Living Happily Ever After...one year at a time: March 2017

Monday, March 27, 2017

Monday Memos, Mail and Me

Not really all that much to report this week. I don't think got anything for myself in the mail. However, I have doing some buying for Stephanie's new house, so that stuff is starting to arrive. This is going to be fun!!

The dining area.

The living room.

The kitchen.

In the meantime, I'll be at the beach!

Gorgeous as always! There are quite a few people here due to spring break, but not too many!

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Time for the Beach!

I'm off today for the beach with my cousins, Judy and Chrissy. Although the weather isn't forecasted to be very good, we'll have a great time---hot tub and heated pool here we come! Which leads me to this.

The master bath renovation is now starting its 14th week. We never dreamed it would take this long! Butch asked at the very beginning, "What do you think, 3 months?" We were told, "Oh no, not that long!" Well here it is 14 weeks later. It took 2 guys 6 days to just do the demolition! I'm pretty sure, based on what all still needs to be done (carpet, painting, plumbing fixtures installed, shower doors, electric run for chandelier, mirrors made, ceiling repaired, chandelier assembled and installed, plantation shutters, granite counter tops and tub top installed, toilet installed, exhaust/heat fans, ceiling fixtures and marble tile around tub put in and grouting, window treatments put up) that its going to be another month at least!

Anyway, that leads to the fact that I almost couldn't find my swim suits and cover-ups. It took me about 45 minutes on two occasions to find them. I was sure I had packed them in the suitcases. I just opened them the first time to find one with scarves and another with pashminas. The third one had towels in it. After a while I gave up. The next time I decided to hunt, I went back to the suitcases and looked underneath the stuff on top. Still no suits. I finally found them in a box under purses. Now I remember the method to my madness. Once I discovered them, I remembered that I put them under my purses (which are all in the individual flannel drawstring bags they came with) so that they would remain dust free! Smart thinking! I just needed to remember it. Not likely these days.

Yesterday, before leaving, this happened:

Steve (our contractor) put the new door knobs and escutcheons on the powder room door. The marble person came this week to measure and took the sink with him. I'm hoping it comes back this week. I'm ready to get this room put back together. I had Steve do this first because I was hoping for some instant gratification. Little did I know that the "hand made mother of pearl inlaid sink" would take so long. Oh well, it's beautiful and will have been worth the wait.

Steve asked about the light fixtures, so I thought I better get everything washed an polished up before installation. I had no idea, when I bought the ceiling fixture that it had all of these loose crystals! I actually love cleaning things like this like my Waterford chandelier. But, I feel bad for Steve to have so much assembly!

In the box was this bag with the instructions for the fixture and other parts. I said, "Look, Steve! They have even included gloves so you don't get fingerprints on the crystals!" He rolled his eyes!! I'm sure once it's up---plus since I have 10 ft. ceilings, you will never be able to see any fingerprints anyway. I'll bet he doesn't use the gloves!

Oh, and one other side note. Remember I mentioned about picking out the same marble out of dozens twice? Well, I did it again. While picking out paint colors, I was going back and forth. When I finally decided, Christy (my designer) said, "You're not going to believe this. You picked out the exact same shade as what's in your bedroom!" The bedroom has had that paint color for 5 or 6 years. I DID NOT want the bath color to match---just coordinate. As it turns out, it just looks different in the bathroom which has much more natural light. What are the odds that out of hundreds of paint samples, I would pick the exact same one AGAIN!! I know my own mind, I tell ya'!

I'll be happy to leave the mess and paint fumes for a while. I'm looking forward to coming home and seeing the progress.

My next post will be from the beach!

Friday, March 24, 2017

Friday Funnies

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Better Late Than Never!

I spent several days with Sandy and family a few weeks ago. The girls were off school on Monday, so we made a day of it. We did a little shopping and then went to the movies to see A Dog's Purpose. We had lunch at the theater where they had those nice big recliners with individual tables. The movie was soooo good. When it was over, I told the girls that we needed to stop and get another dog for them! That says a lot coming from me! Just a great movie.

