Suzanne Kasler/Ballard Designs and Restoration Hardware knockoffs

Back in August I posted this about redoing son’s old room. Had these lovely inspiration pieces from Suzanne Kasler/Ballard Designs. This Ballard mirror must have sold out, can’t find it online any longer.

and a chest from Restoration Hardware

to fill this space

Finally making progress by adding the bun feet and rope twist molding to chest.

Made the mirror using extra long paint can stirrers and a small 12 inch mirror. I originally started to use a 28 inch mirror, quickly realized overall diameter would be too big after adding wood. Gluing everything on. Total mirror cost around $30.00. The October issue of Ballard Designs was selling their mirror for $219 plus $15 shipping.

Now the room is starting to take shape. I want it to be soothing, calming and restful. I have more furniture gaps in this room as Liz took a white bachelor’s chest that was next to the bed. I scouring what little flea market/junk shops we have for the right piece.

At least the bed is clean, has new comfy sheets, and all the Bailey hair is finally gone.

Joining these great parties, pictures are linked. Thanks ladies!

 

Since my last post....

just in these 3 shorts weeks ....here's what's happened:

Monday (17th of November) night HUBBY hit by a deer in our SUV on his way home from work. He's ok, just pissed as this is his 2nd deer accident. Car damaged, hustled to get that vehicle fixed since we intended to drive it to Oxford the following Wednesday morning. So body shop estimates, insurance phone calls, then being without one vehicle after bringing it to body shop. Me, stupid me, did not put rental reimbursement on that vehicle!

Sunday (23th of November) SON comes home from Ole Miss/LSU game with BEAUTIFUL GIRLFRIEND (BG) from NC and big black grand dog Bailey. They drove from Oxford to Baton Rouge on Friday to stay with SON'S LSU friends. This was our first time to meet BG, she has been in his life since early this summer. BG is delightful.

Monday SON brings BG to airport as she flies home to Winston-Salem, I'm preparing to pack up for Oxford.

Tuesday SON & HUBBY playing golf. I get call that MOTHER-IN-LAW on route to ER. She has suffered what will be first of 3 TIA's. HUSBAND spends all day & part of night at hospital. SON leaves for Oxford bringing up 1/2 of all the junk I think we have to have in Oxford for 4 days.

Wednesday (plan to leave early this morning) HUSBAND brings MIL home from hospital. 45 mins later she has 2nd TIA event. This was very scary as we witnessed it. HUSBAND brings MIL back to hospital, symptoms subside after 2 hours, ER says don't bring her back again but go to larger city hospital that has stroke unit. HUSBAND tells me to go to Oxford alone, as he is torn about leaving his MOTHER. I start to leave twice but come back. I can't leave him. Eventually we both get on the road at 4:00PM packed with thawing turkey and all the frozen dishes I've prepared last 2 weeks. We set up care takers for MIL.

Thanksgiving Day in Oxford is beautiful. DAUGHTER & SIL arrived last night from Shreveport with Miller. Condo is beautiful and spacious. MIL has 3 TIA, she has friends and neighbors taking shifts. We stay in touch throughout weekend.
HUSBAND, SON & SIL take dogs to THE PARK in Oxford. HUSBAND gets plowed from behind by frisky playful dogs re injuring his severely injured and operated-on knee (from college Lacrosse).

Friday tailgating in the Grove is great, even sweeter with OLE MISS'S big 45-0 win. HUSBAND in pain and hobbling, still refuses to go to hospital.

Saturday walked around the SQUARE, lunch at the Rib Cage as everyone was tired of turkey. Dinner at City Grocery. Husband still in pain.

Sunday home from Oxford and the care giving of MIL begins. She can not drive so I'm shopping, cooking, and taking her to all her doctor appointments.

Tuesday HUSBAND finally gets in to start assessment of his knee, X-Ray taken, MRI will be taken tomorrow. I hope he doesn't have to have surgery. I don't think I can handle 2 patients at once.

Me? I'm taking extra care of myself, exercising every day, going to bed early (I love to sleep), and staying positive. Christmas decorations are all most finished and it will be another online shopping year. No time for stores. MIL cancelled her Christmas trip to Chicago, DAUGHTER & SIL, & Miller come in Christmas eve, SON & Bailey will be here after finals end next week. So I'll have a house full for Christmas! What more can one ask for? I love having my children & family for the holidays!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend!

