Chez Cheri

Valentine's Day - a history lesson

2012-02-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

St. Valentine's Story

Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I lived in Rome during the third century. That was long, long ago! At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius. I didn't like Emperor Claudius, and I wasn't the only one! A lot of people shared my feelings.Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want to leave their wives and families. As you might have guessed, not many men signed up. This made Claudius furious. So what happened? He had a crazy idea. He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. I thought it was preposterous! I certainly wasn't going to support that law!
Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favourite activities was to marry couples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing marriage ceremonies -- secretly, of course. It was really quite exciting. Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself. We would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers.
One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I was marrying escaped in time. I was caught. (Not quite as light on my feet as I used to be, I guess.) I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was death.
I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Wonderful things happened. Many young people came to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up to my window. They wanted me to know that they, too, believed in love.
One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit me in the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours. She helped me to keep my spirits up. She agreed that I did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages. On the day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. I signed it, "Love from your Valentine."
I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day. It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people remember. But most importantly, they think about love and friendship. And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh -- because they know that love can't be beaten!

MIL (mother in-laws)

2012-02-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Not enough credit goes to our mother in-laws...

And here comes the oxymoron...

When you marry their sons (as in my case) you don't quite feel like you measure up, you may resent her to some degree, you may get annoyed when she gives her opinion, you may be hurt when she makes you feel like you don't know how to parent.

But as you grow with each other and "YOU" mature, you come to find out a lot of what she said was true and it was all said with love. You value her wisdom and you hope to pass this knowledge to your own children.You realize that she loves you as if you were her own. My mother in-law has made me feel part of her inner circle of people she holds near and dear to her heart.

Without her I wouldn't have gotten two great sister in-laws

or this guy.

And now I am in "that" club... I am a mother in-law, too... I only hope our son in-laws (we only have daughters) are patient with me and accepting of my opinions and wisdom as we go through many years together and know that I only say these things because they are part of my inner circle of people that I hold near and dear to my heart.

So Mom G. I love you and I am glad that I am part of your family and you are of mine.

Before...After and After

2012-02-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

Haste makes waste is so true or in our case...patience is a virtue

Half bath aka "the nemesis" when we moved in

Before:

Our first attempt to remodel

which involved new fixtures in brushed nickel and paint.

After a few months....the paint was blistering in spots. So I took a putty knife and scraped those areas and my walls were all pocked up but the idea was to skim coat them with drywall compound, prime and paint again. Shortly after hubby started "that" process... the blistering started AGAIN and he was not too happy. So....

give the man some tools and this is what happens...

After about 2 months it now looks like this and I LOVE it.

Inexpensive with recycling and using materials we already had.

See What Happens When You Drink in the Morning

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

Can't take her anywhere...

Sue, Joyce and Denise spent the day with me yesterday...

Can ya take a wild guess who this is?

Give her a little OJ...

AND this is what happens.

AND...

It doesn't stop there...

Oh No...

Can you imagine if there was a little vodka mixed with the OJ...

Here are the other two...

Who behaved themselves....LOL

BUT...

The one (and I won't mention any names, Joyce) can be just as crazy

Miss Joyce

Miss Denise

So I guess we all know who the "crazy" lady at the top is now that I helped you narrow that down.

Title: Courtesy of Jay "after" he saw Sue's photos.

I will leave you with one last picture...

the table all set up and waiting for these ladies to come on by...

It Must be Love

2012-02-04T11:22:00.000-05:00

Love is in the air with Valentine's Day just around the corner but after spending almost $400 in a couple of weeks on this little gal

with last night's Vet bill at a whooping $244.00, "It Must Be Love." She is our baby and she is a very good girl. She has such a gentle disposition...what's not to love.

The story behind the Boo boo...and it isn't broken...

Spent the past week with oldest daughter and family in NC and she was fine...got home yesterday and still fine...late in the afternoon while talking to this particular daughter, I called the pups to go outside and she didn't come (she would have been there in a heart beat since she LOVES the outside). Finally she came but was limping and daughter thought maybe she laid on her paw wrong. About 30-45 min. later I was at my computer when I heard this sound like a bird that was injured and thought either it was on TV or some how a bird got in the house....NOPE...the awful sound was coming from our little fur child and the other fur child was over her protecting her. I got the other pup away and when I went to pick her up she was shaking and whimpering...so I called the Vet. They had just closed (go figure) but they would wait for me to come in. After some X-rays, exam, pain shot, a sedative shot, (2) prescriptions and a wrapped paw...we were out of there. She has a spur sticking from her joint that should right itself and the Vet said it was a good thing that it didn't stick going into her joint or then we would have been looking at some surgery. Not sure how this all happened.

She is adjusting sloooooowly to this wrapped paw but still hobbles around on (3) legs. She gets carried...did you think I would do anything else. Even some of our daughters say if there is such a thing as reincarnation they want to come back as "my" dog. Wonder why????

So for the next week someone is going to be babied.

Life Explained

2012-01-27T07:34:00.001-05:00

On the first day, God created the dog and said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past.  For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years."

The dog said, "That's a long time to be barking.  How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?"

And God said that it was good.

On the second day, God created the monkey and said, "Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh.  For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span."

The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years?  That's a pretty long time to perform.  How about I give you back ten like the dog did?"

And God, again said that it was good.
On the third day, God created the cow and said, "You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family.  For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years."

The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years.  How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?"

And God agreed it was good.

On the fourth day, God created humans and said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life.  For this, I'll give you twenty years."

But the human said, "Only twenty years?  Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?"

"Okay," said God, "You asked for it."

So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves.  For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family.  For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren.  And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Life has now been explained to you.

There is no need to thank me for this valuable information.  I'm doing it as a public service.  If you are looking for me I will be on the front porch.

(Courtesy of my sister in-law, Rae Lynn)

And since it is no fun to see posts without at least one picture....

I give you The Next Top Model:

Courtesy of our daughter, Jessica, owner of Ridgemeade Photography

Smile

2012-01-21T07:52:00.006-05:00

Remember You Don't Stop Laughing Because You Grow Old, You Grow Old Because You Stop Laughing

Photos courtesy of my sister in-law, thanks Rae Lynn

Tag your it

2012-01-16T13:13:00.000-05:00

Jessica over at Unsuppressedjess.blogspot.com tagged me in this fun post. She is my daughter and should know most if not all of these facts but some might be new to you.

First Things First, The Rules:

You must post the rules.

Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

Tag eleven people and link them on your post

Let them know you've tagged them!

Eleven Fun Facts About Me:

1. I like to read, so much so that I have books on Kindle, been a member of Doubleday for years and have endless magazine subscriptions.

2. I love Fall colors, and it is my favorite season...I like blues but have a hard time decorating with that color.

3. My husband was my very first boyfriend, we have known each other for 41 years, been married for 33 years.

4. I don't worry about illnesses or Dr. appts. I figure if something is wrong they will tell me my options and we will go from there. There are other things I worry about more.

5. I always wanted to learn to play the violin

6. I have always liked working in an office setting, even as a kid I would play office. With that being said, I am a certified Paralegal.

7. Technology baffles me and now I feel like my parents. My husband or girls usually pick out my cell phone, computer, printer etc: and then explain it to me.

8. I am a coffee - cappuccino drinker big time.

9. I wear the same jewelry every day and can't stand not having my watch on.

10. I have no sense of style and basically wear the same style of clothing, jeans.

11. I hate tomatoes

Jessica's Questions for me:

What is the quirkiest thing about yourself? My girls could probably answer this better than me, but many folks think it strange that I don't like tomatoes but like tomato soup and ketchup.

What was the last movie that made you laugh out loud? What one made you cry? Honestly we watch a lot of Action movies so I can't remember one that made me laugh or cry.

What is your favorite book? I have many favorites but I love Gone with the Wind.

If you could spend a day with someone (living or dead) who would it be and what would you talk about? Gosh, that could be a long list but I would love to meet Sean Connery and we could talk about anything, I just like to hear his voice.

What word do you use most often? love you (oops...that's two words)

Where is one thing on your bucket list to see or do? Go to Ireland

What one possession would you save if your house was on fire? my pups

Would you be willing to eat a bowl of live crickets for $40,000? If no, what would you be willing to eat for $40,000? No and Nothing.

What is your favorite church hymn? Awesome God, considered a praise hymn

Which toe is longer on your feet the big toe or the pointer toe next to it? pointer

What was your best subject in high school and why? history...just loved it.

Who's Next:

1. Sandie at http://chattycrone.blogspot.com/

2. Sue at http://rue-mouffetard.blogspot.com/

3. Debbie at http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/

4. Eva at http://embasonartcorner.blogspot.com/

5. Sweet Tea at http://lagirlsweetea.blogspot.com/

6. Kelly at http://theessenceofhome.blogspot.com/

7. Kim at http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

8. Rachel at http://www.graspingforobjectivity.com/

IF there is anyone else who would like to participate...please feel free...would like to get to know you also.

