I'm back....from San Diego, Trade Show He&& and just a generally busy life! QOD: If I am being good...almonds and if I am out of control and really stressed...something sweet...I LOVE Peanut M & M's and I cannot buy them or I WILL eat them.. I had a wonderful time in San Diego with my oldest DS. He is every mothers dream...I am truely blessed with my kids. I haven't had a real vacation in sometime so this was awesome. My laptop crashed right before I left and I had to send it back to Apple. It was probably a good thing because then I couldn't work. I checked email once a day and had my cell if anyone needed me. We ate out ( Mexican ( SANGRIA) Sushi, Steaks), relaxed, and my son took me shopping at Nordstrom. He said ' mom you have bought me so much in my life that it is my turn to treat you'. THREE PAIRS OF SHOES LATER....LOLOL.. I love his girlfriend and I think that they will get married in the next two years. I would be thrilled to be her MIL. She and I get along really well. I was wearing a new pair of Dr. Scholl sandals and after walking all day..I took them off and there was a huge blister. She said ' you are not wearing those anymore today' and promptly gave me her flip flops to wear. She wore the Dr. Scholls. Remember those and how cool they were...forget that...I am getting rid of them. I came back to bedlam at the office. We had to get ready for a trade show that went on this week. I am so tired and I think my cheeks are in a permanant smile. The trade show we were at is called Mac Design. Our booth was crowded the whole time. I think that we will have a good response from the show. I had several companies that wanted to have us use their products. People kept telling us what a great booth we had. If I get pictures I will send them to Marci to put up on the site.. I have also been busy with softball and my DD. I think I told you all that she is playing Varsity ball. Her team is has won regionals which has never happened at her school. We are now in the sectionals. It is so exciting to watch how these girls play. I don't think I have any nails left. Our next game is on Saturday. Raeanne: As far as I know...I will be in town. I don't think we are going to CA for that wedding. Email me further info...hotels and times at such! I so want to me you. MY DD will be playing in a softball tournament that whole weekend so my hours will be varied but if there is a will there is a way and I have to eat sometime and I would love to share a 'drink' with you! Marci: I haven't bought the newest book...But I will this weekend. I have had no time to do much...I think I told you that I loved the one you sent me. It was a great story. Also Marci, there is NOTHING better than a pedicure in my world. Your feet will be in heaven. Besh: Thank you over and over for recommending Jodi Picoult. I know Marci and I have throughly enjoyed her books. She really gets you caught up in the story. My mom is now hooked on her too. BJ: When do you leave and who is taking care of your house while you are gone? NHSuzanne: I read about your riding the Tennesee Walker. DOn't you just love that ride? Could the ride be any smoother? My neighbor in CA had two of those and we had a great time riding those together. The horse never break and just keep walking at a very fast pace. I loved riding them. Dee Marie: You are so awesome and have amazing willpower. 22LBS...:::clap clap clap:::: Maddie: Hello??? come back and share your trip with us. Amy: So glad you have a keyboard again. I think it is great that your family is coming to visit. Have a wonderful visit. They will be jealous of your tropical paradise. I know I am. OK THIS MIA CHECKED IN!!!!!!! ALL YOU OTHERS GET BACK IN HERE OR AT LEAST EMAIL ONE OF US TO LET US KNOW YOU ARE ALIVE!!! Gretchen Here is a link that might be useful: What I have been up to this week

White Dove reads a bit gray in my light. Have you gotten some test pots and checked in your light? I know you're in a hurry, but i'm going to suggest that you slow down and take your time. My kitchen was icky when we bought it. I'm sooooo glad that we waited to do the reno. First, it gave us time to live in the house and see how it flowed and how we use it. I know I'd be unhappy with the kitchen now if we had done the reno when we first bought it. Secondly, there are so many things to learn here if you are a TKO like most of us. Take the time to come up with a good layout. That's the most important thing over all the pretty finishes and cool gadgets. Just my 2 cents!

Thanks circuspeanut! I never thought of painting the siding light and the trim dark, but I like it! LOL on the orange cat too, so he can match. What is funny is that we plan on staining the deck just that color! In my photo, the addition directly in front is in the shade. The far corner, behind the car, is in direct sunlight in that photo and probably the true color. The Sparrow may be too much gray since there is so much orange in the brick, but I'll go take another photo as soon as the heat lets up a little and see what those colors look like in both full sun and shade. tuesday 2008, yes there is a golden tan in the brick. That is the body color of the brick in fact. Annie, when we bought the house, the siding was an orangy yellow and the trim and shutters were a deep rust. I didn't like it at the time, but then I didn't like much about the house when we bought it. lol karin l, I think an eggplant would probably look good with it. Unfortunately, houses around here are pretty plain. I drove around the other day on my way to town and ALL the newer houses with colors close to mine were all light beige, and one color at that. I'd never noticed that everyone seems to have the same color paint. I do want to be a little different, but I also want to sell the house quickly if it comes to that. fori, sage green looks good with the brick. That's what we painted the trim, shutters and door 15 years ago. I could go back with it, but I'm also a little tired of that color. I'll play with it though and see how it looks now that the brick is different. GreenDesigns, I think that Adobe Dust might be a winner. I really like it on the screen. I'll have to see if I can find it on my program and try it out. The Alligator Green reads gray on my screen. Jodokus, you could be right, and I'll go see what Durango Dust looks like. The front of the house has a gable that could look top heavy if the color is too dark, but I'm open to anything right now. Dh bought the base paint while it was on sale. I guess I need to see if it's a light or dark base before I get too carried away. lascatx, I'll look at gray. I really hadn't considered it before seeing the photoshop circuspeanut did, and I like the gray there. I know the sage looks good, and I bet a darker green would look good too.

I would think of installing a gutter system, even if you area doesn't get much rain. There is not much of an overhang to get the water away from the foundation. I would go for either a dark brown or an almond (off white) color. I would paint the fascia the same color. Here is a mock-up with your new roof and a line of off white and a line of dark brown for comparison. I would paint the fence the same color or a green like Liberty Park. I would trim the bush at the side. Maybe even move it out into the yard, since it is tall. I think a rose bush on a colorful trellis would look good between the windows. I would get drought resistant plants for the rest of the yard. Colorful trellises would add a touch of whimsy.