Roughly how much would this cost.

By on September 30th, 2010

**Before answering I would like to let you know that this is just a dream of mine to have, it most likely won’t happen and I do not need any harsh comments about what I’m doing wrong, thank you Extensive research will be done if this actually happens**

I have *always* wanted a farm/ranch, so I am wondering how much my dream house will cost:

– Large house, victorian style; 10,000 sq feet
– Land in suburbs of [ insert major city here ]; 50 acres
– Furniture in house
– Large in-ground pool & hot tub
– Barn
– Horse Stable
– Apple Orchard (15 trees)
– Sheep (15)
– Cow
– Horses (3)
– Goats (2)
– Turkey
– Dogs (4)
– Cats (2)
– Pigs (3)
– Animal supplies
– Backyard oasis (outdoor kitchen, patio, seating, pool {above})
– Fence to surround property
– Pond

Thanks in advance Please make an accurate a guess as possible, as “a lot” or “a few million” will not do.

Hmm, what to do about these pesky roommates.

By on September 29th, 2010

So I moved into a new place, in a new city where I don’t know very many people. The complex I moved into had roommate matching, which I thought was a good idea, and eh, they did ok. Maybe there’s a little more pink around the place than I’m comfortable with, but I can live with that.

I brought some fairly nice kitchen stuff with me because I like to cook intense foods with fancy European names. Yeah, it’s a little uncommon for a college student, but hey, shut up. When my roommates want to heat up their mac and cheese, they use my stuff. Which is fine. But then they leave it in the sink for days, and since I don’t have any money, I don’t have a *whole* lot of stuff, so when I want to use my own stuff, it’s dirty, unless I actively bother them to clean it, which is annoying for everyone. Plus they don’t really seem to know how to use it right (spread peanut butter with a steak knife) or take care of it (scratched up my nonstick pan with a metal fork).

So, what do I do, without being all irritating and awkward.

Dividing chores when both parents work.

By on September 28th, 2010

I work a full-time job outside the home. My husband is a contractor who works for himself. He has a lot of what I call “down time”. The kids are all in school now so he is open the whole day. Sometimes he works, sometimes he doesn’t.

Today, he went to the kids school to have lunch with them (we have three) and tonight is going to have a contract signed.

I will travel one hour home, pick up the little one at daycare and head home. I get home around 5:30. I leave at 7:45 to drop the little one off at school and head to work. He gets the other kids on the bus.

Sometimes he will run the laundry. He will never fold it or put it away.

He will clean the kitchen if it’s a real disaster or he wants to cook something. He doesn’t clean the stove or wipe the counters.

I fold and put away all the clothes. I make the seasonal switches. I regularly clean closets, organize drawers and clean out the kitchen cabinets etc.

I organize all the kids memorabilia. I organize the office. I organize the bathrooms. I clean up the house including putting throw blankets in the trunk, fixing the askew cushions on the couch, making all the beds, picking up all the dishes from around the house and picking up the dirty clothes from around the house.

I dust. I wash windows. I change and wash sheets.I empty backpacks. I put up notices. I set out the kids pajamas and their clothes for the next day. All without someone telling me to do it.

I empty trash. I sort recycleables. I remind him when it’s time to go to the dump. I make the grocery list, but he insists on shopping at Costco. He will pack the kids lunch, neglecting to put anything healthy in them, so I prefer to do it. I set everything out for breakfast in the morning for the kids. I set the coffee up for the next day, making sure the sugar is filled, that we have creamer and cups. I pay the bills. Make Drs appts. When we moved, I set up all the installations of various utilities.

He will often make dinner since he is home at 4p though he forgets things like vegetables. He gets the kids off the bus. He used to mow the lawn, but we don’t have one right now. We do have a yard that looks like Sanford and Son. There are dead plants in the planters, toys, tools all over the yard. The garage and basement are a disaster. It’s all his stuff so I can’t organize it even if I wanted to.

