...measure twice, cut once

This rule applies to carpenters, seamsters, wallpaper hangers and probably every other career in the world. You may have to adjust the words a little. No one is perfect, but the more detail oriented we are, the better the outcome. On this day in 2005 CBS fired four executives following the release of an independent investigation about a "60 Minutes Wednesday" story.It dealt with U.S. President George W. Bush's military service. The investigation said a "myopic zeal" led to the story being aired that was neither fair nor accurate. Forged documents had been used for proof in the story. Ouch.
My Grass cloth hallway job became more interesting. The vendor changed the length of a double roll from 8 yards in length to 6.5 yards in length. Surprise! Now how many rolls will it take if you need 29 8'cuts? Get out your calculators everyone! I originally ordered ten rolls. I will start the clock. Measure twice, cut once, plan accordingly and hope for the best.

"The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have."
Vince Lombardi

...cologne wars

Have you recently been to a shopping mall where they insist on spraying you with the latest fragrance? I have just learned that this practice dates all the way back to 1583. Forces under Ernest of Bavaria defeated the troops under Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg at the Siege of Godesberg. It was called the Cologne War! Ernest had a large sample aerator of Chanel For Men; Gebhard chose Bod. I'm not sure how it all panned out, but reportedly the air around Germany was scented for days! Many of you have already received cologne and perfumes as a Hanukkah Present, many others will have some in their stockings come Christmas. Make love, not war...especially if you are buying the generic take-offs.

"The fabled musk deer searches the world over for the source of the scent which comes from itself." Ramakrishna

...the cost of Holo

Hanukkah ended on the 9th of this month this year. EW's carpet was installed just in time and I am going to her home today to choose wallpaper for her hallway. One of the most generous, positive and tasteful person that I have every met, one day some cretin etched the work "f*ck" on one of her large outside windows. How disheartening to think that some people still have a problem with different religions. On this day in 1938 the Neuengamme concentration camp opened in the Bergedorf district of Hamburg, Germany. Thus began the Holocaust. I don't understand people, and the more years that I spend on this earth, the less I comprehend. But that won't stop me from doing my best to educate and I truly hope that others do the same. This world keeps getting smaller and all that we have to do is realize that there is a sameness to everyone. A Universal Rule that should govern all of us is a Golden One. Apply it now if you haven't in the past. "Swirl" wallpaper shown today.
"Don't overestimate the decency of the human race."
H. L. Mencken

...Christmas Turned Blue

...don't let it happen to you! On this day in 1937 a Japanese aircraft bombed and sunk US gunboat Panay on the Yangtze River in China. Several years later, Seiko recorded this Christmas tune. Put the bombs aside and enjoy our differences. If your loved one is far away, if you have no cash to pay, enjoy. Donate your time or toys or food. Many people have more, many people have less. Please keep this in mind when you are complaining that your Range Rover is in the shop for a brake repair while others have no heat and no food to eat. The wallpaper shown today is blue. No arguments, right? But isn't it a beautiful shade of blue?
サヤ師匠、堂藻

さっそく米下さり蟻蛾糖です

今回100件記念（自己(笑)）としまして初めて真面目に取り組­んでみました。

って言っても寄せ集めの絵を並べただけですが(笑)

今の僕のスキルではこれが限界です（爆）(@^^)３９●～*


"We do not remember days, we remember moments."
Cesare Pavese

...wrath

Don't worry, be happy. The Rust Hardware arrived late yesterday so I can now make the change and rehang drapery this weekend. Yippee! I love to do things twice, don't you? Well, admittedly, some things I do like to do twice. It's not like I am trying to farm in a dust bowl, it is custom drapery for Heaven's sake. My floral wool carpeting is now just a pee stained memory. Goodbye! Upward and onward, but not on the new carpeting please. Life is a school, so keep on learning and growing. On this day in 1940 John Steinbeck was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his novel "The Grapes of Wrath." The story was set during the Great Depression and focuses on a poor family of sharecroppers. They had to leave Oklahoma due to drought, economic hardships, and changes in the agriculture industry. I sort of know the feeling when wallpaper became a whore's market and understandably fell out of style. The only constant is change and we need to keep flexing with the times. "Dotty Storage Ottomans" shown today.
"Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other." Benjamin Franklin

