CanGrow - these posts were made with tongue firmly planted in cheek. We are not a deceptive, conniving, or greedy group of people. We are gardeners who love growing and nurturing plants - most of us find it very rewarding to see our hard work bloom beautifully, and most of us have spouses that really do encourage us and appreciate what we make. Sometimes we go a bit overboard, or get a bit silly, but who hasn't done that once or twice. At the end of a long winter we sometimes need a good laugh and we know we can joke with others that know us and understand our obsession with plants. I'm sorry that you did not see the humor in these posts, but if you get to know us a bit better, hopefully you will see that your comments are not an accurate description of us. BP

It is physically painful for me to watch dh try to paint. I can't bear to even think about it. Imagine a man who has good bearing and sense (I said he has them, not that he always uses them) suddenly going slack-jawed, slumped, one hand in a pocket (it drives me crazy to see someone with hand/s in a pocket) and smearing a paint brush over, and over, and over, the same area until it's a sticky, lumpy mess. He makes a simple task so much work. I love to paint. I spend hours on prep; removing everything (nails, electrical plates, lighting fixtures). I clean, and Swiffer, and tape. I put down plastic sheets and tape them to the floor. I set up my paint station with everything I could possible need laid out on the stand like surgical instruments. Then the next day I begin the painting. I use primer; I cut in, and do the "W" with the roller, apply thin coats, and am through in no time at all. I'll brag; I'm a damn fine painter. It's just that I go slowly and spend far more time with prep and staging than I do in the actual applying of the paint. He wants to grab a can of paint and start smearing. I am the painter in the house. He will, after I've done all the prep, sometimes help with the roller parts, but I have to keep reminding him to not go over the area that already has paint. He can't "see" how it pulls up. So, I do the painting or hire a helper. The one lady that does the best work, even better than mine, is 72. Watching her paint is like seeing poetry. I love her to death. I do the fetch and carry for her, clean her brushes, fix her lunch, and learn at the feet of the master! So, never, ever try to paint with a husband. God made Man; then he made Woman. He made them attractive to one another. Then he sat back and had a good, long chuckle.

It really was a dream dinner for me. We had such a fun time that I would like to go back sooner than later. I'll need to wait for another special occasion...My daughter turns 30 next year!! LOL barnmom! Frank was as wonderful on the inside as on the outside! Cathy, Raymond is so funny! I LOL and Charles had to come see what I was laughing about. We both laughed! Peppi, I wish you all could have been there with us. Especially your Mom. Hey who knows, maybe she was:-) Sherri, Yes, I am spoiled to the core by that wonderful man of mine. Thank you for the sweet comments. Thank you everyone for all the birthday wishes and nice things you all have to say. Tonight it will be cake and ice cream with my Maggie!

It's a delicate balancing act for a couple to merge two different styles. But it can be done--I like everything Sigrid suggested. I'll also add that respect for each other's opinion is paramount. And you both don't need to love everything equally for a room to work. Depending on who uses a room more can be a determinant of whose preference is chosen. For example, I use the kitchen and the living room more, so my opinion and likes take priority over my husband's. But he is in the family room more, so that is his priority. And even though I am a professional, I always take into consideration his likes and dislikes. In your case, antiques and modern farmhouse can coexist nicely. Definitely create ideabooks and view them together to identify what you both like and dislike. And remember, it should be fun, decorating is not life and death!