Hi All, I've been so busy. I made cookies and stuff all night after work and then I answered some email. I wasn't going to write anything tonight because I'm tired. I was ready to go to bed but I realized it may be awhile until I can post again. So I want to tell the story I promised before. 11 years ago in August, Gary's brother, Joe, died helping a motorist who's car had been hit on a major highway. He got struck by a motorcycle that was speeding and then a car driven by a drunk driver. It was as you can imagine was quite an awful time. We as a family decided to donate all of Joe's organs. We felt that he died trying to help someone and it is what he would of wanted. Thanksgiving with Gary's family wasn't the best that year of course. Christmas as far as I could see wasn't going to be much better. On Christmas morning Gary and I got up. He was watching tv, and I was reading the newspaper. I started to read the letter to the editor part of the paper. There was letter from a woman from NJ writing to thank the family who made the decision to donate the organs of the man who had died on the highway. At that point, I just started to whell up with tears and Gary of course couldn't figure out why the paper would make me cry. I tried to read out loud to him, but I couldn't get it out and by that time I was bawling. The woman's brother had received Joe's heart, and surely would of died. It was a wonderful thing she did sending that letter. We were very sad, but we were also very happy to know that people were alive because of him. It made a tough Christmas bearable. So the best gift we ever got cost no more than the time it took her to write a letter and the stamp to mail it. (As a side note,Gary's parents eventually found out about all the people(info without names) he helped. And they did meet the man who got his lungs and became friends with him. They also are active members in UNYTS, the local organ donor group. Also the next year Gary's sister had a baby, the first grandchild. There's nothing like a baby to help lift people's spirits.) Ok, I've got to go to bed. Tomorrow is a long day at work, and then I've got to visit my baby brother and his family in the evening. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, Remy

Hmm...Is it weird that I am not planning to tell a single soul "in real life" how much my new kitty's latest veterinary adventure is going to wind up costing? I finally moved to a place where I can have cats, got Lucy two weeks ago, and I got suckered into the unnamed one last week. Between pet deposits, adoption fees, a spay, routine post-adoption vet visits, emergency vet visit for a bad suture reaction/spay incision issues, more vet visits to follow up for that, middle-aged diagnostics and meds/visits for a bad URI in the new kitty, I'm already out somewhere around $2k or so? I am kind of scared to add it up, so I won't. My Lucy is now at the emergency vet for a possible intestinal obstruction. We're still hoping not to have to do surgery, but my estimate just for hospitalization, multiple x-rays, etc. over 24-48 hours is $1-2k. Ouch. Surgery is another ~$2k. Double ouch. To be quite honest, I've never been in a position to have to spend this much on my pets all at once (I also happen to live in a much higher cost area now). I was "fortunate" enough to have only long-term/chronic issues with some of my previous pets, but nothing major and acute. This wouldn't be *so* crazy if I hadn't already blown through so much just in the initial expenses of getting the cats and dealing with the relatively minor medical issues they came with. Two weeks into new cat ownership, and I might be out $6,000. I need to stop typing. Seeing the numbers again is freaking me out. Anywho...this is a young cat. An intestinal obstruction is unlikely to shorten her life span, so I just don't feel like worrying about the massive credit card debt I'm getting myself into (again! I was doing so well!) I just keep telling myself it's not that much if I average it out over her expected life span. Right? Right? Someone tell me I'm not completely insane. I'm getting pet insurance after this, though. A hundred or so bucks a year for peace of mind is worth it after this.

Jockewing, first, condolences. Glad the protracted struggle is behind you. My first suggestion is to only spend a portion of your inheritance now and save the rest as the financial outlook is bleak for the near future. (I know, that advice is a drag!) But truly, my advice would always be to upgrade slowly since finding quality pieces you'll love for the long haul takes time. That being said, I also know how important feathering your nest is and think you will enjoy getting a few pieces now. I have lots of general suggestions below, but really want to encourage you to take your time finding good pieces which will work over many years rather than succumbing to throw-away purchases. Unless you have enough money to buy everything now, I'd start with the DR since you call attention to it with the accent wall color. I'd look to replace the bookcase with a wonderful marble topped buffet, a Danish rosewood or walnut credenza or a taller antique secretary. Really consider older furniture pieces which are generally much better made than the particle board stuff readily available. Antiques don't have to be stuffy or ornate, and with luck and patience you can begin building a wonderful, clean-lined collection. These days, without a really big budget it's hard to find quality pieces unless you have a great consignment store neraby or shop ebay. Center your new DR chandelier on your table. I think all the wrought iron legs in the DR (as well as the hodgepodge end tables) add to the busy-ness you don't like. Earlier it was suggested to place a larger glass top over a table cloth if you keep the table, or I'd consider replacing the set with a wood pedestal DR table w/o a cloth. Look for some comfortable DR chairs; I love simple leather chairs which hold up really well. Rattan is a good look but not as practical with crumbs, cleanability, etc. In the LR, start with finding a hand-knotted rug, larger than your existing LR carpet and a runner in coordinating tones to replace the striped rug. Get two small patterned carpets for the front & dining area entry doors, unless you find a nice area rug for the DR, then you will want only an interior rug at the front door.. Overstock (must really read descriptions as photos aren't always accurate and avoid lead based dyes), ebay and craig's list are great sources, but many higher-end mfgs sell dicsontinued rugs directly on line at close-out prices. The trick is to be patient and wait for a wonderful bargain rather than spend a lot for instant gratification. Hand-knotted for the large rug(s) is best as it will hold up well. Extend the drape rods as was suggested to add presence to the panels. Your wall color has to coordinate with the taupe tiles unless you can upgrade to HW or laminate. Assuming you have to work with the tile, I'd be cautious of cooler, darker hues since that can be drab and depressing and you already have a sophisticated darker tone in the kitchen/dining area. Consider deep non-yellowy cream toward raw silk/linen tones (I find it helpful to look at art mats and/or fabric and have paint matched) which will combine well with the DR wall and the aquas, green and brown you love and that you're currently inclined to eventually bring more into the LR. I like your tv in its current location because it allows you to keep a cohesive conversational arrangement in the LR. HDGuy's advice to consider whether you want/need display/storage area is a good one in determining what size piece to look for btwn the windows. I'd consider 2 love seats (in a neutral tone to accommodate changing accents as your taste evolves) flanking the media wall, much sleeker than the bulky one you have, but still comfortable. Put a console table or low bookcase behind the one on the DR side. Definitely add more lamps, up lighting behind plants, maybe a torchiere in a corner and/or a swing arm low floor lamp by seating. Replace the ceiling fan with another more beautiful fixture, even if you elect to keep a fan there. Replace the two chairs with more compact ones, even a sleek recliner as long as it has raised legs. Or re-upholster the burgundy chair and just get one new chair. Get a large leather ottoman which can pull double duty as a coffee table. Consider tucking a power strip behind the small console under the mirror to minimize the cords. Definitely place all your lights on dimmers. Before you begin, scour this site and others as well as mags to find the style that most appeals to you and use them for inspiration. Best of luck!

Well, I'll stand out alone but I like #1 or the small ones. I think #2 is a bit too matchy matchy with the wallpaper to me. I think the whiter ones keep you open to more possibilities in the future. I don't know how the small tile will look, but which one is the cheapest? haha