My Questions for you:

1. Favorite TV show(s)?

2. Do you believe in love at first sight?

3. What famous person would you have like to have traded places with present or past and why?

4. What is your decorating style?

5. Are you a baker, cook or both?

6. Your favorite recipe?

7. Can you sing, dance, draw and play a musical instrument or which ones?

8. What one question would you ask a candidate running for president?

9. What is one thing or profession you wished you would have done?

10. What pet peeve do you have?

11. One thing in your daily routine you would not give up?

Bella

2012-01-15T19:54:00.001-05:00

Another Cutie at the ACC animal shelter
MEET BELLA: She’s a sweet, affectionate pup that gets attached to you right away! Bella’s a great companion for all types of families and would live comfortably in apartment-style and small homes. She was really eager to come out and play when I came to her pen and followed me everywhere we walked. Bella’s desperate for a someone to take her home and could make a great companion, so be sure to check her out on your next visit! • Ledger #: 34764 • Age: 2-4 months • Breed: Dachshund mix • Gender: Female

Is she cute or what? I keep thinking about her. I am so tempted to go see her. A friend posted this on FB...dang him.

Southfork Ranch interior

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

Now...let's see if third time is the charm.

Each time I try to do this post the internet knocks me off... is it trying to tell me something?

The house is 4,769 sq. ft. not as large as the TV show portrays. The tour guide was telling us that the interior shots had to be done on a set in LA because of all the equipment used and these rooms definitely could not handle that.

Here we go...ready...

This room is where we sat and were told the history of the place. They call this Bobby's Board room.

Right outside Bobby's Board room is JR's office. I took this picture because of the walls, they are leather panels with studs and to the right is the bathroom with two stalls.

The doors to the left are the two stalls

Another bar area and thought these candlesticks were quite fitting.

No explanation for these next pictures.

Actor, Jim Davis, as Jock Ewing

Lovely bronze Eagle is family room.

These bedrooms were on the 1st floor...Lucy Ewings

Bobby's beddroom

Miss Ellie and Jock's bedroom

Miss Ellie and Jock's bathroom

Upstairs we saw JR and Sue Ellen's bedroom and bath

Near the man on the right is the second floor balcony that over looks the pool and behind the bed are large pictures of JR and Sue Ellen. This is the book case going out of their bedroom.

JR and Sue Ellen's large bathroom with sauna

Upstairs hallway went around the foyer. Where the person is on the left are french doors that lead to the balcony in the front of the house.

Half bath off the foyer and around the corner to the left is the private toilet area

Hope you enjoyed the tour and a bit of history. Stay tuned this summer when a new series is suppose to start.

The Magic of TV and a few fun facts - Southfork Ranch part 2

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

The long driveway I told you about in the earlier post...well our tour guide had some real interesting facts to tell all of us.

To make the driveway appear longer than what it was they would keep shooting the driveway and spice the shots.

To make it appear like Jock was bringing up dust on his Cadillac wheels (the show shows the driveway like it is dirt when it is actually black top) they would put flour on the wheels and in the driveway and the actor portraying Jock, would have to make sure the tires would hit the mark.

For the pool scenes they would tie a rope around the actor (in the pool) waist and someone on the other end would keep pulling them back as they would swim so it would appear as though the pool was olympic size.

When JR looked over the second floor balcony and found Kristin dead in the pool, they actually had a net to catch her in and then transfer her to the pool. If she really did fall from the balcony she would have fallen in shrubs, then there was concrete and then the pool. That would have been some stunt.

Mirror were placed around the pool to make it look olympic size

All this was TV magic.

Jock's Cadillac

We were told that when the show ended they couldn't find the Cadillac until one day when a worker was getting some bales of hay to discover that the car had been buried in the hay.

This was a small arena but in the show of course it looks larger than life for rodeos.

From the second floor back balcony looking over the 360 acres.

Back of the house, second floor balcony that leads to JR and Sue Ellen's bedroom. The covered patio on the right is where many scenes were shot of them having breakfast.

Um...not olympic size

Last day....interior pics

Southfork Ranch - part 1

2012-01-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

Southfork Ranch in Parker, TX is the back drop for the TV show "Dallas" starting Larry Hagman as JR Ewing. .

Here is some history:

The house was built in 1970 to Joe Duncan and his family and in 1978 Lorimar Productions flew a helicopter onto their front lawn approaching Mr. Duncan about using his home as the mansion in the TV show Dallas; Mr. Duncan promptly declined.

Lorimar was in a predicament because they originally used a home in another area but no longer could use that place and needed a home that would look like a rich oil family lived there and could be photographed looking good at all angles.

Scouting the area in the helicopter they came across Mr. Duncan's home. Lorimar was desperate to find something fast. They approached Mr. Duncan again and after a few weeks to think about it...agreed, but he had two conditions...

No inside shots...it was their home

and

Shooting would only take place June, July and August when his three sons were out of school so as not to disrupt their school schedules. So all those seasons that look like Christmas and the woman are wearing fur coats...yup...it is summer time in Texas.

In the 1980 cliff hanger of "who shot JR" brought about all kinds of celebrity seekers thinking that the actors really lived in "that" house. People would come on their property, look in the windows and Mrs. Duncan actually had some come in the house carrying out furniture. So the Duncans sold the property and I cannot remember the man's name but he ended up going bankrupt. He built in the backyard a party deck and thought there would be oil near the party deck and capped it off because he mortgaged the house on this scheme. Mr. Rex Maughan, a business man from Arizona, bought the place to use as a tourist attraction.

Sometime the end of summer

history will repeat itself with a new Dallas airing on TNT. They have been shooting on the actual Southfork Ranch for the past three months.

This was the photo we took

This photo is a photo like the opening of the show

The "long" driveway. It was long but not as long as the show portrayed. More on that later.

The main cast of : L-R
JR Ewing, Sue Ellen Ewing, Jock Ewing, sitting Miss Ellie, in the red is Lucy Ewing, Bobby Ewing, Pam Ewing and Ray Krebbs.

Next up...some interesting cinema facts

Grand Lux Cafe

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

Probably odd that this post would be about a restaurant but this is no ordinary restaurant...

this is "The" Grand Lux Cafe.

Now cafe suggests to me coffee and sandwiches

No

Then you go inside and you think

$$$

No

Everyone in any type of attire comes in...

whether you have been shopping in the Galleria Mall

Or

used valet parking and made reservations

this is the place to come.

The price is fair...

The service extraordinary (our waiter the first night was a young man named, Mark and he was TERRIFIC) and I said first time because we ate there again on our last night...it was that good.

So without further adieu we will start out going into the Galleria Mall on Noel Rd. in Dallas, TX with its three floors and an indoor ice rink

Here is a picture of the ceiling

There were tons of stores in here I have never heard of but really didn't have the time to shop....I know...what's wrong with me???? Could you imagine walking in this place for just the exercise.

This is what you see in the Mall. There is a way to get into the restaurant from the street where there is valet parking.

This is going into the Grand Lux Cafe and it is looooong

Lovely ceilings and lights...awesome

Wanted to show the booth seating...isn't it lovely and yes....it's true....the camera does add extra pounds

These metal studs were between each and every tile that was on the walls in the whole place

This was a large area between our hotel and the mall that the pups could use (if ya know what I mean). Awesome for them. That is the humungous parking deck for the mall.

Next up: Southfork Ranch

Question

2012-01-05T17:15:00.001-05:00

I saw this. don't remember where. does anyone out there know where this can be bought or if it was a blog, whose it was?

Christmas Scavenger Hunt

2012-01-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

Jess is the one who is clever enough to write riddles for the person who has to find their gift, which unfortunately for her, she doesn't get to be a recipient of the scavenger hunt, but one Christmas we will all put our heads together and have her do one. Anyhow...

Here was one of my clues

Jess actually made this pop up card of the skyline...the NYC skyline

Jay was taking me (Betsy came too) on a day trip to NYC that included an evening carriage ride through Central Park. The day started out cloudy and the first 3 hours were fine and spent checking out the new 911 Memorial Bldgs. but then it rained. It rained enough that our feet were soaked, our pants (on the bottom) were soaked and the carriage ride was canceled. That just gives us another excuse to go back...right?
We still had fun shopping and going to an Irish Pub for dinner.

Miss Liberty as we were coming in from the Holland Tunnel

Empire State Bldg.

Tree at Rockefeller Center

Trying to stay dry

Random...

Here are a couple of gifts that were so cute I had to share.

This was in my stocking. Mabry watched The Grinch and everyone got these (tic tacs).

This is Mabry's hand, her mama did the stitching except for the read outline which Mabry did. A new ornament for next year. The bag says, "Made with love by an Elf named Mabry"

A little of this and a little of that

2011-12-31T18:05:00.000-05:00

Well I am late with Christmas and here it is New Year's Eve but I guess better late than never.

So....

Let me start out by saying that I want to

"WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR."

Now... Christmas 2011

We were in Lancaster, PA...up north hoping for a little snow to make the holiday bright.

No such luck. We even went further north to pick up my Mother in-law and still no snow.

I know...who wants snow...

Well I do for the holidays. Let's face it, all the Christmas movies with Santa and the North Pole there is SNOW.

Daughter had a lovely tree and their home was decorated so cute.

