What do a professional painter and a manicurist have in common?

They both tell me "NO" when I pick a color!

This whole thing started several years ago and it's happened more than once.  I go to a shop for a manicure.  They tell me... "Pick a color".  I do.   Then I take it to the table with me and they say... "not a good color".  And they get up and go get another one.

I'm pretty easy going and I figure, hey... that's their business. They should know... so I just go with it.  I've never been sorry.  They're on to me now, so they keep a record of the good colors on my card and never ask me to pick a color.  Whatever!  It works!

SO!  Last night A.J. Farley came to talk about paint colors.  Michael dragged the rolled up carpet that I bought for the little room out into the living room where there was more light.

A.J.  brought his "deck" of colors (that's what we designers call it).  He asked me what I was thinking and I pointed to the rug and said.. "I was thinking of something in that oatmeal family with maybe white trim - to keep it light.  Then I can add colors with pillows, etc."

A.J. hesitated... oh...  maybe a tenth of a second before he said... "No.  I think we'll do it a grayish blue."

(I'm beginning to detect a pattern in my life.) 

He had the grayish blue paint on the left leg of his painter's shorts (a color that he uses often because he says it's a blue that plays well with others). I looked at it with the carpet... hesitated... oh... maybe a tenth of a second and said.. ."Works for me".

As soon as he said it, I could see it.  He was right.

I think he was a little surprised that I agreed so easily.  He was still trying to talk me into it.

Bring it on, painter-man!

I think the color choices I've made in my life that were the biggest mistakes were "safe" choices.  I always regret not taking the chance - not going for the bolder choice. (Unlike my blue kitchen cabinets that I LOVED)

SO!  Next Tuesday is Day #1.  Our job (read... Michael's job) is to get the room E-M-P-T-Y by next Tuesday.

I'll try to take some before and after pictures - and maybe some in the process pictures.

Here we go, yo!

Ever made a color choice you regretted?

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It doesn't matter where you start...

      ... as long as you start.

That's my new(est) theory.

When I look at my house and all that needs to be done, I'm completely overwhelmed and I do... you guessed it... nuttin'.

So!  I'm gonna "chunk it" - take it apart in pieces that I can handle and do it as I am able.  The little bedroom (otherwise known as Richard's old room) is where I'm going to start.

A couple of months ago I got one of those "hurry-you-can't-miss-this-sale-or-you'll-regert-it-for-the-rest-of-your-life" emails from Pottery Barn.  As much as I LOVE the goodies from Pottery Barn, they are not generally in my price range.  BUT... they had this rug - only two sizes left - and it was waaaaaaay cheap if you happened to be able to use one of those sizes.  Wonder of wonders... I could!  So I bought it!

As much as I say I'm tired of red and green and blue, all of my designing travels seem to land me on red. This rug was no exception - red, blue, and kind of oatmeal. (picture below)

It seemed bright and light and cheery and so, I ordered it.  While it looks all cherry red in the picture (and the little stripe looked gray even though the description said blue), when the rug came, the red was more of a coral and the blue is kind of teal.

At first I was disappointed, but the more I looked at it, the more I liked it.  It was a departure for me, which is a good thing.  The colors are soft and I think it's going to be great!

A.J. Farley is coming tonight to talk about paint colors. Talking to A.J. about paint colors is fun!  He's been painting for quite a while now and he really enjoys what he does and all that he's learned about color from the designers he's been working with.  I'm excited!

I'll keep you posted!

Did you ever buy anything that turned out to be different - but better - than what you thought you were buying??

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The Quicker Hanger Upper

That's me!

First of all let me say that I love my kids and I love getting to connect with them by phone.  It's one of the things in my life that brings me great joy.

Part of that for me is respecting the busy-ness of their lives and the importance of their families.  SO!  When one of the guys tells me... "Hey!  _____  is calling.  Can I call you back?"   My answer is always a quick...
"Sure-love you-bye" - with a smile.  (Hanging up is one of the few things in my life that I can do with break-neck speed)

Richard and I had a discussion once (okay.. more than once - and always with a few chuckles) about managing expectations.  We joke about it but maybe managing our own expectations is a way to find gratitude in our lives.

