More Craigslist Finds...

I had prepared this post the day before Shenanigan's passing.  Every second of every day has been consumed with missing her.  Every last second.  I still can't believe she is gone. I would like to thank all of you for your kind sentiments.  It means so much to me that I am not alone in my grief.
I have not worked on the gardens, nor the house or much else, for that matter.
I have made a conscious decision to start easing back into the world, though there is a veneer of sadness covering everything.
Here is the post I created.  I hope you enjoy it!

xoxo
Andie

I have been so busy lately, digging garden beds and enjoying the summer with my wonderful family that I have not taken the time to post my Craigslist finds with my dear Blog friends.  Without further ado, here are some exciting finds...more to come!

Pair of (over) four foot tall glazed terra cotta lions purchased from Craigslist.  I need to make plinths that match the brick on the house or perhaps limestone? I have them flanking the driveway.  

Four foot iron fountain from Craigslist used as bird bath.

Bronze fountain from Craigslist.  I drove to St. Louis for this...

Cherub urn on plinth from Craigslist...

Craigslist cherub on plinth surrounded by boxwood and gladiolus.

Three piece Victorian urn on plinth from Wisconsin Craigslist.  I was going to repaint but I kinda' like the silver and rust patina...

Concrete Craigslist urns flanking sunroom doors...

Architectural salvage and Craigslist odds and ends used to make a display in front entry...

Arbor attempting to disguise ginormous air conditioner!

Front of house.  Please consider this a "before" photo!  LOL! You can see the English Garden in progress.

Under this tarp is 6 yards of mushroom compost waiting for the side garden beds...

One of three iron urns on plinths that flank garage doors...

Close-up of one of three bronze plaques we found on ebay and placed on the walls flanking garage...

12 foot x 7 foot iron gate found on Craigslist for $500!

These will be the entrance to the side garden...

One of four "Four Seasons" cherubs in one of the side gardens...

Close up shows how  cherubs sit upon closet shelving and rebar to disguise window wells and keep the critters out!  I didn't want those cheapy plastic window well covers! I planted ivy, which will soon cover the grate...

Glimpse of boxwood parterre...

Plants patiently waiting for the side gardens to be prepared...

I tried to get a photograph of the red rose garden surrounding the pavillion but it was difficult...

Seems all you can see is the empty lot next door!  I am waiting to put the fence in.  Right now we are only allowed to have a four foor plastic fence.  I am lobbying for that to change. The builder for this development went bankrupt so there really is no one in charge! I really want a five foot trellis style wooden fence painted a bluish green!

Craigslist tapestry temporarily hanging over entryway balcony...covering that ghastly builder's oak!

Louis chairs purchased for $15 each on Craigslist.   The wood will be painted Gustavian grey and upholstered in linen.

Grandfather clock purchased on Craigslist.  It came out of a haunted Chicago restaurant called 

That Steak Joynt.  I painted it a white grey to suggest otherworldness!  LOL! It is missing its base but I am sure I'll find something!

Leather chair purchased from Craigslist for Library...

Louis cane chaise purchased from Craigslist for $300! I temporarily covered the apple green upholstered cushion in a matelasse quilt.  The cushion is very heavy, as it is stuffed with horsehair!

Reproduction oeil de boeuf mirror temporarily hung over mantel...

One of theCraigslist Louis XVI cane chairs in Gracie's sitting area. I meant to paint them grey but results were a bit too blue. It will have to do for now until I have time to repaint it. I need to make new cushion covers for the down cushions.  

The chairs are from Sweden and looked like this when I bought them...the trim is actually an orange-red. The woman I purchased these from was moving back to Sweden.  Her son was playing the violin when I rang the doorbell.  He had just won a scholarship to a prestigious music school and was playing for his parents.  I could have listened for hours!

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Gothic church window purchased from Craigslist, placed over tub in Master Bath...

Detail of the iron leg on a French campaign bed I purchased from Craigslist for Gracie's room...

I purchased the hutch for Gracie's room from a French woman on Craigslist in Chicago.  It had belonged to her husband as a child in France.  It cost almost nothing!  

Dressing table purchased from Craigslist. Cherub mirror from ebay.  Stool from Ballard Design...

Vitrine from Craigslist purchased for Gracie's room to showcase her treasures...

Right Here, Right Now

Shenanigan in her favorite chair.

