A Nice Day

Today I went downtown to hang out. I miss living downtown A LOT! Anyhow I stopped by the Andrew Low House. As you may or may not know William Mackay Low married Juliette Gordon who later founded the Girl Scouts of America here in Savannah in 1912.

My mama works there part-time as docent. She is a member of the Colonial Dames, Daughters of the American Revolution and United Daughters of the Confederacy so she’s chock full of all kinds of interesting historical information.

I arrived just in time for one of her tours so I joined in. She enjoys what she does. It shows through her while she speaks and the people on her tour thoroughly enjoyed it as well. I hadn’t been inside the house in over a decade. It’s good to see how far the restoration has come and to see some of the family descendants have donated original pieces of furniture to the house.

During the tour I notice a couple that looked rather familiar to me. I kept glancing at them and finally when there was a moment I asked if we had met before or if they were on TV. They looked at me and smiled and said they were on HGTV last year on the show, Designed to Sell with Lisa LaPorta and Clive Pearse.

As soon as the said it I remembered. I laughed and said that’s it. I added I remembered they were the couple that had that long narrow living room with all the 80’s furniture and artwork. They also had a stacked stone fireplace that was completely blocked by a VHS collection. They also had a horrid bathroom with many different decades colliding.

They laughed and could not believe I remembered. I didn’t have the heart to tell them their awful décor left an impression burned in my brain. Isn’t it funny how things happen?

The picture above is of a fountain in the courtyard of the Andrew Low house and it was created by Juliette Gordon Low.

Oh in about an hour and half some beefy men are coming by to install the 300 Lb. Tappan stove. Finally! (As stated before it's been sitting in the Foyer for over a year.)

All Is Well

Today I met with Wendy at Hidden Pointe and finalized the details. All is well and I'm set to start next week! I am still not clear on this non disclosure thing, but I’ll get more details from them come Tuesday.


If I have broken a rule Wendy will tell me. Right Wendy? So I have taken a chance and posted a picture of the construction to show y’all what I’ll be working with.


Here is a view of the marsh from one of the units. Technically its still Winter so the marsh grass is brown, but picture this every morning in the hot/humid drippy months. It will be lush flowing green.

Picture of the Moment

Mysteriously my digital camera is working again. No complaints here. I really didn't want to purchase another one at this point.

Today's weather is beautiful. It's 78F and very sunny. I was sitting outside here at Gallery Espresso since it's so nice, but I had to go in to upload this post because I could not get a stable signal. They have the A/C on so it's comfortable unlike yesterday.

I am still waiting to hear about the details of the contract. Tick-tock, tick-tock. Twiddling the thumbs. La dee da.

Finshed and Ready to Start

I finally finished up with a client. It was quite a long project, which stretched almost three months! Anyhow I am finished and ready to start on another project.

The other day I found out I did get the corporate contract with Hidden Pointe Townhomes. Now I await the details. The owners have a lot going on so it may not be until next week sometime until I hear about details. I am excited about this project because it's huge. My name will be listed in their registry which means when people purchase these homes they may ask for my services.

I can't mention too much about details because I do know I will be signing a non-disclosure once the actual contract is signed and sealed. So I need to find out what I can and cannot say first before I start blathering on about it.

The weather has been cool lately, which I enjoyed. It's been in the 50's F, but now it’s warming up again. Today is 68F, but that's nice too though it's overcast today and it rained earlier this morning. That's because I washed my car the other day for the first time in three weeks. It's the umbrella affect. You know, if we are told it's going to rain and I carry my umbrella with me it won't rain, but if I don't have it on me it will rain. Well, it's the same with washing my car.

There's not much else to say. Oh, Melissa is having the Tappan stove finally installed in her kitchen. It's only been sitting in the foyer for over a year. Yes, it's been sitting there with a sheet of some sort thrown over it. It's been a console table stand in.

Meanwhile the original Tappan stove in the kitchen only has one burner that works and only one oven that kind of works. You need to preheat the bloody thing over an hour before you can cook and then you may be lucky for it to get up to 450F.

I must add though she has made some wonderful meals on such a challenged stove/oven. It will be interesting to see if this replacement actually works. You see she purchased it from a person in Canada on eBay. One is supposed to test such items upon arrival. Anyhow we are both rather excited about the cooking prospects!

