Kay,I am with Rita.Don't feel guilty, Feel Blessed and grateful that you still have your life and your family.Its terrible whats happened to all of these people.It will take them a long time to rebuild if they decide thats what they want to do, but, some may just decide to move some where else,and start over.My town has a van and a big tractor trailer parked almost in the middle of town, taking anything that people can give,preferably all new things to be brought there to help all them folks,thats lost everything they own.My prayers go out to them,that they will make it ok. Jean

Thanks ronbre, for all your thoughts, there are some good ones in there! I love my house, but there are some things that were not well thought out by us, but that was because we were living in a FEMA trailer and wanted out of it in a hurry, so we found this houseplan and built it pretty much as is from the plan. The back door and the breakfast nook and the fireplace could have used some tweaking in where they were placed, but we were in such a hurry we didn't catch that. Weren't even in the house 2 years, when we got hit by another hurricane, and flooded with 3 ft of water, so again, we were in a hurry to get it fixed and get back "home" rather than living somewhere temporarily. I have always wanted a fireplace with a mantel to decorate, and so I think it needs to be a focal point, but obviously the big tv is also a focal point. My recliners are both actually a chestnut colored leather, one is just darker than the other, as we didn't decide we wanted two when we purchased the first one, therefore they are obviously from different dye lots. =( Again, my mistake, that's what I get for being in a hurry! But I definitely want to add more seating in this room, not just move around the chairs that I have now. I need a conversation area and so that is why I am thinking two club style chairs for either side of the entertainment center or adding a loveseat. Then I could make the reading nook like you are talking about by the window!!! The ceilings are great to look at and to have "mood lighting"(DH calls it nude lighting in the bedroom...ha) but it also makes me think things have to be centered off of the ceiling, like the entertainment center or our bed for example. You answered one question about the art with the red in it. I figured it was too big for that wall, but just wanted to see what others thought. It would only have about an inch clearance around it. I am also looking for some kind of chest or demilune table for that little wall. Trying to make that DH landing spot for keys, wallet etc, instead of the bar in the kitchen. The nightstands in the bedroom are the same height, the lamp on the left is a little shorter than the one on the right, I just thought they probably shouldn't be taller than the headboard of the bed. It's not real easy to reach the lamp to turn it off from bed. I need a console/buffet, more seating, coffee table, end table, lamps, rug, artwork, drapes. Accessories, I'll worry about later. I just want to get my big pieces set first. I have "hurricane fatigue" and just want this done and pray that we will have a quiet season this year, so we can actually relax and actually enjoy our home.

Thanks for your comments. As for this particular machine, it's a Janome Harmony 2049. A basic manual sewing machine. You can find them under $200. It's a cheap machine but works fine for me right now. I am looking to buy their Janome Memorycraft 6600P in the new year. My present machine would be fine for basic sewing, making clothes and a starter machine. I have a featherweight and a treadle machine (waiting for a new wooden top...from DH). I've not used the featherweight yet - it's coming out soon because of all the wonderful feet I've purchased for it. I want a better machine to do machine quilting and fancy stitches and more. If you already have a basic sewing machine that works fine this would be equivalent to that one - more or less. Today I decided I will be embellishing this quilt with bright orange embroidery in spots to make it all pop. Not shown are the flower blocks I purchased on ebay. I'll show those later when the top is finished. Now, as for sewing space...I am supposed to have a sewing room in my basement but it's full of furniture awaiting pickup now - going on 4 months (grrrrrrr). Things will be moving soon! I can sew just about anywhere. It's not the greatest set up right now but everything is handy and I can still iron while plugged into my tunes! I'm looking forward to see what's on your plate right now! Do share. Cheers, Peggy

Other than home-schooling, this is my sister. She has 8 children. She is the wife of dairy farmer. She can and does do all of the things this ad mentions. Although I think this guy is a crackpot, what he is describing is most rural farm wives. She literally cans hundreds of jars of produce to get them through the winter. She can drive a tractor, milk the cows, make dinner, clean the house, do 2 loads of laundry every day, change diapers, help with homework, make a meal for a shut-in, pick up a couple kids from soccer practice and still have time to kiss her hubby good night. (yes, he works hard, too) As far as I can tell, they love their life. Me, I'm an office girl and have no desire to work that hard!!