What color to paint my kitchen.

By on April 20th, 2009

Any specific (Benjamin Moore paint) color ideas on what I can paint my kitchen walls and cabinets and ceiling. I have a beige/white ceramic floor, off white counter tops and cheap wood cabinets that I also want to paint. My kitchen is large (currently red), and I want it to look bright and airy. In the kitchen, the opposite wall goes right into to family room -which also needs to be repainted so I will have to pick a color that coordinates with the other side of the kitchen. Also, should I use a glossy paint on the cabinets.

how to fill the pantry with ten bucks.

By on April 19th, 2009

im a poor college kid that smokes dro an drink brew. needles to say my kitchen pantry is empty xept roman noodles. anyhow whats a good 10-20 dollar grocery list. ps. try not to waist time preaching.you can do it. any ideas HEB. WHERE DO I go im in CST college station tx. I smoke dro.I drink BREW. thats all I TALK-BOUT hell thats all I DO.

Marketing class, survey help.

By on April 18th, 2009

I have to redesign a kitchen utensil and need to come up with a survey to help me figure out what kind of utensil to redesign, and HOW to redesign it, what features to add, etc. What kind of questions should I ask.
I already came up with these:How often do you cook.
What kitchen utensil do you use most often.
What is the most important factor when purchasing a utensil.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP.

What do you think of this small story which is not finished.

By on April 17th, 2009

Prologue

The morning sun broke through the mountain landscape. The bird sang a merry rhyme as the flowers rose toward the sun. The winter frost was gone replaced by the awaking of spring.
Deep in the Pindus Mountains was a little stone cottage where a little girl called Lolita lived with her grandfather. The little girl sat in the library. The library in fact was not at all as grand as it sounded. Dust covered each and every furniture like a blanket of snow in a winter morning. A damp smell hung in the air and limited windows forced Lolita to carry a lamp.
She opened her book of the world outside. As she read about Greece she could smell the rich smoky air and hear the bustling of the crowded street. She also read about the bloodshed wars and the great heroes of the wars.
A pang of pain made her wince as it reminded her of her parent’s death. Her parents had died in a raid in a village far away. Lolita and her grandfather rarely ever spoke of her parent’s death. She had been a little baby when she was left in his care after their death.
Before r dear grandfather soul left to Hades’ he was able to tell her something. Something that changed many lives in the greatest war the world had ever seen.
Chapter 1

Bitter tears strolled along her face leaving marks upon her grandfather’s shirt. Her heart felt like it was sinking into her body and her blood pounded all over her body. Her pale skin was flushed and her eyes were red from crying.
Then after all the sorrow was wept out of her anger raged inside of her. How could he not tell. She had a brother. Her tiny fist slammed against the oak floors and her amber hair fell over her face. She ignored the pain flaring in her fist.
She had to find her grandfather’s letter. It was garrenteed to be somewhere. As she calmed her mind down her mind clicked. Of course the only place he would hide it. She ran up the stair the floors creaking under her in encouragement. She busted into his bedroom. Opened her grandmother’s flower jewellery box. And there it was. The yellow page letter written in the same italic writing of her grandfather. She sat on the bed and opened up the envelope.

Dear Lolita

Due to you reading this letter I assume I have passed from this world into Hades’s domain. I want you to know that you are one of the few people I have been open up my heart to and love. I remember the smile the first time I looked upon you. The pleasure it gave me to see you walk on the solid oak floors with certainty. And I will always remember the love you showed me every morning as I woke up to the smell of you cooking. And I want you to know that I love you in this life and the next.
Though my heart is paining so much on the aspect on what I am going to write you must know the truth. Your dear brother is alive. I thought they were all dead but word came from Greece of a boy named Patroklos. A boy adopted by two loving people and rose until they died in a tragic accident. He was then looked after by someone called Achilles. A boy with the green eyes of your father and the brown hair of your mother. I knew then. I could not tell you. You were too young and then the time never came.
My dying wish is for you to look for him. Look for him and unite with your long lost brother. For my sake do so.

