Well it has been a looooooooooong time coming, but the Powder Room is done!! I am in love with the transformation. The travertine tile floor....the "awesome" copper sink that is set in the precious antique vanity, the ceiling that looks like copper ceiling tiles.....the "to die for" faucet......the list just goes on and on! First and foremost, I have to give big hugs to FOB....he really did work very hard on this for
the sake of our marriage me!!! Although there were many times he wanted to
strangle me quit, he plugged on and did it all with
occasional smart ass comments a smile on his face and I love him for all his hard work! So if you don't remember what the before looked like here is a recap and please don't judge my decorating abilities by these photos....:(
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| I really did think this was awesome when I first did this rag rolling technique! |
From this it went to this......
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getting better..... :)
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| Love, love, love it! |
and finally this........
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Is FOB awesome or what??? | <><><><><><><><>
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| I added these adorable knobs from Anthropologie |
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| I Love this sink! |
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| This is a shot of the ceiling.....perfection!!! |
So as you can tell, I am just a little excited about the powder room! We are NO where near completion on the "honey do" list ... but, this does make a large dent in it! Thank you so much Mark for all your hard work over the last few months, I really do appreciate all you do way more than you know! XOXO
If anyone is interested in using any of the products we used in this remodel you can find them here:
- copper sink
- faucet
- anaglypta wallpaper - Lowes
- Travertine Tile - Home Depot
- Wall Paint - Benjamin Moore (Shaker Beige HC-45 and Simply White OC-117)
- Ceiling Paint - Sherwin Williams Illusions Translucent Metallic Technique Finish - Copper (unfortunately this has been discontinued :( and Sherwin Williams Well Bred Brown 7027
- Antique Vanity - Estate Sale
- Oval Mirror - Estate Sale
- Small metal shelf - Estate Sale
- Wall sconce - On Consignment - Dallas, TX
- Area Rug - Ballard and Blakely - Dallas, TX
- Not shown: Only because its not in yet..... is the linen slipcover chandelier shade from http://www.simplelinens.etsy.com/ and trust me it is adorable!
- Vanity Knobs
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| "The Leaner" |
I wasn't invited.....but, from what I understand neither was Mr. Obama so I guess I shouldn't feel slighted. At first I thought I might make the list because I was President Clinton's biggest fan (and the only fan from this household I might add!). I have no idea why I adored him the way I did (or still do for that matter) other than I guess I saw that "human" quality in him that kind of "oh crap...." I'm in trouble again....sort of guy... Ok.....ok....ok...way off track here..... but today is Chelsea's wedding day and I am just dying to hear about the event planning, the florals and centerpieces.....the dress.....the food ..... well EVERYTHING!!!! So I did a little research because I want and need to know who the "mastermind" is behind the most talked about wedding of the year!!!! Come to find out it's waaaaaaay more than one person!!!! The "Event Planner" is Bryan Rafanelli of Boston (a.k.a. known as the Chanel of party planning) and he has an impeccable eye for design....ok, I think he will do.....but, we have a party planner too.....me! Florals are being created by Boston-based Winston Flowers and Four Seasons George V Hotel’s artistic director Jeff Leatham (a.k.a. "The Leaner" because of his "leaning" flower bouquets. This I needed to check out..... How did they lean? Why would they lean...and even more importantly.... why would you want them to lean??? Am I missing something here, because we have an appointment with a florist on Monday and I need answers!) The flowers alone could cost $250,000!!! (Try explaining that expenditure to FOB....enough said!)
