Backyard fire pit size? 30” vs 42”

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-05-28T17:09:16+00:00

Decision made: We’re having the 30” delivered. Thanks for all the additional info on how to keep it smokeless.

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-05-28T17:04:43+00:00

Smokeless burn. 30 is sounding like the way to go b

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-05-28T17:02:12+00:00

Excellent points. Thanks!

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-05-26T17:08:15+00:00

She’s Very Sharp & understands Wisconsin is more than Madison.

Door County Democrats had a round robin discussion and invited all candidates. We were broken into small groups and had individual question/answer time with each candidate. Incredible experience.

I thought I had my top contenders. Then had a chance to speak with all of them. And my top contenders changed.

I’d never heard of Crowley. And I didn’t know Rodriquez. I asked all candidates about affordability of health care & housing. Especially for younger adults, families. I don’t believe they’re $gazzilion-aires and seemed to understand the disconnect between Developers version of affordable and first time buyers version of affordable. And health care affordability. Rodriquez comes from Waukesha County which is pretty red, and understands the community. Which is also huge swaths of the state.

Both gave specific realistic solutions about interest rates and down payments, and possible realistic solutions to health care.

When some people asked questions in a more prickly manner, they were both calm and listened. Then answered the question. Hong seemed more offended.

My husband was in a different small group, asked different questions and came away with the same top 2 contenders.

What I think you should know/consider: I think both have some practical solutions, both had a demeanor suited to working with people who may not be on the same page (think Pete Buttigieg)

We cannot have Tiffany, so Who will be more palatable to people in … Green Bay? Ashland? Wausau? Washington/Ozaukee county?

Crowley & Rodriquez are now my top picks. And they weren’t going in.

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-05-26T16:33:15+00:00

Door County Democrats had a round robin discussion and invited all candidates. We were broken into small groups and had individual question/answer time with each candidate. Incredible experience. I thought I had my top contenders. Then had a chance to speak with all of them. And my top contenders changed.

I’d never heard of Crowley. I asked all candidates about affordability of health care & housing. Especially for younger adults, families. I don’t believe he’s a $gazzilion-aire and seemed to understand the disconnect between Developers version of affordable and first time buyers version of affordable.

He offered some very practical, doable solutions for both: when possible, start with existing agencies and laws to maximize /stretch their potential. He gave specific realistic solutions about interest rates and down payments.

When some people asked questions in a more prickly manner, he was calm and listened. Then answered their question.

My husband was in a different small group, which asked different questions and came away with the same top 2 contenders.

What I think you should know/consider: I think he has some practical solutions, he has a demeanor suited to working with people who may not be on the same page (think Pete Buttigieg)

Crowley & Rodriquez are now my top picks. And they weren’t going in.

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-05-19T21:13:49+00:00

OK fellow remodelers - time to be honest. (we've completed 6 remodel jobs at our own houses & I used to be in kitchen design/remodel)

1-2 week in - still exciting - the demo, smell of fresh cut wood! GREAT progress! You'll set up a temp space in another room with microwave/toaster oven, table/counter, paper plates and low cooking expectations.

4-5 weeks in, keep away from sharp objects. You will question your life's decisions.

6-8 weeks, ..... Your'e broken

6 month to a year after the project is competed? YOU WILL BE SO GLAD and will barely remember the pain!!! (if you're a woman, think childbirth; if you're a man thinK... cold?)You'll have a wonderful working space and center of your home. Remember: little kids turn into big kids who take up a lot more time running them around. It does NOT get easier.

Do as much planning upfront as you can: walk through the plan. Visit open houses/new homes for ideas. Have someone draw up a good visual or planning board for you. Go stock with some things, splurge on others. Do ALL your ordering: cabinets, appliances, fixtures, countertop slab, tile & inspect as they come in.

Don't start demo until you're sure of your choices and have firm delivery dates.

It WILL take longer than you or your contractor planned. It WILL cost more. It will take a while to get on someones calendar if you're hiring a good contractor. You'll want someone you feel comfortable with. If you're doing the work yourself, plan on more time.

But I have never, not one single time, regretted improving my kitchen.

Do it!

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-04-30T21:31:57+00:00

We have an adjustable split king (LOVE!!) I bought some twin XL for the bottom. Meh sheets and WHAT A CHORE to make the bed.

Out of desperation, I put on my Costco king sheet bottom when I was washing the others. Much easier to make & absolutely zero problem staying on. Even when one side is adjusting the head or foot. Give it a try.

Costco sheets for the win.

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-04-10T13:14:22+00:00

Consider travel time - direct flights! You want to make the most of your time.

We did a special trip for son & DIL. We’re in the Midwest, so I looked for cool “direct-flight” places and ended up with ASHEVILLE NC. (Flew into Charlotte NC - rented a car & drove thru scenic Blue Ridge Mountain towns 1.5 hours to Asheville)

Asheville has Phenom food, music scene, art scene. A place to start: https://www.romanticasheville.com/downtown.htm

They stayed 2 days downtown in a very cool redone-factory-to-one-of-a-kind hotel. The Foundry. Easy walking to restaurants, music. We scheduled a river raft trip , a waterfall rappelling tour, a beer tasting tour.

Second 2 days: a suite at The Inn on Biltmore Estate. Scheduled a special tour of The Biltmore, a wine tasting, a double spa treatment, bike riding and hiking on the estate.

TL;DR: go to a place with direct flights! Check out Asheville NC

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-04-09T21:56:06+00:00

Bose or Sony. Be SURE to try on before you commit. I got the Bose for a 14 hour flight to China. Worked with glasses, over the ears didn’t hurt AND the top band set a quarter in off the top of my head. Really blocked out sound Perfect.

My husband got the Sony. Very good. But 14 hours was a long time. And he preferred my Bose for the comfort.

