Monday Mystery

Well, now we think there's something funny about this house. I was away scrapbooking this week. Butch was home alone. One day, after coming home from a meeting, he found this in the middle of the family room floor:

It's a tiny black raven---part of my Halloween decorations. But here's the thing. Between my pantry moths and our remodeling, I decided NOT to put out the Halloween decorations. So, I didn't. Where in the world did this little guy come from?

Now I'm beginning to think someone is either playing tricks on us, or trying to drive us mad. Hmmm, maybe that's it. If we're committed, then our kids get our money----right? But wait a minute. I don't think they need to stoop so low. They are sharing enough right now!!!

Golf Weekend

We girls are leaving today to get a head start on our "golf weekend." We'll be scrapbooking. The guys will join us later in the week.

Anyway, just so you know I'm okay---just without internet access! How will I survive? It gets harder and harder!!

Next week the demolition begins at home for the remodel!!

Monday Mystery

I don't have a new mystery for today, but we never did find out who left the "Bicycling in Tennessee" book. I'm adding it to the list!

Halloween Recap:
Butch was prepared for the trick-or-treaters early.

We have high hopes every year. This year we only had 3 trick-or-treaters. We usually have around 5 or 6. It was chilly---which probably put them off.

The Lapps family ready for parties. Elizabeth is the only one who actually trick-or-treats.

My sister, Jeanne made a sign for her daughter's candy bowl. Now-a-days, both parents go trick-or-treating with their kids. In our day, one stayed home to hand out the candy. Anyway, Jeanne made a sign that said "take one" for their candy bowl. I'm waiting to see how that worked out. Our news reporter did the same thing. When she got home, not only was all the candy gone, they stole her bowl too. 

Stephanie, Nicky and Mindy were at a Halloween party. The neighborhood gets a thousand kids going through---I am not exaggerating. She said they get a pallet of candy. Here's the problem---they are not all kids!! They said that many are adults---not dressed up, just holding a pillow case to collect the candy. Whatttt??? They said that the kids literally file through in a long line that never ends. It could be the same kids over and over!! I might have to witness that next year!!

Mindy made this cute Halloween wreath for an auction she's going to next week. Everyone brings something hand-made. Rather than using money to bid, they bring canned goods. All for charity. Sounds like fun!!

Mindy sent this picture of the gumbo she had cooking in the crock pot. She's starting to become quite the cook. Of course, it doesn't hurt that her boyfriend is a chef!! She's bound to learn by osmosis!

I've been working with Stephanie and Nicky on their landscaping. I went over at the end of the summer and planned it all out. Now, each weekend, I've given them a part to complete: amend the soil (the most important thing---and it's easy and cheap!), dig out dead stuff, trim back over-grown things, have stumps ground, then on to the planting. On Saturday, they planted English laurels (of course!) and two purple bushes---the name escapes me now. 

Yesterday, I met Stephanie to purchase the remaining plants. We got hollies, some other decorative bush in a light green and a dark green ornamental dwarf grass. We added some yellow pansies for color. It's all looking really good. These pictures are before the mulch. I left them with that job as I had my own work at home getting ready for our remodeling. 

 I didn't expect them to get quite so "pose-y." I was thinking more of a photo with them down in the dirt. Still, they look cute!

Butch and I spent the weekend moving stuff out of his office and the rec room. As a result, the rest of the house is a "wreck." I guess it will be like this until the job is done---a month at least. It's a good time to clean out and get rid of stuff. I asked Mindy if she wanted to keep her trophies that have been on the shelf for nearly  20 years now. Of course she wants them, but that doesn't mean she'll take them! In to the attic they go. We'll get rid of them the next time we clean out the attic because by then she'll have changed her mind. We know how that goes.

Actually, as it turns out, I do have another "Monday Mystery." While cleaning out the toy cabinets, I came across a tiny little---1/2"---red swastika. I have no idea where it came from or what toy would have had that. I threw it away---should have taken a picture. Strange. A mystery for sure.

So, it was a productive weekend for us. What about you??

Wassup?

Outside my window: Dark and cold at 3 a.m. I think it's supposed to be rainy today---for Halloween.

I am thinking: That tomorrow is going to a cold and rainy day for planting at Steph and Nicky's house.

I am thankful for: Medicine that helps to control the itching of my hives as I try to stay off the prednisone.

From the kitchen: I've made all simple meals this week with the help of frozen spaghetti sauce, ham steaks and Rotel chicken.

I am wearing: Robe, jammies and socks.

I am hoping: To get started on "operation clean out" as we prepare for the remodel.

I am reading: The Boys in the Boat for our family book club at Thanksgiving. It took me a little while to get in to this book, but I am enjoying it. It's the true story of how the "crew" from Washington University rose to make it to the Olympics in Berlin in 1935.

I'm watching: This week, I've just been catching up on my regular shows. My favorite of the new ones is "How to get away with murder." It's suspenseful and oh, so, good!

I am busy creating: I haven't created anything this week---although I did finish our last cork project for my friends. 

