Post Weekend Update

This little Elizabethan bird dog had to go to the vet emergency on Friday (a major wallet ouch).  I was sitting on the sofa with Daisey and Ella, reached over to pet Ella and she flinched and whimpered.

I got up and looked at her and I could see that she had been licking a spot.  Let me see...My husband would have fainted had he seen the long deep gash.  I didn't linger long in looking, as I knew that she needed to get that stitched up immediately otherwise risking infection or worse.  I'm not sure when or how it happened, but I immediately went into "getting-out-the-door" mode.

Five hours and $500+ dollars she was stitched up with a drain, pain killers and antibiotics.  I've elected not to show the picture of the surgical site.  But it is about 5 inches long with a tube hanging out.

The vet emergency center is truly just an emergency center.  You pay dearly for visiting--would that I had found that gash just an hour earlier and to be able to take her to my regular vet.  Despite my grousing about the cost, it is a godsend to have an emergency facility open.

On Saturday, a friend invited me to see Robert Reich and Charles Krauthammer at the Richmond Forum.  These two engaged reflected the ideal of civil discourse.  Both made many clearly communicated points, and I marveled at how well they distilled and stated their points of view.  I wished that I had such clarity!  Robert Reich made a point that I subscribe to myself, and that is simply that by listening to the points of view of those with whom we disagree (particularly when "those" people are well-informed rather than just opinionated), it informs our own arguments.  It really was a privilege to see them both on stage.  It was humorous and insightful.


As I write there are trees crashing down around me--and they make a substantial thump that is both audible and palpable as I sit at my desk.  We called the tree people to take down some of our stalwart oaks.  One of the stalwarts had a compromised root system from Irene--it was visibly listing from its former upright position to leaning toward the house.  As a big tree with nothing to stop it, the momentum that it would pick up in a fall would make it a very dangerous to our home, vehicles or our persons.  (I took some pictures of the trees, and spied a poor squirrel who had a home in the hollow of one of the trees.  He was sitting there in clear distress. There is no way that he could have anything but life-threatening injuries from the felling of that tree and the energy released when it hit the ground.   My son was home and was able to humanely dispatch him to the netherworld.  I'm sorry that the tree was his home).


Since we had to have that leaning Damocles of a tree taken down, it was a good time to review some other candidates.  We've been at our home for 27 years...as we've grown older, our trees have grown older too--taller, fuller, and shading our garden spot and other places.  Best to get them on the ground with purpose rather than by accident.


On Sunday, I had a baby shower to attend for the daughter of a good friend. It was a surprise shower--held at a restaurant, so that everyone could gather before hand.  It was very well done, and she had tears of joy when she saw everyone gathered.


It is unusual for me to have Friday, Saturday and Sunday functions....it was a chockful weekend.


Next weekend, I will be hosting a dog pajama party.  I will be helping the English Setter Rescue--but the party is getting large.  First it was for a single  ES, then 3 beagles were added, and now we have an Aussie Shepherd.  Ay, yie, yie!



Glam Gloves.....

Glam Gloves among Camellias
I had an unplanned disgusting job.  I had my glam gloves on which I buy from BJ's.  I like them because they fit well, have cuffs that do not fall down, and they are kind of cool!

As I was outside and passing the beautiful camelia tree at my SR project, I decided that there was a photo opportunity.

I don't have a camelia at my own home, but I love to see them.  My new project has a lovely camelia.  As I was passing it by and looking at my gloves, I could see the inspiration for my Glam Gloves. I just saw them on Amazon, and they received some pretty negative reviews.  My diversion is that I wrote a review. Look at those gloves among the wasting camelia blossoms.  They needed vindication, and I did a Glam Glove vindication on Amazon.

As I consider the range for my SR project, I'm finding that it is difficult to make objective weightings of 'reviews'.  The aphorism of "opinons are like a-holes (forgive me) ; everybody has one" is alive and well on the internet as we can like, dislike, wax rhapsodic or diss with impunity products that we use.

