Tohubohu, What is it? - It's a Great Word for Starters!
Tohubohu is best described as mass confusion, disarray, or disorder.
Much like you see on my small workbench to the left of my desk in the above photo!
Excuses are reasons for failure, but I've been so darn busy I've just not had the time to keep it neat. Yes, I know where each thing is under the other thing thank you very much!
Another example of tohubohu is what you see when you first open a new jigsaw puzzle. All the 500, or 1000, pieces are jumbled up and in a state of chaos in the box. Only after you fit the pieces with great care, does the confusion transform into harmony!
Check out this amazing jigsaw puzzle. Holy cow, this would have been a mass of jumbled pieces when you popped off that box lid!
Looking for accurate cost information related to hardwood flooring?
Perfect, you’re in the right spot. In this guide, you’ll learn:
Why you should choose hardwood flooring
What the average installation cost is for hardwood flooring
What the cost of various hardwood flooring types and styles are
How you can save money with hardwood floors
and much more!
If you're considering having hardwoods installed in your home, there's more to think about than the cost. You'll want to get quotes from various companies and installers, spend time reviewing the different styles you can choose from, and prepare to see magic unfold with the finished product.
There are a lot of perks that come with installing hardwood flooring, and as you review your flooring options you'll find that there are a lot of things to enjoy as homeowners that come with replacing your existing floor with your preferred type of hardwoods.
The hardest part is choosing the type of wood you want and checking with flooring installers to get on their schedule so you can enjoy the final masterpiece. Here's what you need to know.
Why Choose Hardwood Flooring?
Installing hardwood floors is a bold way to make a statement. Not only are you able to get rid of old flooring that may look worn, but you can replace your old floors with high-end solid hardwood that gives your home a classic, timeless look.
Hardwoods have a way of fitting any style and decoration, and they act as the foundation that pulls the elegancy of a room together. They're also easy to keep clean and give your home a natural look.
What Is The Average Cost Of Hardwood Flooring Installation?
Most installers will combine the pricing of installation with the cost of wood. You can typically get pricing on both the square footage and labor for installation between $4 and $12 combined. Flooring itself usually ranges from $3 to $7 per square foot with an additional $3 to $5 for installing the flooring. The average pricing may change with exotic woods and if your installer needs to also provide underlayment before putting the new hardwood floor down.
Per Square Foot
Most hardwood flooring ranges between $3 and 7 per sq. ft depending on the type and quality of the wood. More rare hardwoods can be more expensive when it comes to the total cost.
Average Labor Costs
Depending on how much flooring you need installed, most installers will provide labor for $3 to $5. You may find that large, commercial retailers will provide you a deal on labor if you use them for both purchasing your flooring and installation.
What Is The Cost Of Hardwood Flooring By Type of Material?
Depending on the type of flooring you're looking for, the price will vary. Pricing for the cost of hardwood floors varies based on the square foot, type of material, and labor costs. You can get a quote for it all combined through various flooring installers.
Maple
Unstained maple flooring can cost between $6 to $8 while stained maple flooring can average between $8 and $14 per sq ft.
Pine
Pine is considered a softwood and typically runs on a lower pricing scale compared to other hardwood floor options. You can usually purchase it for $1 to $6 per square foot. Most pine flooring runs closer to $1.50 to $2.00 sq. ft.
Bamboo
Bamboo flooring is made from mature bamboo poles or culms. These culms are then sliced into strips and crosscut to the length desired. Your average cost for it ranges between $2.75 to $3.50, but higher quality bamboo can run as high as $5 to $7 per square foot.
White Ash
A gorgeous choice of white ash runs between $6 and $8. However, if you're looking for a little DIY project with staining and sealing, you can purchase white ash flooring for around $4 unfinished.
Hickory
When it comes to flooring material, hickory wood has a larger range of pricing compared to most hardwoods. Depending on the quality, thickness, and durability you can purchase it for anywhere from $5 to $15.
Red Oak
Compared to its pricier sister oak option, you can expect to pay between $2 to $6 per square foot for red oak flooring. Compared to other wood options, red oak is considered more of a traditional hardwood and ranks high on the Janka hardness scale, serving as a median measurement for other hardwoods.
White Oak
Flooring costs for white oak average around $5 to $8 per square foot. Unfinished white oak can be found for roughly $3.50, which isn't a large difference from the cost of most finished white oak flooring.