I’m feeling a wee bit burned out. I’ve asked him to help, even given specific tasks but he doesn’t do things the way I would do them (ie the kids lunches or cleaning counters). I hate to sound like his mother and I refuse to nag. No one tells me what I have to do. It needs to be done and I do it. He spends a lot of time screwing off on the computer and playing with his iPhone on the toilet. He does take the kids to soccer practice, but I’m at home doing dinner, homework etc.

What is reasonable.
Yes. I am OCD. And ADD. And we are less than a year into recovery from an affair he had for 7 of the 8 years we have been married. I was sexually abused as a child. I have trust issues clearly. I also have control issues, clearly. I don’t WANT to micromanage. I suppose if he met me halfway I wouldn’t feel the compulsion to have everything in it’s place. Oh and yes, I am under the care of a medical professional.
I don’t criticize him to HIM. I don’t complain that he doesn’t do it the way I would, he just doesn’t. That’s fine.

I’ve tried the reverse psychology thing and frankly, he doesn’t mind an unmade bed or pile of dirty clothes on the floor, or dishes all over the counters or food on the floors. I don’t think he necessarily EXPECTS me to do it, I just do it because it’s not important enough to HIM for HIM to do it.

Making dinner and forgetting vegetables is one thing. NEVER putting fruits or veggies in the meals is another.

Can I still drink coffee from 3-year old coffee beans.

By on September 27th, 2010

I found the coffee beans in my kitchen cabinet. They are good, expensive Hawaiian coffee beans, so I was wondering whether I can still drink the coffee from these beans. I know it’s not gonna be fresh, but is it still potable.

SMRT noises: Are you affected. And what can you do.

By on September 26th, 2010

In a densely built-up Singapore, many residents are living next to MRT tracks. The noise generated by the trains is very disturbing. Many people have raised concerns, due to sleepless nights and disturbances to rest and sleep.

The noise interferes with sleep in a number of ways like causing a person to awaken repeatedly, resulting in poor sleep quality as well as other impacts. It also alters sleep pattern by causing sleep to change from heavier to lighter sleep. It reduces the percentage and total time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The noise affects slow wave sleep, increase body movement and change cardiovascular responses. Subjected to 45 decibels of noise, the average person cannot sleep.

These affect mood and performance the next day and have adverse longer term effects.

The train noise level at the affected areas is typically above 60 dB (allowed by NEA), very much above the healthy limit (about 30-35 dB) recommended by WHO and values adopted by First World countries.

It seems that train noise level in Singapore is a problem that we have to live with.

Let us look at how Singapore compares to other First World countries.

SINGAPORE:

NEA regulation : http://app2.nea.gov.sg/circular_19950814.aspx

Noise limit: 67 dBA (Leq 1 hour)

AUSTRALIA:

NSW Government, Australia, Department of Planning: Clauses 87 (Rail) and 102 (Road):

If the development is for the purpose of a building for residential use, the consent authority must be satisfied that appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that the following LAeq levels are not exceeded:

- in any bedroom in the building : 35dB(A) at any time 10pm–7am

- anywhere else in the building (other than a garage, kitchen, bathroom or hallway): 40dB(A) at any time

Noise limit: 35 dBA (Leq 1 hour)

UNITED KINGDOM AND EUROPEAN UNION:

Refer to: BRITISH STANDARD (CODE OF PRACTICE) BS8233-1999: Sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings

Table 5:

Typical situations Design range LAeq,dB

Good / Reasonable

Reasonable resting/sleeping conditions

Living rooms 30 / 40

Bedrooms 30 / 35

Noise limit: 30 to 35 dBA (Leq 1 hour)

In UK, the train companies even pay the affected residents for the cost of sound-proofing their house.
There are many ways to sound proof a room. Similarly, there are many ways to reduce the train noise:

Eg: 1. installation of screen walls along track
2. add more sound absorbents on the rails and tracks

im designing my kitchen into a fun whimsical fast food restaurant theme for my kids.

By on September 25th, 2010

my question is where can i go who can i call to purchase restaurant memorabilia such as menu boards logos signs stuff like that and which restaurants will donate these items

anyone do a FHA or VA home loan.