The wedding gown, is expected to cost about $25,000 and will either be a creation by Oscar de la Renta or Vera Wang. The New York Times is certain it will be de la Renta, but a lot of insiders are now saying it will be a Vera Wang. Ok.....did Bill give Chelsea a budget or is Hillary just sneaking these little extras in and she will spring him with the receipts next week, I want to know how she's doing it! OH.....and thank goodness we don't have to rent port-a-pottys (I already informed FOB that he was spared this expense because we rented a location with running water, see how frugal we are being :)!!! No gas masks needed for this little soiree because Bill’s daughter is renting the swankiest outhouses in town. The portable latrines have actual porcelain toilets, stereo music and hot running water — oh yeah, and they’re HUGE. Rental for these port-a-pottys is estimated to be $15,000!!! whoa...that alone is a huge portion of our budget.....and yet with all of the above mentioned expenses .....I have not even touched on the expense of feeding the 500+ guests ..... we all know that feeding and watering the guests takes 50% of your budget (at least that's what Martha Stewart told us on our budget sheets) and I know for a fact that there are "special" requests put in for this wedding because Chelsea is a vegan. So the catering job will be shared by Blue Ribbon Restaurants, St. Regis Hotels and Resorts, and Olivier Cheng Catering and Events. The food will include vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes, but there will also be grass-fed organic beef on the menu. It’ll reportedly be gluten-free complete with a vegan wedding cake. YUM-MO!!!
Ok....really now, had I known that all this planning was taking place, I would have gladly stepped it up and offered my assistance to the Clinton's (even though there was an obvious mix-up when it came to my invite)..... I would have kept the expenses under control for ole' Bill (really Chelsea...500 guests and I was left off the list :( .....) It does make me feel a little better knowing that many of my fellow Americans are also intrigued about who was included in the ultra-exclusive guest list. With the invite list limited to 500 names, Chelsea has apparently instituted a strict no-strangers policy: She must personally know every invitee. It’s an intimate gathering for a family that knows the most famous people in nearly every walk of life on the planet. Knowing the former president or the secretary of state isn’t good enough to get in. To make the cut, guests must have had a personal connection to Chelsea, 30, and her groom, 32, and not just to her famous parents......THIS explains everything....I really didn't know Chelsea..... I just voted for her dad so there's no personal connection ....
All joking aside, when you think about it Hilliary is probably holding this shindig away from the primary residence because she too is in the middle of a few minor home repairs. Why with Bill not employed right now he, like my own FOB, is doing the work himself. Therefore, I'm sure that their small powder room off the kitchen is in disarray also and Bill just ran out of time.... THIS is why I got FOB to start our small project 18 months in advance......we are now down to 10 and counting.... still not complete ..... close .... but, no cigar ....
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Chaos; ( noun) 1. a condition or place of total disorder or confusion: emotions in complete chaos. 2. Often Chaos. The disordered state of unformed matter and infinite space supposed by some religious cosmological views to have existed prior to the ordered universe. 3. Obs. Vast abyss or chasm.
This my friends is what Websters dictionary defines as "chaos" ...... while I on the other hand define it as the family room and powder room my life in its current state. It has been months since we started this small powder room redo and while we can see light at the end of the proverbial tunnel ..... its now that I get antsy. I am soooooo ready for the toilet to be off the back patio ..... the beautiful copper sink to be installed with the gorgeous faucet that is sitting in the box because it needs to be mounted on the awesome black vanity that has been sitting in the middle of the family room for 5 months now .... please God, help me here.... this is when I get pushy and a little bossy; adj. 1. Given to ordering others around; domineering. I like to use the word bossy because it is a much kinder way of describing the evilness that can ooze from my very soul, FOB begs to differ I'm sure! However, I do feel that I deserve some credit for putting up with the CHAOS for the last 5 months. The beautiful travertine floor is down and let me describe it for you...it has the cool soft feeling of walking in the wet part of the sand on the beach....you know just as the wave rolls in and the sand rushes over your feet and it feels so nice ..... well that is how I describe my new floor, I LOVE IT! The beadboard paneling is up and painted a creamy color called "simple white" and the walls are a soft shade of khaki. The colors are so soothing and btw...my ceiling is awesome .... copper ceiling tiles ....I just can't wait to "chachee" it up (as my SIL says).