...friends

Well, last evening as I fired up the charcoal grill with a friction match out on my deck I heard a buzzing sound. Two slightly paint covered bumblebees hovered around me for quite a long time. I even called CN so that she could hear the buzzing thru my Bluetooth and to get some verification that I wasn't going crazier. I cannot tell you how happy I was that they survived the paint swim and even moreso, how they came back to let me know that they were ok. More blackout cellular shades arrived late yesterday which means a jaunt to the beach is in order in the near future. Maybe I'll bring my new bee friends with me. Strike a pose! Strike a match as on this day in 1827, John Walker, an English chemist, sold the first friction match that he had invented the previous year. He soon wished that he had made two as the young lad who bought it tried to light his joint in a strong wind and then had to rely on his Bic lighter to finish the job. "Tin Roof Wallpaper" is on it's way to Colorado for a big surprise...so I won't reveal any names, as usual. Peace, love and happiness. "Fishermen Bookends" shown above.
"Do good to your friends to keep them, to your enemies to win them."
Benjamin Franklin

...time flies

Hi. Was it only a year ago that we were waiting to vote for the next president of the United States? For some reason, it seems much longer than a year. Sometimes time flies, some times it stalls.I have heard it said that everyone has an interesting life, if you leave out the boring parts. There is nothing boring about several historic things that happened on this day. In 1911 Chevrolet officially entered the automobile market in competition with the Ford Model T. In 1913 the United States introduced an income tax, and in 1969 U.S. President Richard M. Nixon addressed the nation on television and radio, asking the "silent majority" to join him in solidarity on the Vietnam War effort and to support his policies. Hmmmm. I stripped yesterday for money. Wallpaper that is. B&G left for Florida but will be back briefly to spend Christmas in Chester County. I truly cannot believe that we are in November but I do love this time of year; especially the Holiday Season. For any Rhianna fans out there, her latest album shows a very different direction musically than she did in her last album - and all her previous albums before that. It is harder and less pop influenced in my opinion. I wonder if her personal life of the past year had anything to do with the change. Probably. Shown today, one of several fireplace screens available on my website. Home is where the hearth is. have a great day.
"But meanwhile time flies; it flies never to be regained." Virgil
(unless you have been unknowingly videotaped and placed on YouTube)...good luck with that!

...scary...

Good day! Sitting outside last evening at EA's for dinner, I noticed three very red leaves on a huge tree with the remaining leaves still green. Today is the first day of Autumn and it is frequently the day of the Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemishphere, and the Vernal Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. It will take a cold day in Chester County tho' for me to give up the shorts and give into long pants. This time of year always brings a melancholia because I love Summer. One day I hope to live where it is Summer year 'round but for now I need to embrace the seasonal changes. Last night I did watch some TV and it was a Ghost Story with all kinds of scary goblins, etc. and that genre always helps me to sleep well. I know, go figure. On this day in 1692, they hanged the last of the people suspected of witchcraft in the US. I finished another Roman Shade yesterday and have a new client this evening who needs color selection, wallpaper and some type of window treatments. I won't know until I get there and check out her closets (clothes, not skeletons) and talk to her for a bit to begin to create what I know will be something good for her. I had also better order some firewood as my supply is barren. I took Prince to the Vet last evening to see if his enlarged heart and collapsed trachea have improved and guess what! Nothing has improved. In fact, he is now believed to have Cushing's Disease and will need more blood work and who knows what else. As I waited for our appointment three youngsters came in with an adorable terrier puppy swaddled in a blanket looking very much like our beloved Max, and my first thought was, "this puppy is deceased." How horrible. I heard them talking among themselves as only the thoughtless non animal lovers would do as they texted friends back and forth and showed no signs of emotion. After receiving Prince's diagnosis and stood at the gate to pay for the services I learned that the puppy had indeed died. I didn't wait around to listen to what had happened, all I know is that not everyone is meant to care for animals and children. With my love for animals I have seriously been considering a career change but wonder now if I have the heart to study and practice in this field. I think that I would need a baseball bat and/or a handgun with appropriate licensing if you catch my drift. Sometimes Witches, Ghosts and Goblins come in very human forms.

