Week 5 - Tween Boy Bedroom Updates - DECOR & Furniture galore!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Like everyone in this <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/">ORC Challenge</a>, problems do arise.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> For us it was with the room arrangement.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We originally had the bed on the back wall like this...</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSutOcRrQaa_yxRwtNYI0US7qimzA651f0D0qkcFkJbf64utyIaBrGrfYZ8UXxZYSdUJiXWjAndZCKuiMBxxumu-Bts4YSYS0ooykLXrP2IMUTBTsGcJQbj6P95k8mTJVIOe8xXtYoPQ/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSutOcRrQaa_yxRwtNYI0US7qimzA651f0D0qkcFkJbf64utyIaBrGrfYZ8UXxZYSdUJiXWjAndZCKuiMBxxumu-Bts4YSYS0ooykLXrP2IMUTBTsGcJQbj6P95k8mTJVIOe8xXtYoPQ/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAa9UzABcGpAz9uZojM6x7zsjxq2jWdPKTWxGlb3WkTEdiI546LqmfCAewupcsQWDqsFucC4kD-jgHXBeEeP1yP9hPnkcxnu_jJUZAzG433xBWAq3YcnnPwCXLCzP8nOq13-nNzyo8rk/s1600/nIO'S+ROOM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAa9UzABcGpAz9uZojM6x7zsjxq2jWdPKTWxGlb3WkTEdiI546LqmfCAewupcsQWDqsFucC4kD-jgHXBeEeP1yP9hPnkcxnu_jJUZAzG433xBWAq3YcnnPwCXLCzP8nOq13-nNzyo8rk/s640/nIO'S+ROOM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ORIGINAL ROOM LAY OUT</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I originally wanted this lay out....</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHH5dRg_zn9hkEBvP8qjjOH9cw5k55d2XB2wk1ITqgvGb9GzbjJGS4ZCfaLolct7_LlIHyYBQt2WOzhx2KXw8uu7PwYlfLpcsj55fOLdL8IWjADvj7C2ZKoGuaeKTOHomdZg8AO7ZvEZc/s1600/NIOSROOM2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHH5dRg_zn9hkEBvP8qjjOH9cw5k55d2XB2wk1ITqgvGb9GzbjJGS4ZCfaLolct7_LlIHyYBQt2WOzhx2KXw8uu7PwYlfLpcsj55fOLdL8IWjADvj7C2ZKoGuaeKTOHomdZg8AO7ZvEZc/s640/NIOSROOM2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">REVISED LAY OUT</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But when we painted, and placed the bed on the same spot...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBitqab17krqIX4qN3C1RSC3QCTaZwZIMQ5OnLXXQSbyNLntwbrU2HFePgIxLzOEbWIocx95USRfinoKW0MolGl19jo4iWOuH_uvu7av1OAVsaE7AX7L2dgp77iFmrscFYMwQ1MPMVC2I/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBitqab17krqIX4qN3C1RSC3QCTaZwZIMQ5OnLXXQSbyNLntwbrU2HFePgIxLzOEbWIocx95USRfinoKW0MolGl19jo4iWOuH_uvu7av1OAVsaE7AX7L2dgp77iFmrscFYMwQ1MPMVC2I/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uh-oh?! I didn't like the way it's looking</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't like how it looked because I realized the huge foot board </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of the bed got in the way of 'seeing' the actual bed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And of course, since the bed is usually the focal point in any room, I wanted it to be seen. Plus, originally, I wanted the bookshelves on both side of the bed, however, lighting was an issue. I wanted to use the lamps that were originally in the room  so having the bookshelves on both side <b>plus</b> side tables didn't seem to look good to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So this bed made a move , <b><i>can you guess where?</i></b> I'll show it in the reveal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Second problem - <b>I THOUGHT WE HAD 2 MORE WEEKS BEFORE ORC REVEAL!!!!!!!! AAAAAAHHH!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And since I was gearing up for one more post before next week, your gonna be in for a longer post this week. So let's start.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fist off,  I got busy upgrading some furniture!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember this?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFwCXL0kvaewy8mUcfzgQ6Fj3Bh5UyKR4I5M8O2Hsn5sOAx-iqR3VZd1kfRqOigNGAUtWoYlN7Xx-btZaTlxyzpk6C_Bd9zMHjSzDQEtzn9PO4ml5S5jYFUp7P_Gk5Ee14wuNRQ27A5U/s1600/DSC_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFwCXL0kvaewy8mUcfzgQ6Fj3Bh5UyKR4I5M8O2Hsn5sOAx-iqR3VZd1kfRqOigNGAUtWoYlN7Xx-btZaTlxyzpk6C_Bd9zMHjSzDQEtzn9PO4ml5S5jYFUp7P_Gk5Ee14wuNRQ27A5U/s400/DSC_0054.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My $5 Marshall Fields Mid-Century Dresser </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It did this upgrade....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lFTm8RC9zobstM1OZsT5gwPohWpuL2BQwFBZh12VV1g6eF0A2KognfDzmnI74hsWlPa3_dn7ur18CF2mm8f2AXVLMIEVLXFwu1tGiNQ9n5wLmBHWzCEeIDU3vm3tlM-xni1dwb-OPc0/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lFTm8RC9zobstM1OZsT5gwPohWpuL2BQwFBZh12VV1g6eF0A2KognfDzmnI74hsWlPa3_dn7ur18CF2mm8f2AXVLMIEVLXFwu1tGiNQ9n5wLmBHWzCEeIDU3vm3tlM-xni1dwb-OPc0/s400/DSC_0121.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup, it's gone navy too</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQ3NtllSNx4SCfjGXc0E9McKFb3WxQ_qwWA6OBXY7ZifuRvPXPlFCDEPX3-u8dOOv3j7KRoKUtclosg_48ggmcBXTL_fljCxVXsTB2PS9_jj3n-jYbbZv8RQZIJhKuaKzw4G6S3PYcBY/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQ3NtllSNx4SCfjGXc0E9McKFb3WxQ_qwWA6OBXY7ZifuRvPXPlFCDEPX3-u8dOOv3j7KRoKUtclosg_48ggmcBXTL_fljCxVXsTB2PS9_jj3n-jYbbZv8RQZIJhKuaKzw4G6S3PYcBY/s400/DSC_0122.