While I continue to practice the virtues that I discussed a few blogs back ... you remember "wedding shoes".... and although I have had to bite my tongue and walk away several times, I also have to remember that FOB does not walk the forest and see it for its magesty, he walks the forest and sees each individual tree for its beauty .... unlike his wife who drives by the forest and says "that's great", where are we off to next?
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| Just a little preview!!! |
I have started to peel the wallpaper in the hall bath ..... :)
 Some of my close friends know this about me.....some maybe not so much, but I hate squirrels! How is this possible.... they're cute, they're mischievous and they really don't bother anyone..... REALLY...?!?!?!?!? I do find myself hitting the gas pedal if one is in the middle of the street in the neighborhood.......I put the hose on power wash and point it at them as they lay on the top of the fence in the backyard......just watching me water the plants, clean the pool......or whatever may take me to the backyard.......maybe it's just a relaxing cup of coffee and the paper in the morning......but NOOOO not gonna happen because ...... they are always around! I didn't always have such ill feelings towards the little critters....I actually thought they were fun to watch, cute, God's creatures......until they got in the attic a few years back.....and what an ordeal that was! Ever have the pleasure of smelling one in your home that accidentally fell between the walls and passed on???? We have....not pleasant and FYI.....one cannot buy enough Glade Air Fresheners to help the situation! I also remember the time the boys were driving home from school and accidentally hit one in the middle of the street, they were both so upset that they came home, got a shovel and a box went back and got the little critter and gave it a proper burial in the backyard...... light bulb moment here.......maybe this is why they are harassing me ...... they have a relative in the backyard, one whose life was cut short by members of this family...... WHO KNOWS......but this neighborhood is crawling with them! Why just the other day ..... mid afternoon no less, I went out to the backyard and just as big as Dallas one of my precious little friends was laying flat on his belly all sprawled out in the grass under the tree......it was cool there and he was having a leisurely break from the Dallas heatwave in my backyard......where WE ARE SUPPOSE to have breaks and enjoy the wonderful sound of water and sun and floats and watermelon and burgers.....but NOOOOOO......there he was and he wasn't moving.....no matter how close I got he just eyed me up and continued to enjoy the surroundings of my backyard.....it just gives me the creeps! Well, I have painted the picture for you as to why I dislike squirrels ..  .... and until this morning I was able to deal with it.....but not any more.....it is now full fledged WAR!!!!! I went out this morning to check the plants after a few days of nice rain and I found this......my pot man..... DEAD! One of the little cuties jumped from the tree onto the pot man (who sits in an old iron chair and has an asparagus fern planted in his little head that makes him look like he has hair)......smashed on the deck! I know who did this.....there was no wind last night ....... Pot Man has been there for years and I just planted him a few weeks back so I know he was secure in his permanent spot....it was one of my little buddies......and I know he is sitting either high above the backyard in the neighbors extremely large maple tree just laughing or maybe he is right above me as I clean up the mess he created...... in our large oak tree.....who knows.....but, he will not get the last laugh......the yard may look like a scene that Brian Williams gives us nightly from Iraq when I'm done....but he will not WIN...... let the games begin!!!!
