Nancy, I thought someone would get that - I just did a jump to the left* Ryan, That's terrible - I admire it greatly. *Disclaimer - Movie reference (The Rocky Horror Picture Show). Disclosure - I haven't seen it nearly enough, but there's a light, over at the Frankenfurter place (breaks in song).

The neighborhood turnout was better than anticipated. The issues were addressed. The main topic was- why is the developers architectural plans being considered when the rezoning has not been approved? Me thinks something biased maybe a-foot? While in the meting room we were surprised to see another drawing submitted (made pubic) on a proposed 3 story office complex. I do believe City Hall has an agenda of it's own. They do not care for the welfare of it's citizens, only for the money lining their pockets. As one neighbor said. "We count on you to protect us and you let us down". We've yet another day to fight - November 14th!

I have been stung by designers twice with new homes. I am a professional woman but also had four small children and grew up with a limited income on a farm. So when later decorating a large home and finally had a nice income I was so intimidated by the designers who neither had children and convinced me twice to put white carpeting in my bedroom because the "children" wouldn't be in there. Pleeeze!! The designers always looked like a million bucks and I had oatmeal in my hair and flipflops on. I had no interest in oriental design but a designer convinced me it was all the rage so I spent more $$ than I should have on wall art, uncomfortable furniture and little brass or china things to sit around on shelves. I felt like a fool. But the time before I did the Ethan Allen look with floral wallpaper and my house looked like Ralph Lauren exploded in it. Never trust a designer whose name ends in "i" like Bambi, Wendi, Mandi, Tami, etc. (Just kidding all you "i" people). So where am I today? Well, we sold our large home and I gave away a lot of the furniture to the kids (they really didn't want it) and what I didn't sell in a garage sale I gave to goodwill. Some lady shopping in a thrift store is wondering who will ever buy those ugly brass bookends. The children are all grown and my hubby and I are downsizing, we bought a cute historical cottage in a great neighborhood and with the help of an architect enlarged it some and made it fit our lifestyle. Gone is the formal living room, we only have one eating space (dining room) plus the kitchen bar/island, gone is the masterbath big enough to park an 18 wheeler in, and in is relaxed and cozy with a screened porch with a fireplace on it, rose garden, open kitchen, and a small carriage house for guests. I am having a fun time decorating it with MY style whatever that is and old enough I don't care what anyone else thinks except hubby. But it took me years to get to this place. After being married 40 yrs lots of stuff has worn out or just sick of it so it's fun buying new things. I think life for everyone is more relaxed than it used to be so lots to choose from. I use magazines, this forum, travels, etc to get ideas. I am also taking it slow, not feeling it all has to be done at once so I get something and live with that and it helps me see where I want to go next. Then I confess I do have some boxes in the attic of stuff I can't part with but really don't want and neither do the kids. I guess after we're gone the kids will get rid of it. Things like wedding presents, I had a big wedding 40 yrs ago and got silver revere bowls, silver nut bowls, candy dishes, expensive china figurines, stuff you can't quite part with but hardly ever used. We just don't entertain formally anymore. Also your taste does develop over time so probably you do have to make mistakes to figure out what you like and don't like. When I first got married we bought a large mediterranean sofa with arched cushions on the back, little wooden knobs between cushions on back, large wooden arms and it was some gold/brown mix and I was so delighted that we bought a gold velvet chair to go with it. Geez!! But at the time, I thought it was terrific. We had it through lots of kids and dogs. Don't beat yourself up, pay this designer off and tell her bye, try to make some lists of what you like and develop your style and take it slow.

I bought nice towels from Walmart. The tag says Springmaid 'My Finest Egyptian Bath Towel" on it. They have been in use in 1 bathroom for about 4 years and still look much like new. They are fairly thick and luxurious and came in different colours and sizes with the usual face cloth, hand towel, bath towel , bath sheet and also a bath mat. I forget what I paid but it was not expensive. And they do go on sale occasionally. I also bought some Costco towels for the other bathroom. I like them, but I prefer the Springmaid ones for looking luxurious and for their performance. I am in Canada, so I don't know if these stores bring in different products than those in the U.S.