There were so many gifts that they had to put some by the one wall. After all there were 7 adults, 1 child and 3 dogs. Yes...we are "those" people that get each other's dogs gifts...don't judge.

Christmas morning is not complete unless there are pictures in your PJs and a hot drink (or princess in your hand).

The gang (remember it is morning so no one has cleaned up except my MIL)

Funny story...my MIL comes down in this Chinese robe...it was tied shut and she walks over to my granddaughter and says, "Come here granny has something for you to touch." Of course we all had panicked looks on our faces thinking....WHAT! My MIL is a young 91 but we thought she had lost it...really. Hesitantly our little gal went over and as my MIL started to open her robe and we were ready to grab the child before her eyes were permanently scarred, my MIL took her hand to have her feel the silk of the robe. Whew! Now that just goes to show where our minds were.

Next up...

Sometimes we give one person a scavenger hunt to find one of their gifts, this year it was me.

TWO WORDS

2011-12-21T09:03:00.003-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Crafty Ideas from This Old House

2011-12-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

I saw this picture...I scratched my head...but then I read under the picture and did some ooohing and ahhhing...

This just might be something to make for our two SPOILED doxies...hmmm. Jay just might hate all the fantastic things I find in this magazine since it would be added to his "honey do" list.

Now here is something that I could do...

See that column to the left of the picture..."A new way to see shims"...yes folks...shims and there are directions on how to make this. AWESOME!

Jay...you need to pay attention to this one...its for you...no...really...its for you. You wanted to build yourself a desk and this one is....well... it had me at "hello" desk.

Before we know it...

2011-12-15T14:42:00.000-05:00

2012 will be here and we will make proclamations to diet, exercise more, save more money, eat healthy etc: etc:
AND
Organize...

So here are a few things I love/like that was in my Jan/Feb issue of "This Old House" that I wanted to share with you all. Enjoy or better yet...go get a magazine...you will not be disappointed with all the ideas, directions...because they are awesome like that.

Pretty cool way to use that unused space under the steps.

Love the look and use of built ins and a seating area or maybe it could be a guest bed.

I think I know some little girl that would like this for her bed (maybe a gamma's house).

This is one idea I would like to have in my house (somewhere). Jay...are you reading this?

I don't believe there are doors on this but there could be and the shoes would or could be hidden. What mom doesn't like that.

This Old House described this in a basement....I need to say how much I LOVE THIS. (kissy noises here).

Next up...

A few craft ideas from the magazine.

Disclaimer: The magazine did not ask me for my opinion...I just love this magazine and the ideas each issue has. The fact that they also give you directions on most of the items is a plus. If you are a serious DIYer and you don't subscribe...you should and even if your not...you should subscribe. Really.

Time for holidays...Time for Decorations and Time to Wish them...

2011-12-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

TO OUR DAUGHTER AND OUR SON IN-LAW...HAPPY 8 YEARS!

WE LOVE YOU BOTH AND WISH YOU MANY MANY MORE YEARS OF HAPPINESS TOGETHER.

Auction for Amelia

2011-12-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

Catherine over at http://catherinesteacups.blogspot.com/ is having a Christmas Love Auction in honor of Amelia.

Isn't she just too cute... here is what Catherine wrote on her blog...

One year ago this month, on December 22rd, this precious little Baby in the above photo, Amelia, was born into a loving family to a Daddy named Jacob and a Mommy named Jenny in Michigan. Jacob & Jenny had been married just 18 short months when Baby Amelia arrived. After Amelia was born there were complications and Jenny, her mommy died. Hearing about this event broke my heart and I just felt I wanted to do something for little Amelia.

So, please stop on over to Catherine's blog and check out the items she has for auction, if you do not want to bid on any item, she would appreciate you posting on your blog, FB or Twitter to get the word out.

It's Cookie Time and I don't mean Girl Scouts

2011-12-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

Joyce and her lovely daughter, Annie, invited friends and bloggers to a Breakfast Christmas cookie exchange on Saturday morning. Here is "our" Joyce and Sue...she has on the apron you made her.

Here are some of the girls and Annie is in the middle with the black turtleneck

Annie and Joyce had some wonderful breakfast eats, coffee and a cocoa bar set up. They were wonderful hostesses and they gave each of us gals scarves which was really awesome. Who doesn't love a scarf.

I don't have a picture of all the yummy cookies but they were placed all around the kitchen and we went around putting one package of each one in our container and then went around again and kept doing that until all the cookies were gone. It is pretty nice not to have to make several different kinds of cookies, but there are some (at least in my family) that seem to be favorites that are a must.

That is Kelly (Sandie's daughter), me, Joyce and Sandie. Kelly,me and Sandie have on the scarves that we were given. Joyce was busy as our server...should we have tipped her????

Lovely Tree and Nutcrackers on the built ins on either side of the fireplace.

They even have "The Elf on the Shelf" book, wish that was around when our girls were small. That Elf would have come in handy.

I took this picture to show the cabinets and the lovely blue color they were painted. Personally I like them. Personally I am in awe how brave Annie was to paint them a color and not stay neutral...like the person who is blogging right now. I have thought of it but that is as far as the process has gone. Believe it or not I had thought about a barn red and antique them but now I am thinking a pale gray and they are white at my house which in all honesty is probably what they will remain. I just keep thinking about the humongous task it would be...and my brain goes into a contorted state...I have heart palpitations and sweats, so until I can get my body under control...the cabinets will remain white.

Jay took me and when he came back to pick me up and I was putting our goodies in the car...this is what I saw

I asked him what these were for and he said to read the cards...

Clever man.

PS- I have another post coming this afternoon so please come back.

Savvy Southern Style Reviews and Giveaways: Huge Giveaway

2011-12-11T10:52:00.000-05:00

Savvy Southern Style Reviews and Giveaways: Huge Giveaway: How would you like a chance to win a gift basket of Annie Sloan products worth $150.00? Well, here is your chance. Robyn Story Designs ...

This is awesome...I have been wanting to try out this paint, who hasn't and I have heard so many good reviews on it for furniture that my desk is hoping to win this holiday basket of Annie Sloan products.

I should have kept this to myself but this is too awesome to not give you a chance too...after all...it is the holiday season. Ho Ho Ho and good luck.

Also, Kim, at Savvy Southern Style Reviews.blogspot.com is having a terrific give away that you need to click on her blog to check it out. Ok you forced it out of me...can you guess which item or items Kim is giving away? Well what are you waiting for...go...go

The Amazing Grace Christmas Light House - Official Version

2011-12-09T14:46:00.000-05:00

This is pretty awesome. My good friend, Sandie, over at http://chattycrone.blogspot.com/ had this today and I wanted to share...it is really good and puts you into "that" holiday spirit. Who wouldn't want to get up and dance.

New Addition

2011-12-06T11:08:00.001-05:00

No...this isn't a home addition

AND

No, we didn't adopt another child

AND

No, we aren't expecting another grandchild

WE are now new grandparents to our newest grandpup, Koa

They found him wondering a 4 lane highway and when daughter called the first thing she said and it wasn't "hi mom" was..."thanks for giving me your compassionate gene."

Back in the summer they were contemplating adding a pup to their family and were debating upon a Boxer or Doberman...guess this was meant to be.

Holy Humor

2011-11-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan...

She asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?"

A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, "I think I'd throw up."

(I had to laugh when I read this...I wouldn't have thought of that but that is probably what I would have done after the rush of adrenaline...just saying.)

Father And Daughter Wedding Dance

2011-11-28T14:28:00.000-05:00

Father And Daughter Wedding Dance

My cousin sent this to me and I wanted to share.

So click on the link above to watch.

This would have been awesome if Jay had done this with Betsy at her wedding this past summer.

HE COOKS!

2011-11-26T11:30:00.001-05:00

It is very rare indeed for this man to be at the stove cooking so I couldn't pass up this opportunity to capture this "moment." He is a good cook, probably better than me (because I would rather bake) but this is a once a year maybe twice a year occurrence at our house...right girls?

So I was utterly flabbergasted when I was taking my shower this morning and he said he was making breakfast...the angels sang...HALLELUJAH!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY

2011-11-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

(Country Living Magazine)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE.

PROGRESS

2011-11-21T11:35:00.001-05:00

There is good and there is bad...

So let's get the bad over with first.

The side of our pantry...
And I had the idea that those middle raised panels would look good covered in chalkboard paint.

Good idea...right? Leave notes... the little granddaughter could write on it.

Well...

I taped it off to begin the painting process.
After 3 coats and it was completely dry, I proceed to peel the frog tape off.
The dang chalkboard paint peeled off too, just like vinyl. Oh well...live and learn.

Now on to the good.

Now you see it...

The fabulous case that hubby made to mirror the built in book cases (on the opposite wall) to house our electronics. See those stripes at the top that hopefully looks like books, they can be moved and behind it is the router, the plug strip etc: pretty cool idea my husband came up with. Not a novel idea (that would be if the bookcase moved and behind it was hidden a secret passageway) but a good idea all the same.

Another look see

And now you don't.

The tree kind of hides it and now you can see the bookcases on the opposite wall.