 Just when I tell myself no more.....I have too many projects started.......I take on another one, and although I really do have way to many started when I saw these 2 lonely little chairs just crying out for some lovin', I had to come to the rescue!! A few weeks back FOB and I helped one of our children move into a precious little duplex off lower Greenville. It is absolutely adorable! We helped paint, clean and arrange furniture (I was in my element) and it was a fun, fun weekend! They have a great balcony off the second floor and on it we put the bistro table and chairs that I snatched up at an earlier estate sale in Dallas. It was brought to my attention that they would love 2 more chairs to go with the set......say no more....DONE! So, with that being said......I located the 2 sad chairs pictured and started another project! One of the lov  elies needed a little weld repair so I scoped out local weld shops.....not the cleanest places on the face of the earth, but I met 2 of the nicest people ever in this quest! I dropped the chair off on a Tuesday, left for a quick out of town trip to PA on Wednesday, arrived back home on Monday and the repairs were complete and ready for pick-up on Tuesday! Yeah!!!! I was told that everyone stepping into the shop during the time it was in sick bay.....wanted the chair! So even though it was only one little area that needed mended.....my new friend made sure that every weld was perfect and ready for use! I have cleaned the rust off and spray painted ..... FOB is cutting the plywood inserts for me to cover and I should have this project complete this weekend! Yeah!!! Nick and Liz will be sooooo happy!!! :)
Over the past week, we have had family visiting.....it was an absolutely enjoyable visit! However, Wednesday night proved to be a little humorous! It's true that we all tend to wear our hair just a smidgen shorter in the hot summer months and for guys.....well some guys.....even where they plop down for this "summer cut" doesn't matter in the least. We women make our appointments 6 weeks out with the hope that the style and root growth make it for 6 weeks. Men on the other hand tend to just go with the flow and as long as there is a breathing human being waiting with scissors and an open chair......they sit! It is this sort of stupidity thinking that got my brother in law into a little "bad hair" dilemma! After dinner we were sitting around the table visiting when said BIL starting telling the story of his recent bad haircut. He was explaining that he described exactly what he wanted and got the look he was sporting instead. Now really......yes it wasn't his "best" look but for the most part the line that went around his head (where I think Edward Scissorhands the stylist put the bowl) wasn't properly faded into the longer hair on the top of his head. Yes it looked a lot like he gave the clippers to my nephew Jack for practice.....but he could still go out in public and unless he called attention to his new "do" most people would not have noticed anything out of the ordinary......until he made "another" very bad decision........ this would involve going to get it "fixed"!!!! Friday night we were all invited to BIL's house for dinner ..... and we were all warned by SIL that a certain individual got yet another haircut.....only this time it's a much better story!!! He goes back to the "same salon" and asks for a haircut ..... open chair and scissors in hand set off any alarms........??? Down he sits......asks for a #1 on the sides and a #2 or #3 on the top..... Good gravy I can't remember the length he asked for, but a stylist that does NOT speak the English language very well should be the first clue that maybe you should wait or even com  e back at a later time ....... but NOOOOOO ...... plop down, watch closely as your hair is being buzzed right off your head and then pay ........ better yet TIP ...... and leave!!! I think (I was laughing too hard at this point to remember the next series of events) this is when he called my SIL to let her know that he "thinks" he got yet another bad haircut........and knowing her as I do ...... I'm sure that this statement led to a series of questions as to where, when, how and by whom ........did this "bad" haircut take place. She was still a little in shock over the first "bad" bowl cut and now just days later he does it to himself ...... yet again! BIL goes home and goes to his office and begins to work (with get this....... a ball cap on his head) I guess hoping that no one in the family w ould notice ..... who knows.......but SIL comes home asks for the ball cap to be removed and all but had a coronary! I know, I know....... hair grows quickly and in two (well maybe three) weeks he should start to look normal again, but I could not let an opportunity like this be passed up .... this is what makes "families" sooooo much fun ........ I HAD to take a picture and blog this one! Sorry Scott......I'm so sorry.....really ...... that this laugh has to be at your expense...but, you did this to yourself, your wife warned you......so maybe the next time waiting for the "right" stylist will mean just a little bit more to you or even better yet, make an appointment with someone you know and trust ..... your wife does ...... and her hair looks great!
