A Dorkusfeminitis Crumudgeon

~ My British Royal Family collection~

Gosh but you ae all so special! I love you because you are so supportive. And funny. And get what I am saying! I have vowed not to keep up my venting about HGTV but want to end my ranting rambling with this...

I wasn't planning on watching Tuesday night but a friend called to tell me someone in Ohio was on Property Virgins. Now, it isn't often I see someone from my home state on HGTV so I flipped on the TV. The young woman lived nearer to Cincinnati than Dayton but she seemed fun, cute, a police officer and looking at homes I actually *understood*. Do you know what I mean? Typical older Ohio homes. I watched it with one eye as I folded laundry, not really interested but not totally bored either. The show ended and Hidden Potential began. What made me sit up and take notice was that it was also in Ohio, and not just anywhere in Ohio, but near Dayton. This *very* young couple (Of course, anyone under 45 is young to me ya know) were looking for their first home and wanted it to be environmentally friendly. They also were looking at homes in the 250, 000 to 350,000. Wha...? FIRST home is the big word here. Rabbit Run Cottage did not cost 250,000 so I must tell you that I was a bit miffed. My *miffed* mood grew darker when they announced that they also had "borrowed"$100,000 from old Mumsie and Popsie to lay down on the little cottage.

Even if my folks HAD an extra $100,000 lying around the house when we bought our first place (I think I will go count the change in Bill's jar. You never know right?) I would never have taken it. Wow. I would tell them to take an around the world trip and have a blast. They earned it, shouldn't they enjoy some of their own life savings? Couldn't little Boopsie and Tommy Boy live within THEIR means and buy what THEY could afford or rent until they saved the monies themselves? I am just sayin'...

Yet I watched.

The first home was located in Yellow Springs. I love Yellow Springs, love the area around the city. In fact, my wonderful red dream house (If you remember that post!) is situated near there. I actually know the house they saw. The second home was located in Kettering. I also love Kettering. Such perfect cottages and sweet older homes. I point this out because HGTV showed another shot of Yellow Springs when they discussed Kettering (I would like to think the Mayor of Kettering is dictating his nasty letter even as I type...) and because the two towns are not exactly side by side. If this young couple were actually worried about the environment, shouldn't they be interested in living near their work/school/rich parents?

The 3rd house's city was never mentioned but it looked like those great older homes in Centerville, another lovely bedroom community near Dayton. The couple ended up choosing the second house, the one in Kettering. Of course their decision was based on the designer's ideas for all those delightful *little* things that could be done to make it *perfect*. After all, they have that extra $100,000 burning a hole in their pockets right? The thing that made me wonder about this show, as I do many of the others anymore, was a statement made by sweet Boopsie at the close of the show. "Gee, I hope we can get out of our lease." Hmmm...they are just now thinking about that? They obviously are either NOT ready to buy, airheads, expecting Mom and Pop to bail 'em out of that as well or all three. Am I being too harsh? *sigh* Just one more reason I no longer find myself watching HGTV. I cringe as I type that. I LOVED this network. I was overjoyed when it went on the air. I watched almost nothing else for years. Okay, so I watched Nick At Night's old reruns of I Love Lucy, Leave It To Beaver and Andy Griffith but you know what I am saying right?

I miss what it once was...I truly do. I love the voyeur aspect of all the house searching shows but get so riled up about the people involved I usually scream at the screen! Frightens our pets something awful.

I know what it is like to lug laundry to the laundromat, live without a dishwasher, a television, a garage. Most of us do. We have learned to appreciate working and saving for something. The pride of self that comes along with that. Why are young couples buying home they can ill afford being showcased? What happened to living within one's means? There are plenty of homes in this area that Boopsie and Tommy Boy could buy that would not require them to borrow huge lumps of cash from the parental units.Homes that could suit their needs for many years but it seems I am speaking gibberish these days.