"If an animal does something, we call it instinct; if we do the same thing for the same reason, we call it intelligence." Will Cuppy

...'boy that coffee was hot' said the moron...

Ok. I usually don't write a blog on Saturdays but I need to post a short one. Years ago a lady sued McDonald's because she ordered a hot coffee at a drive through, spilled it on herself and won the claim. If it had been lukewarm would she have sued also? Would she have returned it because it wasn't hot enough? A while ago a lady ordered custom chair pads from my shop, came into my shop to pick them up when they were completed and when my phone rang and I turned my back for a second she tried to run off with them without paying. Luckily I have a wireless phone so continued my conversation while grabbing the bag from the beyotch. She called the police on me and claimed that I had thrown her up against the front wall of my shop. My front was all windows that face major highway Route 30 so I would have to be a freaking moron to pull that kind of act and she turned out looking like an utter moron as well as a thief in the eyes of the police. I got paid.If she had exited the shop with the goods and got as far as the sidewalk it would have been against the law for me to then grab the bag even tho' she hadn't paid. This week a Muslim teenager claimed in a federal lawsuit that she was denied a job at an Abercrombie & Fitch clothing store at a Tulsa mall because she wore a head scarf. I totally believe in everyones right to have a belief system or lack thereof. Let me tell you, I will be 50 in February, take good care of myself, work out on a regular basis and am fit. If I walked into Abercrombie & Fitch for a sales job it would be almost laughable. They market and cater to young, beautiful people. That is their choice. If they want to cater to a not so young, not so beautiful people maybe I would have a chance at a job, probably part time if you get my gist. And if anyone out there says, 'you are missing the point on religion' I would counter that ageism is in effect here with my tale. I feel it a waste of the court's time with these frivolous lawsuits and a waste of time and money for Abercrombie & Fitch to have to engage in this type of suit. If you want to wear or need to wear a head scarf wear it but do not expect a company with a style theme to change their 'branding' for you. If you go to a drive-through and order a hot coffee, expect it to be hot and don't be a moron and spill it. If you are a klutz go into the restaurant, sit down and drink it there...carefully. If you want to shoplift from my store, next time make it a lamp or something solid. If I hit you over the head with soft, plush, custom chair pads it won't make much of a difference. Have a great day, work hard, play hard and don't be a cheat. Oh, on this day in 1900, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid committed their first robbery together. It was a closeout Waverly wallpaper in the very back of my shop so no biggie.

"If you don't quit, and don't cheat, and don't run home when trouble arrives, you can only win." Shelly Long

...directoire...

Hello. We had fun at the Marketplace yesterday and saw many beautiful things. This 'Directoire' Oval Table from Granges' 'Directoire Collection', (duh) was just on of those items. It is made in France and will find it's way to the US in a few short months. Sort of like how, on this day in 1812, the French army under Napoleon reached the Kremlin in Moscow. The Directoire Oval traditional table has 4 legs and seats 6/10 moderately sized people. Description :Cherry wood Dimension : Length 178 cm Height 76 cm Depth 117 cm (70 ¼ in )(30 in )(46 ¼ in ) . It has built in leaves that come up from the bottom which is clever as heck. Leave it to the French! Today JS will visit me and make her mirror selection. Another client should be ordering her bedroom wallpaper today also. I would prefer to work from home today and maybe one day will be able to do that all of the time. For now I have the shop and people come to visit me there so fine is fine. Say some prayers for EA who is having a terrible time right now please. You know what, let's say some for her and everyone else, including ourselves. Happy Birthday AA!