The next day, while the girls were back at school, Sandy and I went shopping to find a few things to freshen up her dining room table. She has this really cool antique punch bowl. She uses it for holidays and decorates accordingly. But for everyday, she wanted to do something new. I had the idea of using a fresh plant for some greenery rather than a floral arrangement. This way, she can easily lift out the plant when the wants to use the bowl for something food related. We bought the mosaic plate that it sits on. We used the placemat, candles and crystal candlesticks and Lenox tray that she already had.

We bought the succulent ball from Pier 1. It has several colors to it from green to greenish blue and pinks. I liked it so much that when I got home, I bought one for myself.

I never noticed this before. But going to "church" has new meaning at their house!

Sandy sent me this picture the following Saturday. I was tired of hearing from the girls about how I gave away their Bargain Hunter game in the 1980's. I found one at an antique shop and gave it to Sandy for Christmas. She and the girls were having a weekend while Greg was at Clemson visiting Mitchell. She said that it was as much fun as she remembered. I wish we'd have played it when I was there. I don't remember anything about the game! I'm glad they are enjoying it---and another generation is liking it too!

Shortly after I left, Titan got his first haircut. He is so darn cute---4 lbs! Still so tiny. He's such a good boy---not much barking at all. They did send me a little video of him barking at a mailman on television. It must be born in dogs to bark at mailmen!

A couple days after the haircut, he went to the vet for some "boy maintenance!" He has to wear this cone for 10 days. They told Sandy not to let him run or jump. Uh, he's a puppy! The only way to avoid that would be to hold him 24/7. Sandy said it was so sad. With the cone, he could not get in to his crate. They ended up having to put the crate up because he was getting so frustrated.

And then there's this:

Mitchell came home for his spring break with a broken foot. He did it playing basketball a week before and didn't think it was important enough to tell his parents. BOYS!!

Monday, March 20, 2017

Monday Memos, Mail and Me

Well, I don't really have much to share this week except boxes! More deliveries have come in for the renovation.

This is my new chandelier. I'm very excited about this. The room is starting to come together now---but there's still so much to be done--tile work on tub, countertops, fixtures placed, painting, and chandelier assembled. It's supposed to be finished by the end of March, but I think it's going to be longer than that. We'll see.

Now this was the most exciting mail of all.

This box arrived for Mindy in her maiden name. That's a little fishy.

This is the side of the box. I sent Mindy the pictures and asked if there's something we should know! Butch, who was going to the beach on Friday asked if he should postpone his leaving in case Mindy an Justin had an announcement to make at happy hour. Anyway, she assured us that she has no idea why she got this. And she has no announcement to make! It's baby formula! I'll give it to my niece, Alison who is expecting her first in July.

That's really about it for this week. I'm sure the other Mondayers have received much more exciting stuff this week than me!

Saturday, March 18, 2017

What's Happening'?

Thinking: about how pressured I am by the library! If you want to borrow certain books, you have to get on the waiting list. I'd say my longest wait will be for Hillbilly Elegy. When I put a hold on it, I was #540 on 37 copies. I figure that will take about a year for me to get. There are others that are available right away. You can put holds on up to 15 books. If there are specific books you want to read, this is how you have to do it---put it on hold and wait your turn. Well, that's all find and dandy until 5 books come in all at once! EEEEK! This just won't do for my obsessive tendencies. I went ahead and returned one of the books that was 861 pages. I put it on my "wishlist" to remind myself to get it later. I only have 3 weeks to read these books. I just finished Under a Painted Sky which was highly rated. I didn't think it was great---just good. Now I'm feeling a little more under control. I average about a book a week. This last one I read in 3 days because I was so panicked. I don't really have time for that much reading. I don't understand the people (some blogs I follow) who can read 4-5 books a week. I'd love to see their house!

Thankful for: Butch---he's taken an interest in cooking!! I owe it all to Hello Fresh! I had a long day on Tuesday---bridge and then straight to a 3 1/2 hour hair appointment. I didn't get home until 7:30. He had dinner ready!! That was totally unexpected. Plus, he works with me while cooking now. It's really fun. He has always helped with the clean-up. The only problem---if you can call it a problem---while working with me in the kitchen, he uses up his 6 words for the day. We don't have much to talk about after that!

Cooking: I decided to make corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's day. I was a little nervous about that since my son-in-law, Justin is an Irishman AND a cook!! Turns out, he had to work, so the pressure was off! Although I haven't made it in years, it's a pretty easy meal.