I'm bummed: That my hives are out of control. The medicine that I take to control the itching makes me sleep. I've napped at least 2 or 3 hours each day this week. I've gone to bed at 7:30 each night. 

I am hearing: A song from Glee. I loved that show. I'm sorry it had to get so weird. I still watch it for the song and dance. The story line---not so much.

Around the house: Butch's new office furniture was delivered yesterday. It will be in the dining room for the next month until the new carpeting and painting is done.

 One of my favorite things right now: Fires in the fireplaces. I love this time of year when it gets dark early and you can snuggle in for the evening.

I appreciate: The people that help to keep things looking good around here: Margarita, Sara, Christy, Aaron, Robert, Greg, and the pool guy.

I regret: that we don't have a place to keep all the furniture we are getting rid of. These teens will need it for their apartments very soon.

How the weekend is shaping up: We were supposed to be in Baltimore this weekend. We canceled the trip due to my hives. Flying is really bad for me, so we decided not to go. I just hope I'll be over them soon. It's been a full week now. At least I do not have the flu-like symptoms that usually accompany then. But I do itch. A. Lot! 

Halloween today---we don't get many trick or treaters---maybe 5 to 10. Last year it was 6---probably fewer this year if we have bad weather. 

I hope you have a fun and productive weekend.

Can Remodeling a Rec Room Wreck a Marriage?

Well, maybe! We've started on our rec room. Here are a few before pictures:

This room is over our 3 car garage, so it's pretty big. You might be thinking that it doesn't look so bad. Well, it doesn't, but it's been like this for 20 years. We're ready for a change. Let me start right off by saying that I do not use this room at all except for the treadmill. Butch uses it ALL the time to watch sports. It stands to reason that he should have the room the way he wants. 

We'll start with this photo. The bar is "going away." I don't think anyone has ever sat at it in all these years. Plus, you'll notice the brass foot rail at the bottom? It's a pain to keep polished---which Margarita does! Also, we are removing the home theater system (on the ceiling)---after 20 years, it's outdated. Plus with High Definition these days, this old fashioned system is all grainy.

 We plan to move the pool table, refelt and re-paint it. This was the start of the problem. Story below.

The pull-down movie screen is going and all of the center shelves---making room for a big screen tv. The furniture is going too---adding home theater seating. We're installing a new, updated state of the art sound system through out the house. All of the old equipment, receiver, cd player, dvd player is going to be gone. 

The treadmill stays. We still use it all the time. The weights---not so much.

 We're also going to re-do the bathroom. Out goes the toilet, floor and vanity. We're keeping the tub and tile. The wallpaper is out too.

Now on to the story. Let me start by saying that I LOVE decorating. When Butch said he wanted to remodel the rec room, I was all over it! Little did I know that he would have opinions! What??? Decorating is "MY" thing. Why does he think he gets a say? Oh, because basically it's his room? That could be a good argument. I'll concede that.

We went out last week so he could show me the theater seating that he found. It's a dark grey leather and is very comfortable---exactly what he had in mind. I'm okay with that. I want him to be comfortable. That was the only thing we agreed on. I pointed out a pool table that was black with a grey felt top. He flipped out about painting the pool table black. He said I was trying to make the room "vanilla." Anyone who knows me, knows that I am the furthest thing from a "vanilla" person. I love color and there is color all over this house!! 

This is what our pool table looks like now. We both agree that we want to get away from the oak. He said he could go with blue or burgundy felt. Burgundy is what we have now. I'm done with that. Blue won't work at all.

I then pointed to a black table with a red felt top, saying I would compromise with the red. All of a sudden, he doesn't like black! (Actually, that's not exactly true. He had already let me know that he did not like the idea of a black granite counter top in the bar area.) We left the place with both of us hot under the collar. I told him he was butting in to my business (the decorating) and why does he all of a sudden have "opinions?" It took me a bit to calm down as he was trying to be really nice to me. About that time, Mindy called. By then we were laughing about his having opinions. 

I've told him that I wish he could see inside my head. I have a vision for what this room is going to look like and it's going to be awesome!! I actually have 3 ideas for the pool table. Now I'm just waiting to see if the faux painter can do it! My regular faux painter has retired. She used to do a "mock up" for me so that I could be sure that I conveyed my idea to her. I'm hoping that this new one will do the same. If Butch can see the mock up, he might get on board.

As I see it, he gets to pick out everything regarding the Audio/visual, seating, and beverage center. The fun, decorating part should be mine! He still wants a say, so we'll see how it goes. So far, I don't think this remodeling job is enough to wreck this 42 year union! 

I'll keep you posted!

Mystery Monday

So, I came home on Friday after running errands and found this on the kitchen table.

My first thought was: "Well, I guess he's really serious about this biking thing." Then Butch came in. He said he found the book on the back steps in the garage. Steph said she didn't know anything about it and Mindy's out-of-town. We have no idea who left it. There was a clue tucked inside. A Vanderbilt parking ticket used as a book mark. Still, we cannot figure out who left it.

Butch followed one of the trails on Saturday and plans to do more.

Just another mystery around here. Whoever you are, next time just leave us a million dollars!

Five Things Thursday