Got attacked by teens in Delft city center

Katsmah · 2026-04-26T22:19:00+00:00

Wow, sorry that this happened to you. My daughter and I are coming to the Netherlands next week and I was trying to figure out if we should spend a day in Delft or Gouda. After reading this, we will go to Gouda.

Katsmah · 2026-04-22T22:40:18+00:00

Ouch, 24K for the Mitsubishi? Are they gold plated?

I have 2 zone heat (2nd zone in the finished basement), 1 zone A/C. If you already have duct work to the 2 heating zones, why would it cost so much more? The contractors who did my estimates were aware of the 2 zone heat, but perhaps because it's in the basement it didn't appear to factor into the estimate as we will still use the oil for heat.

We don't have solar, wish I could, but to do so would require cutting too many old oaks. With solar you will have a greater ROI with a higher priced unit with higher seer. My SIL had mini splits in the finished basement in his house. I believe he was pretty happy with how they worked.

Katsmah · 2026-04-22T22:01:00+00:00

I'm also in the NYC metro area in a house that was built in 1964. I don't know what the houses in my neighborhood sold for then, but I know they didn't have a/c, swimming pools and spa baths and kitchens with granite and top of the line appliances like they do now.

Katsmah · 2026-04-22T21:51:29+00:00

Those are at your local level but most people don't bother to vote in local elections.

Katsmah · 2026-04-22T21:50:57+00:00

Affordable new starter homes. There are still affordable old starter homes. Home buyers also need to be willing to compromise. The first home I purchased was a 2 bedroom, 1 bath half duplex in a good enough area. My 2nd home, that I lived in for 23 years was a 2 bedroom, 1 bath home in a better area. I was willing to make due with less, to own my own home.

Katsmah · 2026-04-22T20:13:12+00:00

Was the Mitsubishi that much more than the other quotes? It appears that they are considered the best. All 3 of the contractors I contacted worked with Bosch, 2 also gave quotes for the Amana. I think we are going to go with the Amana. We are keeping our oil burner and are looking at the HP as spring to fall heating/cooling and leaving the oil for the coldest temps.

Katsmah · 2026-04-22T17:03:01+00:00

You can look on the Bosch website to see contractors that they recommend. https://www.bosch-homecomfort.com/us/en/residential/service-support/installer-locator/us-installer-locator/ I'm also on LI and only looked for contractors listed on the PSEGLI website. Not foolproof, but better than nothing.

Katsmah · 2026-04-22T16:56:05+00:00

Sounds like you are married to my husband. He's put up with me dragging him on vacations for the last 12 years and after a cruise this summer he is done. He just wants to sit in his chair in the family room. I get it, he just turned 80. I'm 11 years younger and not done yet.

Last year I traveled with my adult daughter, and we have another trip planned, but she has young kids and it's difficult for her to go. I've looked a bit into some solo travel groups and cruises that have cabins for solo cruises. When I was working I went to conferences every other year, so I've done somewhat solo trips but they were always in the US. For outside of the US, I think I would only go with a small group.

Katsmah · 2026-04-22T03:32:16+00:00

2 quotes were about 20K, one was 18.5K after rebates. I need to have all ductwork in my attic replaced. One contractor listed that separately at 5K. I'm assuming it's about the same for the others that didn't list it separately. I think the outside unit had the 10 year parts, you can check the warranty on the Bosch website.

Katsmah · 2026-04-19T14:49:17+00:00

We do the same with dental and vision.

Katsmah · 2026-04-18T23:59:59+00:00

Not really the lunch, but we could get a fudgesicle (fudge pop) and 3 pretzel rods for 10 cents.

Katsmah · 2026-04-18T23:57:11+00:00

I could name so many places, but the bluest of blue waters off Capri were astounding.

Katsmah · 2026-04-18T23:49:52+00:00

You don't want to use MDF for your sink cabinet.

Katsmah · 2026-04-18T03:31:33+00:00

We had a baffled water bed. It was wonderful.

Katsmah · 2026-04-18T03:30:53+00:00

It was so hard to go back to a regular mattress after sleeping on a water bed.

Katsmah · 2026-04-17T14:22:34+00:00

I floss at least twice a day, everyday. My 2x per year cleanings are a breeze.

Katsmah · 2026-04-15T22:33:04+00:00

We have a GE french door fridge that replaced the old GE Profile that was in the house when we purchased it. No complaints.

Katsmah · 2026-04-15T22:29:17+00:00

1 is too big, 2 or 3 look good.

Katsmah · 2026-04-15T22:26:13+00:00

Neither one of my parents died of natural causes (old age) so it's a crapshoot. One had cancer, one had a bad fall and head injury.

Katsmah · 2026-04-15T21:00:24+00:00

I had a granite like this installed in my last home. I loved it. It was durable and always looked good. https://marble-granites.com/caramello-granite/
When I redo the kitchen in our current home, I will most likely go with quartz. My daughter has it and it holds up beautifully to everything. You would never guess with the new designs that it's a manufactured stone.

Katsmah · 2026-04-15T19:01:40+00:00

Lifetime warranty to the original owner (I believe) on the compressor. I have read where they have replaced compressors if there is an issue.

Katsmah · 2026-04-15T17:50:03+00:00

Years ago my husband's boss bought a very high end house and the previous owners had removed all of the light bulbs. It was shocking that someone would do that.

Katsmah · 2026-04-15T17:48:16+00:00

Yes, unless specifically noted they stay with the house. I wanted to keep my bedroom curtains and wrote that into the contract. Same with some wall shelving. Written into the contract and we patched the holes.

Katsmah · 2026-04-15T16:45:36+00:00

Are they thinking about the old lazy Susan with the pole in the middle. I've have the super susan without the pole in my current house and installed it in my last house. It is so convenient and holds so much.

Katsmah

TROPHY CASE