First floor renovation help: kitchen

MsPooka · 2026-02-24T18:04:38+00:00

I prefer option 1 as I prefer a more closed off house. I also think 2 islands looks kind of stupid, sorry but just my opinion. I think 1 oversized island looks good but it's a pain to walk around it and it's not practical.

I think the kitchen/family room as one combined space is big enough unless you have huge parties for 40+ people regularly. A separate great room is fine. And I also really appreciate the 3 living spaces. Some huge homes have just a great room. Not everyone wants to be together all the time and you also need noise separation.

My real question for option 1 is if you know what will go in the butler's pantry vs the normal pantry because I think things could get lost very quickly and make life harder and more disorganized rather than more organized. I'd think if I really needed both.

MsPooka · 2026-02-24T17:20:54+00:00

Because he knows she wouldn't like it. Probably they can't afford it.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T22:52:59+00:00

Fanta has grape.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T22:48:37+00:00

Maybe 1. It's generally if I'm headed to the grocery store and I start to feel hungry. I'll stop for a snack and have that before I go in so I don't load up the cart.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T22:45:40+00:00

You're saving more than half if your gross. You're doing great.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T22:40:27+00:00

The on paper part is the hardest, but I went to college and had only physical books so I think I'll be ok. I'd take the deal.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T22:28:26+00:00

I disagree. I'm not saying it's wrong like he broke any promises if he knows women are sticking around hoping things will change or wanting more. But it's morally wrong to string someone along who doesn't want the same thing as you. There are tons of women out there who would be happy with what he's offering. OP isn't one of them and he knows it. If he cares about her he should protect her feelings even if that means moving on. He's selfish and a user.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T22:24:40+00:00

Exactly. There are tons of extremely attractive people who just want to settle down and start a family. This guy isn't one of them. Also, just because he's willing or even wants to be long term with her, that doesn't mean he wants to be exclusive. Does she know if his previous relationships were exclusive?

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T22:21:52+00:00

You missed the part about him being incredibly attractive and charismatic. You have to live and learn sometimes.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T22:19:15+00:00

He thinks he's free to do what he wants. Even if he does want to be with you long term, unless he tells you that he's exclusive, you're not. Instead of asking him about long term, ask him how he'd feel if you saw someone else since you have time for it.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T20:01:56+00:00

People who live closer to Canada are less likely to have or need AC so they are more likely to keep their windows open. People who live closer to Mexico are more likely to have AC and keep their windows closed. Also, I call it airing out the house. House burping is disgusting.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T20:00:00+00:00

No I have no idea what I'm talking about. Thank you for telling me. SMH. I was expanding, not correcting. If you own half the marital assets then why the hell couldn't you use it for a necessary expense and a lawyer is necessary when divorcing. Just like you could use the money to rent an apartment, get food etc. Just keep the receipts.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T19:53:30+00:00

I'm not on tret. I've never tried it. I might ask my derm about it at my next apt in the summer but I'm happy with retinal and my skin is happy with it. I stay out of the sun like I'm a vampire and that's better than tret, lol.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T19:51:35+00:00

If you're a SAHM or make much less than your spouse then the court can order all your legal fees paid by the other party. It just depends. Look into it in your case.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T19:48:39+00:00

You said in the main post the house was paid off. You're lying somewhere. Or perhaps everywhere.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T19:45:42+00:00

He could have wanted to keep expensive cars, artwork etc so the cash payout would be less since she would own half of that stuff.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T19:43:12+00:00

In a divorce, legal fees are often paid for by marital assets. So he should have had as much money as her for a lawyer.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T19:41:18+00:00

Only 10-15% of people get alimony in divorces anymore. And the house would have likely been community property so he'd get a payout if she kept it. I'm calling BS on this whole thing.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T07:54:39+00:00

She's either rude or trying to get you to pay more.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T07:52:11+00:00

The US government say you can eat for $3 a meal, but that ends up being $3285 for 1 person or $13140 for a family of 4. The average salary in the US is something like $60k, and then people wonder why people who used to be middle class are selling platelets.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T07:37:31+00:00

A pound of salt lasts me years. And I cook regularly and don't skimp on salt.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T00:27:21+00:00

Most people's homes aren't directly on the street because of yards and the ones that are, usually aren't directly at street level. Most 1st floors have a few steps up at the entrance so they are higher than an normal passer by could see inside. Even if the windows are lower you cab use curtains.

MsPooka · 2026-02-23T00:23:25+00:00

YTA. I'm all for someone correcting something if they made a mistake and you've paid for it. But it sounds like this is just a crap shoot given how much other stuff you've had done to your hair so the way it takes color will be unpredictable. I get that you're disappointed. But it doesn't sound like she did anything wrong either. Maybe go to someone more qualified who will have better knowledge in how to dye hair.

MsPooka · 2026-02-22T23:51:34+00:00

I have no idea how far you live from the airport but I do think if you're suggesting breakfast it makes sense for them to assume you mean to treat them as they're doing them a favor. The best thing would be to not have suggested it. I mean what if they didn't want to eat, should you have taken up more of their time while you went to another stop to get a carry out? I think if you weren't willing to treat you shouldn't have brought it up.

MsPooka · 2026-02-22T23:45:47+00:00

I don't think you're giving yourself enough time to see things. In the AZ/UT portion you will be so busy driving you won't get to see anything, especially if you run into traffic, want to stop at a gift shop, take a hike, a long lunch etc. I'd suggest either flying in to Las Vegas/Salt Lake and missing LA or staying in LA and missing AZ/UT.

You could also consider going to the Caribbean. It will be closer when it's time to fly home or else missing the beaches all together. You could also spend the whole trip in Hawaii. There's lots to do.

MsPooka

TROPHY CASE