12.25.2011
12.24.2011
11.22.2011
11.16.2011
Meet Pixar
This little Guy was next to nothing from the Goodwill. Doesn't he look like the little dude from the opening sequence of Pixar movies? He's only wearing his primer right now. He'll be beautiful as soon as the humidity goes down low enough to paint him.
10.18.2011
Bizzy
So much to talk about! It's been a whirlwind of a summer.
We could talk about our trip to Puerto Rico
or how Lovey and I have become boaters
or how me flying to Puerto Rico wasn't as bad as when I put Lovey on one of these to fly to Tennessee.
(plane shown actual size. plane is 2 years older than me!)
We could even talk about how a baby being held by a guy with a handful of french fries sneezed on me yesterday (and that wasn't the worst part of my day).
I'd much rather talk about how I, singlehandedly, gave Hancock Fabrics the best anniversary sale they have ever had. $3 remnant tables. 54% off of home decor fabric!
It started with these $3 per yard remnants:
and this one:
which go so well with the TV room fabrics I already had:
A trip to Ross scored this rug for only $29!
This Robert Allen Geo was a 54% off/yard buy:
And here is how the living room all came together.
Twirly pillow +
Geo pillow =
Pretty!
The curtains in the Khanjali fabric that started it all.
The reupholstered slipper chair that I've had for at least 15 years.
The room all pulled together.
It looks exactly how I wanted it to. A few more tweaks including a new ceiling fixture are needed, but that deal hasn't been found yet.
Pullo would like everyone to know he helped.
We could talk about our trip to Puerto Rico
or how Lovey and I have become boaters
or how me flying to Puerto Rico wasn't as bad as when I put Lovey on one of these to fly to Tennessee.
(plane shown actual size. plane is 2 years older than me!)
We could even talk about how a baby being held by a guy with a handful of french fries sneezed on me yesterday (and that wasn't the worst part of my day).
I'd much rather talk about how I, singlehandedly, gave Hancock Fabrics the best anniversary sale they have ever had. $3 remnant tables. 54% off of home decor fabric!
It started with these $3 per yard remnants:
and this one:
which go so well with the TV room fabrics I already had:
A trip to Ross scored this rug for only $29!
This Robert Allen Geo was a 54% off/yard buy:
And here is how the living room all came together.
Twirly pillow +
Geo pillow =
Pretty!
The curtains in the Khanjali fabric that started it all.
The reupholstered slipper chair that I've had for at least 15 years.
The room all pulled together.
It looks exactly how I wanted it to. A few more tweaks including a new ceiling fixture are needed, but that deal hasn't been found yet.
Pullo would like everyone to know he helped.
8.18.2011
8.14.2011
Deep Breath In, Deep Breath Out
Flights booked.
Hotel reservations made.
Dog-sitter confirmed.
Anti-anxiety pills clasped firmly in my hands.
Let the mad packing begin!
Hotel reservations made.
Dog-sitter confirmed.
Anti-anxiety pills clasped firmly in my hands.
Let the mad packing begin!
7.19.2011
Actual Conversation That Actually Happened Because I Couldn't Make This Up
Co-worker Type Person: Have you guys moved into your house yet?
Me: No, it's going to be a while.
Co-worker Type Person: You guys have a contract, don't you?
Me: Yeah. We have the land. We're just saving and figuring out what we want.
Co-worker Type Person: But I saw a picture Lovey* posted of a big house on Facebook.
Me (confused): Lovey did?
Co-worker Type Person: Yeah, a really big house.
Me: (more confused): When did he do that? Are you sure?
Co-worker Type Person: Yeah, it's his profile picture.
Me: (finally understanding): That's Drayton Hall.
Although...... that would solve my "issues" with SCShmee&G.
*No, my co-workers don't call the husband Lovey. But they do for the purpose of this blog. :)
Me: No, it's going to be a while.
Co-worker Type Person: You guys have a contract, don't you?
Me: Yeah. We have the land. We're just saving and figuring out what we want.
Co-worker Type Person: But I saw a picture Lovey* posted of a big house on Facebook.
Me (confused): Lovey did?
Co-worker Type Person: Yeah, a really big house.
Me: (more confused): When did he do that? Are you sure?