Everlasting love
Ajax
Lolita eyes stared open in shock and the letter slipped out of her hands. Her face gleamed with sweat. What would she do. She knew what needed to be done inside and she hardened her heart. I will find Patroklos. She vowed for her grandfather. I will. She packed her clothes and coins. She mounted her black horse Midnight. Suddenly a great wave of pain came across her she rested her head against the soft warm mane and stroked the flanks of the horse. She stared into the trees of the forest. I will find you she whispered into the darkness of the woods and rode of.

Chapter 2

A sharp point edged into my back. ‘Good, anger.’ boomed the sword master ‘no no no, channel the anger don’t let it out raw.’ I thrusted and hit my opponent. ‘Good, that’s enough for now, same time same place tomorrow’ he boomed.
‘Better bathe in the river Lolita’ he boomed smirking ’try avoiding the men waiting outside’
‘They’re just wasting their time’ I said as I left from the back door. What was it with men. Always wanting what they can’t have.
The grand court of Agamemnon was crowded and the men shuffled about restlessly. Agamemnon entered and the hall went silent. Agamemnon hawk eyes searched the crowd’s eyes and met my eyes. As soon as they met I looked down. He then sat down and I retreated into the kitchens. Hecatina, the head of the kitchen was booming orders and checking all the food selections. The hustle and bustle of the kitchen played with my mind and I escaped to the gardens of Clytemnestra. Named after Clytemnestra the wife of Agamemnon. Then to my surprise the Queen Clytemnestra herself arrived in the spot where I was sitting. I stood up stuttered my apolog

What goes into a cruelty-free first aid kit for your kitchen if you’re vegan.

By on April 16th, 2009

Nearly every item in a modern first aid kit is a product of animal testing, or is made by a company that tests on animals, or contains animal-derived ingredients. Tylenol, ibuprofen, and aspirin are tested on animals.
Some of the burn jels are tested on live pigs that have been deliberately burned for experiments. http://www.water-jel.com/public/ClinicalStudiesUS_pr.pdf
Sterile dressings and bandages are made by companies like Johnson & Johnson, 3M and others. Even Vaseline is processed using bone char.
What do you put in your kit. Do you have alternative materials you use. Or is this one of those areas where you do what is practical and possible to avoid those products, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. If you’re cooking your vegan food in the kitchen (nice way to keep this in the food category) and you accidentally cut yourself– or you burn yourself, what do you use. Just curious what you do differently, if anything, to treat your minor injuries and ailments.

How are we going to survive on our own.

By on April 15th, 2009

So, I was kicked out of the house because my boyfriend got me pregnant. Thing is it wasn’t even my fault; he forced me to do it with him, and he refused to use protection. I never told anyone that, though.

My virginity and right to my own body were stolen from me, and I feel like the rest of my life has been ripped away forever. Right now, I can feel my son squirming in my belly. We’ve already decided to name him Sean. My boyfriend insisted on it, and I wasn’t really sure about it, but the more I said it to myself, the more I liked it.

My entire family hates me now and thinks I’m a stupid whore, and since I was forced to leave home and my friends will not help me, my boyfriend is literally the only person in the whole world that I have.

I have nothing more than a high school diploma, I am completely jobless and living in an inner city apartment with my boyfriend. It’s really run-down and tiny, with a main room that has a little kitchen off to the right, a small bedroom and a minuscule bathroom. All we’ve got as far as furniture goes is a toilet, a bathtub, a bathroom sink, a fridge, a stove, a microwave, a kitchen sink, a floor mattress, a crappy old wardrobe, a very sad looking table with a few matching chairs, and a beat up desk with a wobbly leg. My old backpack sits by the window, full of a few little keepsakes I brought from home. Inside the dresser is the few changes of clothes and the blanket I brought and in the bottom drawer of the desk is all the money I took with me, about 2000$.

The only comfort I have is knowing I’m safe here, since my family obviously isn’t going to try to find me, and there’s no chance that they’re going to send the cops after me (but they wouldn’t be able to do anything to me anyway since I’m 18).

I don’t know how we’re going to work this out. We’re barely eking out a living on my boyfriend’s income as it is; the fridge and cupboards have very little food in them. We have soap and shampoo and toothpaste, but our apartment isn’t even heated and we don’t have a telephone because we’re trying to save. But how are we going to afford all of the clothes and supplies we’ll need when our child is born. How are we going to put food our baby’s mouth. What will the future bring for us.