I like to be an informed purchaser.  Balancing cost + features is sport for me--and failure is paying to much or getting something unsatisfactory.  I subscribed to Consumer Reports on-line as I am having to buy lots of stuff for my renovation projects.  I truly care about putting good stuff into these homes. For my SR project, I had planned to put a gas range in.  I so love my Thermador cooktop that I put in during my own kitchen renovation (appliances,  sink/faucet, countertops).  As I wrangle with what to put in on my SR project, I've gone from piping in gas to considering (and almost settling upon) to choosing induction.

Gas means upgrading the gas meter.  And, I have to realize that foisting my own proclivities (I am a terrific cook), on others can be a dangerous prejudice.  So....rather than go through the expense of putting in a new gas meter, I will get an induction range.  (But I did apply for a permit to do the upgrade on the meter).  Now, the issue is which one.  Consumer Reports rates one range highly but users rate it very poorly, you have to wonder if the two really were testing/using the same product.  It makes my head hurt.  I continue to weigh pros/cons.  It is not as if I'm using it, but I do not want the buyers to have an upleasant range experience.

I'm reminded of the levels of competence...and the most dangerous place is "not knowing what you don't know."  I'm somewhere in the gray netherworld of "not knowing what I don't know" and "knowing what I don't know."  But wherever the hell that is, it is damned uncomfortable.

Camellias
Here are a few blossoms still intact on the beautiful camellia.  When I bought this home, it was from a woman who was elderly and infirm.  Her children had POA.   She passed on the 16th.  Her funeral is tomorrow.  I feel privileged to restore this home.  It is such a wonderful home that will house a family  again.  I'm really glad to be a part of that.  It feels like the wonderful melding of a mission and a passion. As I sat in that home today in the midst of the torn up den floor and cans of paint, I opened my heart and bade this woman whose beautiful home I will restore my best wishes.  This home restored home will be a nice honor of her memory.


Paint colors and estate sales

I remain highly dissatisfied with the paint colors chosen at SR: Antique White with White Trim.  I elected to change the color of the downstairs only and the upstairs foyer (as the stairwell wall goes up to the foyer upstairs.).  My friendly pro at the paint store mixed up my Winter Wheat and Crisp Khaki (trim) which appeared to go very well with my slate.  My pro also made up a 'design board' with the colors I chose.  I put the Winter Wheat next to the Antique White....my stomach clenched....Geez, is there really any difference?

Viewing it dead on (which I dabbed on with my perfectly professionally wadded up piece of Bounty Paper Towel), I was hard pressed to see a difference.  Viewed at an angle, I could see the better light where the reflective qualities which 'brightened' the look considerably. I felt a little private stupidityI felt that I had made a good choice; HOWEVER, 99% of folks would likely NOT see the difference.  So since the color isn't so different, and I've learned that my beloved Winter Wheat isn't so far off from Valspar super premium paint "Antique White".  Having said that.....it still has a rich luminescence or either my paint snob rational mind is in overdrive.  It is a reminder that color and light are inextricably linked.  A color that you have in your house (or see in a friend's house, a designer magazine, etc) is going to look different in its intended setting.

I am in love with my slate still.  However, my tile guy noticed that there is some variance in the thickness of the tiles (12x12).  I suppose that with a cleft slate, that is par for the course.  The slate that I have in my house is honed, so it is all very uniform.  I guess my paint and my tile are my 'oh shit' moments for this house.

There was an estate sale in the neighborhood (this is a neighborhood of senior citizens that were the original or second owners).  Every house is different as they were all custom built.  My project is a 4 over 4--a practical, stalwart in this neighborhood.  I was interested in the estate sale to see what the house looked like on the inside, particularly since it had been recently sold.

My recon tour cost me about $400---for that $400 I got:

  • A Thomasville armoire for my husband
  • A Pennsylvania House Cherry China Cabinet 
  • A set of six crystal saki or cordial glasses with delicate little bamboo etchings
  • A Herbert Fink signed print (Winterstorm)
I would say I made quite a haul.  I was there a 10 on Friday when it opened.  I'm most happy with the armoire at $50.  It is attractive, useful and reasonably priced.  Both the armoir and the china cabinet were very heavy pieces.  The china cabinet (chest + hutch) is in my office.  My great room has very little wall space (one of the curses of having lots of windows).  It will work fine in my office.  I'll put (hide) all sorts of stuff in it.

