Please don't drop that window

So I understand that I should only think good thoughts to bring good results. But sometimes this really challenges me. Really challenges me.

Some may remember that we changed from glass block to a window for our master bathroom (posted about here). A few weeks ago our special order window arrived on site. We had an entire audience present to watch it go in...except me. I couldn't get my head around how they would get a window like this...


...up and into a second floor opening. I was telling myself "they can do it, they know what they are doing". Right. A peek inside my mind would find honest pleads of "Please don't drop the window, please don't drop the window". Mr. Big was outside "oohing" and "aahing" but my hands were over my ears inside. Please don't drop the window. Please don't drop the window.

Ugh...here we go

Deep breaths

Ahhh...a deep sigh of relief

Well, there you go. It took no more than 15 minutes and all the anxiety was over. And of course, the team did great. They did know what they were doing and they did do a great job.

The window is all finished now at it looks fabulous. We will be getting an opaque decal of some sort for privacy from the street (any suggestions out there of where to look?). Otherwise, it's so refreshing to have a beautiful view from the shower first thing in the morning. And you can imagine all the nice positive thoughts that come from that...

Hi from Jordan

That's me

So its been a long time since my mom has posted pictures of me. I'm trying not to take it personally, because she's been pretty slow posting lately, but I decided this morning to take things into my own hands (or paws to be technically correct). Especially because her brother keeps asking for photos. This whole house thing is cool, but come on, I'm the real deal. Post about me!

So things are going pretty well around here now. I've grown a lot and play with all the big dogs now. It's fun to run fast with them in the muddy water. Mom whispers to Dad that I'm getting my big dog teeth in. Does she really think I can't hear her? I don't know where all this "big dog" stuff comes from, but hey, whatever floats her boat. Just keep giving me treats.

Check those suckers out...I'm getting big

And I've figured out how to get out of my outdoors space. I mean really, how long did they think they could keep me in a 600 square foot area? (I'm a big dog now.) They tried all sorts of different ways to keep me in there, but I'm just too smart for their tricks. And they've finally moved my kennel next to the back door of the house. Man, you would have thought that they would have done that after the first three sets of midnight howls, but no, it took them two months. It's not like I bark during the day so what else could I have been grumpy about? Anyway, we've got that sorted and all is good now.

We've got these great wild cats that live in the bush across the road from us. Wow, they are really fun to chase after. For some reason, they seem to like our neighbors house so I've started following them over there a few times a day. Mom gets all worked up about
that...something about some politician living there? Whatever, they have a cool yard.

Can you see me in here?

It's really fun wandering around the house because it's sort of a maze. Lots of scaffolds (bet you didn't think I knew what those were called, did you?), wood, tiles, nails, and other fun stuff. The workers are really nice and leave lots of chicken bones for me to find. I call it treasure hunting. Mom doesn't understand the game. Anyway, I hear Mom saying that the inside of the house is almost done, but that it would be nice to get the rest sorted out. Whatever, I kinda like the place so I think she should just roll with it.

Mmmm...treasure hunting

The pool is done and we've had lots of kids over to go swimming. That's pretty fun but sometimes they put me in. I'm not so keen on it. I much prefer swimming with the stingrays.

They've got me going to puppy training twice a week now. I guess it's cool, but probably more for them than me. I mean, come on, I act all prissy with them for two hours a week and then I get to do whatever I want the rest of the time. It's actually a pretty good gig because I get a lot more treats now. I hear Dad telling mom that she's not putting enough daily effort into training me and she gets this funny look on her face. Something about being busy. For the record, I'm totally with him, I want more treats.

So that's about it. I'm rocking this place. Peace out.

Keep it simple

I am terribly challenged in this area. How are we supposed to comply when stores tempt us funky pillows, peaceful vases, and humerous art?

When I visit back to images from homes that inspire me, most have little, if any, clutter. Yes, keep it simple...but it's so hard. Just to keep myself convinced that it's the right way to go, I'm posting a few more images of simple rooms and homes (all images from style-files).


Wow, this final image from Style-Files (featuring an article on Kate Hume) is from the same home that I previously posted from with this image. Perhaps I have a thing for this house? Beautiful work.


Is anyone else challenged in this way? Or is it just me that needs to put.down.the.pretty.vase?

Exterior color

The base paint of the house was originally going to be a medium to dark brown, but we were talked into a bright white Mediterranean look. Unfortunately, rather that bright white, we found ourselves with a creamy color that blended right into our trims. About six weeks ago, we changed back to the original color. So yes, part of the delay with the exterior of the house is due to us. Nevertheless, we have started to see hints of the color going up on the house...and it's looking good so far.