"A picture is worth a thousand words." Napolean Bonaparte

...does Kanye West have impulse control issues?

...sew what?

Hello. The cat came with us again this morning for part of our walk, much to the amazement of people around here who aren't used to that. He eats dog food for the most part and hangs with the boys so it seems natural to me. So do other things that many disagree with, but so what. Fabrics arrived late yesterday for two Flat Fold Roman Shades and for the boxed Chaise cushions and I must be in a green mood; or else the clients are. I can almost remember when I first sat down to try to thread a sewing machine. A business associate wouldn't even help me so I persevered on my own, as usual. It turns out that the machine was broken so I started again with another sewing machine and finally, little by little have taught myself much about sewing. That associate must have been peeved at my wanting to learn something new because, as I clearly recall, this person threatened to call the IRS and an attorney on me if I did begin sewing for my business. Huh, what? Patsy Cline said it best on her classic track, 'Crazy.' When you are through changing, you are through.Way back then, a client needed custom valances for a party and my workroom was unable to meet that deadline and the business associate was on another vacation so I did it, it looked great and I never turned back. Thanks to Elias Howe who, on this day in 1846 was granted a patent for the sewing machine, made this process available. He died at the age of 48, a multi millionaire. My cat has been crying at all hours of the night which, along with my infamous insomnia makes for a cheery morning. I go out to measure and choose paint colors this afternoon for a great gal, PN and then I will measure fabrics. How exciting! Singer and Howe thought so and excitedly ran all the way to the bank. Have an industrious day and, uhm, Doe a Deer. Today's photo is a Dining Room with a Brunschwig & Fils Adams style wallpaper, swags and jabots, curved chandelier and sheer panels. Notice the subtle curve theme going on? I knew you would.

"When you are through changing, you are through." Bruce Barton

...penny for your thoughts...

Hello. I installed some more drapery yesterday and on the windowsill facing east, was a penny facing head's up. I, of course asked if there was meaning to it and the client replied, "yes, it is for good luck." Ok then. On this day in 1959 The Lincoln Memorial design on the U.S. penny went into circulation, replacing the 'sheaves of wheat' design still in use today. Let me grab the penny that I took off of that client's windowsill and see which style it is! Kidding. If someone thinks that a penny facing head's up symbolizes good luck I am all for it. If something makes the mind think in the positive, why not? Also on this day, but in 1965 the infamous first party between Ken "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" Kesey and the Hell's Angels took place at Ken's estate in California. This gathering introduced psychedelics to the gang world forever linking the hippie movement to the Angels. The needlepoint area rugs will take another few days to arrive which is no big deal. I have already ordered, received and cut the slip proof padding for each in preparation for the delivery. They are the 'Turin Block Needlepoint Area Rugs' in three different sizes, pictured in today's post. I spent some more time last night removing and plastering walls to my foyer bathroom as the wallpaper was looking tired. It has been up for 18 years now and even though it is a classic, timeless pattern the seams are not fresh enough so it had to be removed. Warning everyone. If you don't remain fresh I will have you removed! That goes for nieces and nephews. Fresh is in. Sure hope my words don't cause any trouble for them! It feels like Autumn this morning and we had to wear our fleeces for the walk. Someone please slow down Summer. I haven't even been to the beach yet, nor have I tubed. I have to get to a body of water with a good luck penny in my psycho-delic yellow and taupe jams and get this party started. Have fun today, good luck in all that you do and Heaven or Hell, try to be an angel.

"Life is 10 percent what you make it, and 90 percent how you take it." Irving Berlin

...trainwreck...