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the grooves on the drawer</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1HaGLGknzOvo_imCKzwpRQfSd1G9HA9ngApoWe3nWF2pCQlKFGk3R-IdQ3JDs93MsXocB4MYu05V7pG_daiyiOvmPhWyUBIL9BFkpaTQMH_joWsZ2TyEJxeYSgTPpNRDEgVva96FhZM/s1600/DSC_0128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1HaGLGknzOvo_imCKzwpRQfSd1G9HA9ngApoWe3nWF2pCQlKFGk3R-IdQ3JDs93MsXocB4MYu05V7pG_daiyiOvmPhWyUBIL9BFkpaTQMH_joWsZ2TyEJxeYSgTPpNRDEgVva96FhZM/s400/DSC_0128.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But too plain, so added this gold</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUwywBSBCSOAUA3qS4HoKxE9KfwC-vfWrqnM00bE_lME1xWsUz031KCzuGPkY1Oh_bDWn7TTOP50BxudP34dDd9Zi8mSgXOuPg5FE3vpAnQ612knLhuhaI3aJSLz_JMJpluNT90teJpc/s1600/DSC_0129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUwywBSBCSOAUA3qS4HoKxE9KfwC-vfWrqnM00bE_lME1xWsUz031KCzuGPkY1Oh_bDWn7TTOP50BxudP34dDd9Zi8mSgXOuPg5FE3vpAnQ612knLhuhaI3aJSLz_JMJpluNT90teJpc/s400/DSC_0129.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since I'm a 'lazy' DIY-er, I spray painted this whole thing using 2 cans of <i><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Valspar Spray paint </b></span></i>!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Love this spray paint and would recommend it if you plan to spray paint furniture since it<u> DOESN'T DRIP</u>! Really easy to use and I painted the gold using <i><b>Martha Stewart Antique gold paint </b></i>and brushes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And here it is now...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaZE-BoqB9EKWzF6jYqKAM3g3vs168V_jMg3Vk18vSegvSrQgGHTd7wC7DVFIXlSNPjAhzPAQtM09hor1mzrD2jDMssGgAqk8_X_E11r-vOUHFg8YOz4diMLqmQrqzC6MATWnY1EWaqI/s1600/DSC_0131-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaZE-BoqB9EKWzF6jYqKAM3g3vs168V_jMg3Vk18vSegvSrQgGHTd7wC7DVFIXlSNPjAhzPAQtM09hor1mzrD2jDMssGgAqk8_X_E11r-vOUHFg8YOz4diMLqmQrqzC6MATWnY1EWaqI/s640/DSC_0131-001.jpg" width="632" /></a></div><br /><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;">We used the same <a href="http://www.coolknobsandpulls.com/moreinfo.cfm/product/6017_294/3489-448mm-ckp-brand-steel-bar-pull-amber-gold">gold bar handles we used for our</a> <a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/09/kitchen-finally-done.html">kitchen</a>, added a couple of coats of polyurethane and viola! Come to think of it, one handle (which cost $9.40) cost more than the whole dresser itself! :-)<br /><br />I also HACKED THE LACK!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mlabML1SfQx184th0AhOkGClw8c_z8HXmN1-ZOZkWm5QoJGegPVkESEknmPxVzDUqoQjDvjQL4FbSOMjDDlPcHKMAwlDA7wrVoFaKslRuj4O5HqNwOLm-J4zl9_ctITiMOtqQguJhV4/s1600/DSC_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mlabML1SfQx184th0AhOkGClw8c_z8HXmN1-ZOZkWm5QoJGegPVkESEknmPxVzDUqoQjDvjQL4FbSOMjDDlPcHKMAwlDA7wrVoFaKslRuj4O5HqNwOLm-J4zl9_ctITiMOtqQguJhV4/s320/DSC_0120.JPG" width="305" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_AKGlIa26Oe4qdTMtj6beAFSdG-w3nyilN-sB7De5nRNTmKfIuKN5zBpfA9JB8UpT33r6qFkCqfk7-OHN8zTapxi-qSavrMbRIXCWBicJcY2rwdiSm1sUPDt5twJQnRoAT7OkC9r5kc/s1600/DSC_0133-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_AKGlIa26Oe4qdTMtj6beAFSdG-w3nyilN-sB7De5nRNTmKfIuKN5zBpfA9JB8UpT33r6qFkCqfk7-OHN8zTapxi-qSavrMbRIXCWBicJcY2rwdiSm1sUPDt5twJQnRoAT7OkC9r5kc/s640/DSC_0133-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used 2 old IKEA LACK tables, one black and one brown, had hubs screw the top of one to the bottom of the other and then sparyed the same VALSPAR spray paint + multiple coats of polyurethane! Plan to add castors later on for easy moving. :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think this Parson look-a-like is pretty awesome & easy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next, I've been doing a lot of shopping...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvaNlvcZ7t-FdJl-uY2UzY4f2qyraFAoMqu2sy5K2qA25oW_KD-fgXkxHlHdujE9nPc1i_cn3fVsEeRFSSYB7SfvJZE9BZ7RINABvKHKf_TwEHbsBQ6RX-JqZqQtd007U8dre7gmez6s/s1600/14003346_130214223000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvaNlvcZ7t-FdJl-uY2UzY4f2qyraFAoMqu2sy5K2qA25oW_KD-fgXkxHlHdujE9nPc1i_cn3fVsEeRFSSYB7SfvJZE9BZ7RINABvKHKf_TwEHbsBQ6RX-JqZqQtd007U8dre7gmez6s/s400/14003346_130214223000.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very Practical TARGET option </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtc_QjVR0Fegwly0grUlawFfXL7mC-5lSjVHP44yrK3Q4P9BVLSPeSU9BNQGFFZ-V2Hb5_4tDEqjH3TYYOoH3rwKyzquBP5RNwRdKdKtKkwqce4ar3vXREtbZ7SayvHEkHs3CkXxoP08Y/s1600/14533758_201306181814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtc_QjVR0Fegwly0grUlawFfXL7mC-5lSjVHP44yrK3Q4P9BVLSPeSU9BNQGFFZ-V2Hb5_4tDEqjH3TYYOoH3rwKyzquBP5RNwRdKdKtKkwqce4ar3vXREtbZ7SayvHEkHs3CkXxoP08Y/s320/14533758_201306181814.