Brazilian Walnut
Running in deep, rich colors, Brazilian walnut flooring is a more unique option when compared to laminate or natural stone. It's incredibly durable and you may need to refinish it every few years to keep up the maintenance. However, it is considered both an engineered wood and exotic wood, meaning that it averages higher pricing compared to other hardwoods.
You can find that each plank averages $9 on the lowest scale for solid wood and $5-6 per plank for engineered wood. For top of the line Brazilian walnut flooring, you can expect to pay around $15.50 per square foot and sometimes higher.
What Is The Cost Of Hardwood Flooring By Style?
Picking the type of flooring material you want usually covers a major part of how much your floors cost on top of labor costs, but many installers and retailers will also charge you based on hardwood flooring style.
Wood Look Tile
Pricing for wood look tile fluctuates depending on quality, durability, and type. Higher quality can range between $6.00 to $12.00, but on average you can find durable and good looking wood look tile between $0.89 to around $2.80
Wide Plank
The average cost of hardwood wide planks range around $3.95 at a minimum and $12.83 at a maximum. Homeowners often seek this type of flooring out for its reminiscent ways of bringing back the old days. Hardwood wide plank easily captures the essence of old-style homes.
Herringbone Pattern
Popular for its zig zag looking designs, herringbone is a beloved hardwood flooring pattern. Depending on your local climate vs the subfloor, you may need to discuss with your local contractor whether solid wood or engineered wood is the best option to use with the herringbone pattern.
Many companies will add around $2 to $4 to your installation costs for this specific pattern since it is so defined and unique. One Californian resident noted that her contractor advised many installers will increase pricing by 30% for the pattern. The great thing about herringbone is that you can still get to choose your option of hardwoods, including teak or tigerwood.
Parquet
Installing a parquet style for your flooring will typically start at a base rate of $3.50. The style uses geometric shapes such as squares and triangles to craft unique patterns for your top layer of flooring. This can be a distinctive choice for homeowners wanting to have a design like no other.
How Much Does Prefinished Hardwood Cost?
The average national cost of prefinished hardwood installation is $5 to $8 per square foot. You can save money by using softwoods like pine, but you'll be trading durability for lower pricing.
How Much Does Engineered Wood Flooring Cost?
Basic engineered wood costs an average of $3 to $9 per square foot while mid-grade and higher quality engineered wood ranges between $6 and $12 per square foot.
Hardwood Flooring Pros and Cons
The advantages that come with hardwood flooring greatly outweigh the disadvantages. The most noticeable remark you'll think of when it comes to installing wood flooring is that it can be costly but it can also be cost-efficient.
Here's what you need to know when it comes to weighing the positives with the negatives if you're considering wood floors:
Pros
Easy to match various interior designs
You have a surplus of styles to choose from
Hardwood flooring is easy to clean and maintain
New flooring typically comes with an installation warranty
Retains less bacteria and is less porous compared to options like natural stone. This can drastically improve the air quality of your home, as flooring options like laminate can assist bacteria in lingering which can lead to mold and airborne illnesses.
Hardwood floors are seen as a high-quality investment because they're made to last long term. They can increase your home's value should you ever put it on the market and are considered a home improvement.
Color in hardwoods doesn't fade compared to options like carpet
Cons
May need refinishing every few years
Hardwoods are not water friendly and can warp if moisture gets trapped beneath the top layer and settles
Noticeable scratches will appear after time from wear and tear
The upfront cost of hardwoods can cost more than other flooring options, but the long-term cost is your trade-off.
What Additional Costs Are Added to Installing Hardwood Flooring?
For irregular shapes, such as areas around vents, the cost of installation may be higher than your average pricing. However, this cost will be included with the total installation fee.
Additionally, if you're replacing old floors, you may have extra costs to remove the current carpet or any subfloor that needs replacing.
The need for subfloor replacement is most commonly found in older homes where the previous owners may not have taken care of the home's flooring. Most contractors will charge for the removal of the old floors and the disposal of it.
Should you purchase new baseboards, require any type of sanding during your hardwood floor installation, or desire any special pattern, your total cost may vary from the average expenses.
Below is a great video to show you the process for installing wooden subfloor in a basement!
How To Save Money On Hardwood Flooring Installation Costs?
If you're concerned about the overall cost when it comes to installing your hardwood floors, there are a few ways to save money that don't require you to DIY. One major way to save on hardwood installation is by buying your flooring from the installer. Most retailers will cut you a deal if you use them for the purchase of your flooring and installation.
