What a great memory & one of those when you kind of wish that you had a modern cell phone where you could immortalize the evening with a photo. And what would the south have done without the Waffle House when you just had to have something to eat when it was very late at night. The only other place around here I can think of that serves the same purpose today is Whattaburger.

Okly those shelves are so cute! Like you said, at least they match the wall color! Yes, this decorating around equipment is frustrating. Especially equipment that you use all the time, so that the storage has to be not only attractive but highly functional. Seems like anyone can pull off an attractive dining room or living room, but a media room or sewing room . . . It doesn't help that our house is small. It's a great house for retiring downsizers, but it seriously lacks storage. Our last house was tiny also, but had a huge finished basement which was perfect for storing things we used on a regular basis but didn't want sitting out in the open when not in use to take up valuable space in the main living areas. Whoa, thanks for the link Chispa! I better not tell SO about it though, or my family room will never see the end of it! ;) As far as letting go of things, I actually do some of that every day. SO and I are committed to getting rid of as much of our things as we can. We anticipate in a couple of years we will move too. Right now SO needs to get settled in a new job and we need to figure out how and where we will retire. We're taking a first pass at the worst of it and then probably a second or third pass as time goes by and we settle in to what our stable life together might be like. Neither of us has had that luxury for a LONG time, moving for work and having long commutes. We are supporting each other in doing this. I know the first-world solution would be to get rid of all our mismatched stereo equipment and get new stuff, but both of us don't like the waste aspect of that, or the cost. My problem-solver SO, (PSSO) already called the company that makes his receiver to find out why it didn't work with my turntable. Apparently we need something called a "pre-amp" to plug the turntable in to, which would also solve the problem of the connecting cord to the turntable being so short. I'm wondering if we could get something that would also allow his android phone to connect to the receiver, he has a lot of songs on it. As for venting, the TV armoire has a huge hole in the back already, like at least 18" square, for venting the TV, and several cord holes, plus the sides are not air tight. To me, that seems like enough, but maybe some more holes could be drilled in the back. Theoretically SO could also make decorative mesh panels for the front, he is a cabinet maker . . . but I better not press my luck on that! ;) Now to figure out how to incorporate his two guitars (one electric, one acoustic) and mine into the room . . .

I started talking to a builder and a real estate agent four or five years ago. Finally reached a point two years ago when we decided to take some action. We specifically looked for a builder who had experience in the community where we wanted to build because of the strict architectural requirements. I also know that I wanted land with utilities (water, electric, gas). Because we only wanted to live in a large footprint single-story with a central courtyard, we looked for lots that were relatively flat, located on corners (to have a wraparound porch/landscape), in premium locations withing the subdivision. The Realtor recommended the builder who works with the architect that we're using (who is also experience with the community's Design Review process. It's never too early to start the conversation. The sooner you have the discussion, the sooner you can decide if you're ready, willing, and able (you need all three to proceed) to upset your life for the next several years. . .and remember, you'll need healthy cash reserves, decent credit if you're financing, and patience.

The Swiss Indoors in Basel is finally on again in October and DH is going, a sort of bucket list trip for him. While he is away my mother, daughter and I are taking a tiny trip— a hop up to Atlanta where we will host my mom’s old friends at a luncheon, stay in a suite at the Georgian Terrace downtown, meet family members for brunch and go to a play at the Alliance theatre. I had just finalized these plans when my mother sprang on me the request to host her nieces and nephews for a weekend in October so I guess I am going to be very busy that month instead of the relaxed break I envisioned. 😳