Pretty Closets and Other Stuff

I certainly don't know why I'm spending so much time on these closets. Perhaps it's because I can't do much more around here, it's in such disarray. Guess these are my fall decorations for the time being. How sad is that?

The coat closet is finished. Yay. My hangers came in over the weekend and I have so much stuff in the front hall, I didn't even notice the box! Again, pretty sad. I discovered it yesterday; and so today, I put all the coats back in. I love them! I'm glad I ordered 25. I didn't think I would use them all, of course I did. I'm loving how each coat sits perfectly in line with the other. I know, I know, mental case. Guess I need a little structure because of the rest of the house. Believe me, it won't stay this way through the winter. I'll make sure and take a picture, say around January, to prove it.

I even went as far as making labels for my baskets. How about that? I used Mo Jackson's doo dads, which I adore. (Thank you Mrs. Staggs.) It's quite an addiction, these doo dads. I find more and more ways to use them all the time and I can sit for hours upon hours making pages using them. This time, I printed out my pages and glued them onto labels. Vwalla. Organized. For the time being. Did I tell you that I'm loving that pretty blue peeking out from behind the coats and baskets. I know, I'm pathetic. I agree.


I never did get back to my other closet--you know the one, the one I didn't measure. I was going to today but just ran out of time. The hub is off to the Orient, had to drive him to the airport. Well, I didn't have to, but I did. Mom had a doctor's appointment shortly thereafter, so we just did a swing around Nashville. Momoson had a check up last week with her regular physician. He suggested that she go to a Neurologist. I had been fighting it. In the back of my mind, I really don't want to know what is causing her to lose her speech. I'm terrified it's something that will lead to other things, worse things, if you know what I mean. But, we went ahead and made the appointment for this morning.

I was so afraid. In actuality, after the brain doc came in and I explained all her symptoms (including this summer's total loss of memory regarding Riverside), it felt good to sit back and let her try and answer questions on her own. I sometimes feel overwhelmed having to speak for her, finish her sentences and basically figure out what she is trying to say, for myself and those around us. It did, however, break my heart watching her struggle with her words and seeing her confusion when he asked her to do basic things. I think it was the first time in many years I didn't say a word or try to help her through a foggy moment. I felt the tears welling up but I contained myself. I did good.

After a few minutes, he began telling me some things it might be. The usual--dementia, Alzheimer's, no new news there. Then he said it also could be related to her B12 levels. Well, deary me, her doc had called me with her lab results yesterday informing me that indeed her B12 levels were low. I was to bring her in once a week to get a B12 shot. Let me tell you, you can only imagine big my smile got when he said those words. If her confusion and loss for words is caused by a B12 deficiency, then I will be the happiest girl in the world. Can you imagine? I had never heard of such a thing. You? (I think maybe I need to get a couple shots myself--my memory isn't what it used to be. hehe.) Fascinating stuff. He also informed us that the brain stops growing by the age of 25. It then begins to shrink. At her age, he says, the frontal lobe will be quite smaller than a younger persons. With dementia and Alzheimer's, it is even smaller. Yes, she's going in for a brain scan on Thursday. Again, scared to death. Again, do I want to know? I am just praying it's all the B12. I'm chanting B12, B12, B12! Can ya chant with me? Altogether now.

Play Time, Tard Time and London Time?

Poor Dave, he can't get a catnap in these days to save his life. Bella is always bothering either he or Abby. Abby doesn't like playing as much as Dave does. While Dave is only three years old, Abby, on the other hand, is going on eleven. She hisses and growls at baby girl while Dave attacks back. It's hilarious to watch. I do feel sorry for Flabby Abby. Poor ol' girl.

Dave gets bit on his yammy.

Hitting like girls.

Dave in flat-head attack mode.

I went back to working on my linen closet today after finishing the painting yesterday. Now, this is more like me: I go and have all the shelves and braces cut. I chose a little more decorative brace for these since they won't be holding as much weight as the coat rod. Drill, drill, drill, drill--I get all the back braces up. Then I go to put up the side ones and notice that they're not deep enough. Doy. I got the same depth as the coat closet, a mere 12 inches deep. They should be at least 16 inches deep for a linen closet. Live and learn. Back to the drawing board tomorrow. I'm off for the day.

