I'm a Design Star

Okay, so I'm not really a Design Star. I just faked it to get your attention. But I can pretend to be a Design Star in my own house.

We had a difficult wall in our family room. It was long and blank, but because of the narrow path leading to our sun room, it's not a wall that really can have furniture against it.

My original intention was to have a photo wall, but lately, I'm really hating that look. Okay, you caught me. That's another lie. I'm lazy and I don't want to dust all those freaking photo frames.

So the truth (really this time!) is that I stole an idea straight from last season's Design Star winner, Jennifer Bertrand, and decided to paint the wall with a graphic leaf design.

I first drew the design on the wall in chalk so that I could make any adjustments that I wanted before I started painting.


Then I painted the design in the next color down from our wall color so that it is somewhat monochromatic. I also plan on using this color (the color of the leaves) in another adjoining room, so this will tie it all in together.

I'm actually really happy with the way it turned out. It gives some interest to the wall, but doesn't take up any physical space.

And it doesn't have to be dusted.

Down for the Count

Vern had his nephrostomy tube removed today. It was painful for him and horrible to watch.

This, unfortunately, is what happened to him.


Family and friends pretty much know that all you have to do is say the word "blood" to Vern, and he starts to turn pale and get a little queasy.

I, on the other hand, have a stomach of steel and am pretty familiar with medical procedures. I also find entertainment in blood and gore.

However, this was me today.



It was quite the scene. Both of us on the floor with our head between our (own) knees at the doctor's office. I think the doctor freaked a little and had to hand it over to a nurse.

They are giving Vern until April 10 to recover and then we are starting the process all over again. I think we are going to go to a different hospital out of town because the doctor doesn't feel that the local hospital that is covered by our insurance has the staff and equipment to handle this medical issue.

I can't say I'm a fan of the doctor's bedside manner. Unless you like your doctor to throw a wet towel at you and run screaming down the hall like a little girl looking for a nurse. Then I have the perfect doctor for you.

Come On Baby, Light My Fire

The first fire of the year. Unbelievable considering that it was over 90 degrees just four days ago.

Speaking of the fireplace, now is a good time to showcase the changes that we made to the fireplace last year.

We have a massive 19 foot wide limestone fireplace. Beautiful, but a bit of a decorating challenge. The big problem, however, was that you might as well have thrown $20 bills in to burn because it was so inefficient. It had such a wide flue that it brought in more cold air than it could put out warm air. And there was no blower to circulate the heat in the room. All that 1970 style doors.

It was a whole lot of ugly.



We purchased an enclosed fireplace insert and installed it last year. Now we can heat several rooms just with the heat from the fireplace.





Jackson, our chocolate lab, gives his approval.