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pillows on clearance</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59YOMe6-s0hWA-xiyOQO3iMUf5ik4DSQqdaVuzQ9wZFkCYtwS5KCRf1-IgARDVYNV9Oi-nqvL1e-yrIRE4_cNURhyvxKsJIMM2SiakKic2l6tcu0WvAyCElH9QyGyv-hVO320Ps5fOrs/s1600/DSC_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59YOMe6-s0hWA-xiyOQO3iMUf5ik4DSQqdaVuzQ9wZFkCYtwS5KCRf1-IgARDVYNV9Oi-nqvL1e-yrIRE4_cNURhyvxKsJIMM2SiakKic2l6tcu0WvAyCElH9QyGyv-hVO320Ps5fOrs/s400/DSC_0124.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got lucky Globe shopping at the Thrift - $3 a piece</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.. and Decorating!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOSzy9lkBMSwi3Tl_YRDD-BJ3EhZ1SfOncVjqKSQuCQmZI5xmn0tlChlOnJKduLQayVxh5Fnb_D4IMGUPimrq9cslAONkThqkUd7_MeARi7axewqCdhYokWhq-xvzjxSoagTPiQFOc0o/s1600/DSC_0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOSzy9lkBMSwi3Tl_YRDD-BJ3EhZ1SfOncVjqKSQuCQmZI5xmn0tlChlOnJKduLQayVxh5Fnb_D4IMGUPimrq9cslAONkThqkUd7_MeARi7axewqCdhYokWhq-xvzjxSoagTPiQFOc0o/s400/DSC_0136.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book Ledges</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi385SexezS5iZQaNmMiWxZ0c-1xMhxgVAFQ2HT0HbIe_QSWsyn_pOqUo0xjlKWdOknAYbHJQzaINPtr5RZ2nKYj91BkpC4qIpCC5OBEiIkYppeyJUshLAOq-z_-Jd1SDrdBJyeI0IHWXE/s1600/DSC_0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi385SexezS5iZQaNmMiWxZ0c-1xMhxgVAFQ2HT0HbIe_QSWsyn_pOqUo0xjlKWdOknAYbHJQzaINPtr5RZ2nKYj91BkpC4qIpCC5OBEiIkYppeyJUshLAOq-z_-Jd1SDrdBJyeI0IHWXE/s400/DSC_0097.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Study area</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EjcPUzy_5Bhwgy_KLUWs7SQ7cLcso64I5z4W65SoU-oFF3z1P5XrZHQJ07XaMtY9NlxrF7uZEZ7o6M24SXIzuYJ2THPm5DvDdBpfNpVMoes2jpQOTvBPz2Rtc2NiUtLL_JIO2U7RcGQ/s1600/DSC_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EjcPUzy_5Bhwgy_KLUWs7SQ7cLcso64I5z4W65SoU-oFF3z1P5XrZHQJ07XaMtY9NlxrF7uZEZ7o6M24SXIzuYJ2THPm5DvDdBpfNpVMoes2jpQOTvBPz2Rtc2NiUtLL_JIO2U7RcGQ/s400/DSC_0098.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TV area</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you guys check out the reveal next week since I think looking back at all the progress made in everyone's space, this is gonna be one of the best ORC Yet!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hooray! Now, go out and have some fun this Halloween after your check on the others progress!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY HALLOWEEN!</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Linking back to...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwU4kh7sAFLBejfPRI1UmUjywNJy8iVO1YQp4_8Awgy63jBtRCuA6sKMd9JKzJh3zfMXLh_8eVc60oei_ahXAmXYGIufnfc3sOVHrSbFL9An87rKloPdFciYZ0Nt8vox3FAZSn-hF6P0/s1600/ORClinkingparticipantCIH.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwU4kh7sAFLBejfPRI1UmUjywNJy8iVO1YQp4_8Awgy63jBtRCuA6sKMd9JKzJh3zfMXLh_8eVc60oei_ahXAmXYGIufnfc3sOVHrSbFL9An87rKloPdFciYZ0Nt8vox3FAZSn-hF6P0/s1600/ORClinkingparticipantCIH.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.callingithome.com/2013/10/one-room-challenge-linking-party-week-5.html">Calling it home</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you want  to see the evolution of this space click on the LINKS BELOW...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/10/tween-boys-bedroom-re-do-what-were.html">WEEK 1 - How it all started & Inspirations</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/10/week-2-tween-boy-bedroom-update.html">WEEK 2 - Painting Stripes and Flooring</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/10/week-3-tween-boy-bedroom-update.html">WEEK 3 - Lighting & Bookcase upgrade</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/10/week-4-tween-boy-bedroom-update-bench.html">WEEK 4 - Bench building</a></div><br /><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Also Linking back to these other Fabulous Parties...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2013/10/friday-link-party-41_31.html">The Pin Junkie</a>, <a href="http://www.astylishinterior.com/2013/10/stylish-friday-finds-9.html">A Stylish Interior</a>, <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/10/fcf-linky-party-happy-halloween.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JenniferRizzo+%28Jennifer+Rizzo%29">Jennifer Rizzo</a>, <a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2013/11/show-tell-saturday-110213.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20BeDifferentactNormal%20(Be%20Different...Act%20Normal)">Be Different, Act Normal</a>, <a href="http://www.serenitynowblog.com/2013/11/weekend-bloggy-reading-link-up.html">Serenity Now</a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This project was also featured at...</span></i></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://serenitynowblog.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Featured At Serenity Now" border="0" src="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae332/Amanda_SerenityNow/Blog%20Party%20Buttons/SerenityNowFeaturedAt150.jpg" /></a></div>

