I'm sad today, because we did ALL the math yesterday and decided not to buy that gorgeous house. We could technically afford it, but we would be always worrying about money and hoping nothing major came up in the first few years, which in a 101 year old house is pretty risky to hope for.

I feel pretty stupid being sad that I am not rich enough, when we are so rich. So I am sad AND guilty!

Don't feel guilty, flea. Missing out on such a nice house is sad-making. But it sounds like the sensible decision.

I love "Timelines!" as a greeting! Good job, autocorrect. And I hope you get helpful answers to those minor issues, tommyrot.

Frankly, flea, as awesome as that house is (and it is!), if it's going to cause more stress than pleasure, then you've made the right decision. Also, I don't know about your area, but here the market is so hot that I'm sure it's cruising for another fall. Which is why I am not going to try to buy right now: I can't take the risk of getting overextended.

Instead I'm going to refinance to a 15-year mortgage (which would pay it off just as I retire, if I retire at 65), and take some money out to put in new cabinets and countertops in my kitchen. I've hated the counters since I bought the place 14 years ago, and if I'm going to stay, by golly, at least I'll have a kitchen I like, with enough storage space.

This means I get to spend lots of time on places like Houzz, looking at countertop ideas. I'm leaning towards butcherblock, because it's at least technically renewable (or maybe even salvage if I get lucky), and it's more consistent with the cottage-look of the house. None of the really high-tech materials would work, although I'm partial to the engineered quartz as well.

Timelines! Ha!

Sorry flea, but major issues with older house is a fact of life no matter how pretty they are. (Full Copper Repipe, etc.) Being adult and responsible with the cash is no fun at all.

I hope the answers are as painless as the injection, tommyrot.

The upshot of this evolutionary change is that random liver/metabolic enzymes show up in some people and not in others, which makes certain kinds of drugs a crapshoot. Same dose that does a perfect job on one person could be an overdose for another, or because of a very efficient liver never reaches clinical levels in the blood.

When they were deciding on meds for me the doctor did a cheek swab for a genetic report that came back with listings of all the things I could absolutely never take, things that worked too well, and things that didn't work at all. It was interesting. Most of the pain killer type medications are off the table, with some 'potentially fatal' notations. I could have told them that stuff didn't agree with me.

I'm leaning towards butcherblock, because it's at least technically renewable (or maybe even salvage if I get lucky)

I love my butcherblock counters. I need to be better about oiling them regularly but they still look pretty great after 6 years.

That's fascinating, Laura. I had no idea we could do that!

I like the look of butcherblock, but I've never had it to know if I like it in a practical way. In any case, sounds like a good plan, Consuela.

One of the things about butcherblock is that it's actually pretty hygienic: despite being organic, it doesn't hold germs the way we used to think.

That's good the hear, Consuela. My mind was stuck in a 'can't clean the germs' place. It is so beautiful. (wood freak)

Yes, -t. I had never heard of such a thing and it was an interesting read. Confirmed my instincts about not taking NSAIDs and verified my miserable experience with any pain killers tried. This was a big issue after surgery. My body objected big time. And of course listed a bunch of things I never heard of which either worked super well or not at all for me if I ever have the need. Good thing for the hope I never need to use pile.

I'm sorry, flea.

That sounds fun, Consuela! My ideal kitchen has slate counter tops, but that's just me liking a matte stone. [link]

I loooove butcher block counters. If I ever remodel here, that's what I'll choose. Stone seems less forgiving for a clumsy plate-dropper like me. Although stone floors and backsplash are nice, depending on texture and color.

Actually, my dream backsplash is one-inch glass mosaic tile, in pellucid, watery shades of aquamarine.

I've seen a shower wall done in four-inch square glass tile, shading lighter from turquoise at the bottom to pale aquamarine at the top. Seemed appropriate for a watery enclosure.