The hub leaves next week for Asia. He returns home for a bit and then heads off to Liverpool. Sigh. He asked if I want to meet up with him in London. Duh. Dumb question. Of course, I do. I've been longing for London for quite a while now (actually since I left it last). I'm waiting to see what the dates are to see if it's feasible. Dare I leave Larry, Moe & Curly to work on the kitchen without my supervision? I shudder at the thought. Truthfully, I do.

More Busy Work

I finally got back on track with my closets. I now know exactly why I had procrastinated on this tiny little linen closet. Each "screw" and each bracket had to be pried out. After unscrewing and unscrewing to no avail, I finally just took a screwdriver to the screws and literally pulled them out with pliers. Same went with the brackets. Geesh Louise. Glad that little chore is over with. I had been dreading it ever since doing the one shelf in the coat closet.

With that said, I decided last week that I was going another direction with the last of the closets in this back hall. Since it has a secret little space under the stairs (ooooh, yea, where all our gorgeous Hartmann luggage is tossed) and I really want to utilize the closet space in front of it, I decided to go with my Elfa drawers. I had discovered this stuff when we were living in our first little love nest in Falls Church, VA. I had a broom closet that I wanted to turn into a pantry. No better place to go than one of my all-time favorite stores, The Container Store, right down the road. So I've had this little pantry-size drawer system for many years. I decided to add a larger one and put it in this closet right off the kitchen. I'm still not entirely convinced my new pantry system will hold all my junk. And I've decided that I'm going to use the little one for a catch all after losing my little desk that did such a great job at that in the past. I added a little wrapping paper holder to the side of the little one so perhaps I can keep all my wrapping supplies here too. I say that with all my best organization intentions. Let's see how long it lasts. I think with these little mesh drawers, I can keep the awful mesh shelf and rack above, dontchya think? I think.

The house was quiet most of the day as the hub and teenager went to Knoxville this morning to tour the University of Tennessee. I was bored in between coats (I even painted the side walls) so I decided to clean the windows on the French doors I had installed several years ago. They had some film on them that has been driving me crazy (yep, for that long). I finally got down to it--after which I remember that I am having these front floors redone soon. Such a smart cookie I am. I wait for years to clean the glass only to have to do it again once it is covered in sawdust. Oh well, I'll enjoy it until then. There's three more where that came from. Kinda like closets. Can't be just one.

One Thing Leads to Another

I've been eyeing all the smudges on the fireplace wall since removing all the stuff that was hanging there when they were getting ready to do the floors. It really started bugging me; and so I thought I would just clean it up a bit. I had these Mr. Clean magic erasers that I had tried out once on the staircase wall and decided I didn't like the outcome. You could actually see where it rubbed the paint off. Well, live and don't learn. I tried it, again; and AGAIN, it left a mess. So, to those who have not yet tried these little devils, never, I repeat NEVER, use them on flat painted walls. Oh sure, they're miracle workers on glossy paint, but it literally darkened the spots I rubbed. Loverly. I thought about it for a couple of days. What the heck, it's just a small wall. Famous last words, right? Of course, I then had to take down those hideous hanging candles that I have been wanting to take down since I first put them up. I never liked them there. And with that, I had to remove the drywall anchors which left big ol' holes in the wall. And so, then came out the spackle. There is no such thing as a small job, is there?

I had painted this wall when we first moved into the house with Martha Stewart's Sage Green (think that was the name, anyway). I then had to paint the wall behind the bookshelves my signature red. I've had that color combo in each of my houses where there were built in bookshelves. Just adore it. When we were building my mom's apartment downstairs, I had the painters come up and put a coat of Sherwin Williams' Ancient Marble in the dining room, the powder room and in the family room. I wish I had them use satin. From now on, no matter what room is getting painted, it will be in a satin. It is so much easier to wipe down; and you can actually use the magic eraser on it. Wow.

I chose my new color, Sherwin Williams' Wool Skein that was an Ancient Marble combo choice on one of their cards. I painted it today. I'm waiting on it to dry and see if I need to put another coat on tomorrow. I love it. Think it tones the room down a tad. I can't wait to get all my stuff back up. (By the way, I have not yet conquered the linen closet. I went to start it yesterday and needed a screw driver to remove all those little clasps that hold that junk up. I went to get one, got sidetracked and never went back. Hehe, I think that is a sign of the first stages of Alzheimer's--or is it just a sign of laziness?)

