Drawer Pulls Redux

Well, I think it worked. The muy expensivo new hardware did update the dresser set as much as it could and I think it looks pretty good. You be the judge.





We're both pretty happy with the change. Like I said, the quality of the pieces is a level I can't afford at current prices. Stan showed me the original price of the chest-on-chest: $169.95. That was in 1961!

My sister Amber asked if the lamp ever made it to Elise & Pedro's--I had tons of trouble getting it from NY to FL. We finally took it down in Stan's bag, swathed in bubble wrap. It made it in one piece, but there was no way to get the shade there too. So I have a perfectly good lampshade tucked (as much as you can tuck something that size--they are truly obnoxious!) into a closet. And Elise got a shade that she likes for the lamp, a beautiful wine-red color. Fitting, don't you think?

Today my goal is to stay alive. This upper respiratory thing both Stan & I have is really a killer. I'm pretty sure mine morphed into a sinus infection. (I think his did too but he won't do anything about it for at least another week--anything as in, see a doctor.) I have an annual check-up scheduled for tomorrow so I'll ask then for antibiotics. Keep your fingers crossed.

Florida in January

We're back from our Florida trip and I'm currently watching it snow ... again. In FL, of course, there was no snow. And that was nice. Very nice. No jacket needed. Sun warm enough to really enjoy sitting in. Too cool for getting into the pool but warm enough to sit outside next to it.

Stan & I haven't done a southern vacation for several years. Last time was our 2d trip to Tiamo, a lovely resort on South Andros in the Bahamas. Stan loved bonefishing and I loved snorkeling and sunning. But Tiamo would cost about $7K for a week now, far far far beyond what we're willing to spend. Next southern winter trip may be a 1-2 month rental in FL; I'm thinking Homossassa area (1 hr north of Tampa) or the Sebring area (about an hour east of Tampa). I'm going to have fun looking!

We went to an NHL game while in Tampa: the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. the Buffalo Sabres. It was a ton of fun, especially since Pedro had tickets that got us into the free-food-schmooze area that's used by many corporations. What an amazing smorgasbord!! Good food, free wine/beer, great desserts AND a pro hockey game! I just don't think you can ask for more in one night. Luckily the uber-wicked cold that Stan got didn't really check in until the next day ... and I didn't get my own update of it until we got home. Both of us would be more than happy to be the first volunteers in line for head transplants, or even just exchanges for sinuses.

Kyrin was a perfect child as usual. She has grown so much since we saw her in December! One month and she's a rootin' tootin' toddler.

I'm sure I know the model for the Energizer Bunny! She's getting ever cuter as her own darling personality infuses her looks. This picture was taken on our trip to Tampa's excellent aquarium. All of us had a good time.

The last photo is of Pedro playing "monkey man" (he created the name, not me!).

Pedro & Elise had their kitchen floor retiled while we were there and none of us thought about the fact we wouldn't be able to walk on it for a night! So Pedro got into the cabinets for things like plates and silverware--we hadn't planned to order out but had to. (It was a good thing we had the hockey game the next night because the stove was still in the family room!) He did a great job balancing! Stan & I have to say again how much we enjoyed the visit and say a giant thank you to Pedro & Elise.