Dear God - What have I done to deserve this? Please tell me now before I jump over the cliff.

I've tried to make our home a loving, warm place. A place where people can feel comfortable, kick off their shoes and let their worries slip away. I'll admit I'm no decorating Diva but I try. I contemplate over every decor purchase as if it were life or death. I've never, never purchase anything unless it's deeply discounted ~ not even 25% is good enough for me. There are no 'splurges' no matter how small the item.

However, the test you gave me last night with hubby's 'splurge' as he so gladly puts it is more than I can bear. Without even a glance I banished them to the 'Man Cave' he calls his office. I have refused to look at them until this morning. It's all a terrible mistake and I know not what to do with them other than to leave them in the Man Cave, never to return to the main floor of our house unless I need firewood.

I know the artist worked lovingly and very hard on creating the pieces. I believe their is beauty in them but at the moment I can't find it. I take solice in knowing in this troubled economic time his 'spur of the moment' purchase has most likely feed a family of four for 4 weeks.

Notice the "Welcome" sign. I'm sure this was meant for the front door of a cabin ~ up North ... way up North. We do not live up North, we do not own a cabin, I simply can not put it on my front porch and sit outside to enjoy my children playing with it next to me. They are frankly ... well ... scary to me. I feel as if I am being watched whenever I look at them. They just freak me out.














I apologize if anyone is offended. As I said earlier, I know there is beauty in these pieces. I just believe that beauty is best enjoyed from a distance, in another persons home.

If only we could have one week of warm weather. Sigh.

Do cucumbers normally grow twisty? WTF?

Looking at the desk you wouldn't guess it took 3 weekends of window shopping at 20 various stores (including our local thrift stores). We finally gave up and went to the not so local bare wood furniture haunt. Little Man picked it out and declared it had to match his existing bedroom furniture (natural oak). So I've spent all week sanding and applying three coats of varnish.

At least Sponge Bob & his friends are enjoying the desk.

Needless to say the canning smells and varnish smell was over the top this week. SO good yet SO nauseating!

I'm off to take some shots of hubby's work for you.

As you have already guessed telling me there's a 'spending freeze' just doesn't work. It's like opening the flood gates. suddenly the store you couldn't find a bleeping thing at last week has something for you down every isle.

1st things first - A deep heart felt Thank you to all our Veteran's and their families out there. If you know someone who served please take the time to call them, buy them a coffee if there in line at the local coffee shop or stop them wherever you are and say Thank you. You'd be surprised how many of them are shocked someone is thanking them. Clearly we haven't done enough Thanking; more is needed.

Now onto the spending freeze ...

It started out as a pretty normal weekend until I found out Linen n Things was having a national closing sale. Of course Pier 1 and Michael's are right next door. Needless to say the 'spending freeze' ended for 3 short hours.