This was all the husband, I can only take credit for painting because that is what I do.

Now on to the other good and one that I am happy about because this is all me. Yes siree just painting and a bit of sewing no major tools involved.

The Laundry room

and let me just say I have a large laundry room the I LOVE!

Before:

(and this was after hubby built the folding table)

All this went into another closet

After:

I could not find fabric that was pale yellow like what I painted the cabinets but that's OK

Did ya notice that the "Laundry" sign isn't the dark green that it was? I took some of the wall paint and paint/wiped until I got the color I liked. Not genius but it did the trick.

Close up

These cute pictures (old fashion washboard and girls washing clothes) were something I print from the computer and put into frames.

The floor goes, it is pale yellow, it did not have a deciding factor as to the color choices for this room but it does go for now.

I have this runner on back order that will go in there. Can't wait for it to come next week (I hope).

Then like a mad scientist...I mixed paint, cleaned, primed and painted the laminate ugly ugly counter top and then 3 coats of polyacrylic. Did I make the right choice...don't know. I guess time will tell. I have read of other bloggers trying this and being that it was a small top and one that isn't used too much I decided to bite the bullet and just go for it.

Once Upon a Time

2011-11-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

There were a group of crazy bloggers and a few neighbors that descended upon the castle of the Queen of Food and Crazy Antics. They came bearing gifts to savor yummy food, a tour of the castle and fun "girl time."

Here is the Queen, Sue of Rue Mouffetard blog

Here is the King of the castle, The Boss

This is the castle and trust me when I say that looks are deceiving. You wouldn't believe how LARGE the rooms are in this castle. Just gorgeous.

Here are some toys

Family room - the glass doors to the right lead onto the deck and pool area, the opening on the left leads to a half bath and a guest bedroom.

The Kitchen is made for a cook....and guess what...The Queen cooks and cooks plenty

Every surface had food, dessert and drinks.

Breakfast area (it is like the size of someone's dining room...yes...that big)

Butler's Pantry (hear me swoon)

The "Perfect" picture for the Butler's Pantry (me like this...Sue...wink wink)

Master bedroom sitting area. This is NOT in the same room as the actual bedroom but a separate doorway from the bedroom...impressed? You should be. And off of this sitting area is the LARGE on suite bathroom and GIGANTIC walk in closet with built ins. I could live in there as long as someone brought me food.

The Castle joker being completely ridiculous on this awesome plush rug... who is she anyway?

Deck and pool with a FIREPLACE...awesome

Crazy bloggers and neighbors

Sorry if some of the pictures are grainy...my camera died shortly after I started taking photos and Bonnie, who did this portrait of the Queen and King's beloved dog, Boo told me I could snitch some of hers. Bonnie does not have a blog but if interested in her art work you can contact Sue. (just click on her blog above).

Also want to thank Kelly from The Essence of Home blog for letting me also snitch some photos.

It was fun.

We are Penn State

2011-11-10T10:16:00.001-05:00

It is a sad time around central Pennsylvania... I just don't know what to say...emotions are running rampant.

We lived in State College, I worked on campus it was and still is a wonderful place (State College).

This is my own personal opinion that many may not agree with and that's OK but don't judge me, please.

My heart goes out to these young men who were victims of this selfish....sick individual, Jerry Sandusky, who ruined so many lives.

My heart goes out to JoePa, I don't think this was the way a legend, such as he, should of had to go out. Please read this article by Kevin Fay, he really tells a lot of things that everyone should think about. He talks about them individually. My one question: Why didn't Mike McQueary grab that young boy away from Jerry Sandusky when he saw what was happening? Why did he leave him with that monster? Maybe he is asking himself that very same question...now.

In my opinion and it is only my opinion, JoePa, being football and a legend, was being singled out more than Jerry, Mike, Curley, Schultz, Spanier and even the Second Mile. Could JoePa have done more, maybe, but hind sight is 20/20 and we all go through the "would of ... should of... could of" at one time or another. We are human.

I would like to believe that if people saw someone being harmed that they would not just turn the other cheek and walk away. I need to feel in my soul that there are good people out there. I hope there is justice for these young men.

Please pray for the young men and their families who have suffered at the hands of a vicious man.

Please pray for the students, faculty and administration of PSU. This scandal has tarnished a good school.

In no way am I trying to excuse anyone.

Can't Wait

2011-11-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

I feel like a kid anticipating Christmas, but I can't wait...

That little lady on the left is my SIL, Vail, (the other one is a SIL too) and she QUILTS.
SHE IS MAKING ME A QUILTED THROW AND I CAN'T WAIT.

She told me she would make it as long as I didn't need it by a certain date and I don't BUT I CAN'T WAIT to snuggle inside "that" quilt. I CAN'T WAIT for the UPS guy to drop that package off at MY house.

Last week Jessica, Mabry and I went to Nashville (or as my SIL says, Nashvegas) and I bought the fabric that is going to be MY quilt.

Here is the pattern of what MY quilt will look like

The muslin will be the front and back of the quilt, the solid plum and the design plum fabric will be the four squares with the gray design fabric being the square that is on top of the 4 squares...did ya get that? Even I'm confused. And the gray will also be the border.

I recently painted our master bedroom gray and decided that plum will be the accent color and this quilt...MY quilt will lay at the end of the bed. Who am I kidding...that quilt...MY quilt will be wrapped around me while watching TV in the living room. Hmmm I guess I should have had it done in my living room colors.

Nah!

Here is a couple of other quilts that Vail has made, she is a quilting machine that girl.

and

SEE
WHY
I
CAN"T
WAIT

No Pressure...Vail.

BFF

2011-11-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR GINNY...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Hope you have a very happy birthday and a really good day. Wish I was there to take you out to lunch.

Love ya girlfriend.

I want these

2011-10-25T12:47:00.000-04:00

These are pretty cool...

What a work out...I want to be one of those kids.

I love this cabinet...so much better use of space than a lazy susan cabinet.

Love the mulit purpose use.

Starbucks are you seeing this.

Handy dandy

Loving this idea...out of sight until you need an extra plug or two or three.

Slim fit ladder that would fit anywhere. Who doesn't like this idea.

Here is an idea when you don't have much storage or even if you do have storage.

This sure beats slurping with your hand when a cup isn't available. What kid wouldn't love this.

Now "why" didn't we think of this???

(sent to me by my cousin)

Our weekend in pictures (and a few words)

2011-10-24T13:03:00.000-04:00

What does this tool have to do with "our" weekend

Made life a tad bit easier.

Remember when I posted about the awesome deal we got on this light over the breakfast table...

Well if you don't...that's OK...this is the light we got at Lowes for awesome $$$

and...

knew we would want to get something that complimented it over our island

but...

we had to deal with

"The Grid"

We ran into another awesome deal on lights at Home Depot...that place gets us in trouble every time. You know...you go in for one thing and come out spending more $$$ than expected...I know you have been there so don't deny it.

We are about 3-4 miles from the nearest one and let's just say we should own stock in the place.

I thought about making it easier on Jay and just take down the grid and hang the pendant lighting even though the "box" would still be in tack.

But Jay had other things in mind and decided to take it down.

We went from the Industrial look

To...

Which (I think) compliments

Am I glad he didn't listen to me... in a word "yes," but you couldn't convince me of that late late late Saturday night into the wee hours of Sunday morning when I we were cleaning up drywall dust EVERYWHERE.

And that handy dandy tool up top...it helped in making a perfect rectangle for me to paint where the box had been. We got the same color of paint (with the paint matching that can be done) and we got flat, the can even said flat, but it came out a bit shiny and so instead of painting the ENTIRE ceiling because I am lazy and painting is NOT the job my hubby does, we opted for this solution which looks no different in the day time and at night you have the pendant lighting reflecting. So as far as we are concerned it was a brilliant decorating idea.

Liz is at it again

2011-10-21T10:39:00.001-04:00

Liz over at Mabel's house is a first time author

and thinking about writing a second book....so in honor of the second book, Liz is doing another give away of her book, "My (not so) Storybook Life." I don't want to give anything away.

Pssst...Little Rock book stores have sold out...so go on over to read a little sneek peak and drop your name in the hat and if you win...and not me...well lucky you.

Not Enough

2011-10-20T08:03:00.002-04:00

I am not getting enough of this

this week

and so I am like this

and presently look like this

right now.

It is a wonder I can even type this post. Zzzzzzzzz

Date Night

2011-10-17T06:00:00.001-04:00

Do you recognize them?

On our Anniversary last Friday they just happen to be in our area...I love them...

I was afraid to see what tickets would cost

Generally concert tickets cost us around $125-$200 or more for the two of us

I clicked on the link (one eye open and one eye shut...holding my breath)

Whoo Hoo

$20 bucks a piece

Honey...can we go see "Little Big Town?"

And that is how I got a "Date Night"

1978... It was a very good year

2011-10-14T05:00:00.000-04:00

The story of two kids....

who met when the girl moved to Fairview in 9th grade and the handsome "older" guy was in 10th grade, threw snow balls at her to get her attention. Oh he got it.

They saw each other for a few months...

broke up...

