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I don’t understand gas fireplaces. It’s a great idea, except for the on-off switch that is directly at eye level for the 18-month-old who likes pushing buttons and flipping switches. (We haven’t even lit the pilot light the last two winters.) It’s a great idea, except for the hole in the west wall. (We’ve filled the fireplace vents with trash bags and duct-tape blankets over the fireplace in an attempt to block the draft. And we still have to burrow down under blankets every time we want to watch TV when the west wind is blowing.)
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I don’t understand how a house built five years ago, with super-thick walls for extra insulation, can have such a wind blowing out of the electrical plates. Brr!
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I don’t understand painting houses all one color. I get that it’s economical and easy. I get the whole “neutral allows people to see themselves in it” argument. But who came up with the bright idea to paint the entire house in the most lacking-in-personality color you can possibly come up wtih, even the ceiling? I mean, come on!
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I don’t understand wire shelving. Why would you deliberately install shelves that cannot hold books, spices or toys with small parts on them?
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Speaking of spices, that brings me to the kitchen. Will someone please explain boxed mac & cheese to me? You still have to boil the water, cook the pasta, cut the butter & wait for it to melt. The only time you are saving, MAYBE, is in cutting cheese. I just don’t get it. We had a long discussion on Facebook a few weeks ago on this topic, but I still don’t get the convenience factor (because it’s not any easier) and I REALLY don’t get the appeal of greasy, clumpy mac & cheese. But, Michelle, you will be happy to know we’re having your REAL mac & cheese recipe for dinner tonight. (The one that does NOT call for Velveeta.)
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Okay, that’s enough negativity. I think you need some cute home improvement takes now. Like this:
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And like this:
Have a great weekend!
Kathleen M. Basi 
Our gas fireplace has the switch at regular light switch height – bummer that yours is so low.
I know what you mean about the wire shelving. I have flat brown paper bags in my close so I can stand up photo albums on the shelves
I’m with you – one-tone houses are boring!
Wire shelving – have you ever tried to assemble one of those wire cube units, the kind with the little clips for each corner? If you have not tried it, I warn you to stay AWAY!!
GF– I LONG for a the problems of a 5 yo house! Try a 40 yo one. Just put in all new windows. Could think of several ways to spend that money, all of them much more fun! have a great weekend!
Hee hee! Yes, Stephanie, you humble me. (Must stop griping…must stop griping…that’s the Monday post.)
Renee–I cut up cardboard boxes and laid them over my pantry shelves. When (if) we ever build a house, a humongous walk-in pantry is on my must-have list. 🙂
Kathleen–thanks for the warning. I’ll be sure to heed it.
Ok. About the mac and cheese. I cannot find a recipe for homemade mac that is creamy. Maybe I’m just looking the wrong places. Enlighten me. I was trying to use real cheese and I think I’m going to have to go the velveeta route unless you tell me a better way.
Also, pizza dough.
Pizza dough I can’t help you on. Christian’s still trying to figure out the trick to his mom’s (which is yummy) and I use the bread machine.
But my s-i-l Michelle (all kinds of awesomeness) gave me a mac & cheese recipe. I’m going to try it tonight. Tell you what, I’ll give you a bonus post today. Check back momentarily.
Hi Kathleeen
Thanks for the comment on “my web log (imaginative title ain’t it?)
I was almost flummoxed by your blog. Clicking the link brought me to an old post from 2008 and I couldn’t leave a comment! But I didn’t give up.
I agree with all your “I don’t understand(s)”
The only thing I can say about the macaroni and cheese is that maybe they do something to the pasta that makes it get soft faster?
More likely it’s a trick to get you to buy something that is way more expensive that what it cost the producers to manufacture.
My mother used to make a great mac & cheese recipe with Kraft Cracker barrel cheddar and homemade stewed tomatoes and a crust of crispy bread crumbs on top. I want to get the recipe and make it for my family. My wife thinks it’ll just taste like spaghetti, but it doesn’t.
Have you tried putting those insulating foam things behind your switch plates?
Anyway, re: your comment, the choir thing is a misery. I plan the music. I sort it into folders in my cold cellar, I print out new music and make all these plans for what we’re going to sing at Mass, and bam, 2 of my 3 basses aren’t coming, and 2 of my 4 sopranos aren’t coming! It’s a potluck too, so, it kind of messes up the meal when some of the cooks don’t come.
Thanks again for visiting and for your comment.