aurelius's Profile

I enjoy it when my friends are comfortable enough to grab a blanket and curl up on the sofa; to grab a soda/juice/water from the fridge; or to peek at what's on television. Looking at displayed DVDs or books is fine too whether you're a friend or a (new) guest. Opening wine without asking? Totally rude. Using my computer? Totally off-limits (unless you've asked and then it's perfectly fine). Those, to me, are boundaries that shouldn't be crossed. I'd find that annoying from my friends and really disconcerting by someone I did not know well.

My grandmother moved in with me and my parents when I was in high school. She had to sell her furniture and I got up the courage to ask for her corner china hutch. I'd never seen anything like it. She was delighted. It housed my cds and random odd and ends. Fourteen years later I now rent her house (she's 95 and still feisty at my parents' house) and the china hutch has made its way back to its rightful place. Once again, it holds her china, which my mom boxed up unbeknowst to me many years ago. My grandmother was beside herself seeing the china and the hutch back in her old home, and was even more excited that I wanted it all.

My Gram recently gave me her old wedding ring. It's beautiful and unlike anything I've ever seen. It also provides a link to my grandfather, who died many years before I was born.

I use the Target-brand magic erasers on my tile floors and they work wonders. I'm also a huge fan of borax!

I don't have a strict no-shoes policy, but most people tend to automatically take off their shoes and place them by the door. I tend to leave my shoes by the door, and people seem to take the hint. For small gatherings people continue this trend, but for large parties most people keep their footwear on since they'll travel in and out of the house throughout the party. My hardwood floors will be fine. I also provide a basket of fuzzy socks at the front door (don't worry, they're washed often) in case people's toes get cold. Plus, it's fun to slide. :)

I won't allow anyone to smoke inside, but no one's ever tried it and I doubt it'll ever come up.

The front and back door must remain closed because of the cat but if it might cause a problem (large party) the cat vacations somewhere else so it doesn't become an issue (it's her house too, but I'd rather not be stressed, and the kitty doesn't like loud noise).

As chusmabilly stated, this is for the city of Los Angeles, not the county. The county one would be much larger. And damn, I'd love a county one because, yes, it would include Long Beach.

I live in a three bedroom, one bath house in Long Beach (near Cal State). We pay $1100 and our rent hasn't been raised once--in 7 years. The house is about 1100 sqft, not including a covered patio. We have a tiny front yard, a huge backyard, and beautiful hardwood floors. You couldn't pay me to move to the Valley. The traffic and the heat would kill me.