Hello. The term train wreck is being used more and more often and means more than an actual 'train wreck'. It is the name of an amplifier repair business and also attaches to many celebrities who's behavior and practices are less than stellar. No need to mention names. It would only disrupt my karma and add readers to my blog by namedropping. That would make me somewhat of a train wreck. The boys have been unusually rambunctious this week and I think I can relate their behavior to the full moon of the 7th. We are in the midst of a Full Buck Moon defined as such because in July the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur.
Sometimes this moon is called the Full Thunder Moon, because thunderstorms are most frequent during this time. Another name for this month's Moon is the Full Hay Moon. I'm sure you can figure out why. I'd like to be able to accurately call it the Full Train Wreck Moon to coincide with today's entry but that would be wrong. What did happen on this day, in 1918, was the Great Train Wreck of 1918. Thus the name. In Nashville, Tennessee an inbound local train collided with an outbound express killing 101 and injuring 171 people, making it the deadliest rail accident in U.S. history. Meth and Vodka may have had something to do with this but I cannot be sure. Back to other train wrecks and I will go there. But only with initials. The scariest 'train wreck' in history was when BS (notice her initials) had a meltdown, shaved her head and beat a paps vehicle with an umbrella. I chose a screen printed Schumacher paisley wallpaper yesterday and am now on a hunt for a large round formal Dining Table and chairs for a very nice client. I have found five tables so far but may find a few more to make the selection process painful. I meant to say varied. Dinner last evening was great except for one unfortunate soul who needled and needed extra special attention and I finally told this person to F off. Not as classy as I would have liked to be, but the end result was what I had my eye on. Have a great day, take a train ride and think twice about shaving your head. especially with an umbrella in hand.

"I go out with friends, but I don't have time to get in trouble." Britney Spears

...limitations...

Greetings. There was no escaping from the harnesses today and we also kept to the wooded back area and crossed no paths except from way up high where CK and CK waved to us from high atop their deck. I caught CK with a glass of red wine in her hand (at 7:14 am) but she quickly explained to me that it was 'leftover' from last evening. Sure CK. I believe you. Cheers to a brand new day! Speaking of 'high atop' a man named Charles Blondin apparently had no fear of heights. He was a french tightrope walker and acrobatist who had the brilliant idea of crossing Niagara Falls...on a tightrope. On this day in 1859, Mr. Blondin did his first 'crossing of the gorge' below Niagara Falls which measured 1100 feet long and 160 feet above the water. He did it several more times, always with different theatric variations: blindfold, in a sack, trundling a wheelbarrow, on stilts, carrying a man (his manager, Harry Colcord) on his back and sitting down midway while he cooked and ate an omelet. I'll have Swiss Cheese and Broccoli Mr. Blondin! Now that would make great reality TV.

Different personalities have different limitations when it comes to living one's life. Some people, like Charles Blondin did as I have previously reported have an adventurous outlook while others will not or cannot even visit a place like Niagara Falls due to certain fears, finances or other limitations. We need to keep pushing our limits and boundaries if we want to continue to grow. Let's never become stagnant. Let's face it, even stagnant water has an offensive scent. Chevrolet car designers kept pushing their limits and came up with a winner also on this day, but in 1953. The first Corvette rolled off of the assembly line in Flintstone, Michigan. I am a little off on the name, but isn't it funnier that way? Please don't limit my sense of humor. It is small enough as it stands now. I will work further on the black and saddle Living/Dining Room drapery treatments today...unless my car veers in the direction of Niagara Falls. If it does, I sure hope that I remember to pack a long clothes line, a skillet and a half dozen eggs. Have a great day. Set your own limits and don't rely on others to dictate them to you. And don't make them too safe either. It can be much more fun that way. Have a limitless day. Within reason. Today's photo is one of a few black and white wallpapers that look like a Rorshack test. I recommend on of them for your crazy Aunt Fascia's Dining Room. Go ahead, test her limits.

"We are always the same age inside." Gertrude Stein ...for me that's about 12.

...darwin...