Co-worker Type Person: Yeah, it's his profile picture.
Me: (finally understanding): That's Drayton Hall.
Although...... that would solve my "issues" with SCShmee&G.
*No, my co-workers don't call the husband Lovey. But they do for the purpose of this blog. :)
7.17.2011
7.16.2011
46% Humidity
After a week of 100+ days and rain every afternoon, today is a perfect 86 degrees with low humidity.
The only thing that could make this Saturday more perfect would be to find out that gelato is non-fattening.
Take a look at one of the two cutest boys in the world:
Oh! I just want to squeeze him! This is Lovey's boy. Duffy follows him everywhere. If Lovey is in town for the week, forget it. I'm basically non-existent to the Duff-monster.
And here is the other:
The big scaredy one. He's mine. Lucky me. I think he thinks he's protecting me. Unless there is rain and/or thunder, then I protect him.
I'm kind of out-numbered since Mizz B is gone. A house full of boys, yeesh.
Lovey and I were talking the other day about when, in the future, we would get another dog.
Lovey: I was thinking if we got another male Briard, we could name him "Neo".
Me: I was thinking "Optimus".
This is what happen when dorks marry.
The only thing that could make this Saturday more perfect would be to find out that gelato is non-fattening.
Take a look at one of the two cutest boys in the world:
Oh! I just want to squeeze him! This is Lovey's boy. Duffy follows him everywhere. If Lovey is in town for the week, forget it. I'm basically non-existent to the Duff-monster.
And here is the other:
The big scaredy one. He's mine. Lucky me. I think he thinks he's protecting me. Unless there is rain and/or thunder, then I protect him.
I'm kind of out-numbered since Mizz B is gone. A house full of boys, yeesh.
Lovey and I were talking the other day about when, in the future, we would get another dog.
Lovey: I was thinking if we got another male Briard, we could name him "Neo".
Me: I was thinking "Optimus".
This is what happen when dorks marry.
7.15.2011
It's Come to This
First, I would like to thank the 80-year-old woman who took her legs back after four long, agonizing days. Can't say that I appreciate the bish who gave me the crampy stomach for three days after. Anyway, bygones.
I've been good. I've stayed out of stores. Everytime I look at something, I say to myself "would you rather have this or would you rather have a new house". The house wins every time.
My J. Crew card is not only paid off, it's peacefully sleeping in a desk drawer at the McManse. I haven't even so much as looked at the website in over four months. Last week when my in-laws were in town we went to Tanger. And that's where I saw it:
What? They promised! They promised they would never put one here! Deep breath. My greatest test awaits.
I've been good. I've stayed out of stores. Everytime I look at something, I say to myself "would you rather have this or would you rather have a new house". The house wins every time.
My J. Crew card is not only paid off, it's peacefully sleeping in a desk drawer at the McManse. I haven't even so much as looked at the website in over four months. Last week when my in-laws were in town we went to Tanger. And that's where I saw it:
"Coming Soon. J. Crew Outlet".
What? They promised! They promised they would never put one here! Deep breath. My greatest test awaits.
6.24.2011
June
July can't get here soon enough. Why? Because June has been a buzzard for me.
Lovey and I got each got a ridiculous case of chiggers after hanging out at the property with a builder and an architect. Seriously, I have never itched so much in my natural life. I wanted to get my nails done just so I could adequately scratch.
A few days later, I noticed a bruise-like feel in my lower abdomen. When it still hurt a day later, I called the doctor to get it checked out. Because I hadn't seen our new primary care provider yet, I was considered a "new patient" and could only schedule an appointment for a week and a half later. Um, no. Googling suggested it could be several things - appendicitis, ovarian cyst, ectopic pregnancy among others. Did I mention Google is scary? After another call to the doctor's office, I headed off to the emergency room with a sweater (it's always cold in there) and the latest Jen Lancaster (because I figured the wait was going to be long, at best).
Surprisingly, the ER of my local hospital isn't that busy at 10 on a Friday morning. I was sent right back and started on an IV. After interrogations from the doctor and several nurses, I was ordered a CT scan. Long story short, the CT scan dye is scary (thought my heart was going to explode), the catscan was negative (good sign) and I was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and sent home with an antibiotic. Ok, didn't think of that one.
