http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/community-forum-issues/2133122-changes-to-our-emojis.html#latest
Back to the retractable awning topic… For those with Costco membership, what are the discounts offered? Looking at the most recent sunsetter price list and am seeing around $2700 for the 15’ motorized version (including a supposed $500 discount) Wondering if a membership would be worth the price…
@VeryHappy Have you considered a cantilever umbrella? We bought ours at either Costco or Sam’s. We actually have two - one for the deck and another for the patio by the pool. We’ve been very happy with them - they’ve stayed out through two winters so far and still look great, and do a great job providing shade.
I looked up on the Sunsetter site via Costco what the Sunsetter would cost – more like ~$2,200. I’d still like to do it – I even ordered some free fabric samples – but probably not this year.
Thanks @BunsenBurner - discount is definitely worth a Costco membership!
Seattle area rain coats for dogs suggestions? We have a 65 lb goldendoodle and will be frequenting the area to visit DD. I’m thinking easy to put on, reflective, and not much warmth like this? Our dog does not need a coat in the winter on walks in Colorado and does get hot in the summer here. In Seattle I would like to keep some rain off her so going inside would be easier to dry off.
https://www.weatherbeeta.com/weatherbeeta-reflective-exercise-dog-coat.
Anyone have favorite, easy to put on, dog raincoats?
Only tiny chichi dogs wear raincoats here in Seattle. Spare your dog some embarrassment. 
Get a good, absorbent towel or a shammy… the dog will shake most of it out. I have never seen a large dog in a raincoat, seriously.
Thank you @BunsenBurner! Ordered a dog shammy. Looking forward to spending more time in Seattle.
@rockymtnhigh2 Use Kayak.com which is an aggregator that helps you find the best prices. On the left hand side when you search for hotels it allows you to set criteria and one is “pet friendly”.
I’m thinking of getting a doggy raincoat. I have a mini poodle, and he holds more water than a sponge! I had to take him out the other day and we had this silly thing called “the snuggy for dogs” and I put that on him and it helped a bit. It also showed just how much oak tree pollen he picks up when going outside. He’s like velcro!
When we lived on a hill with a deck rather high off the ground, our neighbors (with similar high up sunny deck) bought a retractable awning and it was almost always too windy for it.
Re: doggie coats. Saw a little chihuahua sporting a biker-style coat with a hoodie being walked downtown today!
I have a rain coat for my dog and rarely use it. He looks ridiculous, he hates it and tries to shake it off, and honestly it doesn’t really help that much. I second the absorbent towel idea.
What I do love, is my muddy mutts underbody. We use it when we take our pup hiking when it’s muddy or in the fall (he is like velcro for leaves).
Anyone try the NextDoor.com app? Reviews of it are rather mixed—a few glowing and many negatives.
I’ve been on Next Door since we moved at the suggestion of our realtor. It can be very useful and informative. I like keeping track of local recommendations, issues and events. That being said, there are a lot of kooks and one topic wonders who dominate some conversations. There’s some moderation but not completely efficient. But just like here, after a while you get to know various names and whether to pay attention.
Ditto
Our area is super active
Lots of good information about weather and such
Events
Crime
Definitely the occasional weird one
I like ours very much
Also a fan of Nextdoor.com. Got lots of helpful recommendations, sold a few things to folks in nearby subdivisions, and earlier this week there was a very funny April fools thread. Always enjoy clever, witty folks.
So I have a Costco Visa card from Citibank, and I got an email that my FICO score had decreased. I went on the website to find out why, and this is the reason:
I have no intention of needing credit, and my score is still very good. But I don’t have any loans at all and am apparently getting dinged for that. I find that annoying. And, I guess, stupid.
We got a car loan after our mortgage was paid off so we’d have an installment loan on our credit reports, but we must’ve paid it off too soon, because we still get dinged for not having an installment loan.