Hello. We may as well be living in a fish pond today as the rains keep a comin'. I have Prince's cough somewhat under control, as long as I can keep the household calm and free of visitors, phone calls and activity from the rest. In other words, it is not a very calm household. Toy breeds tend toward genetic ailments but knowing that doesn't make the boys suffering any less for him. Our morning walk in the pouring rain may not have helped, but we have to go outside. I am feeling a bit Wallace/Darwinlike lately and check daily to see if I am morphing into an amphibian. Or a reptile. So far, the only thing vaguely reptilian about me are the Crocs that I wear a lot due to the weather and the scales forming from lack of sun and beach time. We do our best to survive and I do my best for the housemates. Yesterday a rude freak came into my shop looking for faux finishing business clients. She was downright nasty but I remained professional as I told her that I already had a faux finisher and had been recommending that person for (eghads) about two decades. She demanded to know who it was and I had to stop her from continuing her, uhm, sales pitch. Hint: If one is looking to build a business or attach themselves to someone else's, it is best not to be a foul mouthed *^&&#@. It's all about survival folks. On this day in 1858, Charles Darwin received a paper from Alfred E. Neuman, oops, no, not the guy from MAD Magazine, from Alfred Russel Wallace that included nearly identical conclusions about evolution as Darwin's own. This prompted Darwin to publish his theory. The Library of Congress may or may not have had a field day dividing the book's rights. I wasn't there, I was drying off dogs. My Dad is now home from his brief visit to Fairfax Hospital and is sounding and feeling great. He will celebrate his (ahem) 60th birthday in July and looks forward to it. Survive and remain fit. A lady came in to purchase stock wallpaper yesterday and was a real hoot. She was of a mildly advanced age and does the papering herself. Her grandchildren had promised to help her but she was tired of looking at the ladder, set up in her bathroom and took the situation into her own hands. That is survival of the fittest, and of the nicest. I love people who are real. Those with an agenda, well, back to survival of the fittest, not nastiest. I have the pleasure of delivering a chair this morning in the pouring rain so will wear my favorite rain hat. Most consider it one of the ugliest hats ever viewed and all I can say is, Don't rain on my parade, b#$ches! This ain't 'Project Runway' people. Have a great day and here's hoping that it is sunny where you are even if the sun comes in an attractive glass with a stem. Shown today is 'Caspian Arm Chair'. Survival of the Rattaniest.

P.S. For those of you hoping that today's heading was the man from 'Bewitched', I have provided a link. Click here on Darrin/Derwood.

"The surprising thing about young fools is how many survive to become old fools." Doug Larson

...mind...

Greetings. We stayed local for our walk this morning as it is...you guessed it...overcast and grey in Chester County, PA. Yesterday for some odd reason I You Tubed Maureen McGovern singing 'Can You Read My Mind' from 'Superman'. One of the finest voices in popular music, I always thought that she should have been a bigger star but sometimes fate can be unfair. Coincidentally, or maybe not so much if you know me at all, on this day in 1995 in Culpepper Virginia, just down the road from my family, actor Christopher Reeve was paralyzed from the neck down after falling from his horse in a riding competition. Bad hand. Maureen McGovern recorded and released 'I Won't Last A Day Without You' at the same time Carpenters did and we know how that turned out. My friend LaLa worked with Maureen and had nothing but great things to say about her. A good attitude is paramount. I shipped the Russell Wright pieces to L in NY and packaged them very carefully. They cannot be replaced as they are pretty much one of a kind. Just like Christopher reeve and Maureen McGovern. Yesterday I blew out three light bulbs and after the gym my cell phone read 12-31-1999 8:00 pm. One odd energy moment after another. I don't know if there is any significance to that date and time. Maybe all cell phones do that on occasion. I'm sure that most of them did on December 31st, 1999 at 8:00 pm. The decorative wooden panels are on their way which will make D and D very happy. They will hang between the kitchen and living room, creating both art and partial privacy without blocking the space. Somewhat like X-ray vision. I received the color, to scale renderings for the two area rugs and one was not drawn correctly. The art department at Masland is awesome but in this case, simple is better. I did instruct them to 'use their creative expression' but I guess they also can't read my mind. Little Max is visiting for a couple of weeks and weighs about 5 ounces. He looks like a moving leaf and I would like some of his energy. I wish that for everyone. Have a great day, be thankful for the little and big things in your life and remember that life may not always be fair, but it is good. Today's photo is 'Brick Leaves Wallpaper'. A bunch of little Max's at about 25 dollars per single roll.

