OH Oddie, How cute. I've never seen that site before. Thanks for sharing with us. Cheri

Thanks for the vote of confidence, desert_solitare. I will find mtnrdredux's thread. Good luck on your upcoming room as well! tinan: Great idea! I love IKEA and am always up for a trip there. :) They do have nice curtains that are affordable (and long enough-we have high ceilings and extra long windows). Kyshine: Thanks for the suggestions. I have several subway art ideas pinned on my pinterest boards. I agree...I like the chandelier and the subway art. I also like the idea of doing a grouping of family pictures over the sofa. Just have to figure out what/how, etc. What color are you suggesting to spray the fan if I decided to? lizanne: Love your and tinan's ideas about the curtains. I like it going up to the ceiling as well, esp b/c we have high ceilings on this floor. I hadn't thought of putting 6 frames over the sofa either...I always think one big one or 3 next to eachother. 6 would fill that space nicely I think! Thank you for your kind and encouraging words! arcy: Any suggestions on what light fixture to replace the current one with? It's 4 individual ones now. Do you mean just change the glass shades? I do like the wood blinds that are on the windows now, b/c it's a sun filled room during the day and I tend to like some privacy in the evening. And I guess b/c we spent a good chunk on $$ on them, I am hesitant to get rid of them. Thanks for the valance idea. I like that idea as well. I'll have to do a few mock ups to see what I like irl. Oakley: Do you think deep red would work, as the accessories are a rust orange? Agreed on the coffee table. Any suggestions for what type? Round/rectangle? That's where I'm stuck. The ottoman is only there b/c I haven't decided what would look best there. In the pic I posted above, the crown molding finishes off the room as well. Perhaps that would help pull the room together as well for me. I'd have to sweet talk DH into that one though! He did the dining room for me a few years ago. :) Thanks again to all of you! I've got my dad staying with me for a few weeks right now, so I may not get a lot accomplished. I do have another dresser (that was my grandmother's from the early 1900's that I'm refinishing). I have to measure it and will take a pic to see if it would work in the family room.

She's already a prima donna I'm not going to take that many photos of her, she knows how cute she is . . . potty training going OK. Her first two days were a little rough but I think part of that is that she was totally unfamiliar with our big yard . . . now she's getting better. She's a finicky eater and doesn't take to well to food treats, so that makes training a little tricky . . . but she's good with praise. So far she hasn't lost weight but the eating thing is a little worrisome. Using the stash of puppy food the breeder gave us plus mixing in some canned puppy food . . . I hope it's just "new house" jitters on the food. I'm used to dogs like labs eating too much and wolfing down their food. We are trying not to raise a little prima donna even though that is going to be her natural tendency. I just don't want to encourage it. Hubs is dragging his feet an getting a pen. He's been going round and round about pens and gates for weeks. Yes, he's had weeks to get these items and now he is still dragging. I bought toys, brush, shampoo, crate, beds, bells, collar, training treats, etc. This is hubs side of the deal. I don't have the money to get one, this is his project. No amount of cajoling or nagging on my part moves him. He's as bad as the dog. I ordered a crate but it is stalled on delivery . . . she has her little carry bag and a bed though. Everyone under the sun has told us we need a pen. Does not matter to hubs. I love the dog, and am working with her and training her as best I can, but she is really hubs project. She's great with both of us as far as being a love muffin and a good girl. But I can't train her consistently if hubs won't also follow through. As soon as the crate comes in that will help. Hubs was braggin up on how he trained his last dog 40 years ago and how good she was. I didn't know him then, I am starting to wonder . . . as a teacher, I am pretty familiar with the idea of consistency and positive re-enforcement. It's literally what teachers do for most of the day. I notice a big lack of consistency with my step grandkids too, but I don't say or try to do anything, not my circus not my monkeys although I do care about them. But hubs son doesn't listen to anyone either, cannot discuss anything with you. He pontificates, no discourse. Luckily Josie is small and so is our house so I've already puppy proofed a lot of it, and if she gets into more trouble, that's on hubs. Will break my heart if something happens to her. Hubs last dog was a German shepherd. Totally different animal . . . Us discussing at length how important routine and consistency is with a pup will not move hubs in the least so no point. Josie's cousin and other cousins were owned by my good friend. First hubs asked me to talk to her for advice, she sent a picture of her pen, etc. Then hubs says he wasn't interested in her advice since they are a different family than us . . . yes I know, totally illogical I pointed that out to him and he just said, "uh huh." Hubs is also supposed to buy pee pads to protect certain areas. He's an old dog, can't teach him any new tricks.

Sounds like you're all set with your EBs. I got my Joules rain boots and the mid height was really wide at the top, so I returned them. (The foot was too wide, as well). I kept the tall rainboots with the doggies because they had an adjustable top, so I narrowed it. Last year I wore Pendleton rainboots. They're cute, narrower at the top but were kaput after a year. I also wear Ariat waterproof boots and that brand has a lot of different styles, in both leather and in rubber. Very comfortable and reliable boots - they are my go-to.