Comments on: I Hope You Like Book Reviews

By: Bunny

Bunny — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 23:10:50 +0000

I just want to add: Ditch the knotty pine! It is such a dated look and can feel dark and depressing. It gets old fast. What I would suggest, which I have seen done, is to paint the knotty pine the color of choice, whether it is pink, white, or whatever. Then you go back over and sand it off, leaving hints of the color and brightening the whole wall treatment. I have seen this done and it looks really pretty. I have no doubt this room will be fabulous when you are done!

By: RuthieK

RuthieK — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 13:44:38 +0000

Personally I think a basement is a dark place and the pine would be nicer painted cream, I’d also remove the fireplace and have as much cream/white furniture as possible.
But its not my house or my room so do what makes for a nice happy space for you.

I feel for you on the ‘Love Life’ question. I’m married so don’t get that but people do ask about kids – why? – I am a whole person whether I am married or not, have kids or not

By: Pyrose

Pyrose — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:11:55 +0000

Well, I happen to be married with kids. The annoying question I get all the time is “Are you going to have another?” And it’s never just a casual asking because if I answer they immediately demand “Why/Why not?” I usually just tell them I don’t like that question and find it rather weird at times. I enjoy the looks on their faces. Then again, I’m rather blunt.

By: Vivienne

Vivienne — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:44:07 +0000

also – I had no idea this was an offensive rude question. I won’t be throwing it out there so casually anymore.

By: Vivienne

Vivienne — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:37:44 +0000

Doesn’t everyone’s sewing room look like that?

How’s your love life? (unspoken addendum- because mine is the same old same old and it really wouldn’t make much of a conversation. I imagine your life is like a glamorous TV show). The one that gets me is how people assume I won’t let my husband have a family or even a dog because I’m “too career oriented”.

One of my aunts always used to answer, “You know what they say..if you have to ask….” and scandalize everyone.

By: chicago sarah

chicago sarah — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:40:56 +0000

The moving is looking good. I’m not just saying that because your “mess” looks like parts of my apartment at any given time, either.

I hate that rude question- and I’m sorry to say I haven’t any good answer for it. I try really hard not to ask anyone, even close friends, because it just stinks to be on the receiving end.

By: JustGail

JustGail — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:23:48 +0000

Your ARE moving. Just because it’s within your own house doesn’t make it a trivial job. I agree that some of these TV shows make organizing look way to easy – “just toss some stuff, buy some baskets, and viola! you’re done”

On the paneling – I’d decide on shelving and other storage first, it may be that once it’s up and filled, there wouldn’t be a lot of paneling showing. If you really dislike – paint away, you are the one living with it. Perhaps a good cleaning would brighten the paneling also?

Personally, I’d be carefull about how deep the shelves are. For me, deep shelves seem to turn into a horror of having to constantly unpack to reach items in back, not to mention forgetting what’s at the back. 1 box deep is my limit now.

I love book reviews. I’ve added some gems to my collection based on other’s reviews, and am watching for a few others.

Have enjoyed your blog for a couple of years now – thanks for taking the time to write!

By: Carole

Carole — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:41:17 +0000

You probably won’t get this far down in comments, but please don’t paint over that knotty pine. You can probably sell it for enough to cover the installation of drywall.

By: AnaJan

AnaJan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:25:34 +0000

Hm… my neighbors tend to ask me when I’m gonna get married. My reply is always the same – As soon as I find a groom. Rude question, and certainly nobody’s business.

However, the thing that annoys me more than the question is that everyone feels free to advice me. Do I have to mention those people are usually unhappily married? And most of advices sound like offenses to me. People say I’m too picky, a snob or that I have raised my standards too high. Well, after years of bad dates and ridiculous men in my life, I say I am reasonably careful.

Keep posting, I love reading your blog!

By: Vicki

Vicki — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:08:17 +0000

Your basement looks like my whole house! Monday is moving day for us. I can’t believe how much fabric I have found either! Ooopss…but it has been very handy for wrapping up the breakables.:)
I think it is rude for people to ask about your love life. I have had a couple of those questions recently. I was married for 27 years and I AM NOT going to rush into a new relationship. Why do people think we need a man!?

By: Sally D

Sally D — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:55:32 +0000

It is a very rude question! I would say , with a look if intrigue on my face, “I’ll have to get back to you on that” and let it go.

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:55:04 +0000

HA! That was the first thing I thought of when I read about the “dinner party question” – Bridget Jones! Maybe that’s how you should respond the next time it’s asked: smile and say “Super Uncle Jeffrey!” irregardless of what their name actually is – and do it in an english accent!

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:33:04 +0000

My parents have wood-panelled walls in the basement too that my mom REALLY wants to spruce and lighten up, but that my dad likes (no taste). So her idea (when she can get to it/convince my imagination-challenged dad) is to put a chair rail on the wall about 1/3 of the distance up from the floor (rule of thirds!), paint the upper portion a light colour, and leave the lower portion the panelling. I think it’ll look really smart, and it may be something that would work in your space too, too much wood gets confining-feeling unless you’re in some 17th century English country manor that’s huge.

By: Gabrielle

Gabrielle — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:26:13 +0000

Sadly enough, I was asked the love-life question when I was single, and now that I’m not I get this “so how are things between you and the man” question. Please. The only ones qualified to ask these questions already know the answer anyway. My mother has this technique where she replies very politely and curiously, “why do you ask?” and then waits with amusement for the stammering to begin. I can never get that right–one has to sound bland for it to work, and I always sound pissy. Anyhoo, that room will be great when it’s finished. And i’m with those who love the fireplace!

By: barb

barb — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:58:10 +0000

Hi Cidell
Two things first you have to give those rude people a reply that will let them know the question was inapropate. I always tell people when they ask I am married to Jesus. This being said they know to move on. Trust me people will not go any further with the questions.

Second I recently watched a eposide on Mission Organization where they redid a sewing room in Pink Black and White it turned out GREAT and your space is big enough. I say paint the wood it will brighten up the space.