The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

Gabe1

Gabe1

Ivory Tower Squabble EST 2011. WINDMILL SURVIVOR
donaldtoo said:
At first glance, the overall massing and proportion don't look too horrendous to me in regards to the overall style I think I'm seeing. But, not including the lights and decorations, I seem to be seeing a LOT of busy trim details goin' on there. And yes, a few daytime pics from a coupla' different angles would help to determine if I thought it fell (also, as we all know, tastes vary ;)) into the McMansion category.
After all, there are plenty of tastefully done newer mansions out there, along with plenty of ugly old ones, as well.

BTW...
On a house that size, that "carport" is known as a porte-cochere...! :D ;) :)
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Actually the home is very pretty and yes a little too much detail. There are height restrictions now so that part fit in.
You can see the stain glass windows above the front door on the second level. That is the stain glass that is on every window around the home making it look both by day and night a church. It is an awesome home that just didn't fit the immediate neighborhood. The house that was there is what we called a cracker box home. Mainly cause it was shaped like a box of saltines stood on end. Very small.

Slice off the additions and I don't believe quite this wide is what once stood there.

images
 
betty rose

betty rose

Well-Known Member
donaldtoo said:
We have had a McMansion ordinance within the Austin city limits for many years now.
People were buying lots with modest old homes on them, razing them, and then building all new 2 and 3-story monsters that went from setback/easement to setback easement on all 4 sides of the lot. Just sick carp. :depressed:
We now have floor-to-area ratio limits, impervious coverage limits, building height envelopes, etc., etc., etc.
And, of course, you hafta' keep up with it all on a regular basis, as folks will find little loopholes to sneak stuff by, and the ordinance is again amended. It's crazy as heck to keep up with, but, I'm mostly for it, as some of the crap that was being built years ago in these areas was just that...large, giant C. R. A. P.

There is a website out there called "McMansion Hell". Google it or just "McMansion Hell Images". Most of the stuff on there will just blow your mind. It's pretty sick.
Again, everything our firm turns out isn't perfect, and, we have had some client-driven "fun" out there over the years, but, darn there is some really bad stuff out there McMansionwise. :confused:

Just as an example check out these 2 (no, not in Austin ;)) beauties...! :eek:

View attachment 173954
View attachment 173956

Excuse me for a moment...I hafta' hurl... :in pain: :hungover: :depressed:

And, unfortunately, that's just the tip of the McMansionberg... :cyclops:
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Those are just flat out, ugly! We have those close to us! I don't get it. I wouldn't want to clean that in a million years!
 
betty rose

betty rose

Well-Known Member
Gabe1 said:
Annoying. I don't answer my phone(s) unless I know who it is. I let it go to voice mail and usually no message is left. Solved the problem. I equally hate solicitors that come to my door. I have a small sign under my doorbell.
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We have a no soliciting law in our area. Unfortunately, most don't read English out here. Can you say? Ding Dong....:brb: No offence intended. It's just the way this area is. I don't like most about this area. It has changed so much since we moved here 22 years ago. We should never have bought next to lots of open land!
 
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betty rose

betty rose

Well-Known Member
Gabe1 said:
I pick and choose between how I am going to spend my time with the things I can omit from actually HAVING to do. Learned years ago I only have small blobs of time so things over the years I just stopped doing. As I aged my veggie garden was cut down by 2/3, so much upkeep and watering. I love gardening but I got smarter about what I plant and how much water they need. The biggest thing I omitted was mass mailings of Christmas cards. With all I have going during the holidays it became a burden and it became expensive. Now I send out only about 25% of what I use to. Compost just was never an added to the list.
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Same here, our family and friends have decided the same thing about Christmas Cards. It's so expensive, and we have the poorest mail service in the country. I don't write well anymore. Because my writing skills have bit the dust. No gardening, out here with the low humidity. We put in drought tolerant plants, and rocks. We are good with that.:joyfull:
 
betty rose

betty rose

Well-Known Member
donaldtoo said:
Our neighborhood was planned back in the early 70's when mostly all the land around it was ranches.
We own a home just down the road from my folks in the same neighborhood they have lived in for over 40 years.
I remember when we first drove out this way from the HoJo in central Austin we were staying at 40 years ago to find a home. It was, basically, out in the country, at the time.
It is now an oasis of greenbelts, hike and bike trails, pools, and parks, in a vast sea of incredible developement.
It's just nuts how much this area has grown over the years...!!! :confused:
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Our area is the same way. I wish I could go back to the late 50's. As far as population numbers go. We would drive for hours with barely passing another car on the road.
 
StarWarsGirl

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Cesar R M said:
argh, I get tht a lot, but via phone..
no seriously.. 2 months ago I was getting near 15 calls A DAY from 3 different banks, all pushing loans, ccs and other stuff.
I keep telling them im not interested but they insisted. so I put my cell phone in autoblock. They got the hint I guess
I hardly get 1 call a week now.
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Have you heard of Hiya? It's a free app for Android (and iPhone I believe). It has caller ID and automatically blocks suspected spam calls. So useful.
 
betty rose

betty rose

Well-Known Member
donaldtoo said:
Exercise will always help you sleep better!
Way back in the day, when I was way more active, I always slept like a ton of bricks...and, it was good...! :)

Note to self: get more active again...! ;)
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I jinked myself, I haven't sleep well , and we are still more active. Maybe it's the stress of the election. I just want it to be over. We've voted and are still getting calls!
 
betty rose

betty rose

Well-Known Member
Gabe1 said:
I've heard similar things about elderberry wine, never had it along with red wine and grape juice. Now you know I love wine, I just can't imagine drinking any of this while coping with food poisoning. There has to be something with it though.
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Hubby did, and it worked. I've also read that it's good for the flu. I don't know about that, but it's worth a try, if you can keep it down. Hubby said the concoction is horrible, but it worked, I forgot to add the blueberry wine. He said he would do it again. Made him feel so much better in a few hours!
 
betty rose

betty rose

Well-Known Member
Gabe1 said:
DD on her way home. Almost time to go vote.

From what I am hearing early voting lines were dramatically worse than today's election day lines. Hope that is true.
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We walked up and put in our two ballots. Over and done, in about 2 seconds. But the grocery store was a zoo today. Everybody buying soup, and bread bowls. Is the election having to do with one party crying over their soup?:D
 

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