 We are blessed in many ways.....a firm belief in a Supreme Being, families that love each other unconditionally and friends that make our lives so very complete .... these are just a few of the very special ones that come to mind! In the friends department, we are soooooo very blessed ..... because we have "the best"! While friends are an important part of every person's life, we make sure that our friends know how very important they are to us! So with that being said ...... here is why we feel we are exceptionally fortunate in this department. You see, we have dear friends who just happen to have a son that is a professional athlete. So when he is in season we travel to stadiums that we want to see and cities that we have not been to and have a longing to explore. We have been to San Francisco, Seattle, New York and Boston ..... and have just loved each city more than the last. The Golden Gate Bridge was on my personal "bucket list" and it did not disappoint ....... Seattle was just breathtakingly beautiful at every turn (I think this is by far my personal favorite (stadium too!) ....... New York, well whats not to love about New York ...... Broadway (I personally do not recommend the show Memphis ...... just in case you care) shopping, and exploring the subway (that's another whole post in itself) and then Boston .... with all the history and beautiful sights.......it was fabulous also (2nd favorite for me). So with all this being said ...... the wives accompanied our dear husbands this year on the annual "guys" trip to New York and Boston ...... we actually told them they couldn't go unless we accompanied them (and they listened) ...... thanks guys you are all so very special to us! :) But, let's just really focus on New York for a minute......we had a blast...... - We got lost explored the Subway
- Ate and indulged in adult beverages
- Explored Grand Central Station and tried to figure out just how they produced the scene from the "Untouchables"
- Ate and indulged in great beverages
- We made new friends (Tilman the skateboarding English Bulldog check him out on youTube)he was staying at our Hotel......unbelievable! He was also a contestant on the reality show the "Great American Dog"!!!
- Ate at Carnegie Deli
- Ate and again indulged a little bit more
- Saw Tiffany's......FOB did not feel it was necessary to indulge
 me :(
- Watched Baseball
- Ate yet again and you guessed it .......
- Walked around Battery Park and saw the Statue of Liberty and explored Central Park
- Saw a Broadway Show
- and while walking back to the hotel from Broadway decided we were .......yes, once again hungry and witnessed something that was just unbelievable ....this involves a street vendor!
While returning from "Memphis", we decided that maybe we hadn't had quite enough to eat and we were on the prowl for "something". Not knowing what this "something" might be ..... we just walked and w alked and ........ walked! As we were walking there are a lot of street vendors selling their goodies and if you have ever been to New York you are well aware of GYRO'S. This is a mixture of ground lamb or chicken or both, rice, lettuce, cheese and a yogurt/mayo sauce that goes over the top of said ingredients. Most of these vendors had one or two customers around their carts at any given time ..... until we turned the corner and right beside our Hotel was a line of customers that extended down the block ....... all waiting for a GYRO from this on e vendor. This peaked our curiosity ....... what's so special about this particular vendor? Why would people wait in a line like this when they could just walk a half a block and get the same thing with no wait.......WHY???? I happen to be with two other women who can strike up conversations with a mannequin and have it talk back ...... so they decided to "interview" people in line, while I (the most quiet and reserved member of the trio) went and got in line just in case we decided this is where we might want to indulge. The line moved fairly quickly and I could sense that there was commotion near the "cart" all the while knowing exactly who was causing "said commotion"! Not only did she interview people, she had them giving her samples off their plates to try ..... by the time Bruce and I got somewhat near the cart, she made life long friends with the vendors and probably exchanged Christmas Card addresses! This vendor has been written up in papers and has been promoted on the local news and even though the vendor directly across 6th Ave had the same shirts on .......  there was no line at that cart ...... everyone that Lisa talked to insisted that this cart was the best in New York ...... period! So after having pictures made with the vendors, exchanging hugs and thank yous ...... and sending the guys off to find a six pack of the "High Life" we headed back to our room to eat ....... yet again. Now I am here to tell you that this was one of our tastiest meals in NY and it only cost $6. We didn't eat at shabby joints either ..... Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill (which was very good don't get me wrong) Lindy's for breakfast (again delish......) but this Gyro stuff was greatness!!!! I have no idea of the calorie content or fat content of this dinner ... ...and I really do not want to know ..... we were on vacation anyway! But we can personally verify that this was "delicious"! So after spending 4 great days in the "City that never sleeps" we were off to explore Boston for for 3 days ...... and watch Baseball in Fenway Park! How great is that? Like I said we are Blessed ..... I will catch you up on our adventures in Boston in another post ....... but, what a great city it was too! Here's a great big thank you to our "Dancin' Fool" friend and her sweet husband ...... we so appreciate our friendship and Head Ho ..... travelling with you makes ...... everyday an adventure!