Dated other people

Graduated

went into the Marines (not me)

And

Eight years later they found each other again.

He proposed at a bar when I asked him, "Make me an offer I can't refuse."

Today we celebrate 33 years of marriage and 41 years of knowing each other.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

LOVE, ME XO

And let there be light

2011-10-13T08:45:00.000-04:00

You know those mysterious sounds you here

You don't know where it is coming from

BUT

You are curious and afraid all at the same time because it is not normal

WELL

Last weekend I heard this sort of loud humming sound with a few pops thrown in as I turned on the light over the kitchen island

I wondered what it was (not realizing that the light hadn't come on...duh)

(light bulb moment) the light!

Flicked it off

Sound stopped

Told Jay

He had to take it apart because that wooden grid was not something that just snapped into place.

I thought maybe it was just a burnt out fluorescent bulb

Jay didn't know if it was that or the housing unit holding the bulbs, so he took them down also

Fire anyone

Burnt wires all in a burnt balled mess

So

this is our "temporary" light or is it

Maybe this is a new trend

After all

we see lights like this for over $100 smackeroos and mine was free!

Our temporary fix just didn't go with the newly installed wonderful bargain light we scored at Lowes on clearance last month

so we "HAD" to go shopping...drat...oh hurt my feelings

We got

this bar (not those lights) so that Jay didn't have to mess around with adding 2 more electrical boxes (there wasn't even one box...only a hole with wires hanging out...)

And

three of these pendants.

I like industrial lighting

I love industrial lighting

BUT

I just didn't think it went with what we already had....call me crazy.

Now

I have to wait until he can put them up but in the mean time I will LOVE my

Industrial light (hey...it works)

Thinking outside the box

2011-10-11T04:00:00.000-04:00

This is just plain awesome. I wish I had enough wall space to display this book display. Maybe a school could use this idea. LOVE IT!

Clock ...very cool.

We looked at a home once that had a small sunken area like this. This is really a wonderful idea if you have the space (doesn't need to be this big) and entertain a lot or even just a place for family to sit and catch up with each other.

Do you know of any kid that wouldn't LOVE this. I would even love sliding down this slide. I bet this would keep kiddlets entertained for hours.

Um...not sure. This looks comfy but I'd be afraid of losing a kid or pup in the pile.

This would just plain "freak" me out. No can do.

The people you meet blogging...Sue

2011-10-07T07:00:00.000-04:00

I have very few pictures of Sue...but I think this really shows the "true" Sue. She is hysterically funny, (just dare her to do anything) and has the darndest things happen to her...the kind of things that...well... "can only happen to Sue." I have told her she needs to write a book on this. Really folks...you should stop over at her blog: tomorrow
http://rue-mouffetard.blogspot.com/ and wish her a happy birthday and read some of the funny things she has to say (FYI she is from New Jersey and they are funny tell it like it is kind of people).

HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU...HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU...HAPPY B-DAY DEAR SUE...HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.

I need serious HELP

2011-10-06T04:00:00.000-04:00

I have seen laundry rooms ....
that just don't look like laundry rooms they are so cute.

I just can't get it together here.

My brain is mush.

Coming into the laundry room, this is on the right and we are just going to keep going around the room with each picture.

Next:

Next is a little bit better picture of the folding table area

Now maybe you can't think of anything I can do with this space to make it ~~attractive~~ not so laundryesque BUT if you do have some suggestions...I would LOVE to hear 'em.

Yup...I'm always open to suggestions.

Lay it on me.

Don't be bashful.

Wordless Wed.

2011-10-05T04:00:00.000-04:00

Fall Mantel

The Ugly Truth

2011-10-04T04:00:00.000-04:00

Since we moved into our house back in April, we have had these wires for the surround sound and cables for the TV just laying around and me tripping on them occasionally. We have been busy...we have been painting...painting and painting, removing some shrubs, wallpaper removal, sanding and skim coating.

So we haven't been slackers.

Here is the "Ugly Truth"

Cables running down the side of the mantel and the old TV stand is still there
to hold the electronics. Excuse the painters tape and stool, I just finished painting.
See...we're still painting.

These wires are right behind my desk chair and I have tripped on them
more than once. My foot gets caught underneath.

Between the living room and dining room, a major foot path area.

Again the mess of cables and wires. What you don't see is another set of wires on the floor in front of the dog toy basket. So there are (3) areas of tripping or ripping out the wires of the surround sound. BUT....soon all these wires and cables will be behind walls and ALL electronics will be held in that wonderful cabinet Jay built. I am anxious for this corner to be cleaned up...no lie.

We have 2 new additions

2011-10-03T10:02:00.000-04:00

We are empty nesters

BUT

We didn't get any of these (girls...you can stop sweating now)

Instead....

Can ya see it...

Over in the corner.

Jay has been working on this cabinet for a few weekends so that it matches the built in book cases on the opposite wall. It is going to house the electronics so those unsightly wires and cables will be no more. More on that later.

AND...

Here is our other addition...

I guess the laundry baskets gave it away and yes...you are seeing my ~~dirty~~ need laundered underpants. I am so excited to have this. Now I won't have to cart the clothes in a wadded mess to our bed to fold. Whoo Hoo! More on the laundry room and much needed decorating ideas later.

October...the beginning

2011-10-01T11:18:00.000-04:00

My beautiful sister in-law is celebrating her "birth" day on Oct. 2nd, my great niece, Cassie, is celebrating on Oct. 9th and her grandpa...my brother in-law is celebrating Oct. 10th.

(my Brother in-law is on the left)

HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU...HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU....HAPPY B-DAY RAE LYNN, CASSIE AND JERRY...HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU.

WE LOVE YOU ALL,
CHERI AND JAY (A. CHERI AND U. JAY FOR YOU CASSIE)
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

A Book Give Away

2011-09-30T11:00:00.000-04:00

Liz Owen is now an author and has a blog over at http://mabelshouse.blogspot.com, Mabel is her pup and very cute. Anyhow... here is an excerpt from her book:

Once one has breathed in the deep pungent aroma of sewage, you never again forget the nose-hair singeing, eye clawing, throat gagging experience. It comes over you slowly. You begin to feel like a character in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as your muscles involuntarily jerk and you run screaming and blowing raspberries. Anything to get away from the mind-numbing stench.

But let me explain.

It was 6:30 a.m. I was standing in my retro pink tiled bathroom trying to open my bleary eyes and ready myself for work. As I stood there, peering into the mirror and wondering what demented nighttime fairy had planted four new wrinkles on my face, I paused and sniffed.

“Matt… what’s that smell?”

Matt staggered from the bedroom in his underwear, eyes half shut. “I don’t smell anything.”

I pointed my nose into the air like a hunting dog. “Seriously? You can’t smell that? Did you go to the bathroom in here earlier? I told you to use the room spray when you do things like that.”

Matt puffed out his bare chest and gathered his pride as best a man can with sleep in his eyes and a small hole in the side of his underwear. “I just woke up!”

I frowned, catching a glimpse of my makeup-less hot-rollers-in-hair state and tried not to think about the fact that I looked fifty instead of twenty-nine. “Well, help me figure this out. Because something smells ripe.”

We sniffed the sink drain and ruled it out as a suspect.

“Is it coming from the toilet?” Matt asked, examining it from top to bottom.

“No, that’s not it,” I snapped. I’m not known for my milk of human kindness in a disaster. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a survivor. I plan on eating my radish like Scarlet and clawing my way out of the nuclear dust while dragging my loved ones with me. But I won’t be doing it with positive phrases and a smile.

“Hon, I just don’t know. We’ll call a plumber after work, maybe it’s coming from under the house.” Matt staggered a little, trying to get past me and out of our tiny bathroom.

“Well, that’s just great,” I moved aside and pulled the shower curtain back so I could perch on the side of the tub and give Matt room to move out the door.

That’s when the full brunt of nastiness filled the air around us, a swirling mix of excrement and acrid stench that would have brought the sewer dwelling Ninja Turtles to their knees. Where the normally slightly-clean-with-a-hint-of-soap-scum bottom of the tub should have been, there sloshed gallons and gallons of brown sewage.

I clutched the front of my sweatshirt and held my breath. Matt began to dry heave.

“Get out and shut the door!” I screamed as we bumbled into the hallway.

“I’ll deal with this,” Matt grabbed my shoulders, trying to talk and hold his breath at the same time.

I could feel my eyes glaze over, the horrors of typhoid and hepatitis in our bathtub filling my mind. But more importantly, I could envision our evaporated savings account. In my mind’s eye I could see the long, gray hallway at the bank. A worker shrouded in a black suit pulled a set of keys from his pocket and unlatched a small locker labeled “Owen Bank Account.” Inside were two small stacks of quarters and a few crumpled dollar bills. It was bleak, not only because the banker with an unimaginative wardrobe gazed at me with an expression that could only be interpreted as “You’re a Big Fat Loser,” but also there was a very definite possibility we wouldn’t be able to pay for a plumber.

I wasn’t necessarily a spend thrift. In fact, I was downright frugal when it came to decorating with thrift store furniture and rewired vintage lamps. But the fact was, we were poor. We were starting out at starter jobs with starter salaries. We were starter adults with a starter bank account.