I do want to clarify how I feel about decorators. I LOVE them. I envy that job and I do know that it is their job to be harsh, especially when someone asks for help and needs to properly stage a home for sale. On this note, I really DO want to know when this became popular! It seems I am not the only one who asks that question! What happened to looking at homes you can afford (Not what the lender says you can afford!), finding one based on it's location, size, bones and knowing what YOU can do with it eventually, over time. Now we are told we must create a completely *vanilla* interior, devoid of any remnant of our family life, heart and

soul. As a buyer I would take this as a huge slam...am I considered to be so stupid that I can not look past their blue walls if I like green? Can I not see their 3.5 children's faces in a frame and know they do not go with the sale of the house? *sheesh. I might look at the cleanliness of the house but not whether of not they have a Beanie Baby collection on their bookshelves.

I understand the need to make a home look more spacious by removing a chair or table even though I personally could look at a room and decide if I could fit the space without all of that. Is this telling me that today's buyer's are without imagination? As a buyer I would feel a tad bit slighted.

Yes, I wish my living room was bigger. I wish I had a bigger laundry room, master bath and

one more wall in the kitchen so my Hoosier would fit upstairs. I also wish I was 6 feet tall and a Supermodel but that ain't gonna happen either. *sigh* But you know? That is okay. I will live.

The sun will still rise and the birds will still sing. I won't be featured on HGTV but I am not in their target audience. Hmmm...THEIR dominant target audience seems to be the people that are now facing foreclosures, living well above their means and seem to lack any real creativity. Yeah, yeah, spoken like a true curmudgeon.

Dorkusfeminitis Crumudgeon. That's me and proud of it.

And now my HGTV ranting has come to an end. *Cheers are heard 'round the globe*

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Love and Hugs to you all,

Susie Q

Ah...I Feel So NOT Alone!