The china cabinet (60 inches) was listed for $595.  It was 1/2 price on Sunday, but I did not want to pay $300 for it.  I offered $200 (sale was closed and I was picking up my armoire).  She (auction house) agreed, but with great reluctance.  She was clearly distressed--saying she wished it were $250.  I agreed.  It was certainly worth it.  I will certainly get lots of use out of it. and it will be in MY estate sale one day.  Hopefully it will be many years down the road.

St. Patrick's Day and Other Weekend Stuff

When I was a wee lass of  19 (in 1979), I went on a blind date with my now husband.  Another important marking of this date was in 1988, when my mother told us that she had inoperable lung cancer. Beginnings of a life with my husband, and the beginning of the end of my Mother's life as she courageously battled her lung cancer for eight months.

We celebrated our 'anniversary' by going to Hog Wild in Lanexa.  I was almost too tired to drive the 30 minutes east having worked most of the day cleaning up the FD project and then driving to the SR project to inspect, and doing a little brush cleaning. Hog Wild used to be a biker bar.  The new owners serve Louisiana (cum VA) style cooking.  It is an unassuming place, but the food is as good as any that I've had anywhere. 

I get fried oysters there, and there are none better anywhere:perfectly battered and fried until the oyster is poached, not cook. Now, if you like oysters, you will know that a too-cooked oyster is a tough and shriveled thing (like any protein)--whether in a stew (please put the oysters in LAST) or roasted or fried.  A poached oyster is tender and succulent--and that is exactly how my beautiful fried (should be called poached in crust) oysters were.

Mark ordered the corned beef. The waitress said that he was getting the last plate as it was cooked yesterday.  This did not appear to be a promising start to his meal. Well, his corned beef arrived.  Of course it was cooked an entire day before because it had to cool so that it could be shaved, returned to the braising liquid of the cabbage and infused with so much flavor that it nearly puddled in your mouth. Oh my it was delicious beyond any description.  If I were a hundred times better writer, I STILL could not describe it any better for you. (My eyes are rolling back blissfully in my head as I remember my forkful).

Our meal was accompanied by a pitcher of lovely "hoppy" beer whose name I could not remember if you put a gun to my head and topped off with a Bailey's creme brulee....silky body with a perfectly caramelized sugar crust.  (My eyeballs are going to get stuck!).

We've been together for 33 years...it has not always been easy.  As we were eating our dinner Mark was talking about all of his friends who were married at the time who did not give us good odds for making it.  We made it.  They didn't.  Nanny, nanny, boo-boo to them.

My blog post was getting too long, so I'm going to stop here and do another post so that any who start this point have better odds of not falling asleep to finish it.



A New Project



In what may have been the fastest close ever--offer to close in 5 days-I have a new project.  It is an older home in a lovely, community adjoining a golf course.




It is one of the plainest homes in the neighborhood.  However, what it lacks in flash, it makes up for with a gracious, open floor plan both upstairs and down.  The bathrooms are very small; however, I'm of the belief that one spends less time in the bathroom than any other room in the house.  Accordingly, I'm not going to spend my renovation dollars expanding bathrooms.  Rather, I'll leave that to the new owners and focus on fixtures, flooring and the like.  I'm going to remove the sheet goods (new) and replace with tile in addition to removing the new tub surround a tiling that it to give a more custom look.  I also will replace the lighting--while new, it is not attractive.  It is a relatively inexpensive fix.

My own kitchen proclivities give me a heightened bias toward spending dollars on renovations.  Further, I think that floors should be lifetime floors.  Therefore, I focus on putting in durable, attractive flooring. And....last but not least, I want the 'man of the house' to have space to putz around. Focusing on the garage area is warranted.