By on September 24th, 2010

we are currently trying to get a loan for a home with VA, we found a lender a house and are in contract.
but ive heard VA and FHA can be picky as far as minor issues and wont let you close if they are not fixed, anyone know a site that will spell this out for me or know some issues that arose when you bought your home with them. the lender said VA and FHA guidelines are the same, so the appraisers look for the same stuff.
like ive heard that they wont let you buy if paint is peeling or there is not a railing on steps that have more than two stairs. must have GFCI outlets in the kitchens bathrooms and outside or garages. any other stipulations i should be aware of. just had our inspection done and want to know what i should ask for now since VA will want it done later anyways. to me i could fix most with a quick trip to home depot and a few tools, but not sure if VA feels the same

American vs British plumbing.

By on September 23rd, 2010

I’m British, but I’ve got used to living in American houses, and now I’m living in Britain and I’ve been remodelling my parents kitchen and laundry room. The plumbing behind the washer is very basic: The plumber literally just put in a stand pipe that the drain slots into, and two un-insulated copper pipes going along the wall to the supply valves. In America, they have things called ‘washer boxes’ that are fitted as standard, which is a neat box in the wall, containing the two supply valves (fitted with anti-water hammer devices) and a drain, with all the pipework concealed in the wall. Why don’t we have these in Britain. Also, 2 inch drain pipes are not vented, meaning when water is flushed down, it is syphoned out of the u-bend or trap (the ‘glugging’ noise), allowing sewer gases to enter the room. No sinks, showers, machines are vented in the UK it seems-only toilets. What’s this about. Additionally, when I was installing our dryer, I had a similar problem-in America, most flexible dryer vent ducts go into an aluminium box in the wall behind, and connects onto the rigid duct that goes outside, so you can push it against the wall without crushing the vent. I couldn’t find the box that goes in the wall anywhere in the UK, so I had to make one myself. Why is plumbing so basic in the UK.
washer box:
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres.imgurl=http://terrylove.com/images/washer_rough_b.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.terrylove.com/forums/showthread.php%3F23011-Washing-Machine-Box-Installation-Help&usg=__G42_VIjEaQdYVjlFmYKpWIHL5ek=&h=503&w=393&sz=67&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=BWSDF6V1B5klnM:&tbnh=168&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwasher%2Bbox%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D644%26tbs%3Disch:10,300&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=358&vpy=109&dur=558&hovh=254&hovw=198&tx=91&ty=156&ei=2DyaTMfZNs2FswakpaWYDA&oei=2DyaTMfZNs2FswakpaWYDA&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:0&biw=1280&bih=644

dryer box:
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres.imgurl=http://www.standexadp.com/CatImg/DB.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.standexadp.com/catproduct.php%3Fstyle%3DDB&usg=__0YLnfURLiTEXH_0NdK8PRw5DjiM=&h=230&w=322&sz=46&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=lmAgYbqYRcRIXM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=199&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddryer%2Bbox%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D644%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=325&ei=Vz6aTJWKHIuOjAf1tYToDw&oei=Ij6aTPLLLo6Vswbf-syQDA&esq=4&page=1&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&tx=129&ty=39

Should I take him up on his offer.

By on September 22nd, 2010

My contractor and I flirt a lot. We have been talking about remodeling my kitchen and I told him that one of my concerns is that I didn’t want to be in my house while the work was being done. He offered to have me stay in one of the properties that he owns. Is there something fishy with this.

something in my kitchen exploded what is it real question.

By on September 21st, 2010

we heard a boom in the pantry and somthing had blown up.there is glass on the floor for a wine bottle a glass bottle of grape juice and it smells like vineager. somthing blew up and we have no idea what it was also it was strong enough to blow up a wine bottle a a glass vineager bottle grape juice a platic seasoning container an blew juices all over the place also it blew off a support beam in between the shelves what could this have been i have no idea but it exploded with a big sound and it is all over the place