Bumblebeez, Bonnie (the dog) is not allowed on the bed and doesn't sleep there. But her attitude toward life is it's SO exciting and it's all about play, so every once in a while she jumps up and does two or three high-speed roughshod circles on the bed and jumps back down. That's her idea of a good time. The problem is when she did it the other day she'd just come in from outside. Oakley, it's a silk-filled duvet (a huge splurge for me) inside a new white cotton Battenberg duvet cover. It (and flannel sheets) is the only cover my bed needs in the winter. The new duvet cover takes my breath away, it's so pretty -- but not so neat with dirty dog footprints on it. Ttodd, I do the same soap recipe as you, except I used Fels Naptha instead of Ivory. I still feel the need to use Tide every few wash loads, as it does the best job. Still, as you point out, the homemade saves a ton of money. I got the recipe off the web. Bonnie is a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. I used to breed and show SCWTs, but my line was calm. Bonnie is a high-speed wackadoodle who charges through life without thinking. I love her, but I often wish she had a turn down switch. She is young, but I have the feeling she won't change until arthritis forces change on her. OTOH, it does my heart good to see how good she feels and how much she loves life. Vivian, great picture! So cute. It's not her hair, and she doesn't shed. It's her muddy little feet that did in the duvet. We live where it rains 9 months of the year. I guess I could wash and dry her feet at the door every time she comes back in from outside. But seriously, that sounds too much like work. I've lived by -- and have given -- Magnaverde's advice forever. My living room is dog proof. But I've also wanted a white bed. I thought I'd give it a try. I think my decorating mistake may be that the white should be in the walls, not on the bed. The cover is washable, but it's a hassle to get the duvet in and out of it. Franksmom, what's your floor cleaner recipe, please? Alisonn, what fabric is your slip cover? Ten years is a lot of washes! I'm with you I would not buy a white sofa. The more I think about it the more I think a hall runner might be the answer, as it would take a lot of the dirt off the feet of all three of my dogs. Ya think?

Jodi, I just voted for your beautiful two rooms! I love your living room especially those gorgeous floors and your wall color. I also love your kitchen and adore your backsplash. I hope you win! Please keep us updated.

Ah, thanks for letting me know. I guess I was thinking it would notify me or something. The contest is not letting me vote again. I get the message "You've already voted for this entry. Only one vote allowed per entry." I read in the rules where it said they had software to detect illegal voting and I noticed that the entry that was in first place with way over 400 votes has now dropped back to 94 votes (it was blech in my opinion anyway!). Not that you have had any illegal voting, but evidently that one had. Chris, thanks for the info !!! I am going to contact Kristine. Although, she was saying that the tiles she received were way lighter than the burnt umber/amber that Jodi used and that you got from Monica. Buy any chance, did you use up all of the tiles you got from Monica ? There are 49 of the 1-5/8" tiles per sheet so all I have to do is find 10 people who have 5 tiles left over and I will have a sheet !! LMAO

Well darn, I just read the small print again and it turns out you can't vote more than once. I've currently have 31 votes and first place has 271. Not sure where I'll find 240+ people to vote for me. Jodi-