nhardy, will certainly have it all in writing when the time comes. Thank you for the advice! Karen, we're not moving out of state...although we wish we were moving to the TN mountains. DH has to commute 56 miles one way through Atlanta every day. We're just not a family that handles 2-4 hours of travel time away from each other. He's been doing this for 7 years now and it's become quite a burden. Hopefully we'll find something within 10-15 minutes of his work. Been a roller coaster today. The prospective buyers have decided to wait. Can't blame them though. Would be so hard to carry two mortgages in this economy (they have a house to sell). I think it's normal in their situation to be hot and cold. I just want whoever decides to buy the house to feel good about what they're doing and to be happy here. After all, it's the only home my children have known and it's a happy place. Anyway, it gives me a little more time to get the flooring done in the kitchen and dining room without a huge time crunch. My dad does my flooring and he broke a rib a couple weeks ago and my mom found out she has a possibly fatal lung infection...so, while they're recovering my flooring has taken a back seat. Not complaining though...just glad to have my folks on the mend. Dad did tell me this afternoon to get the tile and I'm taking that as a very good sign. Sorry for taking a detour... Still going to make sure the Christmas tree is packed up accordingly if these people decide to make an offer down the road. I think I'll write out my instructions too so she'll know how to put it together. Would be so much easier than having to sort through all my decorations while trying to move.

Lara - I made the giant peppermints last year. They were very fun & easy to make. Here's how: I purchased several round/flat styrofoam disks and printed off the attached template and I might have enlarged it (can't remember). Place template over the styrofoam and trace pattern onto the styrofoam with an ink pen - making sure to press through so the marks are on the styrofoam. I used red fabric paint in a bottle and followed the lines and filled in with the red making sure to alternate the red with the white from the styrofoam to give it the peppermint effect. I also came down the sides with the paint. Optional - you can sprinkle glitter in the wet paint. Depending on how you are going to use them, you might also want to paint the backside as well. You have to play around with the placement of the template so that the two sides match up. Once the paint is dry, cut clear cellophane and leave enough on the ends to "tie" like candy. Some of mine, I made to look like lollipops by sticking a wooden dowel in one end. For the red stripe on the dowel, I used red shiny curling ribbon and glued it to the dowel. Hope that makes sense - I do not do well with giving instructions..... Dawn

Aw, shucks! Well, if I can ever help anyone from my seat here in Maine, I'm happy to do it. As I look at that first pic above with the mirror straight from the garage, I'm surprised people kept reading, as it does NOT look good. All I can say is check your garages, attics and CL for things that might not look good to start, and see what a bit a of paint, glaze or wax does. Just take a look at Lauraella's post 'The Desk is Done!' - Wow - what a transformation. And reno_fan's bathroom and kitchen island painting, just to name a few. We should start a post called 'What can I do with this ____,' where we all post accessories that need some renewing. I think we'd come up with lots of ideas and suggestions. I took a pic of the mantle in daylight, so you can see the toned down mirror better.

Really enjoyed looking @ everyone's lovely trees! Sorry a bit late, but here's ours. After years of elaborate real trees decorated w/ traditional ornaments, garlands, lights & candy, once our kids were grown, I got a small vintage aluminum tree on eBay & have enjoyed its convenience & simplicity ever since. No lights, no topper, no watering - takes me about 1/2 hour to complete... Here it is the first year we had it - 2007. Only year w/ icicles, after I learned (the hard way) that my cat liked to eat them... & here's a tree @ work - all decorations by kids in my arts & crafts classes... Merry Christmas to everyone!