Another project—a counter/baking table for my kitchen.  And no, we have never actually built a table before.  How hard can it be? 

So, for Christmas my parents bought us a 46 inch Sony Bravia HD TV.  Yes, you read that right.  Not only did they buy one for my family, but for my sister’s family, and for my Dad’s sister as well.  “Well, since we aren’t planning a vacation for this year, we wanted to do this for you instead,” says Mom.  I have to laugh because we didn’t plan a vacation so we could all save money.  So much for that plan, because of course, we need a new cabinet to put this brand spanking new TV on…and while we’re at it, how about picking up those two drum tables that I’ve been wanting for three years that just happen to be part of the same collection as  the TV cabinet I picked out?  And you know, it would be so nice to watch that brand spanking new TV from the comfort of a brand new leather sectional sofa with reclining seats on each end. 

And so you have it…you just knew we couldn’t leave a freshly painted room alone, didn’t you?  Furniture is being delivered tomorrow morning, new TV on Monday morning.  I blame it all on Mom and Dad!  🙂  Yes, I will share some photos once it’s all together!

I hope you all had a fabulous holiday, and are looking forward to another.

Okay, so I know I promised photos of the living room, and have been very neglectful!  As I explained to my friend Anywho this morning, my living room hasn’t been neat enough to photogaph!  By the time it’s all put back together after the kids are in bed, I’m too tired to bother.  So, today I tidied up enough so as not to embarrass myself.  Just please ignore the socks under the radiator (that I didn’t see until after the photo was taken…wonder how long those have been there?)  These few will have to do for now.  🙂

 

One other peek…

And one of the white walls…

The paint is dark, but with two walls white and so many windows,  it isn’t overpowering.  Now, if only I had the money for new furniture and rugs!  Ah well, all in good time.  Maybe when I no longer have little people spilling juice, and dropping and sitting on chocolate chips and other goodies?  Or leaving pens, pencils, and crayons stuck in between cushions?  Yeah, that’s when I’ll get new stuff!  🙂

So in between my younger daughter’s First Reconcilation, a friend’s Birthday Party, a night out with the ladies from my old workplace (a story in itself), horseback riding with Neighbor Family, and working on my niece’s quilt, we decided to tear apart the living room and start painting.  This is how we do our best work…a week and a half before I have a houseload of company, and have to cook dinner for 20.  At least we’re motivated to finish!  I may be more absent than usual over the next week.  Wish me luck!

They really need to coin this term and add it in the next DSM Manual of Mental Disorders.  I will even write the diagnostic criteria for them.  *ahem*

Showcase Syndrome is a newly confirmed diagnosis whereas the patient experiences mild to grave symptoms of depression following an annual trip to a Home Builders’ Showcase.  The symptoms are defined, but not limited to:

* lethargy

* emotional outbursts (these may range from mere weepiness to the more puzzling violent anger, especially when patient is confronted with an organizational dilemma which can’t be solved because patient does not possess a closet the size of her living room.)

*  periods of intense staring and daydreaming  (following a long-term study, it has been concluded that during these staring episodes, the patient is imagining herself in the middle of her fantasy kitchen, complete with glass tiles, Viking stove, and roaring open fireplace.)

* periods of frenetic internet activity (it has been concluded that patient is searching for thrifty room decorating ideas which will aid her in visualizing her fantasy.)

*  green tinge to skin in especially grave cases

There is no known cure for this syndrome at this time.  Large quantities of wine have been proven to be temporarily effective at relieving symptoms.  However, the best therapy at this time is proven to be time spent reading the Bible and chanting “Thou Shalt Not Covet, Thou Shalt Not Covet” while viewing videos of Third World nations.