Skip to content

43 Comments

  1. Susan Eckman
    September 20, 2018 @ 9:38 am

    A while back you posted info about animal rehab groups who used old fur coats to comfort rescued wildlife. I have some to donate. Can you pass on any info?

    Reply

    • nah
      September 26, 2018 @ 1:40 pm

      Or you could just… find the post?

      Reply

  2. Lora
    September 20, 2018 @ 9:52 am

    1. Paul is worth his weight in gold.
    2. How exactly did the mirror get mounted? Are there brackets that we cannot see that were screwed into the wall? Or is it just a miracle.

    Reply

  3. Shelley
    September 20, 2018 @ 9:54 am

    We like our “Arlo” cameras, wireless, thus easy easy install. Notifications on the phone when they motion detect. You can check the camera view anytime. They’re inexpensive…user friendly.
    Annnd, they can be set up to watch the pets = pure entertainment!

    Reply

    • Jennifer
      September 20, 2018 @ 10:19 am

      I’ve heard great things about these “Arlo” cameras, as well. And, better still, they can be purchased at Costco which had an amazing return policy if you don’t love them.

      Reply

    • Sam's Mom
      March 20, 2019 @ 8:08 pm

      We have Arlo at both our home and business. Love it. I am just catching up with this blog, love it

      Reply

  4. Allie
    September 20, 2018 @ 10:08 am

    The mirror looks amazing! Is your new idea to turn the kitchen into a ballroom? Because I think that would be divine.
    xAllie
    http://www.theallthatglittersblog.com

    Reply

  5. Jen McKeon
    September 20, 2018 @ 10:14 am

    VEB, this post (the part about the GFT) is wonderful!!! I myself just purchased a 7’x4′ mirror and have been trying to figure out how to address the “molding” issue. We were forced to secure it to the wall above the baseboard, and it just looks so odd. NOW I HAVE A PLAN! Thank you.

    I am so sorry someone took your van. We have motion sensor lights around our home, I am not sure the deter anyone, they just pop on and off all night as the night kitties prowl around 🙂 Best of luck!

    Reply

  6. Vickie H.
    September 20, 2018 @ 10:16 am

    I feel you! We were burglarized on 8.3.17 and it turned us upside down. We have spent months researching security cameras for all around our home and it is absolutely mind-numbing how much information (good & bad) that is out there to be sifted through! I can not encourage you strongly enough to read ALL the reviews out there on EVERY SYSTEM you are considering. They run the gamut…….We still haven’t chosen cameras but did get the best ADT security system they offer….it is better but we still don’t feel totally protected and we live in a nice neighborhood. It will come but at what cost, we wonder. How much is our safety/confidence worth? Turns out maybe quite a lot! Burglars left doors open and back gate so, of course, our dogs got out (a pit bull and a dalmation who clearly allowed the burglars to break in through a metal exterior door and then partied with them because no blood was shed)…a neighbor took a pic of our dalmation in the alley and posted it on our Nextdoor app….we are so lucky no animal was harmed…cats did not escape at all. Everyone is microchipped even though the cats never go outside but still: this could have been disastrous. We can replace crap they stole but not our beloved pets. You will find another van…we have one as well and we know how valuable a resource one is. Or the police MAY find yours abandoned nearby and hopefully NOT torn up! Prayers for you both! Good luck!

    Reply

  7. Janice
    September 20, 2018 @ 10:16 am

    You guys are perfect together. Love the mirror. It is stunning. Great video. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

    • Janice
      September 20, 2018 @ 10:20 am

      Wow, I had stopped at the video to comment so I hadn’t noticed about your van. That’s horrible. I keep hearing about Ring security system. Best of luck finding out who took it.

      Reply

  8. Deborah
    September 20, 2018 @ 10:16 am

    Don’t give up on socializing feral kittens, it does take a bunch of time and hiding behind the couch before they decide you are not evil. And if you can lay on the couch long enough for them to be sure you are asleep or dead, they will come lay on your chest until you breathe too boisterously….. it’s a process.

    Reply

    • Teresa
      September 20, 2018 @ 2:54 pm

      I agree. Our little feral kitten is now a strapping 16 year old queen bee. We are her willing slaves. She still gets frightened at thunderstorms, but otherwise, total blasé about the world.

      Reply

  9. liz
    September 20, 2018 @ 10:47 am

    So sorry about the van. It’s such a creepy feeling to think of someone walking around your property late at night. We installed the Ring system after a break in on our street – best investment EVER!!!! I am sure there are other great security systems out there- but for the price & ease of use, we have been very happy.

    Reply

  10. Lisa
    September 20, 2018 @ 10:50 am

    Our minivan was stolen from the parking lot of an auto parts store; the husband was getting it in good enough shape to drive it an hour to junk it. Before the police could arrive, the thieves RETURNED the van and ran. Apparently, a van with no a/c and a driver’s window that doesn’t work wasn’t what they wanted. It makes a great story; the minivan so bad even the thieves won’t drive it.