I have been busy trying to accomplish the goals I set for this summer, specifically the gardens.
Yet another tragic event stopped me in my path and reminded me that I am right here, right now and that the future is not as important as the present.
My darling, beloved Shenanigan kitty passed this week.  I was forced to make an utterly dreadful decision, a decision I will regret for eternity.
I brought Shenanigan to the vet this Tuesday, believing she had a bad tooth and that she would be better once the vet corrected the problem.  When he examined her he told me it was not a bad tooth but a jawbone tumor.  I didn't grasp it at first but then the tears came.  His face told me what I needed to know.  He suggested we take an xray so I waited outside, sobbing.  I tried to call my husband but he wasn't answering his phone.
After ten minutes I went back in.  The vet summoned me.  He showed me the xray images of Shenanigan's jaw. The tumor was aggressive and cruel.  My beautiful angel was suffering.  The past few weeks flashed before me.  Shenanigan had been suffering and in my haste to finish my projects I had not noticed the depth of it.
I should have sung to her more.  I should have allowed her to eat the junk food that she so loved.  I should have brought her out to the garden and let her wander under my supervision more often. When was the last time I sang her song to her? Two weeks?  One week? Oh God!  I need more time to show her I love her!
Again, my trusted veterinarian looked at me .  "She's suffering", he said.
"Now?"  I asked?
He shook his head.
"May I hold her?"
She was still under the effects of the sedative and they gingerly handed her to me.
I wanted to scream and cry and throw a fit but I held her and I told her over and over how much I love her.  How she made my world a better place. I cried so much her fur was saturated with tears.  Then I felt her heart stop.  Just like that.  My beautiful, beloved Shenanigan was gone.
I don't know if she heard me.  Her last hour in this world was filled with fear and pain.  I wish I could get her back.  I know that's selfish but I want her here with me.  I wasn't prepared to say goodbye.

I remember the first time I saw Shenanigan.  It was 10 O'Clock at night and she ran past the door of our townhome.  I ran after her.  "Kitty, kitty!"  I crooned.
She disappeared.
I put food out but I didn't see her again.
Two weeks later my husband and daughter were walking home from the local park.  Unbeknownst to them they had a tagalong!  The fluffy kitty that I had seen two weeks before!  She was so thin you could see her ribs!
"Go! Go into the house!" I whisper yelled to my husband.
I swept up the kitty and walked her around to the garage.  As I opened the automatic door she clawed and scratched her way out of my grasp.  The sound of the door had frightened her!
I ran as quickly as I could into the house and grabbed a tin of cat food.  I ran back out and scanned the driveway.  She was still there.
"Don't be afraid, kitty.  I won't hurt you".
She came back and ate the food.
I brought her into the guest bath and she stayed there for weeks, leaving occasionally to go to the vet.  I was concerned that she would never become part of the family.  She was so shy.
I sang to her daily.  She even has her own song.  I am ashamed to say I didn't sing her song to her at the vet because the staff was watching and I was embarrassed.  That song gave her so much peace.  Instant "rumblies"!  Rumblies is the word Gracie coined for cat purrs.
Shenanigan eventually overcame her shyness.  She slept with my husband every day (he works nights).  Though my husband claimed he "hated" cats he would gently lift the blanket when she jumped on the bed and wait for her to settle on his chest.  Eight hours later they would wake up together and come downstairs for breakfast.

I miss you, Shenanigan.

Here are the words to her song...

I love you Shenanigan
You are my friend, Shenanigan
I'll say it again and again and again
You are my friend, Shenanigan
I love you, Shenanigan

That Which Is Impossible

Alice laughed. "There's no use trying," she said: "one can't believe impossible things." 
"I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." 
~Through the Looking Glass


That, my friends, is the story of my life!  I have had so much practice believing in impossible things that it has become impossible to tell the difference between that which is possible and impossible!
Five hundred boxwood bushes have been patiently waiting for me in my driveway.  Every night for a month I gave them a bath while I hummed quietly.  
I purchased them when they went on sale at Home Depot but the garden wasn't ready for them yet...so they waited.
The hardpan soil in my yard made its best attempt at being impossible but I didn't fall for it!   The soil is long gone,  to be replaced by beautiful topsoil and compost.  
The pattern I had painstakingly drawn as the template for the garden had been washed away several times by the rain.  Not to be dissuaded, I painted them over three times.  If I ever do this again I will use neon paint, not the brown and black I chose.  All the digging and activity wore the template completely off and, in the end there was no sign of it.  Neon paint. Orange. Definitely.
After digging literally tons of soil I relented and put an ad on Craigslist. I paid a contractor, gave him a receipt and he disappeared...never to be seen or heard from again.
Undeterred, I placed another Craigslist ad...
Three hours later a crew showed up.  One giant man (boy), one medium sized man and two girls (quite small).  Sigh. 
The work began...
The soil disappeared faster than the first landscaper!
Those kids were the hardest, most dedicated workers I I have ever seen!  Dave, the owner, is a real Renaissance man at the age of 22.  He can do anything!  Not only did they do precisely what I wanted them to, they were so much fun to have around! I actually miss them! *sniffle*
The heat is unbearable to work in these last few days so I am indoors.  It's time for a break, I think.  This morning I was so tired I put dog food in the cat's dishes.  The cats were not amused.  I am hanging out with them today.  I have missed them!
In the next few weeks I will tend to my other gardens.  We have a new  red rose garden around the pavillion that is blooming profusely.  We also planted a lovely white rose garden close to the house, near where the formal reflecting pond will be.