Week 5 - Tween Boy Bedroom Updates - DECOR & Furniture galore!

Like everyone in this ORC Challenge , problems do arise.  For us it was with the room arrangement. We originally had the bed on the back wal...

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Halloween Birthday Dinner Table

<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a very small and simple dinner with some friends a few weeks back to celebrate my Hubs birthday and I just wanted to share with you his Halloween Birthday set-up...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinExYyuCF_09GCjDMmYo6_yJyuRfGbatKKI4AwEDOOdn3qVdyLDNg8eh9rKjafbG4w3MHmuapGQiTYfXZMrL5EbkCmYmnYoADMvrD1q82PXJ5P2QQv8sXX4LsqiNbPRIJ0RndST2_dRqY/s1600/DSC_0093-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinExYyuCF_09GCjDMmYo6_yJyuRfGbatKKI4AwEDOOdn3qVdyLDNg8eh9rKjafbG4w3MHmuapGQiTYfXZMrL5EbkCmYmnYoADMvrD1q82PXJ5P2QQv8sXX4LsqiNbPRIJ0RndST2_dRqY/s640/DSC_0093-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dose of Golden goodness was set</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKH1UJxu8DRoel_7h8cNPFJnKVRZBp_G_taj5dyRhdZ2Erzg9fVmdjo5jB3wrRKmgqsTKP9RTQoD11iLYBZqUVUNz5oLmtePaRb-4_AQvECSEkjQcwhTxuaDfjRstT2ogyvoKsFI-3WUw/s1600/DSC_0098-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKH1UJxu8DRoel_7h8cNPFJnKVRZBp_G_taj5dyRhdZ2Erzg9fVmdjo5jB3wrRKmgqsTKP9RTQoD11iLYBZqUVUNz5oLmtePaRb-4_AQvECSEkjQcwhTxuaDfjRstT2ogyvoKsFI-3WUw/s640/DSC_0098-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Started with Vietnamese Phoa</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWUhCcVZlvw4jrNN8G-G9KfuWz60TM3YBvOHUqODaUd_t_fl9BIrPGwyGIk-Jrlf4FIwH4NZrfCkEMFB4Gtgx2K6eayfIvgxwQfBJEVk0J44d16rsBLyvvNxB0IbbEe4hHCoPrLx1YjY/s1600/DSC_0096-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWUhCcVZlvw4jrNN8G-G9KfuWz60TM3YBvOHUqODaUd_t_fl9BIrPGwyGIk-Jrlf4FIwH4NZrfCkEMFB4Gtgx2K6eayfIvgxwQfBJEVk0J44d16rsBLyvvNxB0IbbEe4hHCoPrLx1YjY/s640/DSC_0096-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got the Flatware from an antique store, always wanted to have gold and I'm lucky to find these at a great price!<br />The Gold rimmed plate and bowl is from Walmart years ago</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN625maocT17B53FFxTWWFWYr2N_ov3e3PPeqMxxCXeZ2Wq4JrCkuVMpMv-qyzYbQ037GIMfdgWXDYfdioyBZk32tb-dTk34QIaT3szCKRYBUXyI66iSBUbm1ROyh_eviU-Tn06TCCcQ/s1600/DSC_0095-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN625maocT17B53FFxTWWFWYr2N_ov3e3PPeqMxxCXeZ2Wq4JrCkuVMpMv-qyzYbQ037GIMfdgWXDYfdioyBZk32tb-dTk34QIaT3szCKRYBUXyI66iSBUbm1ROyh_eviU-Tn06TCCcQ/s640/DSC_0095-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Added this small frames from TARGET clearance (50 cents each) and hand wrote our names</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMvQPOksqPTIm5HTRpBUuEzxym88-4uJmT8_Xos84A9rB5p915iPKOab4ofzcP4JwPFej8bbeiZeZDXM43TgpRAiSDSHrHS3wxbL4zyFJVlSm8xYVMp16Nre_VAu7cWkwm4Ft_C-Ope4/s1600/DSC_0097-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMvQPOksqPTIm5HTRpBUuEzxym88-4uJmT8_Xos84A9rB5p915iPKOab4ofzcP4JwPFej8bbeiZeZDXM43TgpRAiSDSHrHS3wxbL4zyFJVlSm8xYVMp16Nre_VAu7cWkwm4Ft_C-Ope4/s640/DSC_0097-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also brought out some of my brass candle sticks and used my Brass urn for the champagne!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">The kids had their own table as usual and for our main course we had Stir-fried Bokchoy in Oyster sauce, Chicken with Celery & Steamed Red Snapper. I made Sansrival for dessert.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Overall, my husband seemed happy, a small token of my love and appreciation for all the HE IS to me and our family!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxxhVt5nVCI1uIkhlQVzhCXV23NQoOUknbDYDMz-3FeTm6JRYhzo-io0zca_I5dc_CBlj08PdD01wjh7SS4Bdoa8cucOyNfAtEv2I1JiU3pSjOL4kyn3wjPbvA2LAJzDnmdJGmfFPoCE/s1600/DSC_0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxxhVt5nVCI1uIkhlQVzhCXV23NQoOUknbDYDMz-3FeTm6JRYhzo-io0zca_I5dc_CBlj08PdD01wjh7SS4Bdoa8cucOyNfAtEv2I1JiU3pSjOL4kyn3wjPbvA2LAJzDnmdJGmfFPoCE/s640/DSC_0110.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hoping you have a Fun-filled Halloween Tomorrow!</span></i></b></div><br />

Halloween Birthday Dinner Table

We had a very small and simple dinner with some friends a few weeks back to celebrate my Hubs birthday and I just wanted to share with you h...