“Okay,” I nodded numbly, thankful that Matt was taking the lead on such a disastrous biohazard. “But make sure the plumber is super cheap. We don’t have much money!”

I left for work like a wino stumbling through a fog, not really remembering my commute, not really doing any work as I sipped my coffee and stared blankly at the computer screen. A disaster of such gargantuan proportions had previously been unthinkable in my life, and now I found myself attempting to push the image of a vast sea of bathtub poop from my mind. But I was sure of one thing: Anne Shirley never had to get ready for work while breathing raw sewage.

You can go on over to Liz's blog and check out all the details of how to win her book and hopefully stay and be a follower. Liz is not only giving away one book but 10! That's right...she has 10 books to give away...and they are autographed...so you have 10 chances to win and I hope I am one of the winners. I LOVE to read and this book (from the excerpt) looks like a fun entertaining read.

How Old is grandma?

2011-09-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Stay with this -- the answer is at the end. It will blow you away.
One evening a grandson was talking to his grandmother about current events.
The grandson asked his grandmother what she thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and

just things in general..

The Grandmother replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before: ' television' penicillin ' polio shots ' frozen foods ' Xerox ' contact lenses ' Frisbee s and ' the pill

There were no:' credit cards ' laser beams or ' ball-point pens

Man had not invented: ' pantyhose ' air conditioners ' dishwashers ' clothes dryers ' and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and ' man hadn't yet walked on the moon

How Old is grandma?
Stay with this -- the answer is at the end. It will blow you away.
One evening a grandson was talking to his grandmother about current events.
The grandson asked his grandmother what she thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and

just things in general..

The Grandmother replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before: ' television' penicillin ' polio shots ' frozen foods ' Xerox ' contact lenses ' Frisbee s and ' the pill

There were no:' credit cards ' laser beams or ' ball-point pens

Man had not invented: ' pantyhose ' air conditioners ' dishwashers ' clothes dryers ' and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and ' man hadn't yet walked on the moon

Your Grandfather and I got married first, .. .... ... and then lived together.. Every family had a father and a mother.
Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, "Sir".
And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir."
We were before gay-rights, computer- dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy.
Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense.
We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.
Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege...
We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins. Draft dodgers were those who closed front doors as the evening breeze started. Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasingcondominiums.

We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CD's, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings.   We listened to Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios.   And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey.   If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan' on it, it was junk
The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam....
Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of.
We had 5 &10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.
Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel.
And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.
You could buy a new Ford Coupe for $600, . .. . but who could afford one?
Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.   In my day: '      "grass" was mowed, '      "coke" was a cold drink, '     "pot" was something your mother cooked in and '     "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby.
'     "Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office, '      "chip" meant a piece of wood, '     "hardware" was found in a hardware store and '    "software" wasn't even a word.

And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby.
No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap. How old do you think I am?
I bet you have this old lady in mind....you are in for a shock!
Read on to see -- pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time. Are you ready ?????
Scroll Down

This woman would be only 59 years old.
GIVES YOU SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

Birthdays are not finished here.

2011-09-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE GUY STANDING ON THE LEFT...THAT IS MY OLDER (AND ONLY) BROTHER. HE MARRIED OUR DAUGHTER THIS SUMMER AND THIS WAS AT THE WEDDING.

HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU...HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU...HAPPY B-DAY DEAR DENNY...HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU.

HAVE A GOOD ONE.
WE LOVE YOU,
CHERI AND JAY
xoxo

The Chew

2011-09-27T13:36:00.001-04:00

So what did you think? Did you watch the first episode or even the second? Is this going to be a show you would watch now?

I have read some critics think there are too many cooks in the kitchen, but this is a "food" show...right?
AND
they were talking over each other, but even though that might be the case I still heard each of them. I have watched other shows that they talk over each other and it ended up that I didn't hear any of them...just a lot of blah blah blah.

I'll be the first to admit I was a (still am) Soap Operaholic and dreaded when "All My Children" was going off the air, not that I was faithful (I have watched "One Life to Live" since the beginning of time folks, that is my favorite), but had to check out "The Chew" and I was not jumping up and down with merriment but was not disappointed either.

The talk around the water cooler is that "soaps" are a thing of the past and because people are trying to be more food conscientious, more green, healthy, and hostess savvy...the networks are revamping afternoon TV. Is this a bad thing....last month I thought so...now...I just might become a "Foodaholic."

So with all this being said, what did you think? Do tell.

Barn Lights Give Away

2011-09-26T12:45:00.001-04:00

Stopped on by Susie's blog today and she was telling about a give away...do tell more Susie....

Susie has been a fan of Barn Lights Electrical but I had never heard of them....so I read on and now I think I am a fan too. These are wonderful industrial (not all of them) lights in pendants, chandeliers, flush mount etc: You need to go over and check them out and hop on the give away band wagon.

The Prizes: We’re giving away one $1,000 Grand Prize and one $500 2nd Place Prize to two lucky winners who enter their homes. The two winners will each receive a Barn Light Electric Gift Certificate to purchase new lighting for their homes or to finish off that lingering renovation project.

Is this a fabulous give away or what...I had to get in on this because we are changing out our lights in the kitchen and dining room...maybe this is fate. Hmmm.

Here are a few of my favorites but be fore warned...you might have a hard time deciding which one(s) you love.

The Chappel

The Saddlebred

Toggenburg Pendant

Dover Pendant

To get in on this give away here is what you have to do:

1. Look around online at Barn Light Electric and pick lights you'd love to win.

2.Share your picks on your blog and link to the lights if you can.

3.Copy and paste these rules at the bottom of your blog post.

4. Once your post is up, you must email your blog link to: contest@barnlightelectric.com to be qualified to win. The contest ends October 12th, 2011.

This is one happy month

2011-09-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

I said earlier in the month that September was "the" month for Birthdays, at least in my family.
Here is our middle daughter, Betsy, and my mom...both have Birthdays this month.

Birthday girl again on her "special" day this summer.

Our Betsy also celebrates her day with our niece, Amy...Happy Birthday Amy! (Don't have a picture of Amy to show you...I know...shame on me).

So...

HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU...HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU...HAPPY B-DAY DEAR BETSY...HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU.

We love you,
Mom and Dad (Kizzy and Macy too...Arf...Arf)
xoxoxoxox

Getting into the swing of FALL

2011-09-13T05:00:00.000-04:00

I was anxious...
(that's an understatement)...for FALL...my favorite season.

Was going to wait to get some mums...
Couldn't...
They were calling my name.

Here is our front door(s) when we bought the house.

And here it is today...

painted doors....
mums...
and new wreaths.

(I think you can click to make larger)

I just wanted to get a close up of this mum because of the three different colors...isn't it beautiful? I have never seen one like this and wished I had bought another for the other side of the door.

September... this IS the Birthday month

2011-09-12T04:00:00.000-04:00

Here is Judy...Judy is a blogger that I met...through...blogging. We have never met in person but hope to one day. We do email each other a lot and I have found a kin ship with her. It was hard to find a pic of Miss Judy because like me...she post of her decorating, kids and grandkids instead.

Miss Judy is the one on the right in the gray and white outfit with her siblings and mom

Today is...you guessed it...Judy's birthday

HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU....HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU....HAPPY B-DAY DEAR JUDY....HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU AND MANY MORE.

Go on over to Judy's blog: http://gracioussouthernliving.blogspot.com/
and wish her a very happy birthday plus you get to snoop around her blog and get some ideas or just read about her family.

A Day We'll Never Forget

2011-09-11T04:00:00.000-04:00

Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001...I was working at Old Main on the campus of Penn State University when the twin towers were hit and fell.

I arrived at work around 7:00 AM getting the office ready for the day, my coffee and checking emails. Around 9:00 someone working on the same floor came into our office and said that one of the towers was hit. My boss, the junior editor and myself all ran down the hall to where there was a TV just in time to see the 2nd tower get hit. The rest of the day was sitting in front of the TV hearing all the news footage. The horror and disbelieve that this was happening... here to us...America.

I only worked part time at PSU so when my morning was done I headed home thinking about my friend up in Erie who has 2 brother in-laws that were NYC firefighters. When I got home I tried several times to call my friend and finally reaching her around 3:00 PM. She said her one brother in-law was not working that day but the other one had been and they had not heard from him at all. No one knew where Bobby was. I prayed for her...for him...for their family. I'm not even sure I made dinner that night. As it was, Bobby was to get off work at 9:00 AM after doing an overnight shift. He called his wife at 8:40 AM to say he would be off at 9:00 and that was the last anyone heard from him. A street where he and his brothers grew up was renamed in his honor in Manhattan.

Robert Joseph Foti
Ladder 7

Today... 10 years later... I remember as if it was yesterday.

There's a little lady that needs Birthday Wishes

2011-09-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

The little lady I am talking about (who is pretty special to me) is my mom standing there with my beautiful sister at our daughter's bridal shower this past May.

So mom...

HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU....HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU....HAPPY B-DAY DEAR MOM....HAPPY B-DAY TO YOU!