We got our flowers of the month from my bother. They are so pretty. Since I don't have a kitchen and I'm yearning for one, I put them in an old coffee pot. It leaked. So I brought out the handy Tupperware plate. Pretty touch, don't you think? Also received our fruit of the month--"exotic" nectarines. Yum. Now there's some beautiful colors. Hmmmmm. No no, don't get me started!


I had a craving for some soup and bought all my ingredients early in the week. Did I have a pot to cook it in? Nope. I kept out every kind of pan imaginable and put down at mom's for anything I may want to cook. Everything, that is, except a big ol' soup pot. Well, I happen to know that Marshall's carries my favorite pot and pan maker--Berndes. (Yes, the food-snob brother Jim got me started on these, of course. Both brothers--John and Jim--have bought me a set in Christmases past.) I ran over; and yahoo, they had exactly what I was looking for! I made a chicken and white bean soup. Doesn't it look good enough to eat? I can't wait to--if we could just get the hub home! Unfortunately, the French bread I purchased at the beginning of the week went completely concrete on me. It had to go. Oh well, I think I can scrounge some sandwich bread from mom. I don't think anyone will mind, too much.

In Memory

I told myself I wasn't going to post on this, but how can I not?

Mission Accomplished

Well, not quite, but one down and two to go. This one wasn't so bad after all. I measured correctly, for a change; so that made it almost a snap! Not quite, but almost. If you'll remember, this is what came out of that tiny little space! Lordy dordy. Let's see how long it stays organized. I'm hoping the basket system will help. For a little while, anyway. I touched up a little trim (in oil base) so I'm waiting until that is truly dry before I put the coats and jackets back in. Pewee. I even ordered some new hangers that will fit snug against each other rather than my usual mish-mosh that make all the jackets hang haphazardly. I am trying to get more organized in my old age (or is it anal?). I just figured, there's absolutely no excuse once you have to take everything out not to put it back nicely. You may as well organize it. (Hey, I'm really not that good--if it weren't for the floors being redone, it would still be sitting in its previous state of chaos, believe me.) I am proud of myself though. I'll be so happy with our first snow and will actually be able to find a set of boots that match. Actually, any matching shoes at any given time will be nice, for that matter. That will be a miracle in itself.

My next closet will be a tad more work. It is the linen closet outside our guest bedroom. Yep, you know the one. The one that had all my china in it. It only has four shelves to replace and no bar; so that should be pretty easy. At least now that I kind of know what I'm doing. At least, I think I do. Grin.

New Closet

(Behr's Cool Jazz No. 490-A2)

This is one of the three closets in the back hall that I have taken upon myself to refinish. Why is there no stopping once parts of the house get updated? I tell the hub, once I get this place perfect and he says we're moving, I'm going to sock him right in the jaw.

I tore out all that yucky wire shelving and threw it away. It absolutely drove me crazy each time I tried to slide a hanger and it would stick or I put something on top and it would fall through. I know, some people love this stuff. Personally, if I never saw it again, it would be too soon.

You know, for someone who is not fond of blue, I sure am painting a lot of blue walls these days. Isn't it strange how tastes change? I've been trying to put my finger on why I chose this blue. Is it because I've seen it used so many times by Mawtha? Is it because all of our old closets growing up were this blue? There was just something about this blue that looked nostalgic to me--probably because of the above reason. Gee, I bet our entire house was painted this color at one point. Now, that would be a tad over the top.

I chose to paint only the back wall, leaving the side walls white. My shelving is white and I chose a metal rod for hangers. We'll see how that goes once I start installing it. Keeping my finger's crossed.

Saturday

(I used Doo Dads for this little piece.)

It's Saturday, it's quiet and it's raining. Doesn't get much better than that. Yesterday, I fiddled around with some digitals trying to bide my time. I wish my desk looked as sweet as this. Obviously it doesn't.