Wearing: Right now, I'm still in my robe. But, I've really enjoyed my new clothes from Stitch Fix.

Hoping: I can make it through the weekend with the wood we have left. I guess my daily fires are coming to an end!

Taking: time to help Steph figure out "stuff" for the new house. I've ordered some things for her that will be delivered here. What the heck, my house is a wreck anyway. I have a "vision" for her. I always say I have a vision. The hard part about that is getting other people to "see" it! For her bedroom---she has dark hardwood floors and grey walls with white woodwork (I love white woodwork). I ordered a big white fluffy rug (after all, it's the bedroom), and an old-fashioned white chenille bedspread with shams. We're going to use her current robin's egg blue pillows with it. For the windows, I'm seeing white, gauzy type. Or we might get the same white ones trimmed in robin's egg blue that we got at Pottery Barn the last time. My idea is to use many of her old things, but just freshen the look by adding some new things. As I told her, just putting them in the new house will give her a new look. I didn't tell her that sometimes that doesn't quite work out. Sometimes, your old stuff doesn't look so good in a new place!

Planning: My trip to the beach with my cousins next Saturday. I'm really looking forward to spending so much time with them. We certainly can talk away the time!

Working: Another week where I can report absolutely no progress in my attempt to get the closets cleaned out. I guess I've been too busy reading!

Reading: Just starting Magic Hour by Kristen Hannah---one of my favorite authors.

Loving: Playing bridge with Connie. I convinced her to give duplicate bridge a try. She's still feels a bit intimidated, but I think it's getting a lot better. Especially since we came in first last month and third this month (we won't mention coming in last the very first time we played!). We're getting to know each other's style of bidding. I'm actually enjoying playing with Connie MORE than my regular bridge partner of 25+ years. She's old and getting more and more crotchety!

Needing: more money! Who doesn't! The remodeling is going over budget. Good thing last year was a good year for investments! Butch has been a real trooper this time around. We haven't had a single disagreement.

Watching: Bates Motel (last season---soooo good); Big Little Lies (mini series based on the book); Sun Records, The Fall, and too many more to mention.

Creating: Planning on working in my scrapbook room today and tomorrow.

Bumming: that every time I turn around, there are more and more extra expenses: auto repair, pool pump replacement, security system repair and possible upgrade. Hence another need for more money!

Hearing: Local news and the crackling fire---love that.

Appreciating: My daughters who value my opinion! Maybe they don't always agree, but they keep asking!

Dreading: swimsuit season---which officially begins next week with my beach trip!

Regretting: That I most likely will not be getting the marble countertop that I have my heart set on. I met Christy at the marble place where they have the "leftovers, scraps, remnants" whatever you call them. This is for the powder room, so I only need a small piece. I found the perfect thing. Then, "the guy" said it was already "on hold" for someone else. He said everything with a blue dot was on hold. I continued to look. After 30 minutes and looking at about a hundred (or more) and having the men with the machinery pull out two things for me to look at, I finally found another that I really loved. No blue dot, but "the guy" said it was also on hold. I was really starting to not like that guy. He asked me if I realized I had picked out the EXACT SAME PIECE of marble as the first one! The only difference was that the first one was shiny and this one wasn't. What are the odds of that? I looked at so many and chose two that turned out to be exactly the same. Just goes to show, I know EXACTLY what I want. Anyway, "the guy" said he'd check to see if whoever has the hold on those two would give them up. They wouldn't. I have picked out---actually, Christy picked it out--another piece that will work. I'll be okay with it, but will feel like I had to "settle." I don't like that. Christy is not giving up. She is trying to find what I really love. We can probably get it if I was willing to buy a whole sheet (if that's what you call it), but I'm not. It's just way too expensive. I have to remind myself of my personal mantra---"if I was meant to have it, I will." Keeping my fingers crossed.

Weekending: Butch has gone to the beach to check out our condos and do some minor maintenance to get them ready for the season. I'll just be hanging out and doing a LOT of reading. On the other hand, I really need to get this Halloween needlepoint finished. I'm not really enjoying it, so I need to just plow through it. I learned that I don't enjoy stitching holiday things outside of their particular holiday. I'm very disciplined and methodical. I start a project and finish it before moving on to the next thing. Oh well, I'll have a chance to catch up on all these shows I have going.