DESIGN DILEMA

My project for the week is done except..............

I love the colors, I love the comforter and I love the picture (painted by yours truly). For a very small room it came out bright, crisp, just like a small room should look. I also was pleased that it did not cost much. I pledged I would be frugal in there because 1) it is a spare room and no one sees it often in the back of the house 2) it is small and you can't put too much into it.

So when I decided a chest was needed I went hunting for the bargain. If you know anything about me I do not shop for bargains...I do not shop for anything. The online shopping was no help so I took a walk to this junk store on the next block and struck gold. 2 matching chests, just the right size. I did not need 2 but for $20.00 each I could not pass them up. I struck pay dirt. Got them home and painted the one to match the room. I was excited until..........

As you can see in the picture there is no hardware on this one or the other one. As a unprofessional, in her dreams designer I look for the details. I decided to use copper colored accents. I pulled things from around the house and used my handy copper paint and added accents in copper for no cost. Frugal.

Then I went looking for hardware for the $20.00 chests. Home Depot had the most extraordinary pulls that were copper and peacock blue. The exact match for the bedroom. What a designers dream or nightmare. About $120.00 for drawer pulls for a $20.00 chest. They were perfect, but the cost. I walked up and down that aisle 10 times and then out the door.

No I did not buy them but I did not buy any. I am now going to have to let time go by and leave it alone for awhile cause right now I will not find anything that will work or anything I will like as much.

DISCRIMINATION

In the time of a jobless economy we all know young people who are looking for jobs. Whether it is a summer job to help pay for college expenses come September or an entry level job to march forward as an adult and join the working fools of the world they are out there pounding the pavement.

My 21 year old grandson Nick who has been filling out applications and knocking on doors for months is having no luck. He came to visit Friday and also to use my computer to fill out more online apps. He also brought the good news that my 18 year old granddaughter, recent graduate, Amanda and her friend found a job in a newly opened restaurant. They are both planning on the community college in the fall. I was very excited since Amanda is the girl with 4 brothers, who thinks whatever she does her world is protected by her male siblings. From all accounts she has probably filled out 2 job applications since graduation in May. And she landed the job.
As grandmother I then questioned Nick about why he didn't go there as long as they were hiring. By the time he learned of it they had already hired their quota and the only reason the 2 cute young girls got the job was because the owner, a male, happened to walk in while they were being told, by a woman, that all positions were filled and he looked at them and said to hire them and give them a chance.
Nick was claiming foul play. Just because your cute you get a job. Unfair. I agree with him in my heart but she is my granddaughter and I'm happy for her.
So as a grandmother who believes in the idea that inner beauty is more important then outer beauty, that no matter who you are or what you look like you can achieve anything you set out to do could only come up with this simple advice for Nick.
Narrow your search to women owned companies, put on your irresistible charm and sex appeal and go out and get that job.
I'm only human and they are my grandkids.

MAN
VS.
WOMAN

DO I OR DON'T I ?

This entry may be a paragraph or two of mindless rambling because that is exactly what is going through my mind about this subject. Fortune tellers, card readers, psychics whatever you want to call them I am not a believer. Or am I? Many years ago a lady who read pictures, yes you brought her photos of loved ones, friends, neighbors, whoever and she told you about them and your relationship with these people. On most of those she was right or near right but I'm still waiting for the beautiful house on the water and the tall grey haired gentleman that was suppose to come along soon. I just figured I wasted my money and never tried it again until Sunday.

My daughter Kim had one of those girl parties. Make-up, a lady selling purses, food and a tarot card reader. For $20.00 you could have a stranger tell you your life story. One by one the ladies sat down at her table in my room (the party was held at my house because there was more room) plunked down their cash and spent 30 to 45 minutes having these strange cards spread out in front of them and their past present and future unfolded. I was not planning on wasting my money, I have other things I can waste money on, but as each lady came out from behind the closed door spewing amazement on how she hit the nail on the head each and every time I had to prove that she didn't know everything or everyone. I was sure these ladies only heard the general statements. You're going on a trip, money in your future or the love of your life is just around the corner.

When it was my turn I walked in with the nonbeliever look on my face and walked out with a pit in my stomach and a frown on my face. What she told me did not make me happy but it was so part of my life right now no one could have known that. I don't know how she knew this but she did and I don't know what I'm going to do with the info she gave me. But I do know this. I will never have my future, past or anything else read again because I really don't want to hear what they have to say whether it is true or false. I don't know what I believe anymore but I don't want to believe there is some stranger out there who can look at some cards or lines in my hands or leaves in the bottom of a cup and tell me my most personal secrets.

ITCH

I often wondered when it would come back again. Maybe never, maybe you are getting too old.

My entire adult life I have loved anything creative especially interior design. I even went back to school evenings at the Academy of Interior Design for several years.

From the time I got my own apartment, I always did my own decorating, painting, wall papering, sewing and I even tried tiling a backsplash once. I have refurbished my kitchen cabinets, designed my tile and wood kitchen floor and so on and so on and so on. Of course I have also been commisioned for a flat fee of zero to redo my kids houses again and again. I loved the feeling of pride and satisfaction when a project turned out better then expected. I was never afraid to try anything.

But then something happened. Age. Four years ago, the house needed MAJOR construction so the contractors not only did the construction work, we also had someone do the decorating. I picked out the colors, the tiles, the fixtures but they did all the work and everything came out beautiful. I love the way my house looks. I still had the pride in knowing I chose it all but I didn't do it and couldn't do it. So when the boredom itch came along I volunteered. I got involved deeply in the Obama campaign and after Nov. 4th 2008 I joined a community volunteer group but that is kind of lagging energy at the moment.

And then it happened. The design itch came back in a strange way. My grandson Nick who moved in with me 2 months ago for whatever reason young people do anything he decided to move back out. This really upset me because I did not think this was the right road for him to take, but he is 21 and makes his own choices.

But back to the itch. I knew to keep my mind off my problems, keeping my mind busy is the best way to go. First I started reading again. That helped a little but my mind kept straying to what once again is the spare bedroom. It has been the Michael Jordan room for about 12 years and my heart could not tear the posters from the wall or remove the red Bulls curtains until now.

I am happy to announce the itch struck again and the black and white striped wallpaper is gone. The Bulls border is down. All traces of the Champion Chicago Bulls are gone. I even got rid of my VHS tapes of every playoff and championship game they played in the 90's. My heart broke but I did it.

I ordered new bed linens and curtains. Painting the room will start Monday and I will do it. Every muscle in my body will probably ache for weeks but I suddenly feel creative and productive again. And I'm not quite so mad at Nick.