I'm getting antsy in the house. This time of year, or any change of season actually, I enjoy puttering--setting up vignettes here and there welcoming the new season. Obviously, these lovelies are from last year. Now that the house is in complete disarray, Lord knows they aren't in my house now. Oh sure, I could straighten up the kitchen table that is now in the family room, I could organize the study and clean off the old Victorian table that holds an explosion of paper, I could sort through all the miscellaneous kitchen paraphernalia sitting on the dining room table; each by itself would give me a small space to work with. But, I won't. Not yet anyway. So I should just quit my bellyaching. But, I probably won't.

The boys showed up yesterday, ready to conquer. Perhaps the note I sent to office got through to them. Of course, it was pleasant enough but to the point. I'm watching, yes indeed, my eyes are wide open. Seems I keep getting the guys in trouble by my little notes. The first no-no was when I called one of the lower-on-the-totem-pole guys to relay a message. Early on, when we discovered the mold behind the kitchen sink, I had asked them to cut out the drywall that was damaged. Did they? Of course not. I was livid. Like I said, the "son" doesn't seem to like what I have to say. He seems to dismiss me each time. So, I made the phone call the next morning, unable to find "son's" number in my mess, I phoned the number I could find. Oooops. My bad. He was not supposed to give his number out, being so low on the totem pole, I suppose. Apparently, he then got docked a day of pay. Go figure. Bottom line for me though was that my floor guy ended up cutting the drywall out. Nice guy. Respectable, reliable and resourceful--the should-be three Rs of contracting. My next bad was with No. 2 guy. When he couldn't find any record of the pot filler, we both skimmed through the almighty book. He told me yesterday, he got scolded for allowing me to look through it. What is the deal with that? It's my kitchen, my money, I should have access to whatever I want access to. Lord have mercy. If there's something they don't want me to see, it shouldn't be allowed out of their office. And what is it they are trying to hide in the first place? Never tell me there is something I'm not supposed to see. Because I will see it, oh yes, I will. Of course, after I heard that, I quietly got that book and made a copy of each page in it. Were there any great surprises? None. No conspiracies, no secret notes, nothing. Dang, I was ready to find some juicy stuff in there. Nada. I certainly don't know what the big deal was. Anyway, the No. 2 guy and I had a great giggle over the whole thing. Guess he wasn't docked a day's pay.

Getting back to my original train of thought of the boys kicking it in gear yesterday; after they left, I got my snake eyes set and took a walk about. Added electrical outlets, check. Working on spot light for china cabinet, check. Great. Even marked up where the now-infamous pot filler is going. All's good. Later in the night, I went to the rec room. Low and behold, they had actually cleaned and caulked the counter tops to the old/new wet bar and desk. The boys had even taken upon themselves to find the drawers (scattered on the office floor) to the little desk and put them in! Now, that's what I'm twalkin' about! This is what I'm expecting of them. I have to admit, after being so disappointed in past days, this came as a bonus. It shouldn't have. It should be a given. I was so excited, I was going to send a nice note to the office. Then I caught myself. I tend to get taken advantage of when I'm nice, obviously. I'll have to keep my hard-nose-be-otch attitude until this job is done. Hate to be that way; but unfortunately, at times, it's still a man's world. I'll get back to being nice once it's all said and done. (Yes, I still buy the fellows coffee and doughnuts when they show up--I'm not an ogre! Geesh.)

Anyhoo, with my antsiness (is that a word?), I'm thinking about redoing the closets. These wire shelves have bugged me since the day I set eyes on them. I'm wondering if I'm able to replace them myself with wood shelving. Hmmm, probably. Then, of course, I have to go a step further and paint the insides a gorgeous color. Why should closets be boring, I say. I even had an inkling to wallpaper the back wall to them! hehe. I'm crazy, I know.

Well, unfortunately with the rain comes allergies. Already with the sniffles. I'm sitting here, sniffling and snorting like a an old sod. Must go find something. Zyrtec, I want you. Kleenex, I need you.

While the Boys are Away

I shall play. I've been busy working on ATCs and other stuff since the teenager moved all my art supplies to the office upstairs. Since the boys won't be coming in today, I thought I'd take advantage of all the quietness of the old place and get some more work in. I'm am just giddy about my new space. See, if I hadn't had to clean out the junk closet because they were redoing the hard wood floors, I would have never moved and settled in here. From chaos comes calm (sometimes?). Let's think positive now.

