Grabbing My Happy's Profile

You could definitely ask. Worse case scenario, the landlord says "no."

But, if the oven is your biggest concern, you can calibrate the oven on your own for next to nothing. Here's a tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJCZWn3qzI8 (it's not my tutorial, I've just used it in the past.) In most cases, calibration will solve the problem.

I noticed that you don't have any metal elements in the room. I think a little bit of metal would go a long way to making the place look more industrial. Could you paint the wall behind the tv in a faux metal look? Maybe even make it look like metal panels? To bring it up a notch, you could even put metal push pins or upholstery tacks evenly spaced on the faux panels to make them look like rivets.

I also agree with the idea to take down the curtains and getting rid of the peachy cream color.

BWWWAAAAAAHAAAAAA... Can you imagine having the hidden toilet? Get up in the middle of the night, disoriented and unable to figure out which handle reveals the throne? Or better yet, have a party and have to explain to every guest how to find the potty so they don't wet themselves while looking for the darn thing? *snort*

Just as a lot of people don't think of LEGO has being a "boy" toy, I don't necessarily think that the new line of products is a "girl" toy, either. It's all about choices, don't you think? There are clearly children out there (both genders, I'm sure) that love the idea of creating a more realistic home/doll house with LEGO products. How narrow minded is it to insist that this new line is only going to be played with by little girls?!

It looks like I'm in the minority here, but our kids earn their allowance... $1 per day, paid monthly. They have a list of chores to complete every day of the week. For each chore they don't do, $1 is subtracted from their total. Believe me, NO ONE in our house doesn't do their chores because slacking off could take a huge chunk of their money. In addition, they have "regular chores" that everyone is responsible for: make your bed, clean up everything you get out, etc. They are not paid for these chores, as it's part of being a family and, heck, just learning to be a grown up. I guess in the big picture, I want my children to learn both lessons: 1) that they have to work for their money - no free rides around here and 2) there are some things that you aren't paid to do - you do them because it's the right thing.

And whoever was horrified of those lessons because stay-at-home moms don't get paid, that is not true. SAHM's don't get paid in a traditional way, but their hard work saves their family thousands of dollars each year. No housekeepers necessary. Less need to go out and eat every meal. No sending the laundry out or having someone else care for your children. Folks, that is money in the bank right there!

That first picture is so darn cute, I think I burst an ovary.

My heart literally fluttered when I saw this. GENIUS!

I'm sooooo stealing the hinged picture over the thermostat trick. Really... GENIUS!

Those. Are. GORGEOUS. I'm seriously in love!

I have 4 children. This will absolutely change my LIFE. Thank you.