~ Our tiny study~

I almost deleted my last post...I was afraid that I might be mis-understood and hurt some feelings. *sigh* I am quite relieved to see that most of you feel the same way I do about HGTV's current schedule. It does bother me to say it as I was one of those people who jumped for joy when they first went on the air! Oh yes! An entire network devoted to all things HOME! Whoo Hoo. But, in the last 2 years, I have seen more and more evidence that I am no longer in their targeted demographic. *sigh* Yes, I AM old and out of touch yet so proud of it. Like most of you, we began married life in a small rented apartment. I was tickled to death with ours, a one bedroom in Pensacola, Florida. It was a newer complex so it looked great and even had an ice maker in the fridge! Wow, I was livin' large! Still, Bill was in AOCS training (Think "An Officer and a Gentleman" without Ricard Gere) and was only allowed to leave base on the weekends. I was alone, all alone, for the first time in my life. And I slept on the floor. Uh huh. Until Bill graduated the rigorous training and he was sworn into the Navy, we could not have our furniture moved. My dad brought down as much as he could (Not that we had a lot mind you!) when he came with me to look for an apartment but that was limited to dishes and cookware, a mattress, 2 lamps, a tiny black and white TV (YES! Black and white folks! And we lived to tell the tale!), a small stereo, some books, records, 3 plants and my clothes. I was incredibly lonely and very nervous at night. It seems silly to say that now but heck. I had just turned 21 and lived at home until I married. My new husband was on base 24/7 during the week and I was a.l.o.n.e. *sigh* Nights seemed so long...there is a lot more to the story but yes. It is hard to relate to most of these young people searching for homes on HGTV. But it goes even deeper than HGTV. I adore decorating, I love looking at homes and seeing how others live. I have every respect for anyone who has more than I do, heck, LOTS of folks have more than *I* do! That is okay! But when I read and hear that THIS or THAT is passe', outdated and even down right ugly, and I know that I have that very look in MY home, well, those teeny hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. Where once I just got hurt and depressed, now I get majorly ticked. I love decorators. I know decorators. I once dreamed of being a decorator. But who decides what is in and what is out? And we all know that whatever is *IN* now will be *OUT* next year. I don't know about you but we do not have the money to toss away on new furniture and lamps every 2-3 years. Nor do we have enough money to buy items that do not *speak* to us. Yup. Come on now, YOU know what I am saying...you are walking through a store and something whispers, "Psst. You there, the chubby lady in glasses. I am one of a kind ya know. Wouldn't I look super in that burgundy dining room of yours? Come on now...take me home. PULEEZ?". Uh huh. Things speak to us. When we bought our home I was (Now this may be a shock) on. a. budget. Oooohhhh. Something that most of those people on HGTV never seem to worry about. I decided against the whirlpool tub so could have another closet. I chose a smaller floor plan so we could have a finished basement. I did not get the vaulted ceilings upstairs. *shrug* And yet I love this place. For all that it does not have, it is sweet and ours and very cozy. Yes, sometimes it feels TOO cozy but heck. I have had baby showers and wedding showers, birthday parties and office parties, a holiday get together or 15 and giggly girl sleep overs and somehow we all did just fine. I would love to have a Jacuzzi but I usually take showers anyway so would rarely use it. I would LOVE a bigger living room but, especially at this time of year, ours feels so friendly and warm. I also chose oak cabinets. I LIKED the oak. It went, heck, it GOES well with my things. Now I am reading that my cabinets are antiquated, that I MUST paint them. I have no problems painting them. I like the look of that on SOME days but on others, well, on others I LIKE my oak. Bill looked at me as if lemurs were leaping from my little ears when I suggested it. We hope to replace our kitchen floor this year, maybe tile, maybe wood. I love the look of dark wood and lighter cabinets but that is no reason to replace cabinets as some would have me do! Paint is an option but then you have the issue of how the white appliances look with the painted cabinets. I swear it is akin to opening a can o' those proverbial worms. And PULEEZ do not ask me to replace our barely 6 year old appliances. Not only is that prohibitively expensive but it also smacks severely at our Go Green mentality! There is nothing wrong with them..*sigh* So, what to do, what to do...I am more than willing to listen to any and all suggestions. I trust all of you. I admire all of you. I respect all of you. I will be adding pictures of our house, a few at a time, later this week. I would love to hear what you would do with our kitchen (Cabinets, counters and flooring) and our bathroom floors. We replaced the bath counters last year using Corian in both. I am looking for new light fixtures for both small baths...oh but wouldn't a designer go into anaphylactic shock upon seeing my builders grade bubble lights! Egads! And we have lived with them for almost 7 years! I should be humiliated! Yet, somehow, I survived. One for Ripley's Believe It Or Not. Now, all of this said, I hold each one of my decorating books in high esteem. I read and re-read them and enjoy each one greatly. I love the entire process of decorating and making a house a home. I think that being in the design business would be a joy...and yet I am so weary of being told that what I have or what I love is out of touch. Don't you just know that IF we paint and glaze our cabinets, oak will be the hot new thing in 2 years? That is MY own personal Murphy's Law. Whatever Susie Q does to keep in style will soon be OUT of style after she does it. On Saturday I read what 3 different designers had to say about trends. 2 said that granite was *out*. The 3rd said it was *in*. 2 said that the color blue was *out*, one said it was *in*. Get the picture? Hey, if you love granite and can afford it, GO for it! It can be so beautiful. I would love soapstone but it is pricey. I had marble suggested to me recently...me! Do I LOOK like Mrs. Trump to you? I didn't think so...besides, if I WAS Mrs. Trump he would have an entirely different hair do and give most of his fortune to animal charities but I digress... If you love country, do it. Traditional? Jump on it. Tahitian Eclectic Retro Modern? You go girl. Here I am rambling again my sweet bloggy buddies. But it is so nice to know I am not alone in my less than magazine worthy home. Being IN a magazine was once something I aspired to do. I did have a picture of part of my home in Country Decorating Ideas. Yup, a picture of my Hoosier cabinet filled with antique milk bottles was used in several of their issues. But that is probably as close as I will ever get to decor stardom. And I am okay with that... I take great pride in those wonderful bloggers who have delicious homes & who have had their sweet abodes featured on TV and in magazines. The ones I have come to know worked hard for and on their homes and deserve every single accolade they receive. I have friends here who have the loveliest homes, some huge, some tiny, all personal and warm. I have known folks who have the most current looks and some who have not changed their look in 40 years. Home is what YOU want it to be, what makes YOU happy. Like most of you, I have to wonder what has created this mad trend in Realty. I thought you looked at a house's bones, whether it was decently kept (or, if not, whether you could fix whatever was wrong) and if it was in an area that suited you...good schools, safe, close to the bus line or Starbucks. Or Target. I'm just sayin'... I used to think it was our jobs as buyers to put our own stamp on a house regardless of what the sellers had done. That has all gone the way of bobby soxers and minuettes. But that does not mean it is a good thing. Nope, it t'ain't right I tell ya. I can only hope that more folks have taken this economic downturn seriously and will begin to live within their means and learn to do with less. Less does not mean awful, ugly and boring. Competing with the folks next door is silly...besides, I can not compete with my neighbors. They are just the best people in the world, too wonderful for words. The missus next door is gorgeous, smart, dedicated and has the most wonderful family...I admire and respect and adore her...compete? Nah, love? You bet! And why would we all need to look alike? *shiver* That is a scary thought. Perhaps we will see a return to builders offering smaller homes to those of us who want that, those of us who prefer that. Maybe we will see a return to more people decorating on a shoe string, using their creativity rather than cash. Heck, cash alone does not guarantee a beautiful home. And do not get me started on those HGTV House Hunters who, after moving into their homes, are shown to have completely re-done the entire house in 3 months or less...but that is for another post and I am moving on. Aren't you happy? *smile* Thank you for continuing to be so inspiring, so much fun, so interesting and so supportive. The blogging community is such a joy...you all are such a joy.

