanied minor on international travel (13 hours!) when I was 8. The biggest problem was that I got bored. Handheld video game devices weren't really popular yet. The next year, I traveled with another girl my age and that was a lot of fun. :)

The first time I got to travel in a foreign country all by myself, I was 17, and it was Russia. That was definitely a memorable experience and would repeat again.

But I think I have a more adventurous mother than most.

@Lucy Lamare: The house I spent most time growing up in had a dining room and a living room that we almost never used. My mother bought a 19th century reproduction piece of a 15th century style table with matching chairs to put in the dining room. It seats 8 comfortably and has gorgeous, gorgeous hand carved details. She was always worried us kids would get it dirty, though. So instead, we'd eat at the breakfast table in the kitchen or on the couch in the family room.

I just bought my first home. I splurged on the floors (handscraped hardwood ftw) and replaced all the windows (they were single pane and painted shut). The next most expensive purchases were bedding from Pottery Barn and drapery (rods and curtains are surprisingly expensive and fairly difficult to save much on). Everything else I scoured CL and plan to refinish and reupholster. The next somewhat expensive thing I plan to buy is a nice chandelier to replace the ugly 70s one that came with the house.

I'm an adult, and I love baths. I try to limit myself to 2 a week. I know several other people like me, for whom no tub would be a deal breaker. But of course, if the selling price is a good enough deal, the buyer might be willing to do the renovations and put in a bath (again).