See, I've never had a UTI before. I always heard how painful they were. My only sympton was the bruise-like feeling. Anyway, I started my antibiotics like a good girl.
A few days later, I had two more bruise-like feelings above the first spot. Really? Back to the doctor I went. This time, he said I had an inflammation and was prescribed prednisone. Lovely. The days passed and I completed my course of each medicine.
Yay. The month was looking up. So what if it was the 22? Better late than never.
And then......
Thursday morning I woke up at 3 AM with pain in my legs. Sharp pain in both ankles and both knees. Mind-numbing, throbbing pain. I could barely even put weight on my right leg when I stood up. Lovey was in Virginia for work so I counted the hours to daybreak until I could call the doctor - otherwise i would have revisisted my friendly neighborhood ER.
Luckily, the doctor could work me in at 9. He took some blood, gave me another prescription and I went home. All day yesterday, I laid on the bed with my legs completely still so they wouldn't hurt. It's the craziest thing I ever felt. Since I had some time on my hands, I started thinking back to a conversation I had with one of my former clients. She told me that she had been given Cipro for a sinus infection and how she had had so many side effects with it. She said she had joint swelling and that her doctor told her it could take months to leave her system.
Hmmmm. This morning, I got the call that the bloodwork was normal. Then I google-bombed Cipro. (And sometimes Google is awesome!) Wow! I found a forum where people were talking about their Cipro side effects. Yikes! So many people shared my experience with the pain (as well as the inflammation from the week before looking back). Many people experienced even harsher, more long-term side effects. The word "toxic" was used frequently. Yeesh.
Hopefully, my legs will feel better in a day or so (my ankles already feel better than yesterday), and I can get back to life. It's excruciating to be home on a weekday and not be able to do a project. And there are only so many Amsale Girls you can watch back to back. Trust me.
Bottom line: stear clear of Cipro. It's the devil.
Lovey and I got each got a ridiculous case of chiggers after hanging out at the property with a builder and an architect. Seriously, I have never itched so much in my natural life. I wanted to get my nails done just so I could adequately scratch.
A few days later, I noticed a bruise-like feel in my lower abdomen. When it still hurt a day later, I called the doctor to get it checked out. Because I hadn't seen our new primary care provider yet, I was considered a "new patient" and could only schedule an appointment for a week and a half later. Um, no. Googling suggested it could be several things - appendicitis, ovarian cyst, ectopic pregnancy among others. Did I mention Google is scary? After another call to the doctor's office, I headed off to the emergency room with a sweater (it's always cold in there) and the latest Jen Lancaster (because I figured the wait was going to be long, at best).
Surprisingly, the ER of my local hospital isn't that busy at 10 on a Friday morning. I was sent right back and started on an IV. After interrogations from the doctor and several nurses, I was ordered a CT scan. Long story short, the CT scan dye is scary (thought my heart was going to explode), the catscan was negative (good sign) and I was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and sent home with an antibiotic. Ok, didn't think of that one.
See, I've never had a UTI before. I always heard how painful they were. My only sympton was the bruise-like feeling. Anyway, I started my antibiotics like a good girl.
A few days later, I had two more bruise-like feelings above the first spot. Really? Back to the doctor I went. This time, he said I had an inflammation and was prescribed prednisone. Lovely. The days passed and I completed my course of each medicine.
Yay. The month was looking up. So what if it was the 22? Better late than never.
And then......
Thursday morning I woke up at 3 AM with pain in my legs. Sharp pain in both ankles and both knees. Mind-numbing, throbbing pain. I could barely even put weight on my right leg when I stood up. Lovey was in Virginia for work so I counted the hours to daybreak until I could call the doctor - otherwise i would have revisisted my friendly neighborhood ER.
Luckily, the doctor could work me in at 9. He took some blood, gave me another prescription and I went home. All day yesterday, I laid on the bed with my legs completely still so they wouldn't hurt. It's the craziest thing I ever felt. Since I had some time on my hands, I started thinking back to a conversation I had with one of my former clients. She told me that she had been given Cipro for a sinus infection and how she had had so many side effects with it. She said she had joint swelling and that her doctor told her it could take months to leave her system.
