Decorating Diaries: Bedroom BEFORE & AFTER Pics

It has been 10 long, hard years, but the day has finally arrived that I can say with great pride and job that I LOVE MY BEDROOM.

My decorator Dawn Leamon was here last night for three hours as we installed hardware for the curtains, ironed bedding, bought pillows, and "fluffed" the bedroom.  We're not done (still need furniture and artwork) but I am thrilled, thrilled, thrilled with where we are now.  Check out this night and day difference:

This is what happens when Dena tries to decorate on her own (BEFORE PIC):

And here's what happens when Dena gets smart and seeks the help of a professional (AFTER PIC):

I hesitate to even post the pictures because they just don't come anywhere near to doing the room justice.  Every time I walk by the doorway, it takes my breath away.  And last night when the curtains were closed, it made the room look palatial. Blair and I both are extremely happy.  So much so, that when I told him Dawn suggested we paint the master bath red to coordinate with the bedroom, he didn't blink an eye.  "Okay, it's just paint," was his response.

_{The cats are currently banned from the bed, although I'm not sure how long I'll last.  Lucy hopped up on the bed this morning and was sniffing around the comforter, and looked very miffed when I shooed her off.  And Olivia's been eyeing the curtains like she just discovered a new Mt. Everest to scale.} 

I Have An E-Mail Addiction

"Hi, my name's Dena, and I'm addicted to e-mail."

(Group Response): "Hi, Dena!"

Seriously, it's a problem.  I check e-mail constantly.  And I can't stand to let something just sit.  If it's a newsletter, I must read it.  If a friend sent photos, I must view them.  And if it's one of my political action alert e-mails, I must send an immediate e-mail to the proper Senator or House Representative, telling them they're a boob.

In short, I need help.

I know exactly why I do it.  It's a quick fix for my Type A "let's make a list and check things off" personality.  I can slam through 20 e-mails and feel like I'm getting things done.  At the very least, I'm deleting unneeded messages and clearing my plate so the real work can begin.  The problem is, the real work never does begin because I'm too busy checking the next batch of e-mails that have arrived.

At the risk of damaging my ego, I just don't receive that many urgent e-mails each day.  If I receive 100, probably 2 might require some sort of timely (same day) response.

My friend Ed made a great point at our last writers group meeting that I've been mulling over.  He said, "I'm only good for so many words per day, and if I use them up on e-mails and correspondence, then that's all I have to give for that day."

I never thought of it before in those terms, but that applies to me.  I enter e-mail with the intent of getting rid of the little stuff, but by the time I'm done, I typically have no interest in tackling the big stuff. And I think it's because of what Ed said--I'm just written out by that point.  And I've wasted my energy and words on non-critical documents and mailings.  Not a smart use of time.

I'm toying with the idea of not allowing myself to look at e-mail until at least noon each day.  That would give me an entire morning of writing time. (To show you how addicted I am, even though it's the obvious solution to break a bad habit, I can only commit to thinking about it.) Then I can write more in the afternoon and check e-mail again in the evening. 

I also think the constant checking of e-mail has shortened my attention span. I'm so used to spending 5 seconds to 5 minutes on an e-mail, it's hard to focus for a 2-hour writing session.

Shiver.  Quake.  Withdrawal symptoms are already occurring.  I'll keep you posted.

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ADDENDUM:

I wrote the above last night.  It's now 9am on Thursday and yes, I already cheated and checked e-mail. BUT, there were 2 e-mails from NY editors, asking I call them asap to talk about my working on magazine articles for them.  C'mon!  It's like the Universe wants me to cheat.  What's an addict to do?

Another Successful Halloween

Fog slithered across the air, wrapping itself around tombstones for "Barry M. Deep" and "C. Dracula."  A lit skull illuminated the body parts spread across a rusty table. Lanterns cast shadows of bats and spiders. Chains dragged across a chair as the grunts and moans of the Frankenstein Monster filled the air.  As if on cue (!), on the loudest of all groans the monster sat up--to the squeals and delight of children watching him.

Frank was a success.  Adults loved him, teenagers laughed and said "cool!" and little kids were wary.  One little guy refused to come out of the car, even after I shut off the tape and assured him the monster was nice.  Other little ones took me at my word.  If they looked too scared, I would say, "Oh, but this is a nice monster."

"Nice monster?" they repeated, doubtfully.

"A very nice monster," I said.  "Would you like to pat him and tell him Happy Halloween?" I'd lead them to Frankenstein, and once they patted his shoe or his glove they would look immensely pleased with themselves and would wave goodbye, calling "Bye nice monster!"

I love this holiday.

Blair got home about 6 and ended up sitting hidden behind Frankenstein and pushing him up.  One teenager who thought he was being cool, bounded over to the monster to poke fun at it, but didn't see Blair.  Blair reached out and poked his leg, yelling "Raaahhh!"  and the kid jumped a mile.  It was great.

Neighbors stopped by to check us out.  "How long does it take you two to come up with this stuff?" one asked, shaking her head.

Sadly, the flow of trick-or-treaters slowed this year.  We packed up about 7:30 and went inside.  Usually we're out until at least 8pm.  So many parents take their kids to "trunk-or-treats" or church parties though, that it's just not like it used to be.  Plus, I'm sure it being a school/work night contributed.  All in all though, great fun.  Next year we're talking about doing a headless horseman theme and throwing an adult Halloween party after Trick-or-Treat. No costume, no admittance.

And now the bad news.  Somehow I made it through the night without (wince) taking one photo.  I know, I know!  We did get video and if I ever figure out how to post it on this site, I will.  But it was a creepy/fun setup.  The fog machine was well worth the twenty bucks.

Now the focus turns to Thanksgiving or, as we like to refer to it, Carbfest 2005.  Let the feasting begin.

Some Of Us Deal With Halloween Better Than Others...