Keeping Busy

I haven’t had time to post anything this past week because I have been rather busy. Last Tuesday I had an opportunity come knocking at my new business door. I have a construction company interested in me decorating one of their model homes.

They interviewed me on Tuesday and asked for me to come up with a plan and cost estimates. I got to see the development plans and had a walk through the model home. They have incredible marsh views. The home itself is nice, but currently there are only studs and no drywall. So I had to use my imagination when designing.

I thought they would give me about a week to submit, but they only gave me two days! So last Wednesday and Thursday I was running around to every furniture, antique and bric-brac store you could think of. I spent Thursday evening coming up with plan and the final pricing. I submitted the information to them on Friday. Now I wait. I am trying not to think about it and am only focusing on a current client.

However if I were to get this contract it will really push my business forward. There’s the chance some of the homebuyers would call on me to help them with their decorating and organizing needs. I have already met so many industry people and have made contacts at some of the finest shops here in Savannah for future client needs.

This Saturday past I went to the SCAD scholarship gala. It was a black tie event. We had a great time. It’s been awhile since I worn my tuxedo. I must admit I had to get new trousers. Ugh! Anyhow it was good to see some people that I once worked with as well as a few professors’ I had. I believe at the end of the evening the event managed to raise over $30k for scholarships.

The frustrating thing about the whole evening was the fact that my camera died. You know I only purchased it this past summer and I would expect it to last at least a year! Then the batteries died in Melissa’s camera. Then the batteries in Ron’s camera died as we all lined up to be photographed!

We did get a picture taken with Melissa’s Palm, but as you can see it’s blurry and the colour quality is awful. Oh, there are two people in the photograph that I am not sure would like for me to post in my blog so I removed their heads.

Disturbing Information

I only just found out that Iams pet food is evil. Apparently Iams participates in horrid animal testing! This Iams thing past me by and I just purchased another 14 lb. bag the other day.

One of my clients informed me of this fact and has suggested I switch to Science Diet. She even gave me a huge bag of the weight management and hairball remedy to start Nora-Grace and Tabitha on. Since I have a bag of Iams already I guess I'll mix the food together so they may get used to the new food.

You know when I was younger I was involved heavily wit PETA, Save America's Forests and Amnesty. Then some how I got old and stuck my head in the sand!

The fact there are still companies like Procter & Gamble (Iams) and L'Oreal that test on animals is revolting. These tests can be done in Petri dishes with human skin cells with more accurate results.

If you are interested in knowing more about Iams and P&G animal testing, click here.

Good Friends

Yesterday I got to spend time with my good friends Leslie and her daughter Dominique. I haven't seen either of them in a very long time. Leslie now lives in the Netherlands and is visiting her family here in Savannah and Athens.

Leslie wishes for me to visit her in Holland soon, but until this business of mine picks up I'm not going anywhere. Perhaps someday I will be able to. I would love to spend quality time with her. As well I would like to visit my family in Britain, Germany and Norway.

In other news apparently spring has arrived. The azaleas in the back garden are starting to bloom!


Leslie and moi.


Leslie and Dominique


Spring has sprung!

Cooling Down

Now it's cold. It's 50F and going down to 41F tonight. Up, down, up, down, up, down.

Too Warm

It's too warm today. At one point I had to turn my A/C on while out running errands. Also while I was working at a client’s house it became too warm inside, but I wasn't about to turn on the A/C. It wouldn't be proper. They are also the type of individuals who don't open the blinds at all so I was nervous about opening a window.

Can you imagine not opening your blinds during the day? I mean, if you were home sick perhaps then I would understand, but never opening them at all ever. It's too weird for me. I like light and this is coming from someone who wears a lot of black and is gothic in nature, but it's true. I love to have light flood my house.

Anyhow A/C in January (in the northern hemisphere)? That's even weirder.

A New Year and A New Beginning

I have decided this year shall be MY year. Yes, all mine, Ahah hah hah haaaaah!

Seriously last year was just awful. I ended a pointless and fruitless relationship, which I feel, was best for both of us. I lost my job, which I feel was best for me. It’s wonderful not having to work a job that brings no joy to ones life. However, I had to give up my apartment and put all my belongings in storage, which I am not too happy about and I have wiped out my savings, which I am definitely not happy about.