BAILEY, MY GRAND DAUGHTER

Son called me yesterday at 3:00 PM, said he was on his way out of town....to home to visit us!!!! After doing the HAPPY HAPPY JOY DANCE for 10 minutes I started cleaning. Why, I wonder this morning?
Meet beautiful Bailey, son's almost 1 year old Black Lab. She is the sweetest baby one could wish for. Even husband loves her, went to store last night at 6:30 PM to buy her dog food and beer for son so they could come directly home to the fillet mignon meal we were preparing for him. When they arrived last night at 7:00 PM, Bailey roamed around, remembering that she had been here before. She had full reign of the house and of course, she had lots of unspent energy after the 5 1/2 hour drive home.

So this morning, son and husband up early for an 8:00 AM tee time and I'm Bailey-sitting. First, Bailey took ME on my usual walk but it was definitely Bailey's walk. I normally walk 3 miles, Bailey dragged me 3 miles so fast that my back and arms are killing my from holding her back. Obviously, son has not trained her to walk.
Then back at home, I had to do my usual morning outdoor chores, like cleaning pond strainer and filter. Bailey, after drinking gallons of water was ready to play. I found a rubber ball for her and stood out of the way. Good Lord, she tore up beds, plants, and almost fell into the pond chasing after that rubber ball. I only needed to throw it once. She expended energy for another 40 minutes.

So by that time she is filthy, drooling saliva, and full of dirt from skidding in my once lovely planting beds. I couldn't let her in my house that way, snuck in to get the "Special Dog Shampoo" that I keep for Miller when he visits. Bailey was begging to be hosed off at this point. Shampooed, but still damp, I let her in. She's confined to the back hall and laundry room where she has lots of water, a nice cool porcelain floor and a comfy bed. She's very content to be blocked off from rest of house and doesn't complain (um, bark, I know, I know, one should not compare their grandchildren).

So with the morning sunlight pouring in, what do I see? OMG, Bailey hair, gobs and gobs of Bailey hair, everywhere in my lovely once clean house. Never saw it last night but sure do in the morning. I think she will live in this hall and laundry room for the rest of her visit.

I love dogs but not the hair. How do all of you doggie owners cope with this? It must be a full time job cleaning up their hair. Back to cleaning!

Fun and Fabulous Furry Pet Show

I'm entering Miller, my grand-dog-son in this adorable contest on My Crafty Little Page. I'm supposed to be packing, cleaning house, going down my check list to leave, but yet, once again, I'll find any excuse to put off packing.

I babysat Miller for 2 weeks while kids honeymooned. Now he's gone back home and once again, I've got the "empty-nest" blues. I got used to his "race-tracking" around my house, despite the tiny claw marks on my wood floors, every time he put his brakes on, picking up poop, his indecision to go in or out of house, his jumping up on our laps because he really thinks he is a baby, his doggy hair everywhere, and his slurping water.

Miller was named after a fallen EOD comrade and friend of my new son-in-law. He lost his life in Iraq.

He really is a sweetheart and can make one melt. He won my husband over months ago, when husband first met him. Every night husband and I took Miller for ride in the golf cart. He loved sitting between the two of us thinking he is person. I MISS YOU MILLER!

In loving momory of Daniel B. Miller, Jr

01/07/07

775th Civil Engineer Squadronn

MISSING MILLER

I babysat Miller for 2 weeks while kids honeymooned. Now he's gone back home and once again, I've got the "empty-nest" blues. I got used to his "race-tracking" around my house, despite the tiny claw marks on my wood floors, every time he put his brakes on, picking up poop, his indecision to go in or out of house, his jumping up on our laps because he really thinks he is a baby, his doggy hair everywhere, and his slurping water. He really is a sweetheart and can make one melt. He won my husband over months ago, when husband first met him. Every night husband and I took Miller for ride in the golf cart. He loved sitting between the two of us thinking he is a person. Hope to see you in two weeks, Miller! We all plan to meet in Oxford for son's 21st birthday.