I expect to talk to my "kids" via phone - not on any schedule - not with any time expectations (sometimes a 15 second call says it all) - not even always by voice (text messages are great-although nothing is as good as hearing their voices).  When I do hear from them, I am grateful.  It makes me smile - makes my day.

Of all the things in the world that bring me joy, my kids (and grandkids)  are THE biggest joy in my life.

I am grateful!!!

What are you grateful for today???

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Celebrate good times! Come on! Sing it!

:::: WHISTLE ::::          ::::APPLAUSE::::          ::::BLOWING HORNS::::       

 Step #1 -  The Appraisal - Done!  We passed!   The house was appraised high enough for the refinance!

Only 1 step in what seems like a million, but a big one, none-the-less!   The load of bricks on my chest just got a little bit lighter!

What do you feel like celebrating??

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Convenience is Overrated

TD Bank is no longer my friend. 

I can take a lot - bad customer service - belligerent bank managers - incompetent bank clerks - but when you add ATM fees on top of all that, I'm gone ----------------->  whoooooooosh

When free ATM's were really free, I hung in there with customer service agents who giggled and said.. "I can't tell what that charge is on your account.  It's just letters."  Seriously??

Or when Michael tried to make a deposit and the bank manager told him that I had to sign his paycheck if he wanted to put any of this check in my account.  After a 10 minute debate, Michael gave up and went a mile down the road to another branch of the same bank where they were more than happy to make  his deposit. (By the way... it's called a split deposit.)

Or... or... or.... 

Oh! I could give you a list of incompetencies, but hey!   The bank was open awesome hours and they offered free ATM's.  (And the green ATM cards were cute)

But now I'm being a diligent consumer, making mature decisions based on financial... um... stuff.  

.... and that means saying farewell to ol' TD Bank.

And although my new bank is in actuality a rickety old bank, they thank me for coming AND they have a drive-thru ATM.  (I barely have to slow down!)

Are you friends with your bank?

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In the name of God

September 11th.

I turned on the television this morning and watched some of the memorial services on the major networks - incredible, well-produced images, an amazing flautist, children singing - terribly, terribly sad.

And then I accidentally stumbled onto the Arts & Entertainment channel.  They were showing actual footage from September 11, 2001 with no commentary.  Images of horror, fear, courage.  I watched all of those firemen march toward the disaster and I was struck by the determination in their stride, the lack of fear on their faces.

It was then that I wept and experienced the heartache that I felt that awful day - maybe even more now than then. 

Nothing very profound to say.  It's all been said - and far better than I could ever say it.

Like many, I'm constantly astounded by the atrocities that man perpetuates on man - both en masse and individually - in the name of God.

Violence - in the name of God?  Hatred - in the name of God?  It's not possible - not possible.

The name of God should move us to love a little harder - forgive a little faster.

I don't always do as well as I should.  I don't always practice what I preach.

But the name of God encourages me to do better.

How does the name of God affect you?

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Pardon me while I rant!

I just had a visit from my neighborhood civic association president.  He came to tell me about the neighborhood picnic and garage sale - which I will not attend!

By the time he left, I'm sure he was sorry that he stopped by.   BUT... to his credit, he was still smiling.

I told him that I wanted to put up a privacy fence and asked if that would be okay.  He stammered a little and said that considering who 2 of my neighbors are, the board would certainly consider it.

Me:  So, the rules are not really "the rules".  Although the by-laws clearly state that privacy fences are not allowed, the interpretation of the rules depends on who you are - like high school.  If you're "in", you've got it made.  If you're "out", it's a different world.

Him:  Oh no!  But the board (lower case letter - just my opinion) would be sympathetic to your case.

HELLLLLLOOOOOO!

Then the rules are not the rules and the civic association (again.. they do not deserve upper case letters) is a  joke.

Me:  Did you know that although Edgewood Hills residents are not allowed to construct privacy fences of 4 or 6 feet tall, there is a fence between my yard and "Hateful Anna's" yard that is 108" tall!

Him:  Well, I didn't know how tall it was.  The board was sympathetic because of the hateful man who lives next to you.

Me:  Hateful man next door?  Are you awake?   The hateful one lives behind me - not next door!!! I LIKE Wayne! And besides... that "fence" doesn't even touch his property

Him: (Inredulously)  Really???