You have a wonderful birthday. We love you very much.

Cheri, Jay, Kizzy Lu and Macy Dai
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

**** I have 2 posts today...Just an FYI

Speaking of projects

2011-09-09T04:00:00.000-04:00

This is just a lot of randomness of what we have been up to concerning the house. (click on pics to make larger)

Took down this chandelier and put up this one from daughter's kitchen. Don't think that I like it, not sure, but will leave up until I find what I really want because that brass one is one heavy sucker. Any thoughts? In speaking with my best friend, Ginny, I thought that if the size and style looked OK in the dining room, maybe it just needs a zap of oiled bronze spray paint...what do you think?

Got these cute placemats at The Christmas Tree Shop for $1.00 each. Can ya tell I am anxious for FALL!

This fan/light was over the breakfast table and we moved it to the covered porch and all summer I had just a box with wires hanging out until we scored this beaut at Lowes this past weekend. Was such a great deal that one of our daughters got one for over her table too. Pretty sure she decided first (my indecisiveness again) and I took the lead from her. Gotta give credit where credit is due.

Then I changed up the pictures and frames in the half bath from the flowers/silver to black and Vintage Good Housekeeping Covers. Like it...hate it?

Hubby had to make this to raise the pups dishes because our one little gal was not to bend her head down to her dish that was on the floor. She had to go for a recheck yesterday and there is no improvement like there should be at this point and we (meaning the Vet and myself) think it is because she has escaped our clutches and jumped either up or down on the furniture and has put her recovery in the toilet. So now this sad little gal is kennel bound for a few weeks

We pray that she makes a good recovery that won't require surgery, but her neck/back will always be weakened of which we will have to take extra care and precautions.

Update: Gave her a travel pillow so her head isn't down and she seems to like that. What we won't do for our fur babies.

Half Projects

2011-09-08T16:23:00.000-04:00

I feel like I get to a certain point in my decorating and then either timing of other things or lack of decision making prevents me from completing a room... so hence the title. Our last 2 MBs were dark brown with accents of blue and cream. I still like that combination but this time I opted for gray.

Oh...gray...my nemesis. It is probably the one color that has had me baffled to a true gray. I thought I had it with Valspar Filtered Shade. Too many of what I thought was a true gray ended up being too purple/gray or too blue/gray. Filtered Shade seemed like I hit the gray color jack pot.

BEFORE:

AFTER: (and it is all painted but this was just the start...so technically I shouldn't have said "AFTER") and it is NOT purple.

Here is a pic of how deceiving the color looked when I poured it out of the can. I actually thought they made a mistake and gave me a taupe color but you can see the actual gray where it has dried in the pan under the roller.

And here I am hard at work doing the cutting in phase...somebody's gotta do it...right? And I'm pretty sure the pups can't help me out and the husband...well other than drywall, this is the "other" job he hates to do. Not me.

I am still trying to get use to it...it looks like a gray/purple to me. I was going to accent with plum but not sure if that will just make everything look more gray/purple or not. So...now you understand "why" I am at Half Projects. Hmmm...maybe that should be my new blog...Half Projects with Cheri.

Someone's 4 today...

2011-09-06T10:18:00.001-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR SPECIAL LITTLE NOODLE.

WE LOVE YOU,
GAMMA AND GAMPA
XOXOXOOX

Another pup post...what can I say

2011-08-31T01:00:00.000-04:00

   This poor little girl has had a rough few weeks.

   First: She had major poo problems and the vet prescribed meds
   Second: She has a lump that they did a biopsy on but thankfully that is just fat that won't hurt her but the vet said that if they put her under for something else, to remind them to remove it.
   Third: When Jay came home tonight from work he said she acted off balance and couldn't put her head up...so off to the vet again. She has a slipped disc and (2) more that could possibly be if we are not careful. So...she is on muscle relaxers and steroids and has to stay in her crate for (2) weeks to heal. If she is out of her crate then we have to watch her and not let her jump.

My head is saying, " Good luck with that one."

If you ever met our Macy Dai you would think she had built in springs in her feet. When she wants to go from one piece of furniture to another she doesn't even go on the floor, nope not that girl...she just jumps from one piece to another or goes across the end table. She must have been a cat in another life.

Now that this has happened, we are told that if she heals and no surgery is required, it will be something we will have to continually watch because now anything could trigger her now weak spinal column.

So...even though you might feel sorry for our little fur baby (she will accept all types of kindness)...please remember me and Jay as we try to control our "Tigger" or there is a possibility that she can become paralyzed.

It's All About the Food...People

2011-08-11T16:30:00.000-04:00

What do candles have to do with food...nothing...except that they are FOOD smelling, my favorite kind.
The Mainstay candle is Pineapple and is one of my very favorites from Walmart.

BUT...
Then I went to daughter's PX and found this Colonial Apricot Mango Sorbet candle and it had me at first whiff...ahhh!

I have a hard time smelling candles when they burn in my house but these are two brands that I can definitely smell as they burn.

And thanks to all those that didn't pig (no pun intended) out at daughter's wedding reception at the candy bar. There was so much candy left over that I got this nice jar full and the pig on the left...well that will be my "after" picture when I get done consuming that jar of yummy deliciousness.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-10T04:30:00.000-04:00

Before and After Futon Room

2011-08-09T04:30:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I don't have a picture of "this" room before...so all I can show you before is a color sample of what the walls looked like:

You will have to really tap into your imagination and visualize what the room look liked with walls painted sort of like this color.

Here is the AFTER:

Does it look familiar?

It should...same green/gray color I used in the AL house. I told ya...I didn't live there long enough to get sick of the colors.

Changed out the light fixture over the desk. We were going to wait until hubby/dad could do it but decided to be brave or totally lost our minds and went for it (that is "why" there is still that spicy mustard color still on the walls). Jessica has worked with electricity before...got zapped before but for some odd reason we both felt that as long as we weren't alone doing this we would be safer or at least the other person could call 911.

Before:
But think gold instead of silver.

Now:

Jessica came up with the idea to paint the desk black and I am going to give it a shot...it's only paint. And then I got two brushed nickel handles. It's all coming together with a much needed boost from the daughter.

PS- I moved this chair to the room above and put the chair that was in that room here in the foyer, what do you think?

Before and After Dining Room

2011-08-08T04:30:00.000-04:00

Our dining room had these stripes that weren't too bad and I thought this was the room that we would only replace the flooring from carpet to wood...but then I got the drapes

Didn't like the stripes so much and thought it needed a punch of color. I'm not talking colors like:

or like this:

But color I could work with and live with...so we (meaning myself and daughters) thought I would go with the terra cotta I had in my AL house since we weren't there too long for me to get sick of the color. That was the plan.

Then we checked out Fennel Seed from Martha Stewart but color matched to use the Behr paint with primer...hey...who doesn't want to skip a step and not prime...ME! Best of all...it covered the stripes in one coat and they were no more.

Jessica said she would help me paint "a" room and buy the paint for my B-day present this past Spring and I ended up getting "TWO" rooms painted...booyah!

We got going on the first room later Friday afternoon and I cut in while she rolled walls and it went so fast that after dinner we hit the dining room.

Here is the dining room AFTER

Again

and...Again

I would say that I am very pleased with how this room looks and so much so that I might just paint this same color in our kitchen...whenever.

Come back in a day or maybe two to check out the other room we did.

Herman Cain Stands with Us - Kent

2011-08-07T11:34:00.000-04:00

The Wedding

2011-08-04T09:26:00.003-04:00

I didn't take pictures...shame on me...but I was busy and I am NOT a good photographer...that's the truth. So I stole pictures someone else took. I can't give them credit because I got them off daughter's FB and a couple were from Ridgemeade Photography back when "B" picked out her dress. As soon as some more pictures are available I will post again on "The Wedding."

Here Betsy and Mabry were playing "hide the grape" but this shows her hair and how beautiful it was. She had a veil that was attached at the top of the bun and there is a flower over on the right side. The look was stunning.

Betsy and Sven with some of their friends. You can see a little of the veil and the front of her dress, but I have other pictures of her dress to show you.

Betsy with some friends at the reception.

You can see from this picture and the one above how much weight she lost, she was determined to lose some before the big day and I would say that she succeeded.
(Disclaimer: I was complimenting her on being so dedicated to losing the weight she wanted and not insulting her or saying she needed to lose weight. Just clarifying that.)

Better idea of the back of the dress but that is NOT the veil she wore, hers came about to her waist and the bottom had a row of small crystals, just enough bling. The part that is bustled up is her train.

Everything couldn't have turned out better. We applaud all of those that helped with flowers, food, and decorations but the biggest applaud goes to Jessica, the matron of honor for all her hard work. Jessica (owner of Ridgemeade Photography) took all the pictures of us gals getting all dolled up, invitations, menus, signs, programs, photo booth (which was a hit) and probably more things that I forgot to mention. It was a team effort and all the compliments on EVERYTHING made it all worth while.