You can also save big by working in sections. Should you have the time and not mind the difference in flooring for a temporary period of time, installing hardwoods by zones can help you prevent spending a large amount of money upfront and assist in splitting the payments.
Additionally, if you can remove and dispose of your old flooring yourself then you can cut out the contractor's fee. It won't save you loads of money, but it will save you a few pennies here and there.
If you need more advice when it comes to hardwood floors, subfloors, or have any kind of installation questions, don't hesitate to ask. We're more than happy to assist you in all of your hardwood flooring installation needs.
Septic Tank Pumping | This is a septic tank about to be pumped. It’s a best practice to do this every two or three years. Septic tank cleaning should be done just as you clean your house. Copyright 2021 Tim Carter
Septic Tank Pumping - It's Really Important to Protect the Leach Field
QUESTION:Howdy, Tim. I discovered on your www.AsktheBuilder.com website that you’ve been a master plumber for forty years. I recently moved from a city house on a city sewer to a rural retirement home that has a septic tank.
What can you tell me about septic tanks and any best practices? At my last home, I had clogging issues in my main drain pipe and the drain-cleaning man said the issue was grease.
What are some best practices when it comes to drain lines in any house and how does one keep them flowing well at all times? Frank T., Johnston, RI
Hah! I was in Frank’s shoes twelve years ago when I moved from living in the city on a municipal sewer to rural New Hampshire with a septic tank. Fortunately, I had a pretty strong background in septic tanks even though during my plumbing career I installed just a few of them on the outskirts of Cincinnati, OH.
What are House Drain Lines?
House drain lines are the pipes that transport water and waste to your septic tank.
Let’s first talk about the drain lines in any home no matter if you’re on a city sewer or a septic tank. Assuming your drain lines have been installed correctly with the correct amount of slope, water and solid waste should normally flow to the sewer or septic tank with no issues.
What is the Best Slope for a Drain Line?
The ideal slope of a plumbing drain pipe, in my opinion, is 3/16ths of an inch of fall per foot of run. You may think more slope is better, but if you have too much slope, the liquids can outrun the solids as they move down the drain lines. You don’t want this to happen as solid material sitting in a drain pipe can start to build a clog.
Talk to any municipal sewer worker or septic-tank pumpers and they’ll tell you that grease and the newer flushable wipes are probably their biggest nightmares. You would do really well to sop up all grease from your cooking pots and pans with used paper towels. Put these grease-soaked towels in your garbage. This means even wiping grease-covered plates with used paper towels before washing them. You want to minimize all grease from entering your plumbing drains.
You can use flushable wipes if you want, but don’t flush them. Put them in a sanitary garbage can in your bathroom. Watch my Flushable Wipes video on my website to see why you should never ever flush these fabrics.
What are Great Septic Tank Additives?
You can go online and buy septic tank treatment products that contain active bacteria that will start to eat grease that may be coating the insides of your pipes. It’s a great product that will also prevent septic tank leach fields from getting clogged with grease.
You flush out drain lines by pouring hot water and lots of water into them at one time. Think of how flood waters wash debris down to the oceans of the world.
Here are a few things I do at my own home to keep my drain lines flowing. I pour about 15 gallons of very hot water down my kitchen sink about once a month. As you know, hot water does a pretty good job of dissolving grease should you not want to invest in the bacteria product that will eat it.
How Much Water Should I Use to Flush Drain Lines?
Each week I pour ten gallons of water as fast as possible into the highest toilet in my house. Invoking the knowledge I received in my high school physics class, this water creates a vigorous flash flood within the pipes and especially the horizontal building drain pipe below my basement floor. Not to be gross, but the best analogy I can give is imagine blowing your nose. You get just about everything out and the pipes are wide open.
What are Septic Tanks?
Septic tanks are magic boxes where wastewater from houses is treated with natural bacteria. They really are so long as you use them correctly. In an ideal situation, the only thing that would enter a septic tank is what comes out of your body and any very tiny food scraps that might make it past a kitchen sink strainer. That’s all you should ever put in a septic system.
What Happens Inside a Septic Tank?
Mother Nature then takes over inside the tank. Natural bacteria starts to eat the waste. When a tank is operating as it should, each time you flush a toilet and 1.6 gallons of water enters the tank, the same amount of partially treated wastewater leaves the tank headed to the leach field.
What is a Leach Field?