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Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Her Dorkness, Ms. Susie Q

Whoosh! Wow...January 12th is here already! I know, they say that when you get older time does that...hey! I heard that you younger blogger whipper snappers!

Thank goodness we do have the Christmas decorations down and stored away...okay, "stored away" is a relative term as Bill is re-arranging the storage room so those boxes, as well as lots of other goodies, are stacked in various locations in the basement. It is the old annual, "A new year is upon us so let's get our tushies in gear and be organized" festival! Cue the confetti! Whoo Hoo! The closets are almost done (I still have mine to go) and the drawers and cabinets were completed this weekend. Whew. We do this twice a year so it never gets TOO unmanageable. As a military family we moved so often that we never really accumulated too much *fluff*. After settling down, we seem to gather lots of *fluff* and *bits* that do need a good clean up now and then. They must cling to our shoes and come in the door with us like fleas...hmm...

Of course I LOVE a bit of clutter. Really! No, not the sort of *clutter* that makes organizational gurus turn purple and rotate their heads at 65 MPH. No, no...I clean up the papers and *stuff* that tend to creep into our lives every day. It is my *controlled clutter* that I adore. Let us just say that I will never be accused of being a Minimalist. Nope. I LIKE my stuff. I do a weed out every year, sometimes twice a year, and I am much more judicious about what I bring into the house now. But heck. I LIKE *stuff*. I LIKE collections and whimsy and the sweet mementos of a life

lived. I plan on photographing more of the house soon...a bit here and a bit there...to share with you all. I am always open to reviews and sniggles and ideas. I may or may not DO anything but I LOVE hearing what all of you (who I adore and in whom I find so much inspiration) say.

How I wish I had the money to do so many things to our cottage...we plan on doing a few things this year, but have to do such things slowly. After living here almost 7 years, it is time don't you think?

I also find myself wishing I was more elegant and

could design a home that had class and showcased true style. Unfortunately, that is just not me.

Sad really...I am just drawn to the silly, the unexpected, the "let's add another plate to that wall and the 25th pillow to the couch" clubs. I am a charter member in both. *sigh* My home is no more elegant than *I* am and believe me, *I* am as far left of elegant as any living woman could be. Dorkusfeminitis, that's me. Uh huh. Look it up. You will see a picture of me right next to the word in Webster's Big Book of Words.