Me:  Did you know that she created a trench so that the water from my yard and hers would run into Wayne's yard and that I was told that she would sue me if I tried to fill it in.

Him:  No, I thought he was the one who created the drainage problem.

Me:  Does water run uphill these days???

She whines, cries, manipulates, and spends her life on the phone with the County, filing complaints against the neighbors.  I have dubbed the monstrosity of a fence that she constructed (at a cost of several thousand dollars I'm told) in the back yard...

Anna's Wall of Hate
 I hope it keeps the hate on her side!

My next door neighbor is a good neighbor.  It's not him that is the problem.

Anna sucks!

And so does the civic association.

Thought you should know.

Do you have a "wall of hate" in your life?

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Color me stressed!

I'm trying to refinance my house.  Ok.. no big deal, I thought!  Riiiiiiiight!

The last time I refinanced, I used the lender that already held the mortgage so the hassle was minimal.  This time?  Geez!   I need to take a 2-week vacation just to fill out the paperwork.

AND THEN... there's the appraisal!   With house prices continuing to take a nose dive, I have NO idea what the appraisal will say my house is worth.  AND... there is a certain number that we need to see, or the whole deal is off.

So I looked around the house and thought.... CRAP!  (well.. I kinda thought "crap")

It occurred to me that I really couldn't afford to have a house with "issues" for this appraisal.  I won't go into the exact extent of the issues, but I enlisted Richard's help and he kindly gave up 2 very long nights to help prepare for the appraisal.

He's also going through this process.  (In fact, it's HIS fault I'm doing this too.)  ANYWAY... I really appreciated his time considering he was trying to do the same thing at his house at the same time.   What a week!

I think it will be about a week until we hear the results of the audit.  I'll be back to either whine and rationalize or to celebrate.  We'll see which next week!

Thanks, Richard!!

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Happy Birthday, Bryce!

6 years old today and in Kindergarten!  How can it be????

Bryce is sweet, kind, thoughtful, opinionated, sure of what he wants, optimistic, and a million other wonderful things. 

It is such a privilege to be able to watch these amazing kids grow.

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Find out about the party!

Off to School!

Today was Kate's first day of Pre-Kindergarten.  Really!

She is quick to remind me at every opportunity that she IS 4 1/2 years old.

I "borrowed" this picture from Julie's blog because I thought it was sooooo cute!

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Wildwood by the Sea

The only people missing at Bryce's birthday party were Greg, Amy and their kids (Gregory, Alex and Matthew)

And where were they, you ask?  Where else but Willdwood, NJ - making memories!

A picture of the whole gang!   This one was SO good I want to have it printed and framed!!!!

It looks like Kite flying was the activity of the day!

Gregory, Matthew and Alex

Matthew and Greg

Heeeeeeere's Alex

Matthew's turn...

And after the day... night on the Boardwalk

Gregory and Amy

Amy and Matthew heading up the ramp to the Boardwalk

Alex and Gregory

Mugging for the camera

Matthew, Gregory and Alex

Matthew - just chillin'

These are the days... the moments... the memories that make life so full!

(Thanks, Greg for sharing your weekend with us!)

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Bryce's 6th Birthday!

It was a soccer birthday for Bryce!

I think I was on the Blue team, but I forgot my cleats so I couldn't play!

Bryce wanted to choose the theme for his 6th birthday and he chose *SOCCER*!

He wanted to form teams and have everyone play AND he thought a 50-50 would be a nice touch.  His plan was to charge everyone who came $1 to be put into a hat or a bowl or something and then have a drawing.  The person who won would get half and Bryce would get the other half as a birthday gift.

Scott told him that if he wanted to have a drawing to give a gift, that would be okay, but that it was probably not a good idea to charge $1 to his guests.

Ahhhh!  Kids!

I must say that I was more than impressed with Bryce as a gift recipient.  He took his time with every gift, looked the person in the eye to thank them (or in the case of one gift... ran across the room with a BIG hug for his uncle), and was so very appreciative.

Great job, Bryce!  (and Scott and Crystal)

It was a super day - just the way Bryce planned it!  I can hardly wait to see what he plans for next year!

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