A leach field is almost always a network of pipes where the wastewater is distributed to a very well-drained soil that’s very sandy. The water seeps out of holes in the pipes and enters the sandy soil. Here other bacteria and oxygen work hand-in-hand to purify the wastewater.
What Happens to the Water in the Leach Field?
Understand that the water that leaves the leach field becomes ground water. Once purified by the good bacteria and oxygen in the soil, it can almost be as pure as rainwater. I know this sounds hard to believe, but understand that in many rural areas a leach field from one neighbor is on higher ground than the neighbor below. The water naturally flows downhill on its way to the ocean!
Should I Put Chlorine Bleach in a Septic Tank?
You never want to put chlorine bleach, or products containing it, into a septic tank. This bleach is so strong it can kill the bacteria that eats the waste. Any other chemicals are bad too. The same goes for paint. Never clean paint brushes inside a house and allow that water to enter the septic system.
How Often Should a Septic Tank Be Pumped?
It’s very important to have the septic tank pumped every two or three years. Be aware of where the manhole is that gives the technician access to the tank. As crazy as this sounds, my neighbor’s manhole is buried about four feet under his driveway. I saw his house being built and the builder and plumber never installed risers to get the manhole closer to the surface. That’s a giant mistake!
Painting Wallpaper - If Not Coated, You Must Prime it With Oil Paint
QUESTION:Tim, I’ve got decades-old wallpaper in my kitchen I want to paint. It’s in great shape with only two small tears. Can I paint over the wallpaper or must I remove the wallpaper before painting? The paper was applied directly onto the drywall. Frank H., Yorktown, VA
A few years ago, a ham radio friend of mine taught me an interesting thing. He said, “The power is always in the question.” This is a great example of it. I know what Frank want’s to know, but it might have been better if he asked, “Tim, is it a good idea to paint directly over wallpaper and if so, is there a special paint?”
The truth is, you can put paint on just about anything. It’s similar to putting lipstick on a pig and many people paint things to disguise not-so-good-looking things. But the issue here is that most paints now are water-based. Water-based paints can often wreak havoc with some wallpaper.
Does Wallpaper Have a Plastic Coating?
Some wallpaper has an ultra-thin plastic coating that resists water penetration. This is why some wallpapers are scrubbable and washable. That’s a good thing.
Does Old Wallpaper Have the Coating?
But some wallpaper, especially older paper doesn’t have this clear coating. It’s just paper. You probably know if you get most paper wet, the water soaks right through. When this happens with non-coated wallpaper you can get ugly blisters in the wallpaper minutes after painting it with a water-based paint.
Does Oil Paint Create Blisters?
Oil paints don’t create these blisters. This is why I recommend painting wallpaper with an oil primer or some other product like shellac. Just be sure that the primer doesn’t contain water. Once the oil primer dries, you can paint the wall with whatever you want, including blacktop sealer, although I don’t really feel that would be a good look or smell.
Install Flat Screen TV | Do you think you can install a flat-screen TV over this window above the fireplace? Do you want to know how I’d do it? Flat Screen TV Frame Ideas can be found here. Copyright 2020 Tim Carter
Install Flat Screen TV - Hunt for Solid Wood
QUESTION:Tim, She who must be obeyed (SWMBO) has informed me that the two flat-screen TVs in the unopened boxes must be installed in days. One TV will end up in our bedroom on a wall but the other is over a living room fireplace. There’s a huge window there. Fortunately, the TV is wider than both the window and the wood trim surrounding the window. How in the world do I attach the flat screen bracket to glass? Do you have any other tips to share about how to get this right the first time? It’s best not to anger SWMBO. Next time you’re near Houston, I’ll gladly take you out for some superb seafood. Chris M., Tomball, TX
Well, well, well ... I’m not the only one that watched the delightful PBS-TV series Rumpole of the Bailey all those years ago. What a great show and the lessons in life old Rumpole shared were priceless!
Can I Attach the Flat Screen to Glass?
First and foremost, you’re not going to attach anything to the glass. You’re going to build a simple box using 3/4-inch plywood and 1x2s that the flat-screen TV bracket or french cleats will attach to. This little box will be attached securely to the flat window frame material that extends in towards the room.
Is it Best to Read the Installation Instructions?
The most important thing to do is to read the installation instructions that come with both TVs. In almost all cases, they provide clear instructions as to the type of hardware and fasteners to use. Don’t deviate from the instructions. Some even provide online videos to watch to give you the courage to do the job.