Hmmmm. This morning, I got the call that the bloodwork was normal. Then I google-bombed Cipro. (And sometimes Google is awesome!) Wow! I found a forum where people were talking about their Cipro side effects. Yikes! So many people shared my experience with the pain (as well as the inflammation from the week before looking back). Many people experienced even harsher, more long-term side effects. The word "toxic" was used frequently. Yeesh.
Hopefully, my legs will feel better in a day or so (my ankles already feel better than yesterday), and I can get back to life. It's excruciating to be home on a weekday and not be able to do a project. And there are only so many Amsale Girls you can watch back to back. Trust me.
Bottom line: stear clear of Cipro. It's the devil.
6.22.2011
Poor Bloggity
Poor blog. It's been badly neglected. If the bloggity was a child, Social Services would have come knocking months ago. Alas, I'm going to try to fix that.
Let's see.....what's been happening......
It's a lot!
And someday, this will be my backyard view. Ah! Peaceful marsh. Not a busy road, no loud Harleys (but close enough to a fire station for Pullo to howl after the fire trucks).
We even buried Baby Girl under a dogwood tree at the back of the property so she could be with us there.
I, of course, have already compiled a boatload of inspiration pictures of the interior and exterior. Every inch is already mentally decorated. There'll be lots of that talk in coming months.
Hmmm. What else?
Oh! I've been on a creative binge the last few weeks. I have so many projects going on right now, it's crazy! I hope to have some of them posted soon. Check the Green Room for updates.
Let's see.....what's been happening......
It's a lot!
And someday, this will be my backyard view. Ah! Peaceful marsh. Not a busy road, no loud Harleys (but close enough to a fire station for Pullo to howl after the fire trucks).
We even buried Baby Girl under a dogwood tree at the back of the property so she could be with us there.
I, of course, have already compiled a boatload of inspiration pictures of the interior and exterior. Every inch is already mentally decorated. There'll be lots of that talk in coming months.
Hmmm. What else?
Oh! I've been on a creative binge the last few weeks. I have so many projects going on right now, it's crazy! I hope to have some of them posted soon. Check the Green Room for updates.
6.02.2011
Heartbroken
We lost Blanca this morning. Poor baby girl has been so sick for the last two weeks. The Sunday after my birthday, she had trouble standing up. A day later, we noticed she had a lump on her right hip.
The doctor said it could be one of two things: a rectal tear or a bedsore. If it was a tear, there was nothing to be done. Because of her heart problem, she was unable to be sedated to repair it. If it was a bedsore (which I'd never heard of in a dog), antibiotics should work. For the rest of the week, she slept most of the days.
A few days later, the bedsore burst. So much infection came out. No wonder she was miserable. We kept peroxide on it to stave off infection. The wound healed nicely. I held her up and made her walk in the backyard to strengthen her legs again. Then over the last weekend, her eating got kind of spotty. She'd drink plenty of water, but no appetite. We were sometime able to get her to eat a small piece of turkey.
On Tuesday, the doctor was cautiously hopeful and gave us some softer food and a syringe to force feed her. He said she had to get her strength back up. We got some in her, but not much. Miss Blanca was still strong enough to fight that!
Wednesday, she was weaker. Still not eating, now not drinking much. Last night, we couldn't even get her to wake up fully. We fed and gave her water with the syringe.
Last night, I sat holding her for a few hours. I patted her and told her it was fine if she needed to go. Like I have every night this week, I cried for her. I was so terrified that we would have to put her to sleep. I didn't see how I could do it - even if it meant she would be at rest. I wanted her to be able to go on her own terms.
This morning, her breathing was shallow. I fed her some water with the syringe to keep her hydrated. I kissed her on the head and hugged her tightly. I put her back in her bed and covered her with a fluffy towel.
At lunch, I came home to check on her. No rise and fall of her breath through the towel. My Blanca was gone.
No more nervous walking in circles, no more medicine, no more pain.
Rest in peace, baby girl.
The doctor said it could be one of two things: a rectal tear or a bedsore. If it was a tear, there was nothing to be done. Because of her heart problem, she was unable to be sedated to repair it. If it was a bedsore (which I'd never heard of in a dog), antibiotics should work. For the rest of the week, she slept most of the days.