 In one of my very first posts, I mentioned that FOB and I could stand to lose a few pounds. FOB was well on his way to his goal weight, while I on the other hand ....... well, not so much! Nothing has changed in this scenario except for the fact that FOB has lost 25 pounds and still continues to get up every morning at 5:45 am and get on the treadmill.....(and I don't).... now walks about 4 miles daily, incline set to 4.5 and speed set at "mach" while I on the other hand ... really have done nothing....... I will find every excuse known to man for not exercising ..... my legs hurt, heel pain.....shin splints.....hips are killing me......ankle (I really do think I have arthritis in them......) is a little swollen and maybe I need to rest it, oh.....and don't forget that this allergy season has been horrible too! Regardless, no matter what the symptom may be ....... it's definitely an excuse for me not to exercise. I know I said that I would not be a "frumpy" MOB ..... and I won't....hopefully..... and mini me Bob and Jillian FOB and side kick daughter have now made it their personal mission to get me on track and in shape ........ puhhh....leassseee.....put me out of my misery! Really this "push" started to kick into full gear last weekend ..... while I have one SIL running frickin' marathons on a weekly basis (I am sooooo very proud of you LA!) and yet another SIL and BIL shedding lb's like a snake sheading skin in the spring ..... I was shamed gently nudged into starting some type of workout regimen. First I was told that I was not wearing the correct shoes for walking....no arch support....whatever!!! This could be the reason for all the leg, ankle, hip, shin....pain ..... put me out of this misery please!!! None the less, I walked with them, kept up and with very little complaining walked the total 4.5 miles (we did stop at the in-laws house along the way for water and a brief rest....ONLY because SIL needed sinus meds....not on my account :) but I was sooooo very happy she was sneezing a lot!!!) Now you may be asking yourself why did I bring all of my short comings to print again???? Well, yesterday was this MOB's birthday and it was also Mothers Day so my sweet, sweet family made my day extra special in a number of ways! First Kadie made breakfast (which was just delish....) and while we were enjoying each others company over breakfast they presented a B-day card.......being a  lmost moved to tears by the sentiment on the front of the card....I opened it only to have a "coupon" fall out! My initial thought was oh no... it's one of those "one free night of cooking/dishes"..... smile Diane, be thankful for this wonderful day.....but it wasn't...not even close... it was a Gift Certificate for a new pair of walking shoes!!! I was so excited.....then I was told to take note of the expiration date ........ it expired on May 9, 2010 ...... get dressed Luke's Locker opens at noon, you have 45 minutes! No more excuses, I can exercise and walk now, I have the correct equipment.......(happy dance going nuts in my heart ..... are you making a big mental picture of this??) Crap, what excuse can I use now.....sigh :( So off we go....FOB, Kadie, David and MOB .... Luke's Locker here we come! We walk in and are immediately greeted by Brandon who wanted to know my name and what type of exercising did I do .... not much Brandon.....can't you tell? OK Diane, lets take your shoes off and let me watch you walk.....just pretend I'm not watching you and walk this track up and back at your normal speed and we'll see what shoe works best for you ..... yea right ... just another sales pitch to sell you over priced shoes made by those poor children in Malaysia ..... but I did as I was told! To my amazement this was the first question out of his mouth ..... Do you have heel pain? Yes..... Do you have tightness in your calves, do the outside of your legs bother you when you walk......ankles sore......???? How the hell does he know all of this by just watching me walk...!!! My family told him all of this I'm sure...... they set me up....... but I was wrong .... this wonderful young man put me in a pair of walking shoes that were heavenly! Not only that, he informed me that I was wearing shoes that were a 1.5 too small for me.....and then......not done yet......preceded to sell me socks that grip your arch and help with blisters..... unbelievable! He gave me instructions on how to deal with the heel pain.....I am in love (even though we are both happily married) he made my feet do a happy dance like never before.....BLISS! So not only did we purchase new walking shoes for me ........ we purchased FOB a good pair of walking shoes too ...... and in our bright new white sneakers we walked yesterday ........ over 4 miles .... and I hung with him......I'm sure I held FOB back some, but he didn't complain and I slept like a newborn last night ...... legs were sore, heel still hurts, but it is just magical what the correct shoes will do for your feet! I love my husband and children (and their significant others) they made my day so very special. Dinner was prepared for me and clean-up handled too, flowers, perfume, cell phone accessories and new walking shoes ..... my day was glorious! So I now have no excuse but to walk.....and that's what I am about to do ...... they will all be so proud! Don't be surprised if you see the walking shoes under the MOB gown, not only are they comfy ..... they are stylish too!
