An aerobed is an inflatable mattress. I have a pretty basic model, which I got free from the grocery store through a customer loyalty program.

http://www.thinkaero.com/category/1/...tcategory.html

I've been to plenty of events at other people's houses where we had to squeeze to fit folks around the table. And of course growing up we always sat at the "kid's table" in the kitchen for holiday meals. I think it's true that the company is more important than having tons of space. I wish I could afford a 2BR, so I could use the second room as a bike room/office (notice "bike room" comes before "office" ), but otherwise I'm happy where I am. I made the decision to have a small home in an area that I like rather than a larger home in a place that didn't make me so happy.