Now for a Long Nap . . .

So, we spent our Spring Break in a rainy Bakersfield. Apparently their average rainfall is around 5 inches/year and I think we experienced 3-4 of those inches. Phooey. A friend summoned me down to decorate a model home in his new subdivision. I grabbed a willing and helpful assistant (Mom) and a capable and loving babysitter (Dad) and we headed South through sleet, snow, wind and monsoon like rains. Let me just say that those freeways in California are no picnic - hazardous is more like it. Hooray for our ever present friend, Mr. GPS as he was a constant and reliable companion. We would NEVER have navigated our way from one store to the next without "him." We were priviledged to work with a beautiful home - so it wasn't too much of a stretch to make it look welcoming. Travertine floors, high ceilings, knotty alder cabinets and trim, and great attention to detail. I admit that when I get the chance, I love to watch those decorating shows - but I have now come to a sure conclusion. Yes, you do see a few people working hard, but behind the scenes there are teams of support staff and others shopping for the loot. Thankfully there was no one filming our progress, but we sure could've used a few more helpers. It was fun but exhausting. We finished at 1:30 in the the morning, so these pics are not the greatest as there was no natural light at that particular time of day . . .

Dining Room

Still need a table/chairs - painted Island Tan, a rich caramel color

Before Kitchen After

Master Bedroom. There will be animal print chairs against the painted wall and a custom headboard for the bed. Possible window treatment on the skinny window in the blue/green color.

We loved the bedding - from Tuesday Morning. Wall paint color is rainwashed by Sherwin Williams . We would like to wipe a deeper color and maybe a bronze on too, but we'll have to leave that to the professionals.

Tween girl's room - bedding from Amy Butler. Paint color is Meander Blue from Sherwin Williams. This looks kinda boring, but it adorable.

Jack/Jill Bath - all mirrors in bathrooms are backlit - which give an awesome glow.

From the entry

The entry features a "groined ceiling", which has been finished with a venetian plaster in a brownish/mustard tone - impressive!

Loved these huge iron front doors

We had posh digs to retire to in the evening. The kids got tired of staring at this pool in the backyard and jumped in anyway -even tho it was freezing. It was a quick swim.

A necessary stop at Williams on the way home @ Granzellas

Sunday Best

I was inspired by a recent article in the latest Flea Market Style Magazine as they featured a table topper with men's ties. So off to the smelly thriftstores . . . searching for retro ties in brown tones.

In the model home that I am decorating, I want it to feel like home, not a museum. So I am mixing old with the new and throwing in a few whimsical items to make it interesting and fresh. This Burlap/tie runner will be on the towel rack, probably on top of the bath towel and under the hand towel.

These pictures really don't do it justice - after pulling it from the sewing machine I squealed with delight. Go forth and raid your Grandpa's closet . . .

PG-13 Post

You might remember the male mannequins that were an odd Craigslist purchase last summer. I have 3 left and they have enjoyed their perch in the basement as security guards. Problem is they are all the male variety. I saw an adorable idea for a female type and it required a little remodel . . .

First things first, you get the idea . . .

Add a skirt and some pearls, and we have a feminine version of Burlap Benjamin. She's a fairly ripped gal, now she needs to head to the thrift store and find some ivory stilettos.

Confession Time

Don't think we're a bunch of lazy slobs around here BUT . . . we have a clock that requires a ladder to change the time. WELL . . . since the "fall back" time, we had never bothered to decrease it by an hour, so for months, it has been 1 hour ahead. Until this last weekend - it is once again, the correct time. Move the clock? No. Grow some legs? Sure. Take up stilt walking? Sounds fun.

Some serious Coinage

So I was searching the web for the perfect master bedroom bedding as I am helping a friend decorate a model home. I wanted a pleasant mix of feminine and masculine, in the grey family. Ah Hah! I spied the ideal ensemble on (hold your breath) Neimen Marcus. It was an exquisite combination of toile and ruffles with a smattering of geometric shapes and cozy yumminess. I was eager to begin placing items in my virtual shopping cart. HOWEVER, a quick glance at the prices squashed my enthusiasm. After totaling the items as shown in the picture, I fell to the floor gasping for breath. They were asking 4500.00 for the bedding! The little neckroll pillow was 365.00 - UN-BE-LIEVABLE. I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing that I had foolishly spent such a ridiculous amount of money. I guess I'm off to Target, Goodwill, and to possibly do a little dumpster diving.