'The mind is everything. What you think you become.' Buddha

...answers...

Hello. It is clear here in Chester County, PA and promises to be sunny. Yesterday JS ordered the 'Cheval Washed Wood Mirror With Drawer' for her sister's birthday and I am hoping that NS, (the sister) does not read my blog. If so, so much for surprises! I also ordered a tall black distressed cabinet for that Chinois Black Schumacher Wallpaper Bathroom and it will be perfect for that space. A business associate commented that it looked like a coffin standing on end, but divided into three section as it has been designed, it would be the most gruesome coffin in history. I think you get what I am saying. On this day in 2002, in Washington, DC, the remains of the missing Chandra Levy were found in Rock Creek Park. My neighbor Ashley was a true animal lover. She had two huge dogs that she would walk religiously and also worked at the Hickory Springs Kennel here in Chester Springs, PA. Ashley died unexpectedly at home on Saturday, May 16, 2009. She was 23 years old. My thoughts and prayers go to Ashley and all of her family and friends. Sometimes there are just no answers. This weekend many will celebrate Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a United States federal Holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after WWII to include American casualties of any war or military action. This is probably the least upbeat blog that I have written, aside from Max but it is what it is today! When my Dad visited this past weekend he kept saying that he only asks one question and needs to follow up with 'Questions 2 and 3'. That is all well and good and shows a great amount of caring, but sometimes we don't even get the answer to Question #1. Have a great day, keep loved ones both alive and here in spirit in mind and do the best that you can.

In recognition of Ashley's love for dogs, memorial contributions may be sent to Main Line Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 89, Chester Springs, PA 19425.

"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well." Josh Billings

...enduring...

Greetings. It is raining slightly here in grey-ish Chester County, PA. update. it is sunny at 2:52 pm and I am not referring to rt. 252. It has pretty much been doing the same thing here for days on end. My installation yesterday went great and it could have been a circus because the vent system people were there as were the carpenters, (no, not them but I would have preferred them) as well as the clients so we endured and tried to tread lightly over each other. Kind of like this rain. Some interesting popular culture items were introduced to the public, (redundant) on this day and all have endured. Firstly, on this day in 1905 Las Vegas was founded and that place has done nothing but endure and prosper, for the most part. So has Walt Disney Studios who premiered Mickey Mouse in his first cartoon on this day in 1929. The animated short was entitled 'Plane Crazy' and I wish that it had premiered the day that I wrote about kooks...1940 proved to be an important day as McDonald's opened its first restaurant and is now the world's largest chain of fast food restaurants. They serve nearly 47 million customers daily, some repeats. The first nylon stockings were sold on this day in 1940 also, making both women and drag queens much happier. Then, in 1970 the Beatle's released their last album. 'Let It Be' which has also endured. Today I will fax those area rug renderings and get them on their way. It has been area rug month for which I am thankful. Interior Design-wise, both toile wallpapers and the 'Empire Pole Swag' have stood the test of time simply because of good design. Both are favorites of mine, not that you asked. I have made this widow treatment in many different fabrics and have also omitted the pole at times and board mounted the treatment for a less curvy look. I have family coming this weekend and a birthday party for my dear sis JK so I plan on finding the vacuum cleaner and some cleaning supplies. But plans change...My thought is that I had better endure and get the cleaning done. Have a great day, wear your nylons with pride and if you need to go plane crazy, well, 'I'm Lovin' It!'