If anyone has any helpful tips or resources, please kindly share them with me. I really need them.
Boyfriend insists on saving the 2000$ for rent and emergencies.

Do you like this story so far.

By on April 14th, 2009

Thick gray clouds covered the sun and Rolena Bishop was sighing all over the car as she and her aunt Helena drove toward Helena’s enormous home of bricks and vines. Rolena was trying really hard not to cry and yell. Her parents had died in a car crash a few weeks before and her Aunt Helena was now taken her from her home in California to the green fields of Scotland. It was beautiful Rolena must had to admit but nothing would make her happy now. Helena had noticed her sighing and patted her back.

Rolena was sad all over again as Helena’s thick Scottish accent had belted out memories of her parents and that everything was going to be okay. Her dark brown hair covered half of her face and her hazel eyes were glinting with tears. She once again sighed as they pulled up into the fresh paved cement next to the gorgeous home.

“Rolena, honey.” Helena asked the girl, “Your stuff is in the truck. So please go get your room in order. Unpack…unpack, dear.” Rolena felt a groan coming up but she quickly brought it back down as Helena walked swiftly across the cement and into the stain glass doors. She had only brought a few of her clothes that were now stuffed into two boxes and her sixteen years of memorabilia were packed into four big brown cubes. She took the two boxes and headed into the unfamiliar house. As she walked in she saw that this door led to the kitchen and dining room.

She sniffed her slightly pink nose as she walked passed a big pot of spaghetti sauce. Rolena hummed at the delight of finally eating food. She turned left at the opening of the living room. Inside there were magnificent paintings and elegant furniture. To her it was like walking into a museum. The most that surprised her was the odd couple that was hanging over the fireplace. It wasn’t Helena or her deceased husband.

The ever-so pale man was holding the lady and she too was unreasonably pale. Rolena walked toward the white people and she realized that they were wearing maybe millions of dollars worth of clothing. She gasped at the red and black dress and the matching outfit the man wore. Suddenly, Rolena heard the clickity clack of Helena’s expensive heels and was on her way. To the left was a twirling staircase. She thought this house was more of a castle then a house.

At the top of the stairs there were nine doors. Five on the south side and two on the northwest and two on the northeast. Which one is mine. Rolena though intently until she she saw a sign on one of the doors on the east. Rolena’s Room. No housekeeping Until settled. Rolena walked toward it and read the sign over again. House Keeping. Rolena thought, She’s way to rich. Rolena lifted her hand to turn the golden knob. The creak of the door scared her at first but then she saw how lovely the room was and forgot about everything. There was a queen-sized bed with beautiful flower prints and matching pillowcases across from another fireplace. The bedposts were even more beautiful as they made a vine like structured design. By the bed was a round night table with a glass surface and an old-fashioned light. Directly across from the door was a huge window with white curtains and a cushion to sit on.

A six-drawer dresser lay at the foot of the bed where Rolena knelt with the boxes and sighed. Maybe this won’t be that bad after-all Rolena thought also remembering she forgot to grab a box-cutter from the kitchen. Her 5’ 6 body got up from the golden carpet and out into the hallway. She stopped dead silent at a conversation heard below.

“I do not believe in such nonsense. I lived here almost my whole life and you’re telling me blood-sucking animals are flying about this town. You sir, are a story money making scoundrel and should leave this house immediately.” Rolena heard her Aunt yell. There were a lot of footsteps until somebody spoke up again.

“Miss Helen,” A man said calmly, “I am only trying to protect you. You and you’re neice don’t want to be sucked by a bunch of flying leeches, do you.” there was a echoed slap and an ouch.

“ My name is Helena. Do not come around here again. You understand.” There was no ‘Yes, Ma’am’ so Rolena thought that he just nodded his head and left. She was right as there was a slam and a shake of the glass door. Rolena blew a sigh of relief and came running down the steps one by one with a silent thump of her Uggs boots.

As she reached the bottom, Helena stands there with a large grimace on her now-pale face. For the second time Rolena stopped with a dead-silence. Helena started. She walked toward the sixteen-year-old girl with flourish.

“Were you listening to that little conversation.” She spoke softly. Rolena was better then being treated like a child.