The above London Box was made for a swap. I love using the old wooden cigar boxes for these. They wax up so nicely. Sometimes you lose some of the color from the paper ones when I put my wax on. It was my partner's, so I threw a bar of Miss Diva's soap in there too. It makes the box smell sooooo good! My box is coming from non-other than Miss Bethy! I can't wait to get it. Her work is always so lovely.

I've also been making some ATCs, as I mentioned. When I felt the smoke coming out of my ears, I would retreat to the upstairs and start tearing paper. Good therapy. I did an antiqued travel "set" and then a Japanese playing card set.

I've had this deck of Japanese cards since forever and have been dying to do something with them. I finally did. I love these three! The colors worked, the fading was just enough. Again, I never know how the colors are going to fade once I put my Briwax on. That stuff is pretty potent and it can dissolve some media. Eeeek. I've had colors completely disappear before my eyes. Sometimes, that's not good. grin.

Well, the party is over. The boys have arrived. They weren't supposed to come today. But, I'm glad they're here. I just want to keep this thing moving. Lordy. Git 'er done boys, as they say down here in Tennessee!

Crazy Days and Crazy Nights

But sweet mornings. This is the present that was left at my head this morning by Miss Bella (I think). Is she sweet or what? I'm just glad it was a toy and not the real thing. She has yet to step outside into the big world and I'm trying to keep it that way. I'll take the little fake-fur mouse any day over the real thing! Ew. You can stop reading now because basically it's just a rant and rave for my own sanity from here on. Be forewarned.

Of course, after I had a moment of sweet thoughts the doorbell rang and the banging began. Yes, the boys are back. They have been back for two full days worth of work. Yay! Got the sink and plumping done in the rec room (the pit). Please note the missing two drawers. Yep, they gave them to Habitat. Joy. The new folks have two extra drawers that won't fit anything.

I tell you, I discovered the missing drawers last Wednesday. I think Thursday, the entire project hit me like a ton of bricks. I began worrying about their competency. And then when they didn't show up for several days, I really began to worry. They did, however show up on Tuesday afternoon. I chose a small family-run business; and I don't know if that is good or bad. Regardless, the son--who runs the crew--showed up about 1:45 in the afternoon. Not ten minutes later, daddy came in. They began going over the lighting. Son got most of the canned lighting in by that evening. Only thing is, it wasn't what I approved in the final plan. They moved all the canned lights around and even took one out of the equation. Of course, it was the one that "daddy" and I had specifically discussed because it throws light on my china cabinet. Ok, I let it go -- for a day.

Welcome to my nightmare. They came in yesterday and did the plumping mentioned above. Now, you know, I have my eyes wide open and I'm watching everything. Going over the plans as they are working and such. By the end of the day, after they leave, I get my plans out and start looking around. Hmmm, they did plumbing, but there's no water pipe where the pot filler is going over the stove. Make note of that. Hmmm, they have crossed off two electrical outlets on the plan--of course the ones at the ends of the counters where they will be needed most. Hmmm, I'm pretty sure I paid for EACH one, so I wonder why they're crossing this stuff off. Really now, should I have to be doing this? I think not. Do you think I slept last night, all stirred up. Nope.

I tell you what girlfriend, I was ready for them this morning, I kid you not. Guns blaring. I caught No. 2 foreman. He's a good guy and always says, "We will make it right." I haven't decided if I like the son. Actually, I don't care for him much but I'm trying to keep an open mind. He always makes me feel like he is blowing me off because he knows exactly what he's doing (which can't be further from the truth) whenever I bring something up. Anyhoo, I was glad to get the nice No. 2 man. I told him my concerns over the lighting and he said they would make it right. I asked him about the plumbing for the pot filler and he looked at me like I had a third eye. He began going through his book of plans. Not a thing about the pot filler. Well, of course, I grab the thing and start looking through the almighty book and find where the pot filler had been ordered, paid for and received. Thank you Lord. No. 2 calls daddy, daddy tells No. 2 to have me call him. I do. I tell daddy that we need that extra light--daddy says, "Refresh my memory." Lord have mercy. "Ok, we will do a change order and add a small spot there." Well, I tell you, I'm not paying for any change order! That's the thing. It's certainly OK for THEM to change things and not tell me; but when it comes to me changing something, they would charge me an arm and a leg. Ain't right. I told No. 2 that this morning too. Ok, pot filler. "We will make a change order on that also." Well, honey, that has been in the plan since day one. Don't even come to me for more money. Don't even think about it. That was your mistake. Suck it up. Then on to the crossed off outlets. "Well, let me measure here . . . yes, there should be one here, I guess "Son" was off by 6 inches. He must have thought you were putting a 30 inch stove in." Beautiful. Number 1 Son doesn't have a clue. Just more for me to worry about. Six inches?? OMG!


