HAVERHILL INSTITUTE OF STAGING & DESIGN

Evidently Haverhill ran into some problems (I can't understand why LOL) and a few months back, they closed their doors. I am now contemplating going to a local Staging group for a refresher course.

R.I.P. LITTLE GIRL

We said goodbye to our Little Girl today . . . Sometime ago, I noticed Little Girl had stopped grooming herself. We had complete blood work done but nothing showed up. She "appeared" healthy. About a month ago, I noticed she was drooling & having a problem eating. Long story short, the specialist said it looked like & probably was a squamous cell carcinoma under the tongue which is pretty common in cats. She was however still being Little Girl. Yesterday, she stopped eating & I knew it was time.

She was my "Monkey Girl", my "Princess", "Momma's Little Geel" and as John would say, the best cat ever. We will miss her terribly . . .

OUR NEW APPLIANCES

Some three weeks ago, a burner on our stove literally blew up . . . thank goodness there was a pasta pot filled with water on it to help minimize damage. As it was, our counter-top sustained multiple burn marks. But I digress.

We decided that it was probably time for a new stove so off we went. Once in the store, we decided to upgrade all our appliances (stove, microwave, refrigerator) to stainless. We went with a glass top range w/double oven, matching microwave & a "French Door" refrigerator.
















The stove & microwave took two weeks to get here & the refrigerator finally arrived today. Now I have to begin deciding on what color granite counter-tops I want to go with as well as the new wall color.

CENTER STAGE OF JACKSONVILLE

Hello and Welcome to Center Stage of Jacksonville . . . Home Staging & Redesign.

Home staging is like a new hair style for a woman or a new suit for a man. It’s taking the home you’ve lived in for years and giving it a fresh new look . . . a look that will attract the interest of potential buyers.

According to the Employee Relocation Council, moving is the third most stressful life event, following death and divorce. Moving disrupts your normal routine and generates feelings of uncertainty as you enter uncharted waters. And, not being able to sell your home in a timely manner only adds to that stress.

I am hopeful you will allow Center Stage of Jacksonville to take the worry out of showing your home, by highlighting your home’s greatest assets while downplaying the negatives, so you’ll get top dollar at closing. You will find that it is a service that pays for itself.

“You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression”
Staging enhances that first impression

ARE THESE WHAT YOU WOULD CALL FRIENDS?

I always thought that friends, real friends, stuck by you no matter what . . . I always thought friends accepted you no matter how "unique" you were but now I don't think so. Here is my story . . . let me know what you think

Almost every weekend during the summer, we have friends over for a barbecue or for a sit down dinner. For years we had everyone over for Thanksgiving & for Christmas. I gave all my friends "birthday dinners" but not once was I give one by any of them. I'm sorry, I was given one but my husband had to bring the cake ! ! ! Oh sure, they might claim that my birthday is on the Fourth of July and maybe one of them would have a barbecue. That's different, I had a birthday dinner for 5 different friends at different times during the year . . . you would think one of them would have done something for me. But, I digress . . .

Back in the summer, I discovered that a “friend” decided she needed a break from me. I thought that not only interesting but very hurtful as it wasn’t even discussed with me. It was ok though that I bought her child a bunch of stuff which “the friend” readily accepted. Guess I should have thought it odd when I was never thanked for a very special party my husband & I paid for in August 2006.

I had another “friend” who just stopped bothering with me . . . I truly have no idea what happened but I did think it strange that we hadn’t seen them in maybe 10 months and that we weren’t invited to her child's birthday party.

Then a third must have also decided she needed a break from me because I haven’t heard from her in months either but I am holding money for her . . . hmmm

I guess being my friend wasn’t so bad when you were here constantly at barbecues or enjoying the pool or having Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner but once that stopped so did your friendship. My grandmother would have called you "fair weather friends", my grandmother would have been right.

I know I may not be the easiest person to get along with but I am a good, caring & giving person. I didn’t deserve this and I just wanted all of you to know that what you did was hurtful, very hurtful. I sure hope & pray that no one ever does this to you.

Everyone in your life is a blessing . . . some are a blessing when they enter your life; some are a blessing when they leave it.

2010 . . . A NEW BEGINNING

Hello Everyone ! ! !

Happy New Year to you . . . it's been a productive day for John & I, we put all our Christmas decorations away and, as years gone by, the house seems "empty" again. Why can't I leave all the poinsettias up on the plant shelves? Would that be so bad?

Anyway, we're off to dinner w/friends so until we meet again, Happy 2010

All our love,

John & Patty

WISHING YOU & YOURS A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

Christmas was very different this year from previous years when we were surrounded by friends who had become like family but not this year . . .

In any event, our Christmas was very nice, spent with people who have not decided to "take a break" from me but rather stand by my side regardless . . .

And, the New Year promises to be a good one, filled with new things to do, new places to see, new people to meet & enjoying every moment that God has blessed us with.

We wish you & yours a very happy, healthy & prosperous New Year blessed beyond your wildest dreams.

All our love,

John & Patty