Scare Hair

A field trip to OMSI is always fun. Apparently Milah found it electrifying!

Hey, it's worth a try?!

Do you think if I put this in the full dirty clothes hamper or the dishwasher that needs to be unloaded it will excuse me? Sten thinks it is a cop-out. I think it is wisdom.

No, I'm NOT Crying

Sniff sniff. We went to another sports awards banquet tonight, this time for swimming. I should know by now. I should take kleenex with me. I feel that durn lump in my throat and the tears spill out of my reddened eyes. I can't help it - when the coach gets choked up, I lose it. I know these kids - some of them I knew back when they still believed in the tooth fairy and they kissed their moms at the bus stop. Anyway, the kid that used to kiss me goodbye (sniff, sniff), won an award as underclassman outstanding swimmer. Sniff sniff. His coach laughed as he introduced Sten and mentioned that they had to work on his breathing a bit this season as they were nervous the kid was going to drown. However, comparing his times from the beginning of the season to the end of the season showed a huge improvement. Hip Hip Hooray Sten!

I find it disgusting to drive by the High School as the kids are let out - looks like a bunch of hoodlums and girls in ill fitting, revealing clothes (don't I sound like a crabby old woman?). Tonight tho, I felt excited for the future of each of those kids and I felt that their experience on that team will only aid them as they make their way in the world. If you've lost faith in this generation - stumble into an awards banquet - you will be moved. Oh, and don't forget your kleenex.

Quarantined!

Bucket within easy reach, bell for summoning, warm rag, and jello in the refrigerator. Poor Maren caught a bug that we were hoping would leave our crew alone. Why is it as soon as someone is smitten with this, you can't help but feel a little queasy yourself?

I heart OLD cabinets

To truly appreciate this post, I have to take a little detour to last summer . . . one late afternoon Scott and I found ourselves unexpectedly dining together in a slightly upscale restaurant (our meal was not garnished with french fries). The food was divine, the weather was beautiful, the conversation was memorable, and the kids were in their cages in the basement absent. Sometimes spontaneous moments are the most enjoyable - too much pressure when everything is planned in detail . . .

Anyway towards the end of the meal, I mentioned a Craigslist ad I wanted to pursue. The evening was still young, and even though the item was in the boonies - he was game. Down a gravel road, up a hill and through a stand of firs, we finally reached the address. A young woman showed me to the item, and I did a little bargaining (yes, Dad - I did). There were a few people wandering around and it seemed like an odd scenario - so we inquired. We were told that EVERYTHING was for sale and there were 2 barns and 2 houses that we were welcome to peruse. Roll up your sleeves Dear, we're gonna be here awhile!

We didn't see each other again for about an hour - each spying out items that interested us. One of the items that caught my eye was this old cabinet that was buried in a dusty corner, piled with junk. I offered 10$, which the woman quickly accepted and Scott threw it on the truck. We spent 90$ and our truck was LOADED to the max -we chattered all the way home about our good fortune and our plans for the loot.


Recently, Scott begrudgingly helped me fix the old grungy fir cabinet (He'd already helped me with a few other projects). We had to put beadboard on the back and clean it up a bit. His attitude soon changed as we stepped back and took a look - it turned out awesome and I am having a rough time parting with this beauty.


Apparently it used to have doors - love the old latches

I like to run by the nasty thriftstore in town occasionally - I can only stay in there for seconds at a time as it is necessary to run outside and take in fresh oxygen. In the "free" bin, there was a stack of old encyclopedias (you know the ones that we plagiarized). SCORE! Perfect display items! SCORE! Perfect color!

I have a "thing" for tarnished silver pieces - these are very reasonable at thriftstores.

I'd never used Old English before, but it worked awesome for livening up the old thirsty fir.

Don't Miss It!