Color above the windows and on the "chimney"

The trim is almost complete. The front stairwell, in particular is exceeding our expectations. It makes the wait completely worth it. We're eager to see the house finally complete but the little tidbits sure are exciting.


The tall windows still make me smile! :)

Simple, but not too modern

Just imagining this lamp in a future child's room. It's simple, but still has a bit of whimsy to it. And no Mom, there is nothing to report...

Josephine Lamp by Julih32

Tagged

Copycatchic is a fun site for design "high/low" ideas. Reichel has tagged for a "reveal yourself" game going around the blogs. Here we go:

A: Attached or Single? Attached

B: Best Friend? Lots of lovely friends...why call one best?

C: Cake or Pie? Hands down my mother-in-law's pies. Mmmmm...

D: Day of Choice? So easy. Lazy Sundays

E: Essential Item? Mac...much to Mr. Big's frustration

F: Favorite Color? Come on...I can't commit. Soothing, soft, earthy colors. And the color of the sea. No wonder I can't get this house going...

G: Gummy Bears or Worms? Neither...used to love the strawberries

H: Hometown? Agoura, California

I: Indulgence? Shoes and Ben & Jerry's chocolate brownie frozen yogurt

J: January or July? Every month is July here...

K: Kids? Only the pup :)

L: Life isn't complete without? A friend to share your innermost thoughts with

M: Marriage date? 10.14.05

N: Number of brothers and sisters? Two amazing brothers

O: Oranges or apples? Christmas oranges!

P: Phobias and fears? Needles and shots...don't do well with blood tests at all

Q: Quote? Keep it simple.

R: Reason to smile? Unexpected phone calls from family and friends

S: Season of choice? Summer

T: Tag three people? Holy smokes...I'm not really out there on the blog circut. Not sure if they will participate, but it's worth a shot. Modernmama at Beach House is undergoing a fab modern renovation. Jared from Restovation is a talented builder renovating one of my grandfathers homes (odd I know...but sorta cool). And Teresa at Guamquilter whose house was going up at the same time as ours.

U: Unknown fact about me? My grandfather was one of the first modern home builders in the Midwest and participated on the popular NBC show Home in the 1950s. Cool article here. He visited in January to see the house and give the builders some razzing. He's coming back next month so they better get a move on!

V: Vegetable? Fresh cherry tomatoes

W: Worst habit? Leaving my cell phone at home, forgetting to charge my cell phone, not receiving messages on my cell phone...I'm fighting it the whole way

X: X-ray or Ultrasound? Neither thank you!

Y: Your favorite food? I am so non-committal. My mom's au gratin potatoes, her Christmas pull apart bread, magarita pizzas...yum carbs galore!

Z: Zodiac sign? Pisces

Oh no...Etsy bites again

How amazing would these look on a desk holding paper clips and rubber bands? Sigh.

Urchin bowls from Element Clay Studio on Etsty

And these beautiful pitchers on our new concrete countertops? I can visualize them way too easily.

Gray ceramic pitcher from Up in the air Somewhere Etsy shop

What was I saying below about not getting sidetracked? I'm such a girl...

At last!

Does anyone else struggle with whether to bookmark each beautiful, inspiring item that you see in blogs or on websites? I typically try not too, unless I really love them (of course), because I'm afraid of accumulating a million "warm" inspirations to sift through. Rather, I try to focus on the true love-affairs and take-my-breath- away moments. Is this is the right approach...?

Sometimes this obviously backfires because it is difficult track done the one item that you should have saved. You can't get it out of your mind. You search, you hunt, you enter wacky descriptions in google, usually to minimal success. This is how I felt about Sara Paloma's exquisite pottery. I have a spot in the house that has been aching for me to find her again. Alternatives could never be as elegant and I was letting us all down. Her creations must be out there somewhere. I've spent no less than six months searching.

Fireworks went off inside me this morning when I stumbled upon her Etsy shop. Sara Paloma...that was her name! Hallelujah, I've found her! And her pieces are every inch as beautiful as I remember them. Behold these lovelies...


Enter a sigh of relief here. Beautiful. No they are not inexpensive. But my dad always told me that you'll know when you have a love affair. You just will not be able to get it out of your mind. He always advised to get those items (after waiting a while of course) and skip the lukewarm eye candy. Now I can't claim that I let all the eye candy go, but I can profess that these are true love affairs.