Busy busy

2011-07-25T13:29:00.001-04:00

Doing a little of this

and some of this

must be nuts to add in some of this

all to go to this

Continuation and request

2011-07-19T15:35:00.000-04:00

I still need help making a decision on paint choices and oldest daughter requested that I post with the curtains open...so hope this helps you to help me.

Deja Vu and a Random question

2011-07-19T05:00:00.000-04:00

Ok people...we have been here "before" when I lived in another state...in another house but the same question.

The Dining Room.

I wasn't going to paint this room. The stripes weren't bad and probably one of the better painted rooms in this house. Now I'm not saying that I am jumping on the paint wagon and heading to the paint store tomorrow...but I found these curtains that I liked but not so much with the stripes...so what color to paint the walls...and eventually the carpet will be removed and wood floors put down. Can ya picture this in your mind? I have a hard time with that...I need visual.

Suggestions. PLEASE!
(I think you can click on the pictures to make them larger so you can see the pattern.)

NOW for the random question.

Saw this one night last week when I let the pups out. Didn't see it when I was sweeping the covered porch over the weekend. Tonight when I let the fur kids out...there it was again. What is it? I guess I am not as country of a gal as I thought I was.

Can ya help a girl out

2011-07-14T04:00:00.001-04:00

I put this curtain on my pinterest and I just can't get it out of my head. So I am asking...

does anyone know where I can purchase these tiers or the fabric? And...

I am also asking if you would put this on your blog so I can get more help.

After all a girl can't get too much help.

*** NEVER MIND...I found this myself. Go to blog:

http://granvillehouse.blogspot.com/ and the fabric is called

Jayda Bramble from Better Homes and Gardens

NOW...to just find it???? So here's where I need your HELP.

Giant Canyon Swing at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

2011-07-13T08:56:00.001-04:00

This was on Good Morning America with Bert from the Travel Channel and Sam Champion from GMA and Bert was screaming like a girl...made me laugh. In all honesty...my palms were sweating when I saw the canyon below and I was sitting at my computer watching this. Kudos to you... Bert and Sam for doing this. Could you do this? Seriously....could you do this?

Stethoscope

2011-07-12T10:03:00.000-04:00

Watch this commercial to the end but see if you can guess what they are advertising before it does get to the end.

Chair make over

2011-07-12T04:45:00.000-04:00

The fabric is lovely but I was getting tired of it and wanted something with a bit more color. It is not an outrageous bold color but hey...I am a newbie at bold pops...ask my girls. I kept coming back to this fabric at Jo Ann's and decided to just go for it.

(Started taking off fabric when I remembered to get the camera)

I did not expect to see this...it has straw stuffed in it.

Now I know "why" the seat was bubbled up

My bold color...don't laugh

It's far from perfect but I am happy with it (for now)

RED...WHITE and BLUE

2011-07-04T04:00:00.000-04:00

God Bless America

What's wrong with these pictures

2011-07-03T16:10:00.002-04:00

Oh to be 3 years old again...

Kitchen Duty

2011-07-01T04:00:00.000-04:00

Cinderella working

2011-06-30T09:00:00.001-04:00

She LOVES Princesses (that is an understatement) and currently Cinderella is her favorite (at least at my house)...so...instead of the evil step-mother making Cinderella clean...it is the "nice" gamma. (Here is where you all agree with the "nice" gamma part).

We are in the process of getting a new heat pump/AC installed and so we are w/o AC and let me tell you.....it is HOT...HOT...HOT (that's for you Jessica) at 90 degrees inside and the outside was just perfect at 7:00 AM so we (me) decided to wash the car. Then the little munchkin chimed in that she wanted to help...really...the angels sang...she grabbed a sponge and I got free labor. Can't beat that.

   She is smiling... really she is
   (Click pictures to make larger)

Another transformation

2011-06-17T10:05:00.000-04:00

Living room before:

Living room after: This probably doesn't look like much of a change in the wall color from the picture above, but if you look at the dining room walls, the lighter striped color was the color in the living room before. (I think you can click on the picture to make them larger).

I started out painting the walls a color I had used in the living room in our Alabama house and our other Georgia house (which looked cream in AL house and a pale yellow in the GA house), well in "this" house it looked as chalk white as the ceiling. That just goes to show you that the same paint color can look very different in each house. So in my head I told myself it was my primer. Justification.

Too much of a contrast with the milk chocolate accent wall (and no...it is not pink) so what to do....

I decided to bite the bullet and put some of the chocolate accent wall paint into the "supposed" cream color paint....and...yes...I did keep track of how much I measured in...1c. plus 6T. into 2 1/2 Qts. of cream...just in case I needed more. I did not. I have plenty left over for whatever. It is much softer now. Jay says I should patent the color with Behr.

Remember these hallways (there is a smaller one behind him where the guest bath and 2 guestrooms are located)...well this is the project for this weekend according to Jay. So onward we will go.

Then after a breather...he wants to start on the BIG project...I am nervous.

One down...5,000 to go

2011-06-16T04:00:00.001-04:00

We FINALLY got the half bath finished. It took longer than I thought it would so it scares me to think about the other (larger) rooms we have yet to do...(shaking in my boots here). Here is the transformation...let the show begin.

Drywall and primed

One coat

I love love love that new hand towels I got

This picture is more accurate on the color

I included this picture because I need help people...I am not sure what to put on this shelf. Ideas...suggestions would be greatly appreciated. This has been a real stumper for me. Should I put something above it???

And this is how I feel right about now.

Photo courtesy of Ridgemeade Photography

Changes

2011-06-13T04:00:00.001-04:00

Things are moving right along and we (mainly hubby) has been very busy with all of the projects that have been started but not yet completed. I am the resident painter and he is the all around handy man. Some jobs we try to work on together...such as getting the wallpaper OFF and some only one of us can or wants to do.

THEN: The accent wall, we did this to make the fireplace stand out more. The rest of the walls I think will be a cream color. I say this because we have some paint left over from the last living room paint job and so I will paint some on the other three walls and see how it looks before committing.

NOW: The old TV table is holding the Direct TV box and the DVD player, eventually Jay is going to make a book case over where you see the tree to the right, so that corner will be changing here before too long.

Jay told me many times how much he likes the color (it is a tad bit darker and so is our furniture). It is a deep rich milk chocolate that looks yummy enough to want lick the wall.

The half bath has been a work in progress....yesterday the door area was sealed off as Jay was in there sanding and putting on drywall compound (cough...cough as a fine mist of white powder took over our house). Tomorrow I am hoping to wipe down the walls, prime and maybe even start painting. Here is what I saw in the hall:

And here are some teasers as to some of what will be in there when it is all finished.

We're getting there.

Because we have nothing better to do...or...we're...NUTS!

2011-06-09T04:00:00.001-04:00

We knew when we bought this older home that we would do things to make it ours...slap some paint on...maybe change some flooring from carpet to wood...and the biggest challenge would be the master bathroom. Uh...no...

Little did we know that either the renters or the previous owners painted the wallpaper in MANY areas.

Many of these searches:

and chatting with people from here:

we determined that we needed to purchase a steamer that you can see in this post here. Yes, it was a blessing...but ...oh what a mess.

After doing the hall which already had wall paper peeling off when we moved in...we decided to tackle the half bath since we already had everything for the remodel.

BEFORE:

This is not our taste and I'll just leave it at that.

DURING PROCESS:

Obviously this was after we got the wallpaper off. We had to peel the top coat (the design) off by hand before the steamer would really work.

Sometimes the paper got so hot that it blistered the paint underneath and if you scrape too hard you dig into the drywall. Ouch!

And then you have to deal with this...pieces of wallpaper or drywall that stick to your feet and get tracked all over unless you keep up with the clean up.

TOOLS OF CHOICE for SCRAPING:

Tried this one first and it wasn't bad

But this was the tool of choice:

This guy came in handy for scraping and for peeling off the steamed wallpaper.

Sorry Jay but there is drywall compound involved. My hubby is very very handy but ANYTHING drywall he HATES!!! It is like his Nemesis....his Krptonite.

Sorry I don't have AFTER pictures because we aren't there yet. These pics were just taken this morning so you know we have a looooooong process but I do have my paint and fixtures that I can't wait to get up and see one room finished. So stay tuned....

Uncle Bubba's Restaurant in Savannah

2011-06-08T04:00:00.000-04:00

I think these pictures tell it all...

Yummy seafood....great atmosphere...just an all around nice evening with the hubby.

Outside Uncle Bubba's

There are a few different areas to eat and this is where we had our dinner, those are garage doors that open up to the outside.

These are mini corn muffins that they give you "before" the meal...I think I could have ate these for my meal they were so good. As you can see I remembered the camera just before the last two were devoured.

Uncle Bubba's even made sure that those enjoying their meal on the outside patio were not sweltering in the heat with those huge fans.

Anyone living near the restaurant had these looooooong piers going from their house (house to the right) to where they keep their boat. Can you imagine the $$$$ of all that wood!!!!

SUGGESTION: If you ever go to Savannah...stop at Uncle Bubba's, there isn't anything that your eyes and palate would not like and you don't have to make reservations well in advance like you do at some other well known restaurant that is related to Uncle Bubba (sorry Miss Paula).