A few days later, the bedsore burst. So much infection came out. No wonder she was miserable. We kept peroxide on it to stave off infection. The wound healed nicely. I held her up and made her walk in the backyard to strengthen her legs again. Then over the last weekend, her eating got kind of spotty. She'd drink plenty of water, but no appetite. We were sometime able to get her to eat a small piece of turkey.
On Tuesday, the doctor was cautiously hopeful and gave us some softer food and a syringe to force feed her. He said she had to get her strength back up. We got some in her, but not much. Miss Blanca was still strong enough to fight that!
Wednesday, she was weaker. Still not eating, now not drinking much. Last night, we couldn't even get her to wake up fully. We fed and gave her water with the syringe.
Last night, I sat holding her for a few hours. I patted her and told her it was fine if she needed to go. Like I have every night this week, I cried for her. I was so terrified that we would have to put her to sleep. I didn't see how I could do it - even if it meant she would be at rest. I wanted her to be able to go on her own terms.
This morning, her breathing was shallow. I fed her some water with the syringe to keep her hydrated. I kissed her on the head and hugged her tightly. I put her back in her bed and covered her with a fluffy towel.
At lunch, I came home to check on her. No rise and fall of her breath through the towel. My Blanca was gone.
No more nervous walking in circles, no more medicine, no more pain.
Rest in peace, baby girl.
4.10.2011
Legal Notices
I realize that most of the time only 2.7 people in the entire world are even aware of this little collection of internet words I've thrown together over the years. But on the off-off chance that someone from a gargantuan toy company (or one of their numerous trademark lawyers) stumbles across my little blog, I've made the following decision.
From this point forthwith and so-forth and anyhoosle, K's Barbie Dream House will now be known as K's Poseable Fashion Doll Dream House. That's right. It's quite a mouthful. But it sure beats using savings for litigation rather than plantation shutters.
Now for something pretty!
How great would this Schumacher Super Paradise Print fabric look on patio chairs?
From this point forthwith and so-forth and anyhoosle, K's Barbie Dream House will now be known as K's Poseable Fashion Doll Dream House. That's right. It's quite a mouthful. But it sure beats using savings for litigation rather than plantation shutters.
Now for something pretty!
How great would this Schumacher Super Paradise Print fabric look on patio chairs?
4.09.2011
Can't Make This Stuff Up
There following are two separate conversations I've had with family members recently.
Dad: You remember that thing you did to my computer when you were here last?
Me: You mean when I switched your AOL settings from dial-up to broadband?
Dad: Yeah! That. Well, we had a thunderstorm up here a few days ago, and it doesn't work now. Can you come up and fix it again?
Then a few days later.... I received an email from my aunt B. At the bottom it said "send from my Blackberry for the Sprint network". I immediately emailed her back congratulating her for having her Blackberry set up for emails ...... after having it for months!
She wrote back that the next thing she wanted to learn was to text.
The next day I send her a text.
Me: Testing, testing 123.
Aunt B: Received
Me: Yay! Another milestone for you!
Aunt B: Did I text?
Dad: You remember that thing you did to my computer when you were here last?
Me: You mean when I switched your AOL settings from dial-up to broadband?
Dad: Yeah! That. Well, we had a thunderstorm up here a few days ago, and it doesn't work now. Can you come up and fix it again?
Then a few days later.... I received an email from my aunt B. At the bottom it said "send from my Blackberry for the Sprint network". I immediately emailed her back congratulating her for having her Blackberry set up for emails ...... after having it for months!
She wrote back that the next thing she wanted to learn was to text.
The next day I send her a text.
Me: Testing, testing 123.
Aunt B: Received
Me: Yay! Another milestone for you!
Aunt B: Did I text?
3.22.2011
Hear that?
That's the pitter-patter of my widdle heart. Because today, I found out that there is a Restoration Hardware Clearance Center!!! For reals! There is one in Dawsonville, GA - about an hour north of my Best Girl in The World and one in San Marco, TX - which I think is near one of Lovey's routine stops.
Happy dance! Happy dance! Cheap lights for the Barbie Dream House!
Happy dance! Happy dance! Cheap lights for the Barbie Dream House!
3.19.2011
Meant to....be?