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Betsy!!!! The Biggest Wuss In All The Land!!!!!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though it's only 8:21 AM, I am writing this with adrenaline</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> coursing through my veins.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SOOOOOOO.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just had to share with the class.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I went to get my paper outside my front door this morning.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>the four scary turkeys were back!!!!!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They were breakfasting on the crab apples that have fallen on the ground.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember the spring????</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I shared with you the pictures of the apple trees in front of my condo?????</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Uq_svqYkttVXbbHD-ZmO-uIIA6gFjkjYBrYKRxoxmVaxFsxk4Z8orY3zhyphenhyphenqi94faI-dD9dCOpbsfhujHC-ok7VKMPimLl2zvIIl0wnkQwS2GxDoG6xZ_4j-RsW-4TuCPASOI9oXQ2H9L/s1600/IMG_3570a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Uq_svqYkttVXbbHD-ZmO-uIIA6gFjkjYBrYKRxoxmVaxFsxk4Z8orY3zhyphenhyphenqi94faI-dD9dCOpbsfhujHC-ok7VKMPimLl2zvIIl0wnkQwS2GxDoG6xZ_4j-RsW-4TuCPASOI9oXQ2H9L/s640/IMG_3570a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WELL....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">all of those blossoms turn into little crab apples that are just the most delicious treat for all the birds.....including the turkeys.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWDBArEhe8pOscIz9yfDf4Se9VuFHzfloL-e_f4b2ATtjdDvcYkOo3HIDwsCS2cTjPTGa7Vw5IjSaJauOJanhO6FovThspwAhJaJ1oOv_ewRx1y8R37xO6SAy-qfXKS8dyv6Z_bdz2pPm/s1600/IMG_2494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWDBArEhe8pOscIz9yfDf4Se9VuFHzfloL-e_f4b2ATtjdDvcYkOo3HIDwsCS2cTjPTGa7Vw5IjSaJauOJanhO6FovThspwAhJaJ1oOv_ewRx1y8R37xO6SAy-qfXKS8dyv6Z_bdz2pPm/s640/IMG_2494.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sooooo.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stepped out onto my front stoop to yell at them.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the four #$% started coming towards me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That wasn't what I had wanted them to do.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn't calling the little bastards, I was warning them off.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But they have bird brains.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tell you, if I had had three friends with me, so it was four against four....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THEN WE'D SEE JUST HOW BIG THEIR TURKEY BALLS WERE!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of turkey balls.....I have this great recipe.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>No, I will not be distracted from my tail of woe.</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since these four birds didn't seem to remember how scary I was with my <a href="http://betsyspeert.blogspot.com/2013/10/betsy-bravest-warrior-in-land.html">umbrella</a>....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(</span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">to read that story....click on the word umbrella!!!!!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided to follow the advice of one of my readers, and try throwing rocks at them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since I live in New England, and gardening is just another word for digging up rocks.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have quite a collection in my back yard that I keep in old flower pots, just in case I ever need them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ran to the back of my home and braved the crappy drizzle that is so lovely this time of year....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">grabbed a pot of stones and rushed back to my front door.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">THEN.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started lobbing chunks of granite at the gobblers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not an athlete.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not coordinated.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was always picked last in gym.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, I couldn't hit the side of a barn, much less a large stoopid bird.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">SOOOOOOOO.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I keep throwing my missiles of death.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and I keep missing the birds.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But this being the theater of the absurd.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dumb feathered beasts had no idea I was trying to scare them away with some minor bruises.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They thought I was throwing food at them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me repeat that......</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>they thought I was throwing food at them.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I kept trying and trying,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lobbing one tiny boulder after another,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they were only about 15-20 feet away.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I MISSED EVERY TIME.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, <i>every time</i> I threw a rock, they would run towards it thinking it was something scrumptious.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>They thought I was feeding them.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They wanted to be <b><i><span style="font-size: large;">closer</span></i></b> to me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was not the reaction I had been planning.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not good.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>No.</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unh unh.... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Well this wasn't working.</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I went inside to get my Electrolux ergorapido.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a dust buster on steroids.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It's a dust buster attached to an electric broom.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRk4-03uKzv7tZyX1uBX0w3IC43p-CuwRuKLnE106WW3qCUhyphenhyphen02MSNG-hsJ3C5W7kLDvJrDCzyo2vZGY4Aord7cAA9jNNsa4IofpOw2cPbEMoGPJPhwlrK1nUXHdQYLrohItgaOQb_Igmf/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRk4-03uKzv7tZyX1uBX0w3IC43p-CuwRuKLnE106WW3qCUhyphenhyphen02MSNG-hsJ3C5W7kLDvJrDCzyo2vZGY4Aord7cAA9jNNsa4IofpOw2cPbEMoGPJPhwlrK1nUXHdQYLrohItgaOQb_Igmf/s640/1.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I turned it on and brandished it at the testosterone poisoned Perdu wannabees.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WELL.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They didn't like that one little bit!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it's an older machine, and the battery can't hold a charge for very long, and the thing started to loose power in the middle of my triumphant gesture.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But not to worry.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The turkeys had turned the corner of my house by then.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I need to go buy a new vacuum cleaner, not for my rugs but for my protection.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now when I go for my walk, I'll be dragging an electric broom with me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sound like a modern day witch from Harry Potter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've run out of tidbits on this story, so I will go now and drink my morning tea.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On that note,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Latah, Gatah</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/?action=view&current=Betsysignature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/Betsysignature.png" /></a></div>

Betsy!!!! The Biggest Wuss In All The Land!!!!!

  Even though it's only 8:21 AM, I am writing this with adrenaline  coursing through my veins..... SOOOOOOO..... I just had to share wit...

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My Easy Halloween Decorations around the House & Birthday Shout-out!

