Normal is a relief, although my stomach is still being a jerk. It needs to get the message that everything is A-OK.

It's a friends-at-work thing

"Workplace proximity associate."

Steph, sorry your stomach is being a jerk. I mean, normal is good, but not know WTF is happening, STILL, is not.

So, Tom and I have rededicated ourselves to staying in this rental apartment (we've been here for 7+ years) and are investing in making it a better place for us to live. Is that like the absolute stupidest thing in the world to do, since we don't own the place? I'm trying to make sure that the stuff we purchase to do this can be moved with us eventually, but we also want to paint, put in some closet organization, put in new curtains and fixtures in the bathroom, and get organizers for one or two kitchen cabinets.

My landlord is all about us doing what we want to do to feel comfortable but we'll be paying for most (if not all) of this stuff (which is fine.)

Those all seem like reasonable investments in your happiness, and a hell of a lot less pain/expense than moving.

Maybe get the landlord to at least share cost on the bathroom fixtures, as that part seems less moveable.

Before I owned my house we always did way more than we maybe should have to rental properties. But we wanted stuff a certain way!

Not stupid. Making your environment comfortable and pleasant seems worthwhile to me. If it turns out to be more of an expense than an investment, that is okay. You do not have a fiduciary responsibility to turn a profit on your life.

You do not have a fiduciary responsibility to turn a profit on your life.

Oh, I like that.

And if paying for things like new bathroom fixtures means you will have a nicer place to live without paying more rent, that pretty much evens out, right?

-t is wise. And I agree. Making your home into the environment you want isn't stupid at all.

Continued stomach~ma, Steph, but yay for a behaving gallbladder. In terms of your parents, I just want to say ... bless you, my child.

Yeah, two apartments ago I got the manager's permission and painted both bedrooms a sea foam green, then moved out about 2 years later. It was still worth the effort to have walls that made me feel calm and happy.

Veggie tots could be life-changing. Must investigate.

I need these in my life, wherever I may find them.

And, cute sandals, Sparky. I have mad thong-style shoe envy. I've never been able to wear them for some reason, curse my short, square feet.