"By trying we can easily endure adversity. Another man's, I mean." Mark Twain

P.S. I love the Google ad for Velcro that suddenly appeared on here!

...solace...

Greetings. It is raining in Chester County, PA this morning so we kept to the neighborhood rather than walk the park. It gave me solace to know that not many parents/children were standing at school bus stops as one of my 'housemates' is quite a handful regarding the color yellow. As school buses and rain gear are often yellow, it is my responsibility to keep him from biting said objects. We escaped the walk without even a written harassment warning and I am thankful. On this day in 1796 Edward Jenner, not the curious looking guy on that reality show, administered the first smallpox vaccine. That gave many parents and family members as well as friends solace to know that the disease could possibly become eradicated. Smallpox localizes in small blood vessels of the skin and in the mouth and throat. In the skin, this results in a rash, and later, raised fluid-filled blisters. Yuck. Long-term complications of the smallpox V. major infection include characteristic scars, commonly on the face, which occur in 65–85% of survivors, 30-35% of the victims die. Onto a happier note. There was much less crazy in my day yesterday and I hope that you can report same. A man from NY ordered my 'Solace Mother Of Pearl Inlay' wall decor from my site. Today I install the black and taupe silk window treatments and shower curtain for that Schumacher wallpaper 'Chinois' black guest bath along with a few valances for other rooms. I will take a photo of the finished product, but we know by now that my photography skills will not keep Annie Leibovitz up at night worrying about her job security. I hope she finds solace in that. I'm glad that we took a power walk last evening because I miss when we cannot do it due to this Seattle-like weather. The dogs don't tho'. (Please apply the header title again...) Have a great day and talke solace in knowing that if today becomes stressful and oddity-filled that there is (usually) always tomorrow.

"I took solace in my relationship with God who, along with my dog, was my best friend growing up." Lisa Bonet I agree Lisa...

...pop-ular...

Greetings. It is sunny and warm in Chester County, PA this morning. Yes, you read me right. People were shocked and surprised at this change in the weather and many were almost effervescent. So was pharmacist John Styth Pemberton, who on this day in 1886 invented a carbonated beverage that would later be named "Coca-Cola". I almost added the incorrect link when searching for Coke so please Google with caution. Yesterday I received new wallpaper books and added several papers along with room settings to my website. Some folks have trouble envisioning the final outcome when choosing wallpapers so this may make it easier for those few. Last evening we did the 5 mile path at Valley Forge which seemed the popular choice for many. The water fountains in Valley Forge Park have cold, refreshing Spring water. I should contact Coca-Cola and suggest they put their product in the fountains...but diet of course. We are tentatively planning to go sailing in Marsh Creek next Sunday, weather permitting. Today's photo is of my 'Sail Boat Wooden Plaque' for those who like the idea of a sail boat but would prefer to stay out of the water. I trust that everyone called that cell phone number to prevent unwanted phone calls. I did this a few posts back. If you haven't taken care of this you still have a little time. Phone solicitation has become popular over the years and I have gotten better at evading many of those callers. Using ruses and other underhanded devices to garner information and try to sell, I would like to 'pop' a few of these phone players, perhaps with a frozen liter of Coke. I wonder if the Pemberton Family would object to this? Pemberton was a pharmacist and chemist in Georgia and his initial idea for Coca-Cola was to create a coca wine. This alcoholic beverage was mixed with coca, kola nut and damiana ( a small shrub with tiny flowers that then produce a fig-like fruit) and he called this drink 'Pemberton's French Wine Coca'. It was intended to stop headaches and calm nervousness, but others insist he was attempting to create a pain reliever for himself and other wounded Confederate veterans. Personally I would have stuck to the original recipe but I was probably walking the dogs when they called for my expert opinion. Have a great day, don't worry about being popular and sail through with ease.

"For her fifth wedding, the bride wore black and carried a scotch and soda." Phyllis Battelle