 As most of you will remember ..... back in oh...say....February....I mentioned that I wanted to start demolition a small remodel of the powder room off the kitchen/family room area. I had found the perfect antique vanity for the space, ordered the copper sink that I wanted for the vanity and knew with absolute certainty the color scheme that I wanted to use....I was ready to start!!!! However, there was one very important step that I was missing from this scenario.... FOB! I needed his help to start the process and after our past experiences with bathroom remodels......He wasn't sharing the same amount of enthusiasm as I was in starting this process! So I patiently waited and waited and waited.... finally two weeks ago we started and I am happy to announce that as of today several steps in the process have been completed! First the hideous old brown carpet vintage carpet was removed..... this in itself is a major part of the remodel for me!!!! The ceiling was scraped of that dreadful stuff that they sprayed on ceilings in the  80's called "popcorn" (again, another major step for me) and the sunflower border wallpaper that I so meticiously cut out ..... was scraped off the walls.....the angels were singing and my heart was doing such a "happy dance"!!! Next the old built in vanity was removed and all pieces were quickly carried to the front for curbside trash pick-up..... including the old cultured marble vanity top (another song and dance in my heart)!!!!!! I was sooooo very excited about the enthusiasm FOB was showing for this project....I carried all demo items out of the way (I did it so quickly that Waste Management would have hired me instantly for sanitation duty)....... that by late afternoon demo was "almost" complete! Next step was ..... lighting ..... the old "box" light that housed 3 light bulbs was to be torn out and replaced with the much more chic "can lights" and I am happy to announce FOB completed (well semi completed...) that step last weekend. So possibly this weekend we will have can lights installed, and flooring started..... this would be the best Mothers Day/Birthday present ever!!!
CaringLove
Joyfulness Humor Grace
Persistence
Prudence
Restraint
Silence
Tact ..... and last but not least ..... Wisdom
These are just a few of the many virtues that I have been experiencing  practicing the last few months. Virtues that I thought I knew and understood, but obviously I was wrong! Each and every one of these virtues have been put to the test recently....seriously! Who on earth would think that wedding shoe shopping would be soooooo hard. Maybe it was because we are under the gun....had to find shoes in a few weeks so that the dress could actually be put into production...with the "hem to measure"! Oh I'm sorry you're not familiar with that term are you? Well, that means as the gown is made, it is hemmed to your exact measurements....which includes your shoe's heel height..... so what if you don't have your shoes picked out yet..... get them quick! So over the past 3-4 weeks we have been looking and nothing and I truly do mean nothing has been perfect! We have scoped out designers that I have never even heard of....we have shopped every department store, boutique and on-line shop there is. To no avail.....until yesterday! Once again our tried and true dependable (and I should add .... LOVE.... ) Nordstroms came through. Maybe we were just looking for the style and color a little to early in the season, maybe we were looking right past it, who knows..... but regardless mission accomplished, shoes purchased and another "to do" checked off the list. Really I would love to know how many of you really do recognize some of the designer names we were looking at ..... and I do love shoes as much as the next woman.....but really now.....$1600 for a pair of shoes (yes, there were some we picked up and put right back down with that type of price tag!) FOB would have had a coronary ....
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