Dave Ramsey is coming to Portland April 9th and to Colorado Springs March 26th. 5 hours of listening to someone yabber about money and finances - BORING. Not so tho - you will learn and laugh. More than once you will give your spouse "the look" that says, "listen up buck-o, he's talk'n to you!" In every household, according to Dave, there is a free spirit and a nerd. Which are you?

Snow Day #2

Sten lost a bet . . . his good friend mentioned that he had 50$ left in his account. Sten confidentally bet him 49$ that school would not be cancelled (today) due to an accumulation of snow. How do spell L-O-S-E-R?!

This would explain why one child is "sporting" snowboots. Scooters and rollerblades are the preferred method of travel on these cement floors and the kids insist on riding everywhere they go.

Squeaky Clean

Do the math! How can the smallest person in the household require the longest showers? It's a good thing that we don't have to pay for our water as she stays in the shower until the water gets cold or until she shrivels to the size of a raisin. Another thing that mystifies me is that I can let her know that she needs to be getting out soon (20 minutes into the shower), and she hasn't even washed her hair?! Also, how does this little person use 16 oz of cleansing products within a week? Something doesn't add up . . .

Cosmopolitan in the Country

Once upon a time, Jessica invited us to a party. Oh, she added - "Can we have the party at your house?" We couldn't say no - after all, it's a little bit "her" house too . . .


It was a "black tie" affair with these two penguins mixing the (virgin) drinks.

One of the highly compensated waitresses

Eager partygoers

waiting for more pics from a photograper that was present (hint hint)

a Slap on the Back

Sten nervously opened the envelope that was delivered in 5th period. What could it be? No, couldn't be . . . a letter informing him that he was "student of the month" for the sophomore class. Three cheers for Stennie!

Sten also participated in Districts for the swim team and during the 500 freestyle race (that's 20 laps), he was conservatively pacing himself. At the last turn, he was a body length behind the kid beside him but decided that he would be the first one to the wall. Oh yeah - he smoked 'em, taking 11 seconds off his previous time! Rah Rah Rah!

World Traveler

Scott is STILL in Virginia. I have changed his ticket 3 times and he is finally coming home on Wednesday. The girls are missing him terribly and Scott believes that the dog became physically ill due to his absence.

This weekend, he cruised up to Washington DC and took in the sights. He was able to see most of the monuments and visited Arlington Cemetery and witnessed the "changing of the guard".

The Obamas wanted to meet for lunch but he had a better offer . . .

Poor Pooch

Our dear lab Danner has refused to eat lately and has experienced some (er, umm) digestional malfunctions recently. We took him to the vet today and he could not readily determine a diagnosis so Danner is spending the night for observation (cha-ching). Danner turned into a beast as soon as we entered the office, barking and growling as if he was going to tear the vet into itty bitty pieces. Milah sat quietly in the corner, taking it all in - while Maren was busily chirping away asking any question that came to mind. "Do dogs ever go potty in here? What'cha doin? (as he was inserting the thermometer) Why?" They led Danner to a (glass front) cage and Maren hollered to me that he was staying in a refrigerator. Hmm, reminds me why I request such appointments when the kids are otherwise occupied.

Hopefully, he's back home tomorrow and on the mend. I don't think our Blue Cross/Shield policy covers the hound.

And yes, these are old pictures. Who are these adorable kids and where did they go?

What a Mess!

Perhaps this doesn't happen at your house, but . . . we had a horribly unsightly closet and an unfinished walk-in shower that was the dumping ground for things we didn't know what to do with. One night, in a moment of brilliance (or not), I cleared out the shower area which meant all that mess was in our bathroom. Problem is, after going through it all - we had to find the proper home (or burial) for every piece. Many of the things belonged in the office, so that led to a thorough cleaning and refiling project. At one point it was difficult to enter or exit as the piles were heaped - you know the "gets worse before it gets better" state? The kids were shaking their heads, I'm sure very doubtful that we would ever see the floor again. Good news is - we found things that we'd been searching for and I invite you to open a drawer and admire our well organized office (give me a few days on the basement). I love the feel of "deep clean", but the migratory nature it commands is a chore.