So in 2009 I plan to embrace my inner dorkness and stop apologizing for it. I will no longer apologize for NOT having granite counters and terra cotta tile floors. We do not have a whirlpool tub (Gasp! Horrors!) and yet, somehow, some way, I do continue to live. Shocking huh? You see, I have been watching too much HGTV. Yes, the channel that once was a real delight in my life has begun to annoy me. Save for Candace Olsen, who I adore, the shows and hosts just plain annoy me. Gosh but I have gotten crotchety in my old age huh?

Gone are the shows (and hosts) that gave me wonderful, doable in my price range, ideas. I am not trying to sell our little place so am not interested in 287 different shows on how to DO that. Nor do I think I can stomach one more 20 something who, while buying their first home, announces that they refuse to live in anything that does not have, Pick Two or Five: Granite counters, hardwood floors, a Jacuzzi, Stainless Steel Everything, Diamond Encrusted toilets, Vaulted ceilings, Built In Robots Who Clean and Do Windows, 3 car garages, 4,200 + square feet, a built in pool, finished basements with wet bars and gymnasiums, On Site Gourmet Chefs...okay. So I am being a tad bit silly but you get my point. I am 52 and *I* do not have my Dream Home. And the shocker is, I have actually survived that. One CAN live without granite counters and Jacuzzis. Both are awfully nice if one can afford them without going into major debt but sheesh. When we were

2o somethings, we lived in apartments! We started out in tiny homes...I know, I know...how did we come out of that alive?

If I came down from outer space and spent the evening watching HGTV I would fly home to

Planet OpsieDopsie thinking that A. Everyone in the US is trying to sell their home. B. Granite =

some sort of life sustaining force. C. Personality + packed homes = death, despair, disgrace.

ARGH....

Am I being too weird? Ssh...don't tell me yet. After all, I have no granite and might lose control at any time. Break it to me gently okay? I really have complete respect for anyone who worked hard for their homes, no matter the size, and are grateful for the ability to do with them what they wish...but please.

Forgive me. I have just watched House Hunters and gazed in disbelief as two 20 something young men, college students no less, bought a home bigger than anything I have ever lived in. Mommy and Daddy were chipping in most of the bucks so, after the deal was done, in went the new granite and tile and wood and paint and furniture and...STOP! Please! I can not take it anymore! I truly am from another time and another place. One where you worked your way up the property ladder, bought a home based on what you could truly afford (Not what the bank was willing to give you) and not whether the walls were painted a color that did not make you gag. (Usually a color one of MY walls is painted thank you very much) Come on people! Buy a can of paint and a brush! You are young! It ain't that hard!

I am getting old. Yes, dear friends. It is true. I remember a time when we could look for a house and enjoy that they were personalized...we could see that a loving family lived there, that this home had a beating heart. That made us love it even more. Now everything must be stripped down to utter banality to sell. Have people gotten more lazy? Spoiled? Gosh but I AM old...

Our dear blog friends Janet and Cassie are in Realty and they probably know this all too well. It may be a fact of life in this era but I do not have to like it. Phooey. Uh huh. I am getting old...nope. I AM old. I sorely miss Kitty Bartholomew on HGTV. I miss Designing For The Sexes with Michael Payne, Mary Emmerling, Joan Steffend and HER Decorating Cents, Country Style...oops. How silly of me! I recently saw where most HGTV viewers who voted placed anything *country* in the *out* box.

One quick run through of the HGTV boards is telling..."I am SO glad that Shabby Chic &*%$ is on death watch.", "Anything labeled as whimsical is also a piece of useless crap.", "Country is so dead it has rigor mortis." and my personal favorite, "HGTV used to appeal to *&%$ old people like my Mother. Thank God they got over that!." Hmpf.