<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's Halloween week and since I'm not sure you all saw my <a href="http://www.savvydesignwest.com/2013/10/dressing-your-home-for-fall-life-home.html">guest post over at<b> LIVING SAVVY</b> </a>, let me share  this with you!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>WARNING:</b> I do go crazy decorating during Halloween, but most of this 'craziness' is mainly in our Dining Room, the  rest of the house has only 'subtle' touches here and there. :-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is our <b><u>Living Room</u></b>...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3qMTkp-7jgS3lAKDV9o8LZx8BAT6aHDDEZAFTItKj0s57E5IFkmmXV-DLSb-6dxoErB1DVVJTUq92eoTZKLp8O4a13GJez-CHDQ268bqtUOwXqaMh_vpcA1DVKtNj4hQKL7y3MJFuwY/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3qMTkp-7jgS3lAKDV9o8LZx8BAT6aHDDEZAFTItKj0s57E5IFkmmXV-DLSb-6dxoErB1DVVJTUq92eoTZKLp8O4a13GJez-CHDQ268bqtUOwXqaMh_vpcA1DVKtNj4hQKL7y3MJFuwY/s640/DSC_0093.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmclEt3fstAMH0aXzB-5e8kWflUZuXOQLEx6C3Ekcu9oejiixZ8LSo9PcQFmrGYFlPfi5NFWsQb_69F5NOTmQ6QL4syaQVAgTffpmKgwTYorQJ81sG94QgGn9E-GupRU6UTU3FKZiyfA/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmclEt3fstAMH0aXzB-5e8kWflUZuXOQLEx6C3Ekcu9oejiixZ8LSo9PcQFmrGYFlPfi5NFWsQb_69F5NOTmQ6QL4syaQVAgTffpmKgwTYorQJ81sG94QgGn9E-GupRU6UTU3FKZiyfA/s640/DSC_0091.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple pillow switch does the trick</td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTl_b0lumxTGf64L7XMC9Z-5Fzvj-e5efyK6nVaV9kGgqYknKmOYMqgWPT9tHXX8EH_2zWbTzmqduE2ex9TfaZFZZXw-YgJr-KojqW0tyOzbxceME2iF8hHMDtDORHmp9NtT9osUlJ8xs/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTl_b0lumxTGf64L7XMC9Z-5Fzvj-e5efyK6nVaV9kGgqYknKmOYMqgWPT9tHXX8EH_2zWbTzmqduE2ex9TfaZFZZXw-YgJr-KojqW0tyOzbxceME2iF8hHMDtDORHmp9NtT9osUlJ8xs/s640/DSC_0053.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee table</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">As you can see I  just added a web-inspired black runner underneath my usual coffee table vignette. Switched ups some of my usual brass with this huge ceramic pumpkin and acorn (scored from TJ Maxx years ago), and added my Alexander McQueen Coffee table book and I'm set!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR4Q_dTvOttNI_rz31twmVvjRxWTBm-9suL9npOM-UxbFVV9AHK2qL7baSgaWFmmyFSwQzAs-DCIRTOd2YYiTNOJhMBmUEMsUdbox2fjSr5uCJenSJ_gbVv6tnUt6tq1cS1j0jwZ1-AQ/s1600/DSC_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR4Q_dTvOttNI_rz31twmVvjRxWTBm-9suL9npOM-UxbFVV9AHK2qL7baSgaWFmmyFSwQzAs-DCIRTOd2YYiTNOJhMBmUEMsUdbox2fjSr5uCJenSJ_gbVv6tnUt6tq1cS1j0jwZ1-AQ/s640/DSC_0054.JPG" width="522" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Media Center</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">The key to decorating for Halloween I think is removing all that is cheery and bright and switching them up with your usual Halloween stuff or at least "Halloween colors". </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here, I removed most of the family photos, added pumpkins and small ghost candle holders from Walmart and switched up the art to something more dark, and it's set!</div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLbcH4XS19lG21xEhebz8zD28AxgJ20OVLEDXXPtbja1Brvsz5KxaFm5P9Ozp1q252R3Psh8Isb8GeRaByQikelq_MDZYQ4KdffblhZR1ovXII7t6eF8Hip8ycO92miTdIxqcJhhd5c8/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLbcH4XS19lG21xEhebz8zD28AxgJ20OVLEDXXPtbja1Brvsz5KxaFm5P9Ozp1q252R3Psh8Isb8GeRaByQikelq_MDZYQ4KdffblhZR1ovXII7t6eF8Hip8ycO92miTdIxqcJhhd5c8/s640/DSC_0055.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Console table</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">For this area, just placed my black and white Missoni for Target vases, added some glitter skulls & Penguin books, and done!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9nhgHhIYGZvIk6dRrx7kzn7cHLMVjMwEhIPDzGZLWuhShmfJD_qPVI3QrzVDKS-5mMCtp_EeIwFQcoOhq_Z-IpIrr6OUvVMCjMEafFfcSbeWA9AaBFbH7ak11dfZDbh6ugs0dgjgSKc/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9nhgHhIYGZvIk6dRrx7kzn7cHLMVjMwEhIPDzGZLWuhShmfJD_qPVI3QrzVDKS-5mMCtp_EeIwFQcoOhq_Z-IpIrr6OUvVMCjMEafFfcSbeWA9AaBFbH7ak11dfZDbh6ugs0dgjgSKc/s640/DSC_0056.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scored this guys from last year and the Penguin books are from my collection - just brought out "Dracula" and "Dorian Gray" - perfect for Halloween!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-a4BPe3qk6Fauetq50kE0P7Rnz-HRUBworiiDSTcMUvvL3fU3M_rBSqN8JZsiHN16QHDE2tPGTif1oEOEt1oSLinTwG7VD2IU2Tj0yrUJrZxTg02bNkUFoGJg-pSH84xzpiUioVdiPU/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-a4BPe3qk6Fauetq50kE0P7Rnz-HRUBworiiDSTcMUvvL3fU3M_rBSqN8JZsiHN16QHDE2tPGTif1oEOEt1oSLinTwG7VD2IU2Tj0yrUJrZxTg02bNkUFoGJg-pSH84xzpiUioVdiPU/s640/DSC_0049.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hallway</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These spiders were from Target last year, left-over from my son's Halloween birthday party, thought they looked cool hugging the posts. :-)</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfiRStppqlW0ffahSlnPPMifJj7efgZPmACEt_baqpGWPESUnr24ql5rtNtnhrBLxQX8K3emroQIQBYNYTpyEOrRM7P0FWCoMU7-UcfgkNBP0PFHX4THVDDPd9T3DH941UKDgoguBmeU/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfiRStppqlW0ffahSlnPPMifJj7efgZPmACEt_baqpGWPESUnr24ql5rtNtnhrBLxQX8K3emroQIQBYNYTpyEOrRM7P0FWCoMU7-UcfgkNBP0PFHX4THVDDPd9T3DH941UKDgoguBmeU/s640/DSC_0051.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piano</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Here I just added the runner, made a lighting switcheroo  by moving my usual floor lamp to the entry and placed my Goodwill Threshold Lamp score. I think the black shade is perfect! I  added some crows  to my grape wood and  my black accessories, and VIOLA! Halloween-ready! Take note of that small rubber snake I added to my boxwood and the rat cut-outs on the stairs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Here's another glimpse of my <a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/09/halloween-dining-room-2013-witches-table.html">'craziness' for Halloween...</a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1cGVKvf7VtnAVMgeIxnUoSTM66_aUzNPEuSxHfmIJBkex2KVvKI_DRT-VY8Hp1dSPxkTb3G7Qd3FJMAfzSRH0lGurY4bFX5FSRO9OX-HhV6GMulwweykUqwaMAbk_bJk15ZrEnn2U6c/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1cGVKvf7VtnAVMgeIxnUoSTM66_aUzNPEuSxHfmIJBkex2KVvKI_DRT-VY8Hp1dSPxkTb3G7Qd3FJMAfzSRH0lGurY4bFX5FSRO9OX-HhV6GMulwweykUqwaMAbk_bJk15ZrEnn2U6c/s640/DSC_0033.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/09/halloween-dining-room-2013-witches-table.html">Witches Dining Roo</a>m</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Remember, you don't have to be ALL OUT to enjoy this fun Holiday, little doses of Halloween goodness can go a long way. Just make sure to keep an open mind, and have <b>LOTS OF CANDY</b>!<br /><br /><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Hoping for a  Fun and Safe Halloween for you and your family!</span></i></b><br /><b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">Also, I would like to greet my son a very Happy Birthday!!!!!!</span></i></b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;"><br /></span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhE2ph-o0l5OmoBybKFpyH8MzOjrowoT-ICngONXWcFor4VLgWibNQx5GHmRQgdAMBGgTm3ze8ySDKbevtSsNXYne2ftUsbO4-APhHYAsl0beI8WKgeb3AEGE6ALhweZrOBBQtMjQ36M/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhE2ph-o0l5OmoBybKFpyH8MzOjrowoT-ICngONXWcFor4VLgWibNQx5GHmRQgdAMBGgTm3ze8ySDKbevtSsNXYne2ftUsbO4-APhHYAsl0beI8WKgeb3AEGE6ALhweZrOBBQtMjQ36M/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">We love you so much and are always so proud of the young man you have become!!!! </span></i></b><br /><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i>Linking back to...</i></b><br /><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2013/10/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no185.html">Coastal Charm</a>,<a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/10/make-it-pretty-monday-week-73.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20TheDedicatedHouse%20(The%20Dedicated%20House)">The Dedicated House</a>, <a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2013/10/sunday-showcase-party-218.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20UnderTheTableAndDreaming%20(Under%20The%20Table%20and%20Dreaming)">Under the table and Dreaming</a>, <a href="http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/10/amaze-me-monday-30.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:">Dwellings, the heart of your home</a>, <a href="http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/2013/10/tuesdays-at-our-home-34.html">Our home Away from Home</a>, <a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/10/188th-inspire-me-tuesday.html">A Stroll Thru Life</a>, <a href="http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/2013/10/share-it-link-party-86.html">The Wintrhop Chronicles</a>, <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/10/wow-us-wednesdays-142.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20SavvySouthernStyle%20(Savvy%20Southern%20Style)">Savvy Southern Style</a>, <a href="http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2013/10/wow-me-wednesday-127-inspiration-network.html">Gingersnap Crafts</a>, <a href="http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/10/velcome-to-centerpiece-wednesday-99.html">The Style Sisters</a>, <a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-157/">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a>, <a href="http://thediydreamer.com/from-dream-to-reality/91-show-off-your-spookiness/">The DIY dreamer</a>, <a href="http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/2013/10/treasure-hunt-thursday-130-highlights.html">From My Front Porch To yours</a>, <a href="http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2013/10/open-house-party.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20NoMinimalistHere%20(No%20Minimalist%20Here)">No Minimalist here</a>,<a href="http://www.astylishinterior.com/2013/10/stylish-friday-finds-9.html">A Stylish Interior</a>, <a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/10/fcf-linky-party-happy-halloween.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JenniferRizzo+%28Jennifer+Rizzo%29">Jennifer Rizzo</a></span></i></b></div>

