Hey everyone! I've been having a great time. We have a puzzle going, just did a long boat ride and lunch out, and have hit the .shops and gone swimming and have been laughing at music lyrics and lots of just relaxing... It's nice having my sisters here. :)

Rred, you’ll likely find your electric bill will go down noticeably with the new fridge. I’ve experienced this twice. OB was wondering how his dad’s place electric bill was more than mine and nothing is on. Told him….”the freezers!” This is why I’m looking at buying a freezer. I’ve never seen a home with so many old freezers and there’s still food in there.

A long time ago as a very young me, I moved to Nashville. I wasn't there to try my hand at music, I just happened to be offered a job I thought would be fun. So there I was, in a town where I knew barely anyone, in an environment that was pretty alien for a kid from a logging town in Oregon. One night one of my new Tennessee friends said "If you're gonna live here, you gotta go to the the Opry." I didn't know much about it at first, but I learned. Off we went. So, I guess I was pretty darn lucky, because Dolly Parton was one of the performers. She was a little bitty person like me, in a seafoam green jumpsuit covered in sparkles with really BIG blonde hair. She was mesmerizing even then, and I feel really lucky to have actually seen her in person.

And the prices are reasonable!

Hi Julie! I was thinking of doing another mirror but in black for the anchor piece..what do you think?

I would think about using a wood framed mirror..the black mirror and black firebox with dark mantle will all be on that brick wall? a warm wood like the coffee table..would be nice.

I had 2 crowns done at once because they were right next to one another. Less shots since I was already numb on the lower left side. The visit was long, but it mostly involved waiting for the crown to be made on-site.

And how in the world did an inside cat toy get outside? I bet the grandsons brought this out last night, that’s the only thing I can think of..

I’m ready for the heat!

Hi Kcooz. Aria (and I) had a great day! When I arrived, Mama had already gone to work, and Dada said she'd been having a hard time. She woke 90 minutes earlier than usual! Mama never leaves without having time with her.

Parting brings tears, but she's easily distracted for me. We learned this on the days DIL went into school for a few hours to set up her classroom. During the schoolyear, DIL leaves about 45 minutes before I arrive. It's easier for Aria when Dada leaves. It was harder for him today!

BG was a bit concerned when Dada left, but she likes watching him back out of the driveway and drive away! He waves constantly and smiles; she waves after he leaves!!

If you're not into babies, and you're still here, feel free to quit! 😉

The day went so fast! Breakfast. Playtime. [optional snack] Lunch. Nap. Playtime. Snack. Playtime.

All summer, she nursed and fell asleep after lunch. But she's no longer using a bottle, so I was worried about her nap. After lunch, we went to the nursery and I closed the door. Replacing her bottle of milk is a special cup (non-spillable; requires sucking on the rim which has two parts.) She sipped on this cup for short periods and played in between them. For over an hour! Often she was sitting in her little upholstered chair and reading a book! It's quite a process getting herself settled in this chair until she's comfy.

Increasingly, she wanted to me to read to her, but then she was off again. Finally, around one, she fell asleep while I was reading to her. Whew! I can't help but love this time. So babylike again. She slept for 90 minutes, and that was a good nap for her. I'm quite sure my boys still took two naps a day at this age!

When she woke, she wanted to go outside and swing. The rain had stopped, and there was a gentle breeze. Really lovely for an August day in Iowa! Maybe we should do that after lunch to help her relax and unwind?! Swinging went on for about an hour!!! Already, I was using different muscles. This is good!

Molly, if the chairs are parallel to the sofa, as you showed, there is no walkway problem!

Alice, you may well be correct. I was wondering about that earlier this evening. During Christmas, I've moved the chair by the left window to the right end of the sofa, forming an L. That worked! Note, though, this was with the console that was 65" x 14" x 30".

Edited: The photo with the blue tape was as far as I could extend the length without impeding the walkway into the living area. I need to measure that again, but my body is too tired to move!

Hi Kjoy. Have you painted any samples yet? Is the painter able to get to you anytime soon?

Very Nice HIWE! I like all the various brick and how symmetrical the windows are. Is that like a limestone slab at the entrance? The arched front door looks so grand.

It doesn’t look like our painter will be available until next spring. Really disappointing but what can you do🤷‍♀️ I did get samples but don’t know if I want samples all over my shed all winter unless we just choose and paint it ourselves. I lost motivation after I found out we would have to wait.