Behold, the Clemson Pendant light from Restoration Hardware
Love. And the Clemson Classic Pendant. Love it even better.
Going in the Barbie Dream Kitchen? Not unless I become a Brazillionaire and fast. Guess I'll be stalking Overstock for a reasonable facsimile.
Love. And the Clemson Classic Pendant. Love it even better.
Going in the Barbie Dream Kitchen? Not unless I become a Brazillionaire and fast. Guess I'll be stalking Overstock for a reasonable facsimile.
3.06.2011
KBDH - Kitchen Edition
I've been putting a lot of thought into the Barbie Dream House. What do I want it to look like? What feel do I want it to have?
The first room I thought of was the kitchen. Heart of the home and all that. I've always envisioned a white kitchen with black countertops. Then I see an island with a beautiful Carrera marble top.
The kitchen in Something's Gotta Give has always been a favorite of mine:
Love the bookshelves built into the island. Love the lighting. Love the simple subway tile backsplash.
The Barefoot Contessa also has a similar kitchen:
Just not too crazy about the open shelving.
Through Google images, I ran across this kitchen.
It actually made me catch my breath! OK, so the counters are white and the island isn't black (but it is pretty dark), but the marble backsplash, simple cabinetry and some glass doors (not to mention the gorgeous floors). Sob! I definitely wouldn't turn down this combo.
Onto some others.
Hate the pot rack. Other than that, flawless.
Decorpad rocks! Love the industrial lights here and the farmhouse sink. Is that Carrera subway tile? Ah, yes.
Found this beauty via House Beautiful. What a great way to inject color into such a simple design. Love the furniture inspired cabinets. Love the subway tile.
I also found this kitchen via Decorpad:
&
But with these pendant lights instead:
Onyx shades. Onxy!
I'd love to have a butler's pantry to handle the overflow of serving pieces and small appliances that our current kitchen is lacking.
Now onto some details culled from the many hours spent looking at the *sold* Barbie Dream Houses.
Hide the sponges! Man, I hate sponges.
Pull out pot drawers. No more digging in the back of dark cabinets.
Fresh herbs on the countertop. I can almost smell the rosemary.
Spice drawer. Not entirely necessary, but it's a dream house, remember? Besides, I can relate to the labelmaker love. And love the cabinet hardware.
Then again, I love these classic pulls for the bottom cabinets
with these mercury glass (a minor obsession) knobs for the top cabinets
A girl can dream, can't she? Next up, the master bathroom.
The first room I thought of was the kitchen. Heart of the home and all that. I've always envisioned a white kitchen with black countertops. Then I see an island with a beautiful Carrera marble top.
The kitchen in Something's Gotta Give has always been a favorite of mine:
Love the bookshelves built into the island. Love the lighting. Love the simple subway tile backsplash.
The Barefoot Contessa also has a similar kitchen:
Just not too crazy about the open shelving.
Through Google images, I ran across this kitchen.
It actually made me catch my breath! OK, so the counters are white and the island isn't black (but it is pretty dark), but the marble backsplash, simple cabinetry and some glass doors (not to mention the gorgeous floors). Sob! I definitely wouldn't turn down this combo.
Onto some others.
Hate the pot rack. Other than that, flawless.
Decorpad rocks! Love the industrial lights here and the farmhouse sink. Is that Carrera subway tile? Ah, yes.
Found this beauty via House Beautiful. What a great way to inject color into such a simple design. Love the furniture inspired cabinets. Love the subway tile.
I also found this kitchen via Decorpad:
&
But with these pendant lights instead:
Onyx shades. Onxy!
I'd love to have a butler's pantry to handle the overflow of serving pieces and small appliances that our current kitchen is lacking.
Now onto some details culled from the many hours spent looking at the *sold* Barbie Dream Houses.
Hide the sponges! Man, I hate sponges.
Pull out pot drawers. No more digging in the back of dark cabinets.
Fresh herbs on the countertop. I can almost smell the rosemary.
Spice drawer. Not entirely necessary, but it's a dream house, remember? Besides, I can relate to the labelmaker love. And love the cabinet hardware.
Then again, I love these classic pulls for the bottom cabinets
with these mercury glass (a minor obsession) knobs for the top cabinets
A girl can dream, can't she? Next up, the master bathroom.
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