I am now looking for a confession....someone here made me cry! Someone in S.C. My eBay purchases are due the next few days, and today I got two boxes. Oddly enough both from S.C. The first I opened was the Debbie Mumm Christmas Cat plate (picture on Luv's post). I figured the other was the Boyds Yesterdays Child. It was! But not "Megan with Elliot and Annie". It was the little Policeman!!! I picked it up out of the box and tears started falling. I wanted this little figurine soooo badly, but he's rare according to what info I'd found. Boyd's did mostly girls when they weren't doing their bears. And the one place I saw him for sale, the price was way high. So he went on my Wish List! I just didn't expect my wish to be granted almost immediately! (with my sons being police officers, I just fell madly in love with this litte guy.) The return address on the box said S.C. and had a name I didn't recognize so I don't know who here sent it. But if you are reading this, 'fess up PLEASE. Tho words aren't adequate to thank you for sending me such a SPECIAL gift. Oh...about the Boyds figurines, they have quotes on the bottom and this one would have been the little bear speaking about being written up for a ticket. He said ""I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, sir ... because I'm not myself, you see." - Lewis Carroll. I just love that quote. I don't know what it is with you dear, sweet Holidayers... but you sure seem to know when I need my spirits lifted. I guess the 'magic' of the holidays extends to all of you who appear so magically in my Life. I found out yesterday that its unlikely my Dad will be going to that care center, and looks like for now...I'm it. So I'll continue what I've been doing here at home for him, and we'll be ok. hugs, Karen

Valinsv, yes, it is a healing type of business, and whether or not an environment has an Asian or Zen style to it, Feng Shui is really about the ''art of placement''. Currently, they have double doors opening to their business, but they only unlock and use one of the doors. I believe they need to use both doors so they can allow new business in while old business is leaving. There are unused chairs in front of the pathway of one door, with a large window behind them. No one ever sits there because it isn't comfortable to sit in front of a large window. There are two different styles of chairs, 5 of one and 2 of another. Two of the chairs are regularly chosen to be sat in, because of where they are. I believe equality of seating and arrangement of the chairs is important to their business, especially in the waiting room. (I doubt they actually need 7 chairs in their waiting room, since they really don't keep people waiting long. They make appointments and keep them on time.) There is already a certain type of eclectic style going on which could work well for them with some editing, yet relates well to their business. They've actually put some Feng Shui principals into practice, without understanding fully what's really going on. I know they probably have a pretty tight budget, yet believe just rearranging the furniture would be a great start. Think about those shows that have a designer come in and rearrange the furniture without spending any money, yet the room feels instantly better!

There was a store that carried them in a neighboring, larger city so I did have the opportunity to try it out. I ended up ordering it online. I believe that Herman Miller only has an annual sale on their products, which expired on the 11th. By ordering online I was able to save on another trip, get free shipping and saved on sales tax as well. I'm eager to get it as I'm really ready to get rid of the chair I currently use. I think it is likely that you will have to find a place in a larger city that carry the more expensive chairs mentioned. I have never seen them in a place like Office Depot or Staples.

Terri, that is a great painting. I am wading my way through the books that I ordered and I can tell you I have a very long way to go to a quarter as good as you are. Do you ever buy your canvases pre-primed? I found a great article on supplies for the beginning oil artist. Absolutely stressed was high quality brushes and the best paint you can afford. I purchase from Utrecht and some things from Amazon but I have found Ultrecht, Dickblick, and Jerry's have better prices on art supplies overall than Amazon. The list had 12 colors that were recommended. Honestly the pricing is pretty even across the spectrum. Ultrecht has their own line of oils and some of their prices are great but then in other colors they are higher. Highly pigmented reds and yellows are on the high end. Do you have a studio, or at least a dedicated room where you paint? My animals would drive me crazy and there is no way to paint without locking Simba and Toby out of the room or all art would be abstract kitty paws! I am so happy for your encouragement and I am determined to go as far as my limited talent will take me.