Well, I guess people like me, folks who love Cottage Country, American Country, French Country and English Country are dinosaurs of sorts. Yup, that's me. Outdated, antiquated, obsolete, outmoded, old fashioned, too long in the tooth to be of any real use...Dorkusfeminitis.

And I will continue to embrace my inner Dorkusfeminitis, I will adore it, I will love it. Now I think I will go and distress something, add another plate to the wall, another rooster to my kitchen, make a cup of cocoa and pop in a DVD. Hmm...How about The Holiday? Then I can settle back and watch Iris' splendid English cozy country cottage and dream...as only a true Dork can do.

Thank you for letting me ramble and fuss...and let me wish each of you a sweet week, a warm and safe week, a week where you know in your heart that to qualify as a "Dream" house, your home only needs one thing...love. Love of family, love of friends, pets, ones own self. Where love and peace of heart reside, that is truly a dream home. Now let's see HGTV showcase that!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

A few Ideas From HGTV

Having trouble choosing a tree theme this year? Well here are a few ideas from the good folks at HGTV! Which would YOU choose? Me? Definitely the Country Christmas tree...that is so me.

Hmm...but the Simple & Modern one is me too...or, maybe the White Christmas one. How about a Simple, White, Modern, Country Christmas tree? Uh huh. That would be me. Which one is more like YOU? Anyone feel all glitzy and glamorous?

A Country Christmas Tree

Pick a tree that is the right size for your room. It's perfectly acceptable to have a tree that touches your ceiling, and it's definitely the most important decoration of the Christmas season. To give your tree a designer's touch, focus your decorations down to a single color scheme. Designer Monica Pedersen uses a combination of gold ornaments and white Christmas lights to give her tree a classic look. A few faux flowers blossoms around the tree take it to the next level, and wide ribbon in a deep rustic color tops off the tree.

A Winter Wonderland Tree

Mix trendy with classic for the holidays. Designer Lauren Lake combines white lights with a stylish metallic scheme. When stringing up the lights, start at the top so that you have easy access to the electrical outlet at the end of the wire. Pick a variety of ornaments with different shapes, sizes, and textures. For her tree, Lauren uses silver, gold and pearlescent baubles with sequined ornaments, teardrop shapes, glitter-covered pinecones, and striking gold stars. To make it even more interesting, try adding a floral element with fake white poinsettias and hydrangeas. A bright metallic bow at the top of the tree is a real showstopper, and a little bit of spray snow on the tips of the branches adds a fresh, frosty feel.

A Glitz & Glamour Tree

Go all out this season with an over-the-top white Christmas tree. For the foundation of his tree, Sparkle Josh sprays snow on the branches and adds simple white Christmas lights. Pinecones distributed throughout the tree give it an organic feel, while gold leaf garlands, mirrored ornaments and white feathery fronds add a fantasy allure. White orchid blossoms and feathered reeds add volume to the tree and act as a topper. For the final touch, weave two glittery ribbons between boughs all around your tree.

A Nature Inspired Tree

Natural is the way to go for the holidays. Designer Genevieve Gorder uses both traditional Christmas lights and lights with large, spherical bulbs to give the tree some variety and really make it sparkle. To achieve this woodsy look, adds clumps of moss, berries, colorful decorative birds and other woodland creatures, like miniature fawn. Top it all off with a colored starfish to really bring home the organic theme.

A Simple & Modern Tree

While many people want to fill their trees with colorful decorations and sparkly ornaments, sometimes it's just nice to let the natural beauty of the Christmas tree come through. Designer John Gidding decorates a simple Christmas tress with large white light bulbs and simple decorations. On that note..we are just beginning to add a little holiday cheer around out house. Gotta get busy and git 'er done! Love to you all! Susie Q

Egad! And A Recipe To Boot!

In the questions post. I DID forget to mention Decorating Cents didn't I? Egad! I love Joan Steffand and the show. The format has been tweaked some over the years but it is one that I still adore watching.

I still like Design on a Dime, Curb Appeal and several others that have been around for some time.

I can still remember when HGTV went on the air! How exciting! An entie network devoted to decorating and homes and...well, it was fantastic!

