So, if you have a table of 7 and two people don't show at the last minute, you will have a table of five?. End of the world? No. Last time that happened to us, I had planned the seating very carefully and the five that were at that table had a marvelous time, even with two goners (who never even called to cancel or apologize after the fact. Very poor form.) If it were me, I would work hard to get it to sevens and eights. I would also work hard to break up the standard groupings and maybe that is how you can get your proper multiples. Rather than keeping all the friends together, I like to think about who might enjoy getting to know each other. At family events, we always get seated in what I call the "cousins ghetto" and it is largely why I don't look forward to those events. At the party I mentioned above, we mixed family and friends and threw in a few ringers here and there (usually singles with great social skills) and I can't tell you how many people spoke to me afterward to tell me how much they enjoyed the people they sat with, most of whom were new to them. It is more work for you, but I believe a well thought out and creative seating arrangement is central to being a good host and can make a big difference in your guests' experience of the event.

Thanks so much to both of you for the information. My table right now is 42 inches, and the light I'm considering is 24-25 inches, so based on your formula, Ingrid, I'm in the ballpark. Also, based on your table size, creekylis, I think it should work great. I'm glad the finish is harmonious with ORB cabinet hardware- that's what I have and was wondering about. It looks like I have myself a light. Again, thanks to both of you for the help and feedback. I really appreciate it!

I only need to get the pictures uploaded to snapfish... it's possible the bowl of the boy's is going to be not grouted...we don't know yet, cuz court is in an hour and a half..it'd be a fine bowl, as is..... I need to leave in a few minutes, to the juvenile court house...if his mom gets custody, they will be leaving for Oregon this afternoon. this girl/lady is the same age as my oldest daughter..eleven days apart and is the daughter of a friend of mine, that I've known for 40 years... my friend lives in Corpus Cristie and advised her to call me, when she was at the CPS office, here in town and needed a safe place, right then...man, expedited background checks and a visit from the case worker and CPS case worker, here at the house and my place was approved, right there on the spot... ( I swear, they must have had blinders on...lol cuz my place is filled to the rafters with art supplies and not a lot of space to do any square dancing, in my front room!!) that was last Monday..and here we are, 11 days later and the future is unknown for them but it's a new beginning, either way... Zach went through trama and I watched a transformation, while he worked on his glass piece.. here, on this forum, we all talk about how doing mosaics is a healing process.. Zach got a broken finger, when he blocked a blow to the head, when his dad was beating him up... the dad had also taken everything important to Zach, including little clay pieces he had made, from first grade on...the kind made in the classroom, with clay, glaze and firings...all of his favorite games, his laptop (I think I mentioned he's 14 and is a very sensitive boy)and made Zach ride with him to the landfill...then threw all of his belongings in the dump and said he would have to work to pay for the trip to throw it all away... it was a cruel and needless assault on Zach, both physically and emotionally.... This week's journey helped him take something broken, both from himself and other things and make something beautiful from it.... he first walked in the house with a rather empty look in his eyes.. this morning he's full of hope... I only wish and pray the judge sees the same thing.... I have his bowl and some of my projects, in a display case right now, with an overhead light and it's so pretty... it's a 6 hour drive to where she lives and we've already been talking about her coming up to visit friends and an aunt, or me driving there for a couple days..but not in winter...I would take grout with me...lol the lexel is in a tube just like the GE11 and is 5 oz...it was under $5...I think it was like $4.85 or so.... it's a lot cheaper if it can be found in a 12 pack but then again, I'm not going to do that...lol it's gone a very long way, with just the 5 oz... the number on the tube is 13013, evidently to be sure which one it is, between clear or white or something... at least that's what I noticed, ....it's on the bar code and this one says 31525 13013 super elastic sealant it also says it sticks to wet surfaces...guess that would be in an emergency, to maybe fix an aquarium...?? I'd better be going now, to get to the court house...

I love it! About 20 years ago I had a yellow and pink floral couch and love seat and man, I loved that thing. I have not liked a piece of furniture as much as that since. Now I have a brown leather couch I hate. That's what marriage can do to your decor people! haha In all fairness, I also have not seen anything like it in the years since. Everything in stores is solid neutral colors. blah. I also am impressed about the IKEA couch. I've been contemplating getting one for my family room. Curious about your new slipcovers. Are you having those custom made somewhere local? What would be the issue having green slipcovers made for the chairs? I actually don't think that would be too much green in the house. I think it could help tie all the rooms together.