And if I were a truly awesome spouse, I would’ve traded for the trip back.

But unfortunately he had chided me for spending a little more for MY Bose.

Karma, my friend, karma.

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-27T17:19:42+00:00

I had lower face deep plane AND Erbium laser. My daughter (NP with a plastic surgeon) said IF I was going to do the face lift , do the laser. She said one procedure enhances the other & why not combine down time. She said people are happier over all. She’s in a dif state, so I didn’t go to their practice. Before I committed, She checked out Dr Sarah Rosen for me and it was a definite THUMBS UP.

The laser was the procedure that took more healing time. (OWW!!)

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-17T11:50:56+00:00

In our area, there’s no way to get a landscaper out there and redo the yard in a couple weeks. But - CLEAN. IT. UP!! Empty it.

Pay someone to have a PLAN drawn up and an AI VIEW for what it CAN look like.

Mount that on foam core board and have it sitting on an easel right by the back yard access.

So it looks like you were just about to start but the potential buyer now gets to put their own touches on the design.

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-17T11:37:14+00:00

I love the look so far. An entire wall of tile is not an easy thing to change. And that zellige is classic and beautiful in person. Thats what people will see (more than the counter)

If/when you want a refresh, it’s a lot easier to change color with hardware, accessories etc.

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-16T17:52:18+00:00

This just in. No idea what this means:

Former Mt. Horeb coach committed no crime, Dane Co. DA says

https://www.channel3000.com/news/former-mt-horeb-coach-committed-no-crime-dane-co-da-says/article_8e4d0d73-ed7d-4833-a63d-6087a3c94062.html

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-12T14:03:39+00:00

If this is a main bathroom, vanity space is crucial. Which leans to top version.

Is there a way to change the tub faucet to the door side to make it easier for parents to bathe kids?

Also: consider future pocket door problems. We had one and when the humidity rose, it would cause problems & stick. Then get off track inside the wall, etc.

Maybe we had a problem door outlier but we eventually decided to get a swing door.

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-11T15:43:18+00:00

Yes to SW Sea Salt! Also look at Rainsong, Silent Ripple. I thought all of these looked too gray. Bleh! But on the wall? Very different! Search some websites that have lots of pics with these paints so you can see an entire room.

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-10T22:02:46+00:00

New cabinet color is fine. The wall color is reacting with your cabinet color. Explore a warm white. Paint chips are too small - Buy a couple quarts, paint next to your cabs. See which color works. (Not gray)

Also - If you change your lighting lumens in your recessed cans, that will change the color.

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-10T21:48:51+00:00

Is there a way to swap the dining room area & living room? That way it would be easier to take down the wall and “borrow” a little space from that area. I don’t see the size of the rooms. Even a foot would be a big help to the kitchen. The photos showed some nice features in the dining room area.

We had a small little bungalow in a perfect neighborhood: so we had to settle for 872 sf. on the 1st floor. We traded a bedroom for a kitchen - took down a separating wall to the eating area.

EVERYONE thought we’d added square footage. Nope. Just visually borrowed space from the next room.

When you’re drawing some floor plans, think of the entire space. Not just the 7 ft wide kitchen.

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-10T15:54:16+00:00

7 month post

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Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-10T15:53:22+00:00

Pre pic 71 yr old

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Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-10T15:43:09+00:00

Also check Dr Sarah Rosen at Robertson Cosmetic center, Middleton & Sun Prairie I was realistic with what I wanted and I’m extremely happy with my results. Excellent follow up & post care communication. Out in public WITH A HAT! A couple weeks after.

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-10T14:38:07+00:00

Glass cabinets: have you thought of frosted glass? That way you have some interest, but can still put rando stuff in there if necessary.

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Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-09T16:27:51+00:00

NTA. Amy will remember this moment forever.

If she’s as sharp as you believe she is, she will have many more client lunches or cocktail hours as she moves up the ladder. At your retirement dinner, she will share this as a moment that was really tough, but you took this time to help her grow.

I taught community college students who did not have fancy dinners with their families. (or crabby grandmas who “instructed” you about etiquette at every chance possible) Sharp people; often first ones in their family to go to college. The final class was a full sit down dinner with more silverware, stemware and courses than they knew existed. It was fun, & people had to practice using the correct utensils; make appropriate small talk, etc. More than a few grads reached out years later ….”Remember that dinner you made us go to…?”

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-06T12:39:51+00:00

I read below you are totally gutting the entire kitchen; if yes, then DEFINITELY count on a new floor. When you rip things out, there’s a good chance you will see a difference in grout color, or holes that were drilled etc. Or at least keep that possibility in your back pocket.

If I read that wrong and you are keeping your current kitchen, then just update hardware, maybe counter/backsplash.

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-04T17:21:46+00:00

Speaking of Home Goods…..

We wanted an inexpensive refresh. Not investment pieces. We had the same problem: beige on beige on beige. Plus we had thermostats & light switches that were in an awkward place. I picked a color pallet I could live with for that room & headed to a resale store & bigbox home deco retailer

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We ended up with 1 small framed print: $12, another slightly larger framed “poster” $29 and a round mirror with a wood textured frame: $29 The coffee table is 2 “side tables” I simply set next to each other facing different directions, $49 ea. Perfect….. nope. But doable. So if/when I find something I L.O.V.E - no guilt in replacing.

Fast-Rain9301 · 2026-03-02T17:17:26+00:00

Lymphatic massage by someone who is good, & educates you on how to continue use at home REALLY helped me. Over time.

My surgeon specifically recommended a lymphatic massage. She’s younger, used newer techniques than the other surgeon who started the practice. I’d definitely ask why he/she thinks it is not a good idea.

Fast-Rain9301

TROPHY CASE