While the house was prepped to be sold, the interior paint color was not to my liking-an antique white that comes across a blush.  The trim was painted white, but only one coat. Existing paneling was painted in a matte. Tried as I might to accept the color scheme and save paint/painting dollars, alas I cannot.  More in a minute.....

 The yard is moss covered and there is no outdoor congregation space.  I'm not even sure if the central air works, but the NG furnace is working just fine. (I've since had an inspection of both units and all is well).

The home has an open, gracious floor plan. (Above done through Floorplanner).  All of the ground floor rooms open into each other. It is one of the nicest floor plans that I have seen--particularly for a home of this age (1968).  I also did a lead-based paint test, and I was pleased to see that there was no pink on the swab.

 The kitchen and den floors are a hot mess, and they need to be completely redone as they are covered in dessicated sheet goods. I had my design idea so clearly in my head--install a slate floor in kitchen/den, paint the cabinets, install new countertop etc except.....

Yesterday when I met my floor man at the house he looked at the cabinets and said, "Wow, these are solid cherry."  When I first saw them, I thought they were solid cherry, and somehow with the help of my visitor I talked myself into thinking that they were pine.   Redirect.  I will surely go to hell when I die if I paint solid cherry cabinets.  While Slate no longer works--now I will be on a mission to find the right porcelain tile.. . . . .wait, wait (the beauty of languishing posts where problems arise and then are resolved with the passage of time and effort).....

I found the perfect slate from  Stone Tile Depot.  I ordered it without a sample which is something that twisted my gut for a few days.  Why?  I had ordered a sample of another slate, and it was a palette of colors that surprised me.  I called customer service and talked to Gail.  "Has my order shipped?"  She said, "It is being loaded on the truck now, but I can get them to pull it.  You are getting 700sqf, and I want you to like it."

That is great customer service. (And the nice thing about a lousy economy is that the return of good service is notable and welcomed.) I explained my application and desire (to match natural cherry cabinets).  I asked her opinion--an opinion without any sort of throwback if I did not agree upon seeing the product.  She gave me her opinion and the counter options she thought would work.  (Absolute black granite).  She offered to layout several pieces and take a picture.  I said, "No, there will still be a color translation.  Keep it on the truck....I'm sure that it will work fine.

Almost 4000 pounds of slate arrived yesterday.  I pulled one box, and I laid it out.  It was really beautiful--it is on the elegant side of being rustic.  It is a cleft slate, meaning that that there are natural crags/clefts in it rather than being smooth (honed slated).  What is amazing about this slate is that it appears to have beautiful fossil prints in it.  It is like each is a natural work of art.

I was in my favorite paint store, an older woman and her grandson (14) came in.  He was very handsome and social young man, but there was a slight artifice to it.  I learned from his grandmother that he was autistic.  He was very well mannered; clearly he had been given a loving and supportive home.  He was home-schooled because the school system was unable to give him the beneficial environment that he required (and clearly received).

He was eagerly looking through paint brochures.  His grandmother said that it was an accomplishment for him to be doing that because of the distractions of colors.  He pointed out the doors and how much he loved them.  My daughter tells me of her autistic students, and the interesting things that captivate their attention and give them focus.  I found another brochure for him (hey, why not give away the store's brochure inventory!).  As I was sitting there looking at my slate and matching colors, I thought he might be interested in a piece.  I pulled one out and showed it to him.  I pointed out what I thought to be fossils, etc, and encouraged him to feel the slate.

He was captivated with it. I said, "I would like you to take this with you."  He beamed from ear to ear declaring,   "You spoil me!"  I replied, "You deserve to be spoiled!"   I don't believe that feeding the interests and curiosities of young people to be spoiling. In fact, I was the one who was spoiled as it was such a privilege to be around a young person so full of wonder and excitement.  His guilelessness, openness and affection were a reminder that it is WE who often put on the artifice, quash our own enthusiasm or reign in our curiosity.  It was not artifice that I first noted, but unbridled openness.

I will always remember that young man and his infectious happiness and my heart lightens as I write about the extraordinary gift of having met him.