And, I also have one more question to answer! Tara has asked what my favorite, no fail recipe is.

Now, I could say whatever I pick up at McDonald's but I actually DO cook. Sometimes.

I really do!

I can add a few recipes later this week but you know what my never fail, easy as pie recipe is? Remove the skin from chicken thighs (Breasts work well too), melt margarine in a bowl and add garlic, parsley and pepper. (Could be fresh, minced garlic and parsely or straight out of a jar)

Pour the seasoned margarine evenly over the chicken and bake. Usually an hour at 350 does it. Serve it over rice (My family is hooked on *souped up* rice. Minute rice cooked in a cream soup such as Mushroom. This can be doctored up a little) Add some fresh, well seasoned green beans and you have a meal!

It is fast, good and everyone seems to love it. Could not be more simple!

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. Stay well and safe and smile often!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Aha!

Edited: Hello everyone and thank you for your sweet comments. Lilly asked about paint color. This is Laura Ashley #5 purchased at Lowes. The chandy was a closeout from Lowes as well, purchased last year. The shades and cord cover came from Hobby Lobby. The rabbit tray (Just as wonderful as you think it is!) came from our own Penny at Lavender Hill Studio! ````` Hey there dear friends! Our Pamela over at "The Dust Will Wait" is the only one that caught my *deliberately* misspelled word!! Or, perhaps you thought it was truly a faux pas on my part? I mentioned that the dining room re do was achieved with "2 cans of pain" and I meant that literally!! The results are well worth it (which I can say now that it is over!) but using that deep burgundy in a satin finish was...was...well, let us just say it was not Heaven. Ahem. Nope. And even after using a tinted primer, covering up that rich navy blue was torture. What? You are asking if we are experienced painters?? (Okay, so pretend you asked that.) Hmm...what gave us away huh? That answer would be a resounding "NO, oh NO, Help us NO Stop us if we attempt to paint again NO " but it does look oh so gosh danged purty. Then there was the putting everything back where it belongs but only after weeding out and cleaning and polishing and, well, you get the idea. But it is done and my Billy did good. He was the one on the ladder painting around the crown moulding which, contrary to all the rumors, is not really a laugh inducing activity! Especially since he is married to this chubby blond who would drive him batty if there were burgundy paint anywhere on the white moulding. Can you imagine? She really is a battle ax I am telling you. Thank you for your very dear and generous comments about the room. Several of you asked if I put the pictures up in my files at HGTV's Rate My Space and that would be a yes. Yes with a cute little asterisk. Yes, but I was almost sorry I did. I was initially bombarded with bad ratings but hey. I know how many users there are. I have seen the ugly comments left for others so I am grateful not to have received many of those. Just a few *very average* and *Ehhh* ratings. Like it or not, *I* love my room re-do and phooey to those who do not. Hmpf. My home is not grand and will never cause anyone to lose consciousness from design delight (and we all know how painful that can be) but I think it is pretty swell. I will never be asked to host an HGTV show but heck. I know how to do a room on a budget, create a home from many a blank, dingy canvas (Just ask any military wife!) and do it all while belting out Broadway show tunes. When was the last time you heard Clive Pearse or Donna Freeman singing "Annie Get Your Gun"? Any takers? Hm? I thought so. And speaking of New York, and when am I NOT speaking of New York, thank you for providing me with some comfort as I grieved the fact I would not be at The New York Public Library last Monday for the Irish writer and theatrical producer Josephine Hart's poetry evening which was here in the United States for the first time. One Mr. Brian Dennehy was there to read and I was, quite sadly, not. *sniff* I am still suffering but I will put on my brave face. Brian would expect that. I have posted a photo from the library's web spaces that was taken Monday evening. Now, I have no idea who this Susie Q he is reading about could be but we all know it can NOT be moi. Poor Brian had to endure the night without me at his side but I am glad to see he persevered. Heck, he even wore a tie! I am really impressed!

Love and Hugs, Susie Q