You guys are so nice! Many thanks! Joyce, Therese and I will be using the Florida room next year...and we look forward to it. The area is not heated and the days have gotten colder lately. We have laid down on the 2 lounge chairs which we got as a gift from my family and friends. Janice, the flooring is made of ceramic tiles which I have laid with my son Marc. Jill, I'm doing just fine. I have adjusted to my new lifestyle. Inasmuch as I do not like to inject myself each day with Lovenox, nevertheless I got used to it...and this is part of my daily routine now. I dont feel sick, I eat well, somethimes my bones ache but nothing serious that I cannot endure. I keep busy, and take life one day at a time...Who knows?...I may live many years yet! Mary, you remember well. I have transplanted my best looking hostas on one side of the concrete steps, so Therese and I will have a perfect view next summer. Carol, we went to see my brother Mau in Montreal...and when we got there...surprise...all members of our families and friends were there to celebrate our 50th. It was a wonderful gathering! Thanks for your toast.... Papou

cyn427--I considered painting the background cream, but actually didn't paint it at all. I didn't want the background too stark since we really don't have any other white out there, so just left it with the sort of beige viney floral design it had, then taped off what I wanted to remain unpainted. That way it also was easier for me since I just sprayed exterior black on the whole thing (used a few coats of rustoleum ultra 2x coverage) then just peeled off the tape. Surprisingly, it doesn't even feel any stiffer than the fabric already felt. I'll try to post a close up. From a distance, it just looks like the background color is light linen. If it looks purple instead of black that may just be my poor phone camera picture. Purple would have been cute, but I'm not that creative! clblakey--The seat is actually a typical outdoor fabric that you see on many patio sets. I think it's nylon, and it doesn't seem plastic. We have it on a couple chairs we've had for several years, and the fabric seems to hold up quite well so far. BTW, I loved your permanent marker coloring the wire on your crystals in the post a pic thread! my3dogs--you know how much I've loved seeing your projects! Your comments mean a lot, and I'll try to post if I ever finish something else. teacats--I'll try to give an update at the end of the summer on how it held up. I'm wondering that myself! trailrunner--If you were close to me, I'd love to help you paint chevrons on your glider! And to ALL the rest of you --I've seen your homes you've shared and admired your tricky organzational ideas (mustangs), your helpful suggestions (teacats)....well, all of you--thanks for your kind encouragement. I love seeing what you all do to make your worlds interesting.

Auntjen- Thank you so much! Yes, Jasmine does love hanging out by the pond! Parma- Thanks! Sounds like you had quite a paver project too! Wow! Natal- Isn't that hose reel great? It's really sturdy & cranks so nicely! So happy to hear from someone who can also get excited about a hose reel! Thanks for the compliment. Ajsmama- I don't have a password! I just made the "remix" for fun to show the process. Funkyart- Thank you kindly! Glad you appreciate my crew! They were just the nicest guys who worked so hard. The shirtless one is Reggie. He was so sweet! He brought me 9 more fish for my pond (from his boss) 2 weeks after they finished. The boss & all these boys are from Brazil...love their accents! Teacats- Thank you darling. Will send Reggie over to help with your next project! Yes, I planned it out on paper & talked to them about the size & shape of the pond, patio & walkways. I emphasized that I wanted curves...no straight lines! I also wanted everything "framed" for a more finished look. They made my ideas come to life! Alicia- I appreciate that! The bluish tone is called "charcoal." The other two colors are tan & chocolate. I almost did just the tan & chocolate, as the trim on my house is dark brown & my siding is cream. Then I decided that scheme might be too monochromatic & decided to throw in the charcoal. Glad you like it!

Wow! Talk about awe-inspiring! You all have done incredible jobs at transforming something regular into something spectacular! I can't stop scrolling back up and starting over again looking at these before and afters. Thank you. Each of you who posted pictures, thank you! Not one of my inside projects are close enough to finished for me to post photos. If I posted pictures now of inside projects, you all wouldn't be able to tell the difference between Before and During. lol Are outdoor areas OK to post here? I ask because we got sidebar'd from a couple indoor projects and started outside. The outside is much further along than the inside--and I have obvious before and afters. I'm scolling back up again -- gotta get me another fix of all your wonderful projects.