Happy Mother's Day Mom

In honor of Mother's Day, and particularly my Mom, here are a few of the things my Mom taught me (in no particular order):

 1. Always check your rear view BEFORE leaving the house.
 2. A hot cup of tea cures almost anything.
 3. Sometimes it's okay to skip the veggies in favor of dessert.
 4. Never exit the car without making sure you have your lips on.
 5. Don't feel guilty for occasionally sleeping late - your mind and body must have needed it.
 6. Clean up after yourself.
 7. Turn to God.
 8. Ageing is ALWAYS better than the alternative.
 9. Sometimes it's better to just shut up and let them think they won.
10. You're wonderful no matter what anybody else says about you :-).

Thanks Mom for these and a million other life lessons that got me this far.  You're the greatest.

xoxo,

Chris

Stuff happens...

I did not post pictures of my vanity yesterday, today or until I return from my parents after Christmas as my Mom informs me that is why I can't find my camera.  I left at the rents house last weekend. 

I do have a cute little Kodak to sub with but if the pictures aren't worthy, I won't post them.

What's in a name?

Alot apparently. Choosing a blog name for some may be a simple, straightforward process, but for me...not so much. After much googling of names I wanted and finding them already in use, I thought I had one I could live with. That is, until I found a very popular blog with a very similar name.

So, the search went on. I found another I really liked, googled it to find it not taken, but someone must have it reserved as I got a message that it was taken when trying to publish the name.

Which brings us to a variation of that name, Designing Bliss. According to dictionary.com, Designing is...

–adjective
1. scheming; intriguing; artful; crafty.
2. showing or using forethought.
–noun
3. the act or art of making designs.

Okay, parts of that fit - not the scheming part though.  And Bliss is...

–noun

1.	supreme happiness; utter joy or contentment: wedded bliss.

2.	Theology. the joy of heaven.

3.	heaven; paradise: the road to eternal bliss.

4.	Archaic. a cause of great joy or happiness.

Everything about this fits.  I am supremely happy doing what I do and hoping it leads me to #2 and #3.  


There you have it!  My new blog name is officially, Designing Bliss.  Sigh... now I need a nap :-)

Decorating Your Dog for Halloween...or Howl-O-Ween?

Okay, I know this has absolutely nothing to do with interior decorating, design, home staging, etc., but this is too good to pass up.  Maybe we can classify it under DIY for the holidays?

Pretty sure this guy is supposed to be a pimp.

She kind of reminds me of those little old ladies you see with the enormous sunglasses that wrap around their whole head and look as if they weigh more than their heads.

He wears those stripes well...

Hmmm...I think this biker thing might just be bordering on cruelty to animals. This poor guy looks way too dignified for that ensemble.  His owner on the other hand looks right at home in her costume.  Or maybe it's not a costume?

I'm in love with this mini cowboy :-)

It took some serious doggie wrangling to get this bunch to sit so perfectly posed...in costumes...holding on to their pumpkin holders.

The sisters in my grade school dressed just like this...but without the bot pink booties.

Is this a Star Wars character?  I have no idea what he's supposed to be, but he's so cute I can't stand it.

I had no idea Darth and Superman were buds, but they look very happy together.  Although...Darth looks a little  "I'm so bored with this."

And lastly, this little Tiger seems to be saying, "PLEASE, for the love of GOD, get me out of here now!!!"

Preparing to Pull Up Roots

Even though fall leads to the dreaded winter, I do love the colors of fall in the Midwest.  I took this picture of my Japanese maple from my front window yesterday morning.  Yes, that's the garbage truck on the left - try to ignore that okay?

As pretty as it is, the maple blocks most of the window (hence most of the light), so I plan to have it moved a few feet so that I can still enjoy it without blocking the light. This assumes it doesn't cost the earth.  If it does, it shall remain until November 2010 because the arborist I called tells me you have to move it when it's dormant to keep it alive.  Wish me luck...