The TV in the bedroom should not be an issue at all. You’ll probably just need a handy stud finder to locate the wall studs. You want the fasteners for the TV brackets to attach to the wood studs. Don’t try to use wall anchors hoping these will stand the test of time. There may be wall anchors that will work, but you can’t go wrong fastening the brackets to solid wood.
How Do I Mount the Flat Screen TV to the Window?
The box that needs to be made for the fireplace TV is simple. You can get all you need at a local home center. The 1x2s are common lumber and you’ll build a box that’s about 4 inches taller than the TV bracket. You ideally want this box to hide behind the TV since it’s so wide. Your goal is to create an illusion that your TV is floating in space.
What Screws Should I Use?
You’ll fasten the 1x2s together using 1 and 5/8ths-inch drywall, or similar, screws. Once you’ve determined the height of the TV above the floor (refer to the instructions), then you’ll attach this frame to the inside of the window at the height you determined.
Be sure to use the same screws to attach the box to the window frame that you used to create the box. Space them about 4 inches apart. You’ll cut the plywood the same size as this box and screw it to the frame using the same screws. Space those screws every 8 inches.
The 3/4-inch-thick plywood is very strong. When you use the recommended bolts to attach the TV bracket, trust me the TV is going to resist the force of gravity for a very long time.
Well, hello! Don’t try to hide it, you’re a brand-new subscriber. Welcome! Sit back and relax and be sure to click or tap any of the links below to get the full newsletter experience.
But you, yes you. How long have you been a subscriber? A month, a year, or twenty years? It’s possible you recall the video I recorded about the magic and remarkable and innovative plastic exhaust vent pipe that was even new to me! You won’t believe how easy it was to work with. CLICK or TAP HERE to watch this short video. Wait until you see how it clicks together!
Recommendations
This past week, I had the good fortune to embark on an adventure driving about 515 miles down the East Coast and then back home again in less than 48 hours.
You may think this is crazy, but I actually enjoy taking to the road in my beefy Ford F-250 Super Duty 4x4. While it doesn’t get the best gas mileage, I’m willing to pay that price for the safety it affords me if someone in a car or other pickup truck decides to get into a cage fight at 95 MPH.
I was reminded that the speed limit signs on the Merritt Parkway in CT and the New Jersey Turnpike appear to be recommendations. I had cars zooming past me going at least 25 miles over the speed limit by my best training estimate.
I’ve attended the Tim O’Neil professional driving school in northern NH and I’ve driven real NASCAR race cars twice in excess of 130 mph. I feel pretty confident in my skills, but those speeding idiots put my head on a swivel!
Storing Building Materials
Do you know the best practices when storing building materials? This is really important if you’re building a new home or sizable room addition.
CLICK or TAP HERE to discover exactly how I’d store materials if I were to build your home. I guarantee you’ll discover something you didn’t know.
Matching Grout Color Perfectly
You’ve discovered you need to repair a tile or two and fortunately, you’ve got spare tile. Smart you!
But, the grout you saved is hard as a rock because you failed to seal it tightly and put it in the chest freezer in your basement. Freezing dry grout is the only way to prevent it from turning hard.
I thought you’d never ask! CLICK or TAP HERE to see how I get a perfect match each time. Wait until you see the new color-matching system you can get!
A Fascinating Factoid Quiz
I’ve got another quiz for you this week. Last week, you may have gotten a zero on the Sunrise quiz. You did your best, but don’t worry about passing, I curve all grades just as Dr. Castor did. CLICK or TAP HERE if you missed that very interesting fun quiz.
This week I have a new one for you. I absolutely guarantee you’re going to say, “Holy Tomato, who would have ever thought?”
CLICK or TAP HERE to gather a new fact that will allow you to dominate in Trivial Pursuit. Unfortunately, I don’t have any tips to help you win at charades.
Restore an Old Deck
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to restore an old deck. The undercarriage is salvageable but there are other things you need to do.
CLICK or TAP HERE to see what you and I would do if we were working side by side.
I think that’s plenty for a Sunday.
I’m still feeling the effects and recovering from the road trip. I left to return home at 3 am and made the mistake of showing up at the George Washington Bridge crossing the Hudson River in New York City just as rush hour was beginning. Lucky for me, I only lost about ten minutes. It’s all part of the adventure.
$60+ in tolls for the entire trip. I feel that's a little excessive!