However this past December I started my own business and feel really good about it. Now I just need more business to make this thing work. I believe it’s going to.

I feel very positive about the whole situation and I have not felt positive about anything in a very long time. I tend not to be a positive person. In fact, I am the “glass is half empty” type of individual. For now on I am going to remind myself “the glass is half full”!

Through all this turmoil I have had a supportive family and friends. My friend Melissa has been especially so for inviting me and my two cats to live with her while I reinvent my life. Our fabulous Champagne Sunday is the best! My friend Betsy has been wonderful with providing mental support and our crazy sci-fi nights with dinner and wine.

Steve and Jim are so nice to roll out the Bentley and take me to Open House hoping. It’s nice to let lose and it breaks the monotony. My friend Alina is just so wonderful for giving me ideas and pushing me to start this business. Our lunches are such a pleasure.

My friend Emma who keeps offering her second bedroom to me so that I may escape the Vortex that is Savannah. It's completely appreciated, but here I must stay for now because of my new venture. Then there’s Robert and Kevin, my blogging friends who are generous, kind and say the nicest things. I have met many people blogging and hope to build more friendships this year. I have so many good friends that I may have not mentioned and I am thankful for all of you.

This is the year I turn forty and this is my year of positive change and new beginnings. I hope everyone has a happy new year and new beginnings too!

…. end sappy transmition.

Tabitha, The Finger Nibbler

This is Tabitha. She likes to nibble fingers as a sign of affection. She's an odd one.

Happy Solstice

To lasting peace that starts inside;
To every teacher who has been a good guide;
To every child born in every nation;
To every human congregation
That aspires toward peace and love;
To the glory of the stars above;
To the lasting magic of this time of year
And to everyone, both far and near!
And to darkness that heralds the coming light
Soulful Solstice to all and to all a good night.

~Rick Levine

Blue

I am feeling blue this holiday season. It's a kind of funk I can't explain, but I am afflicted with it sometimes. I am just not in the mood for the holidays. It's unusual because Yule and Christmas is the best time of year, but not this time.

My mother is on her way here tomorrow and she is staying with me for NINE FRACKING DAYS! I know I may sound a bit harsh to say such a thing about my mum being here, but nine days? I think with how I feel it's too much, but I need to step back and realize she is 74 years old and time is precious.

Thank you to those who have sent me holiday cards and such. Y'all are so kind and I appreciate it very much. You are on top of things more then I am and I apologize.

Well, I'm off. I've got a tone of things to get done before tomorrow.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

I am busy, busy, busy! Too much going on and in all different directions, but all is well. I hope all is well with everyone else these days.

Well, I must dash. Did I mention I'M BUSY?

Teal!

The dining room has gone teal.

Autumn

Autumn has finally settled here in Savannah. The majority of our trees don't drop their leaves or change colour, though there are a few varieties that do such as this Japanese maple. There are two wonderful specimens off of Melissa's patio.

The weather is currently pleasantly cool with no humidity.

I'm A Georgia Voter

I voted today at the Rose of Sharon. After voting you always get an "I'm A Georgia Voter" sticker to place on your shirt. I'm wearing it, but it makes me feel like a child that was given a gold star for a job well done. Anyway, it wasn't crowded at the polling station. I am not sure if that's a good thing, but I was in and out in no time. It was nothing like those other places around the country where people are experiencing "glitches".

As far as I am concerned here in Savannah and Georgia as a whole we don't have much to choose from in the way of great candidates, but at least I chose someone. Of course I chose mostly Democrats, but I did choose a Libertarian for Secretary of State and State School Superintendent.

Hopefully we will see change nationally, Goddess knows we need it.

It's Time

Y'all need to get out there!

Happy Halloween

Nora-Grace and Tabitha weave their magic.

Halloween Party

This past Saturday evening I decided to attend a Halloween party my friend Keith and Elvira invited me to. I brought a couple bottles of wine with me and drank most of it. I had no idea as to what I should go as. I eventually decided on Harry Potter.

A bloated Harry, a fabulous Frida and a scary Zorro.


I believe that is Bill Clinton.


Elvira (Violet Baudelaire) and Shelly (a Catholic school girl in a very, very, very short skirt.)


I have no idea.


I believe Shane is flipping me off "politely".


A very inebriated and worn-out Harry.