This is not a vent board or any other kind of therapy. Before you hit the POST button, ask yourself if your contribution will add to the level of discussion going on.

Important notes on articles:

• Please do not copy entire articles into your post; rather, provide links to them.. We are now links-only for ALL Internet publications. If only a small portion of the article pertains to your post, Fair Use allows you to copy those one or two paragraphs, provided you cite the author's name and the publication for which he writes. Otherwise, put a link in the HTTP Link box.
• Even if you're copying a reference to an article, provide a link to the page from which the article came. We're trying to cut down on duplicate topics, and the posting process will check the link to your article to see if it's already being discussed on this board. At the very least, you'll save yourself some grief on the boards.
• If your first reaction after reading the article you're going to share is the author is uninformed / stupid / a jerk / all of the above, it's not worth sharing with anyone. Not every article needs to be discussed. The more the hair-pulling articles are discussed (e.g. ESPN Page 2), the more the authors will write hair-pulling articles.

Post being replied to

This is it for me. by Shifty

The drip drip drip of repairs, small and large, I am faced with every year.

My house is about 100 years old. So I live with the cumulative choices of owners past. Some were conscientious about maintenance and quality work, and others most certainly were not.

This summer / fall I will have major work done outside because the 'hardscape' (stairs, retaining walls, etc.) is falling apart. That is not hyperbole.

And when you think, 'phew, that will hold it for a while' something else breaks and the cycle repeats.