HNY as we say in Morse! You’re a new subscriber. I can feel it in my bones. This top paragraph of each issue is reserved seating for you - it’s where I welcome you to your first issue.
But you, yes you, possibly have subscribed for so long that you can remember when I shared what causes your car and truck glass - especially your windshield - to get FOGGY. I have friends who are foggy some mornings and they solve it with coffee. I don’t use coffee to keep my truck glass crystal clear, but I’ll share secret tips with you about how to clean foggy car glass.
Wait, you don’t know what a gewgaw is? Well, we need to have a little talk about that. CLICK or TAP HERE and you’ll discover the meaning of this great word. I guarantee you’ll be delighted!
This is a laser etched brick made for me. The detail is incredible. The laser MELTS the clay turning it to GLASS. The laser etching will last for centuries outdoors unless you beat on it with a hammer. Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
Your New Year’s Resolution
Do you have lots of traditional one-of-a-kind print photographs in dust-covered boxes, drawers, or scattered in a file cabinet? I’m talking about photos that can’t be replaced. Here’s an example of one of my dad, PFC Melvin Carter.
If this doesn’t motivate you to start scanning your photos, nothing will. Oh, wait, you were about to say, “Tim, it’s such a BIG PROJECT to do all that scanning.” We need to have a little talk about that. There’s an old saying, “Elephants are best eaten one bite at a time.”
You’re going to RESOLVE to spend two hours a week (a small BITE of time) and slowly but surely scan all those photos. Once scanned, upload them to a cloud storage solution. There are so many.
Be sure to create different albums so it’s easy to find the photo you need. Use your tiny gray cells to come up with album names and categories that make sense.
Gas Line Types - One is DANGEROUS
My house here in New Hampshire has flexible gas lines or CSST. Fortunately, we seldom have violent thunderstorms that produce lots of ground-to-cloud lightning.
Would it be a good idea to install CSST in Florida, Ohio, or other places where lightning is prevalent? After all, the CSST is a code-approved material.
If not CSST, what’s the better option when it comes to gas lines in your home whether you’ll be piping propane (LPG) or natural gas?
CLICK or TAP HERE so you don’t become an NFPA statistic. Two of my friends died when their house exploded 18 months ago.You absolutely MUST WATCH THE VIDEOS on that page.
An Older FUNNY Video
I’ve been doing lots of maintenance work on old pages on AsktheBuilder.com and I came across a very funny video I had forgotten all about.
You should really watch this video because I’m really out of my element and I’m not wearing a tool belt. I guarantee you’ll LAUGH about halfway through when you see me standing on the tee box in the above screenshot.
I was at the Scholl Canyon Golf and Tennis Club in Southern CA. My very good friend Steve shot the video and was a witness to the outcome.
Kitchen Island Myths and Mysteries
What do you feel is the smallest kitchen island that really does a good job?
What are the biggest mistakes you can make with kitchen islands?
This is an interesting small, but mighty, kitchen island. Copyright 2020 Tim Carter
P.S. You might be offended when told that the depths of your ignorance were about to be TESTED. Read about Dr. Ken Caster and tell me if you would have required a fruit roll-up and juice box on your desk while taking one of his tests. Reading about Dr. Caster is a GREAT WAY to start 2021. Maybe the 2021 motto should be:
You've no doubt got gewgaws in your home. Some you may treasure but other family members or friends think they belong in a dumpster. This just might happen once they clean out your house after you've been sent back to Heaven, so you better make sure important things are saved.
One thing's for certain. If you have a few gewgaws, you undoubtedly have some bibelots too!
Here's something I consider a gewgaw, but it's normally in a box. I have instructions inside for it to NOT be thrown away so it can be passed down through my family.
Look below the photos for what Holly has to say. And don't miss Doug's pithy suggestion. What's that one Commandment about? Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbors' Stuff - or something like that.
Here are a few of my gewgaws:
Holly Daley was moved by this page as you can see:
"Love, love, love it, Tim! What a great idea to start this New Year with thoughts of what items are of importance to you and make great memories to be shared with the family when you take the high stairs up to Heaven. I'm 78 now and have thought of items I want to have saved. You have given me the "GO DO IT" signal to make the list and let family members know about my Gewgaw's."
Doug wants my RR lantern:
"Surely you have friends that agree those things are treasures even though family members are blind to the value. Leave the goodies to them. Send me the railroad lantern and you don't need to wait until you are past your expiration date. Seize the day and mail it now."