My Easy Halloween Decorations around the House & Birthday Shout-out!

It's Halloween week and since I'm not sure you all saw my guest post over at LIVING SAVVY   , let me share  this with you! WARNING:...

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A Vermont Country Sun Porch

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before I do some more stuff on Miriam and Kris's homes, let's go back to my old buddy Connie's Vermont mountain retreat.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When she and her husband bought the house, it had a side porch that didn't have a lot of charm.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Les Brown, the architect I've worked with for the past millennium, reworked it, adding Doric columns and screens to create a wonderful more functional space.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-Bpmx0FpnhR94GsFNmvD0Hvv5mlbe8RFsOcWNaSFc5T3nncCB0mY6lANeWA0KSbqi6VbRb4dDRGkAeld7VFehFLOumaFXVp6iDIKaovq2aF281jPl3LPxcrV2asNd9v7i5oXhCy4Q4su/s1600/Nast+Vermont+2004,+4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-Bpmx0FpnhR94GsFNmvD0Hvv5mlbe8RFsOcWNaSFc5T3nncCB0mY6lANeWA0KSbqi6VbRb4dDRGkAeld7VFehFLOumaFXVp6iDIKaovq2aF281jPl3LPxcrV2asNd9v7i5oXhCy4Q4su/s640/Nast+Vermont+2004,+4a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Traditional Home Magazine 2004</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a shot of the outside, so you can understand where it is attached to the house.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">if you've been following this story......</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or even if you haven't......</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVu0hWHJ7im4YFthdklMqbHGI2MIe5wNEqzy-Zm1NCFy45TVfYtJ8kGZ3MwTvAKg26E22pCtXkFUZCyL19NJTaBHnYXGKnHSzM0mj_3y39hMmRl30g-BkBWaOCFVcXWYvVhw-Rc_0MtyF/s1600/P1010004ab.psd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVu0hWHJ7im4YFthdklMqbHGI2MIe5wNEqzy-Zm1NCFy45TVfYtJ8kGZ3MwTvAKg26E22pCtXkFUZCyL19NJTaBHnYXGKnHSzM0mj_3y39hMmRl30g-BkBWaOCFVcXWYvVhw-Rc_0MtyF/s640/P1010004ab.psd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Outside the porch we installed a brick terrace bordered by a stone wall.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Connie is an avid griller, and she needed a place for her grill.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The woman never sits down, so I don't know what purpose the chaises serve, but the outdoor table comes in handy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIDWwBnF1d29eN1LfM3gPOJv5STb569fFXOdYXQdHnJk6F5izNspE4kcvhDC6G28C13GOhx46znuxxBVLbmrto6TRlpp8QgMRyDHg-it-cj2swfKBtRwqc1AWqwqlL-yEJ7JWLJXDoyxh/s1600/P1010003abcd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIDWwBnF1d29eN1LfM3gPOJv5STb569fFXOdYXQdHnJk6F5izNspE4kcvhDC6G28C13GOhx46znuxxBVLbmrto6TRlpp8QgMRyDHg-it-cj2swfKBtRwqc1AWqwqlL-yEJ7JWLJXDoyxh/s640/P1010003abcd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The porch looks over a view of the mountains and the front meadow.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a little slice of heaven.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84iDLXHEK5HyztVNX0lFR7t8BlanjtBR3piTdZDIBlKcVRsKpKU0Q3Rli7BRIcqJORt_NPvBdYP0MWMd9ndXq_6yErNQzN0awbxx-VKCUodC0jUWyzWtD0VFM2ms7vC-cPLLZXvSeT4Uy/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84iDLXHEK5HyztVNX0lFR7t8BlanjtBR3piTdZDIBlKcVRsKpKU0Q3Rli7BRIcqJORt_NPvBdYP0MWMd9ndXq_6yErNQzN0awbxx-VKCUodC0jUWyzWtD0VFM2ms7vC-cPLLZXvSeT4Uy/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Les designed the screen system for the porch, he used wood storm door inserts for the screening.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This way they could be changed out when the weather got colder to make the porch into a three season room.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UyzuIQmpvcotT1Ogh-U1KXojLDQO2CWFtkZHQhdvgHwkn75Kb0zQUtA5fdn0mxvLu6O-OvF9wqJvCEL_cM7X2vNK9sxmmsUslZJR7IjhmpAZZ9RH1htpViuj4y7gi8cj-6sQRt01CDjY/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UyzuIQmpvcotT1Ogh-U1KXojLDQO2CWFtkZHQhdvgHwkn75Kb0zQUtA5fdn0mxvLu6O-OvF9wqJvCEL_cM7X2vNK9sxmmsUslZJR7IjhmpAZZ9RH1htpViuj4y7gi8cj-6sQRt01CDjY/s640/7.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They work so well, that Connie leaves some of the glass inserts up year round, as they protect the porch from rain.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She only needs to keep some of the screens in, to get a nice breeze and cross ventilation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not knowing she would do this when I first designed this space, we chose all weather wicker from Lloyd Flanders.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIY7uHeqsAFSETXFpYG3-UNUJV_FiqcleqJz0KMZKfeZBbCHGtOiFk0Pm8z99oVUgcekndDlxT59iePSJ1qYXI-CET3Xtzx2fS82zivAg4NZCqjb3ZLj4kaOH1ZeUpUu-XWebff7ZXNJnm/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIY7uHeqsAFSETXFpYG3-UNUJV_FiqcleqJz0KMZKfeZBbCHGtOiFk0Pm8z99oVUgcekndDlxT59iePSJ1qYXI-CET3Xtzx2fS82zivAg4NZCqjb3ZLj4kaOH1ZeUpUu-XWebff7ZXNJnm/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Sunbrella floral fabric that was chosen worked off the coral colors of the dining room which is just off the porch.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To remind you, here's a shot of the dining room.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see the porch sofa just through the French doors.