“Yes, was all that true, aunt Helena.” She spoke even softer, “ About the vampires and stuff.” Helena shook her head and told the teen-ager to leave to where she needed to go. But now all Rolena could t
Sorry the last sentence is supposed to say.

But all Rolena could think about was vampires.

Cheesy I know. But I really like this idea and stuff.

Would this increase the value of of our home.

By on April 13th, 2009

My fiance and I are going to do some remodeling to our home. We are going to take out a wall in our kitchen and put in a breakfast bar. We were wondering if we should take out the laminate flooring and put hard wood or tiling. We plan on selling our house within the next five year and would like to make a good profit. We live on one of the nicest streets in our town outside of Indianapolis and purchased our house for a very good price because of it being slightly out dated and the bad market. Since then the market has increased by 5% and climbing. So would tiling or hard wood increase the value of our home. Also What would be the best for counter tops in our situation.
The house is dated 1900 btw & the wall coming down is going to make it open into the dining area. thanks for all answers:D

House A or House B. Which should I buy.

By on April 12th, 2009

I live in Atlanta and I am currently not single but not married and I have no kids but look forward to having 2-3. Also, my mother may move in with me one day so I need to consider that as well.
I found two homes and I’m having a very hard time deciding which I like best. Both homes cost 1.2 million dollars and are in a nice Buckhead neighborhood.

The first house is a five bedroom, 4 full and two half bath home. It has 4955 square feet. It is very executive looking and it has a lovely front porch. When you first walk in, it is very open with a formal dining and living room with a cute fireplace a a cute study nook with a nice built in desk. The kitchen and family room is right around the corner. The family room is spacious with room for a large tv and fireplace. Off the family room and breakfast nook is a nice balcony with a grill. The kitchen is very large and it has a 6 burner cooktop with a grill and griddle and seperate double ovens and a walk in pantry and it also has two islands. Upstairs is a nice reading loft, two bedrooms with a jack and jill bath and they share their own private balcony. The master suite is quite lovely with an expansive private, two sided fireplace looking into the master bathroom which has a jacuzzi tub for two, a steam shower, toilet and bidet, and separate vanities. There is a third level that has a gameroom and wet bar. There is also another very large bedroom suite with a separate tub and shower and a walk in closet. Next to the game room is a huge roof top deck with a jacuzzi and a another barbeque grill. On the basement level is a three car garage, a fitness room with a sauna and another bedroom suite. There is an elevator to access all for levels.

The second house is very, very lovely on the outside. It looks like a cute little European cottage. It also has five bedrooms and five and half baths. It is 4500 square feet. When you first enter, there is a beautiful staircase and a nice library with a two sided aquarium also seen by the dining room. The kitchen is absolutely fabulous. The refrigerator is huge and the freezer are integrated drawers next to it. They look like cabinetry. There is a convection oven and a steam oven and the microwave can function as a third oven. There is also a warming drawer. While there are only four cooktops, there is also a built in grill, steamer and fryer right next to it and there are two sinks and two dishwashers. The family room is absolutely incredible with a suspended fireplace near the center of the room and a gorgeous waterfall next to the tv. The kitchen, breakfast, and family room all have a wall of windows and doors that open into the deck. The master suite is also upstairs and it too has the suspended fireplace and the waterfall feature in addition to a nice breakfast bar. The bathroom is just as nice as the other house but without the fireplace and the closet is much larger. There are three secondary bedrooms on this level and they all have walk in closets and private baths with knee space. The basement level has a huge recreation room, a wet bar, a single car garage, a bedroom suite with separate jetted tub and steam shower and a fitness room with a sauna. This house also has an elevator to access all the levels.

Both of these homes are so wonderful. I really cant decide which is better. I love the kitchen, master and family room of the second but I love the balconies that the first offers. The first house has limited outdoor space but it is down the street from a park. The second house does have a nice large backyard with room for a pool.

Replace foam cushion when reupholstering chairs.

By on April 11th, 2009

I am reupholstering some kitchen chairs. I bought them new a few years ago, but the fabric was an off-white. You can imagine how they look now.

I’ve purchased new fabric, and was wondering whether it is necessary to buy new foam for the cushions. I’ve watched a few DIY videos online and some people cover tight over the old cloth.

I don’t plan on doing that, but not everyone replaces the cushions. Are there any guidelines I should be familiar with.