Here you see Dave exiting the laundry room. Yes, they did cover the floors. Small miracles. And, they have wired for the puck lighting in the upper cabs. My oh my. And this is the new intercom system. Yes, I upgraded to a 6 cd player. Only thing is, one of the buttons doesn't work and it all has to be taken out and replaced. Joy. Shoot me now.

On top of all that during the day, the kid has had these crazy school projects going on--all due tomorrow. Of course, being anal about creativity, I have been elbow deep in those with him. Simple projects turn into hellish projects when the computer and printer aren't playing well together. Shame on them. Grrrr. Poor guy, today he had to get his "hydraulics" installed in his mouth. (The hub calls them pistons--which is really what they look like.) Not bad, really. It doesn't push the jaw out profusely as I had thought it would. Just a gentle nudge. I think the worst is behind him in the ortho department. Let's hope.

Sigh. TGIF. Not soon enough.

A Week's Worth

Ok, the floor guys finished last Monday. The kitchen guys have done a total of about four hours' of work since then. Basically, all they have done is come in and removed the old canned lighting.

Wow, look at 'em go! If I blink (or fall asleep for a couple of weeks, rather), I may miss something.

Grrrrrrrrrrr.

Mobile, Alabama

(Note Fairhope used to be named Williamsburg)

I wasn't going to blog this weekend and I didn't even bring my computer (I wasn't going to work on the house either--famous last words). But we had a wonderful day in Mobile yesterday and I just had to write it down before I forgot.

From Fairhope, you can take what they call the "Bayway" across Mobile Bay. It's basically a raised road, not quite a tall bridge like I'm used to crossing the Chesapeake Bay up north. It's a pretty drive across the Bay and the marshlands there. You end in Mobile after passing the old USS Alabama battle ship.


We headed down the main street away from the business district and drove through town. The old mansions on this street are amazing. I forgot my camera at home (boo hiss) so I couldn't take any photos. I borrowed all of these from the web. I promise to make another trip there just to get some shots of these houses. They were crazy beautiful. All types of architecture can be found here. Of course, you have the Antebellum homes scattered about--visions of Tara; but I was amazed to see so many Victorians and also craftsman bungalows. As we drove through many of the neighborhoods, it was sad to see a lot of these old homes needed a lot of love and attention. Pout. Oh what I could do to one! hehe. Many of them though wanted me to come home and make my porch pretty again. It's just been too hot to do anything out there in regards to plants or even inhabiting it.

We drove around and really didn't find a whole lot more than the lovely mansions to look at. It's a lot like Nashville. A big city but not a lot for visitors to see and do. We did stop at one antique store, kid in tow, and did a quick radar walk through of the place and found a beautiful old transferware platter for the new kitchen. Oh, and of course, we also found an old peanut shop and ice cream parlour. I can smell 'em out, I tell ya!

It was a fun day and a wonderful thunder storm followed us home to Fairhope. It was delightful. Oh, and after getting lost in Mobile for the umpteenth time--and just about everywhere else we drive--we broke down and bought a portable GPS thingy for the car. We should have had one of these since before time. It is amazing. Although, when we used it, for fun, to track down our restaurant down on the bay last night, and it took us all around the Fairhope neighborhoods rather than the two turns it normally takes us. So, yes, it has it quarks. But, it's always fun to drive through the lovely neighborhoods for any reason, so no worries.

Excuse the typing once more, on the hub's laptop which drives me bezerk. Think the hub and kid are heading to the beach and I'm off to hit the outlets to see what I can find for the new kitchen. "Travel Cat" Bella has settled in once more at her home away from home. I wasn't going to bring her but I thought we better keep her in the travel mode if that's what she will be doing off and on. She did great in the car. It's sad to think we're heading back tomorrow already.