    Crossing my fingers that YOURS is located and returned. Bad people annoy me.

    Reply

    • Jacquelyn
      September 20, 2018 @ 1:27 pm

      LOL, we had a suitcase stolen at San Francisco airport but it was found in the mens restroom, open but nothing missing. Guess they don’t have a trach and need trach supplies! They picked the right suitcase to steal. Also makes a great story. Our junk isn’t worth stealing!

      Reply

  11. Bleubook
    September 20, 2018 @ 10:50 am

    I am all about the Arlo. Our house has very limited exterior electrical outlets. The Arlo runs on batteries. It has a night vision mode, optional monitoring, and other accessories (Like battery powered security lights) available. And it is discrete and waterproof, and you can order “skins” on amazon to help camouflage its appearance.
    I use this in combination with the ATT digital life security system…but I probably would have just gotten a NEST if I didn’t already have ATT for our wireless.

    Reply

  12. Julia
    September 20, 2018 @ 10:51 am

    Screw the kitchen, just make it into a dance studio…

    Reply

  13. Joanie
    September 20, 2018 @ 11:02 am

    So sorry, hope the van finds its way home, smooshlove on the kitties for comfort. And, I ALWAYS look forward to watching you and Paul dance so beautifully. I’ve only been at it 4 months….when is is supposed to turn info fun, haha?

    Reply

  14. Lori W.
    September 20, 2018 @ 11:07 am

    Good to see you back in your groove!! People in and out of your house is fun, but it can get old pretty quickly. Normalcy is best. A word to the wise, RING is easily hacked. I would probably go with a monitored security company combined with good outside lighting on sensors. They can secure everything and put sensors when someone crosses the property line from the roadway.

    Reply

  15. Cait Y.
    September 20, 2018 @ 11:25 am

    Winston got adopted!! This is the best news.

    Reply

  16. Robyn Beagle
    September 20, 2018 @ 11:27 am

    We have a Frontpoint system and I love it. The initial cost of the sensors and stuff is heavily discounted when you buy it all in a package at the beginning. We do pay a monthly monitoring fee but that includes hosting for the cameras and fantastic customer service. We live in a high-risk wildfire area and so I wanted the heat/smoke sensors that are monitored so if we are not home, they will contact the fire department. I accidentally set of a sensor once and the phone rang before I even realized what the alarm sound was. The person calling was very professional and helpful. Every time I’ve called needing help with a camera or whatever, the customer service has been astounding. I love that I can check on my pets on the cameras when I’m not home. Their system is completely customize-able and has worked flawlessly for us. I wasn’t comfortable installing just cameras and flood lights, I wanted a monitored system.

    I hope the van is found salvageable, and doesn’t impact your kitten-saving which is of course the most important thing!! Hugs to you!

    Reply

  17. Toni
    September 20, 2018 @ 11:43 am

    Too bad “porch cat” didn’t turn into “ATTACK cat”! Cant wait to see your finished kitchen! It will be amazing!

    Reply

  18. NevadaNy
    September 20, 2018 @ 12:07 pm

    Get a Gate. I live in rural Nevada, and some idiot drove a big truck onto our property and went off our dirt road and BARELY missed our Well! We could tell by the tire tracks it was Big.
    Had it hit the Well, it would have been a massive $$$$$$$$$ big deal.

    I called the cops, and one came out and gave us great ideas-the main one being a New Big Strong Gate. I painted it Turquoise and we put in big railroad ties to fence it in. Not your style I know….but think of a fancy Black Victorian Wrought Iron Gate….
    Your thieves have to be teenagers or a drunk crazy guy — to rip off an old van. Not some serious thieves.
    But you made it easy for them. Put up a big strong gate. Walk to the end of your driveway and turn around and think like a thief. Big Boulders, Fencing, Solar Lights….

    Why don’t you have a Dog? You don’t need a big fancy one, just one that loves cats and barks. There are lots of them at the dog pound. Their ears are 150 times better than ours. The idiot on our place must have came when we were gone. No way our dogs would have not let us know about trespassers….

    Reply

  19. Emily
    September 20, 2018 @ 12:35 pm

    YES!!! THIS:


    My entire life I have been PLAGUED by the “i save crap” gene.
    Then one day I looked around and was like— why all this crap. bye.

    It is not about having fewer things.
    It is about having less crap

    Reply

  20. Jayne Zabala
    September 20, 2018 @ 1:44 pm

    I got a chuckle from all the little scratches on your arm/hand. The kittens don’t mean too, but their little claws are so sharp! Make sure your next van has an alarm which should scare off most kids (and wake you up).

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.