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgPr9rc4OH5sQ7zikxu1IzL7wexA8TOOiI0BdK9VlVA7bwH4NCeneVAiW-argoUfAjo15QdT-W2yKY9fjC5NfyKGfJtxQq0ekDsEewvPCWbdcCW2Ed9xfJLRe4KTj6Ywvx5wmT_axGXZB/s1600/2bJPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgPr9rc4OH5sQ7zikxu1IzL7wexA8TOOiI0BdK9VlVA7bwH4NCeneVAiW-argoUfAjo15QdT-W2yKY9fjC5NfyKGfJtxQq0ekDsEewvPCWbdcCW2Ed9xfJLRe4KTj6Ywvx5wmT_axGXZB/s640/2bJPG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cropped a shot of the Sunbrella, so you could see what I'm rambling on about.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBQhesVWIA3HJyy9txji7D-DKFMDNigKIZvkGjWXw3sYKHjl1lTXOCrasNoKwKEdWllxwIGJUqmIxT94tN-vs9Rj168nN7mMMTg-2fbVj2hfm-_zzbHs5hymTMJ8Dxkvu7ZXMDowdzJ6A/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBQhesVWIA3HJyy9txji7D-DKFMDNigKIZvkGjWXw3sYKHjl1lTXOCrasNoKwKEdWllxwIGJUqmIxT94tN-vs9Rj168nN7mMMTg-2fbVj2hfm-_zzbHs5hymTMJ8Dxkvu7ZXMDowdzJ6A/s640/14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There weren't any good plaid or checked fabrics to go with the floral, so I had a indoor/outdoor custom fabric made from Peter Fasano.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wanted a check, so it would work off the buffalo check of the dining room.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEtsXwEh2JLZgxV88So5QHY_rZa9smZn-sJXshNVrSi1mBUAsQiqcMefAgP95BeUX71diIB5izpZLyi-sETxl2t8zMBQW8n06rbduVLrN6at7BAQXXYdWwXnsFIwAU_a98RA1ZmnW8Oik/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEtsXwEh2JLZgxV88So5QHY_rZa9smZn-sJXshNVrSi1mBUAsQiqcMefAgP95BeUX71diIB5izpZLyi-sETxl2t8zMBQW8n06rbduVLrN6at7BAQXXYdWwXnsFIwAU_a98RA1ZmnW8Oik/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I commissioned a painted floor cloth that I designed to be laid over the wooden cream colored floor.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBltf_TiUAzaNC6jswYxqOHTMUdHgvhfenwwjIskjNu6XIclpcY03VHvwTnkL87640loPzH3esPZF_SMza3aTCpmZar9h99qirm0056cyhjQ7SZiAy_KWgfCEwjte_cxBOCsMT49TnF8_/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBltf_TiUAzaNC6jswYxqOHTMUdHgvhfenwwjIskjNu6XIclpcY03VHvwTnkL87640loPzH3esPZF_SMza3aTCpmZar9h99qirm0056cyhjQ7SZiAy_KWgfCEwjte_cxBOCsMT49TnF8_/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The painter thought that Connie and I were crazy to want a creamy white painted floor, but that's what we wanted!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>And that's what we got!!!!!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The coffee table I chose was too tall, but Connie and I loved it......</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so I did what any whack a doodle designer does in a situation where she wants something that is the wrong size.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>she cuts it down!!!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Well, actually, I had one of the carpenters do that for me.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(And then I had them paint it white, it was originally in a fake looking old finish which cheapened it.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidssGZMopAOrivGxO2aRoFoAfpxpPhKeVtU8zjAAqpreTWEj4EvwPobhXXMy__gC6WB5oXcSeaxTr8a3VpIGGVpQcuppXmZGTyNtTNsrwGKPLtG7JQZj4OFOgRWrLK9yOPJe0ghDvi-Yjw/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidssGZMopAOrivGxO2aRoFoAfpxpPhKeVtU8zjAAqpreTWEj4EvwPobhXXMy__gC6WB5oXcSeaxTr8a3VpIGGVpQcuppXmZGTyNtTNsrwGKPLtG7JQZj4OFOgRWrLK9yOPJe0ghDvi-Yjw/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Connie and I love to poke around antique stores, and we found these garden toys in some local shops.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They make fun accessories, and can still be used by the grand kids.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_L0qSxew_wTUDXdGb_h-xN12l96nZygsOZn04tSrQsK_tD-_Rs_0weB3Z9o_OaWGU9kHZ1EJMIOq6gBkQm3uTm5sbU1Y1IH0QZfDQND8Bkda87YTlPr-0foQjzG9uGvEL_aj2Tgg7RnPH/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_L0qSxew_wTUDXdGb_h-xN12l96nZygsOZn04tSrQsK_tD-_Rs_0weB3Z9o_OaWGU9kHZ1EJMIOq6gBkQm3uTm5sbU1Y1IH0QZfDQND8Bkda87YTlPr-0foQjzG9uGvEL_aj2Tgg7RnPH/s640/2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sofa is from the Lloyd Flanders Reflections collection, and the chair.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>WELL.....</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't remember what collection the chair is from.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I looked on their website and couldn't find it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's probably discontinued.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Everything I like gets discontinued!!!!!</b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvP8hia5a9cY6f1kowLMjdkomTG_0pmqRISh7CoGXymqO3IQZT3nsZCG71MQZe_gDIU1jZeg5_M_AfmHZSHl7-R1BA4FVy3aiyCawY-yT6g2JosJzNt3Dd-RR-xso7ElZQLixLjvuhVMm/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvP8hia5a9cY6f1kowLMjdkomTG_0pmqRISh7CoGXymqO3IQZT3nsZCG71MQZe_gDIU1jZeg5_M_AfmHZSHl7-R1BA4FVy3aiyCawY-yT6g2JosJzNt3Dd-RR-xso7ElZQLixLjvuhVMm/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next time,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll show you the dining area of the porch....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but I don't want to share too much at once.....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wouldn't want you to overdose on my fabulousness!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On that note...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Latah, Gatah</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/?action=view&current=Betsysignature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u87/auntdoi/Betsysignature.png" /></a></div>

A Vermont Country Sun Porch

Before I do some more stuff on Miriam and Kris's homes, let's go back to my old buddy Connie's Vermont mountain retreat. When sh...

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