Wtih our tax refund, we bought a new boiler and hot water heater, and my sweet husband installed them.  It took about a month and I don't have any idea how many trips to Home Depot and Lowe's, but HURRAY! it's done! and now we have hot water.

You know, hot water is really a nice thing to have.  It's really easy to get used to. Before we put in the new boiler, we had kind of warmish water, maybe 3-5 gallons, then it went cold.  And you know, honestly, it was okay. If you wanted to take a bath, you just heated water on the stove. I have a dishwasher and two washing machines, so it wasn't like I really needed a lot of hot water. However, I am amazed by how shocked people act when they hear we went without really hot water for 8 months.   Personally, I think it was a really good thing.  I don't want my kids (or myself) to always take conveniences and luxuries for granted. 

But I am glad to have hot water now. 

We also bought a new dinette (sort of).  So now we can seat 10 around our two 6' folding tables (pushed together) or 12 with them pulled apart (but then we have to serve buffet stype). We also got 10 stacking chairs and I am happy to have them, they look nicer and are more comfortable than what we had before. Unfortunately, the tables take up half the living room, but they can be folded up when not in use, so I guess that's okay.