Faron, I know exactly where that car wash is! That was a long trip and I imagine you were probably a lot more bent on getting home instead of sightseeing in Norman, but did you get to see much of it? The town is so pretty and the university campus is drop-dead gorgeous. I passed along your good wishes and the fact you were right there in Norman to DD and she loved it ! She wasn't there at the time, though, but still home here on Winter Break. Cathi: I emailed you through GW. Hope you got the link. Thank you for asking. Outsideplaying: great idea . . . thanks! She'll like that. Technicolor: Yes, I was thinking the same thing. We did check out the apt complex online and it's a good one, but being on the first floor, does make me worry. **Funny story: I can tell that I'm subconsciously worrying because last night I dreamed that I was there sharing the apartment with her and 2 of her friends. Our big Doberman lived there with us, along with 2 other dogs . . . and two 9-foot alligators! Apparently they were tame and friendly (towards us), as it was not a big deal to me at all that they were living with us (LOL)! What a very weird dream that one was! Javachick: yes, DD has always been more mature and very practical. Thank goodness because, as you mentioned, it's paying off now! Joanie: Yes, it seems to be working out. Now if they can just finish settling themselves in and get some decent sleep and more studying. BTW, I have to tell you this. Emily's duvet, curtains, sheets, etc. all came from Pottery Barn Teen catalog. I called yesterday to order replacements for the damaged things and the folks there were beyond helpful. They were so kind. Apparently, their call center is just north of Norman in Oklahoma City! The two customer service people I talked with were both impacted by the terrible tornado that pretty much wiped out Moore this past Summer, which is just north of Norman. They went hugely out of their way to help me find replacements and get them sent off to Emily quickly. They should arrive on Wednesday. Again, I am blown away by the kindness we've all experienced this past week. And here, as well. Lynn This post was edited by lynninnewmexico on Mon, Jan 20, 14 at 17:31

Fund space. I agree with Juliekcmo that the room should be set up to be the most functional and enjoyable for you for the 50 weeks a year that you occupy the space. I would put the couch in the alcove, and put either a sofa table behind it or hang a shelf on the wall behind it with brackets. That is the place for a lamp, a clock/radio/mp3 player, a place for someone to put a glass of water and a book at night. That also means that the window isn’t blocked so the room gets the benefit of max light all the time. Fan should move out into the room - do a cute chandy in the alcove, something fun and whimsical. The small chest that you have ready to paint seems like it would be the perfect companion piece for you to use for spreading out your files as you work. I think it would fit with the bookcase on the end wall to the left of the entry door to the room, based on the measurements you gave. Bookcase in the corner so that you can have clearance for the chest drawers once the armoire is on the other wall nearby. Then the armoire would go on the long wall, toward the bookcase and chest, to create the feel of an office area. It should still allow the computer to be visible for someone on the couch. To the left of the armoire, I would place the cute wood table you love, with a lamp. The tall mirror might work above this, to bounce some light around and feel anchored. Then angled in front of the stationary part of the french doors, your desk chair can be placed when you are not working. To the left of that, the little set of drawers, which seems perfect for CD storage, so that you can get them off the top of the armoire. You will then have a seating area for someone visiting if they don’t want to sit on the sleeper couch,(especially if it is opened), or you can sit and talk to your son in there while he is visiting. I would put the ottoman on the short wall to the left of the french doors, to get it out of the way when the bed is unmade or it isn’t being used with the couch. I would frame a grouping of the Audubon pix and place them on the wall by the closet. You could do a few more stacked over the ottoman. As for color, I know you said white, but I would think about a color that makes you happy to use in the workspace. I love the purple accent wall in the alcove, and if you still like it, that could be your other color throughout the space. Your pieces to be painted could be done in another (or the same) shade of purple. I could easily see green walls in there, something restful but deep enough to work with the large black pieces. I would paint the bookcase the the chest the same color if they are going to be next to one another, for a more cohesive feel. Consider something textural for the drapery and french doors, perhaps a textured linen or hopsack.

Thanks, judithn, annz, Fun2BHere, and nosoccermom, for all the suggestions. Ironically, it just occurred to my friend that she might become a victim of Sandy, in a way. If the owner needs cash (and all his children also live out on LI) to finance any repairs, he may decide to sell the unit, given that real estate in this area has really chirked up the past few months. (I have several neighbors here who really live in Breezy Point/Rockaway Beach and just come down for a few weeks in the winter, and very few of them have all the insurance they need to rebuild without massive out of pocket, so I can see this being a very possible, maybe even likely, scenario.) So she's just going to wait and see for the time being. Just a set of heavy blackout curtains on that wall for now, till she knows whether she's going to be able to stay more than a year.

I remember reading that...but it's still just as funny.... I am completely surprised that I didn't find a post from me on there...My DH has done a few things during our 42 years that I tell on him every now and then. patti