View of the left side from guest room window.  There are over 200 red tulips planted in the center diamond shape.  I am trying to figure out what to plant after the Spring bulbs have faded?

View of the right side from guest room window.

Another view of the left, showing my fledgeling lavender garden in the six foot circle...one of two.  There is more to the design but I cannot place the boxwood until the remainder of the compost soil is delivered!  There are four triangles that will be planted with white hydrangeas.  I wanted white pea gravel but there is absolutely none available in Illinois!

From a side angle on the ground before the outer section was dug...

We will be extending the concrete at the front entry to under the window,  replacing the dull column with a Corinthian style and putting a demilune patio surrounded by concrete balustrades under the Library window...

David can even replace the silly little windows abover the door with a single, large oval!

Like this!

The next project is our pond...

Can you picture it with my dolphin cherub spitter?

This photograph was not taken during the 100 degree farenheit heatwave!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, my friends!  It doesn't matter how much research I do...I still have no idea what I am doing!

Missing My Friends...

Hello Dear Friends!

I have missed you all so very much!
I would like to thank each and every one of you for your kind words and prayers after the death of my friend.  Although the passing of a loved one is never easy it really did help to "hear" your kind, loving and thoughtful words.
This summer has me jumping!  The gardens have preoccupied my time, as well as trips with Gracie and her cousin Izabel (who is staying the summer! Yay!)...we have also been busy bringing formerly homeless animals to their new families! Life has been good!
I don't know if I will ever be able to catch up here in Blogland but Lord knows I will try.
Please leave a response and let me know how you are doing?

In the meantime, I will leave you with photos of items I have picked up here and there for our home.  The photos are the actual Craigslist ads.  They look a bit different now!

Hm.  Seems I have no photos of the giant Gothic church window, the French Louis XVI chaise, the iron urns, antique leather wingback library chair, etc...but I will!

My parterre garden is almost finished! Five hundred one gallon boxwoods.  Our soil is pure concrete so it has been an adventure!  I will, of course, take photos when it is complete.  The informal English gardens on either side of the house are done, for the most part...although I need to do some rearranging, (you cannot always go by heights on plant labels!)

Warmest Regards,

Andie

Google Glorifies Dog Fighting!

I would like to thank everyone for their well wishes after the loss of my beloved friend.  I am currently working on a post to show my appreciation.

In the meantime an urgent matter has come to my attention.  A matter which requires your assistance if it is to be resolved at all...

The bloody muzzle and cold, calculating eyes of a pit bull stare out from the website for newly released Google Android app "Dog Wars" -- a game that trains people in dog fighting, a murderous sport connected not just with cruelty to animals but also in some cases to drugs, guns and murder.

"Feed, water, train and fight your virtual dog against other players," trumpets the game, which encourages users to "raise your dog to beat the best!"Players are also equipped with a gun for police raids.

Google pulled the application, only to change the name which was in violation of copyright material.  It is now called "KG Dogfighting.

Dog fighting is a felony in all fifty states of the union.

Please let google know this will not be tolerated!

Your voice matters!!!!!!





Please leave your comments at following link:
 http://www.google.com/support/androidmarket/bin/request.py?contact_type=takedown You will need to fill out the boxes as follows: Application Name: * Dog Wars Developer name: * Kage Games LLC Also please e-mail:press@google.com 

Hiatus

One of my dearest friends passed away.  I will be taking a break from blogging to mourn her passing.  I will miss you all.

Andie

You Can't Always Get What You Want

What I wanted...

What I found...It's nice but it doesn't match my home. $500 on Craigslist is not inexpensive but it is far less than the original price.  I really wanted it, so I splurged!

What I did...

This photographed more silvery than it actually is. It is actually blackened bronze.  I will add chandelier crystals and a round prism at the bottom.  I am also looking for bronze swags to "drape" around the basket section.  Any suggestions?  It still looks unfinished to me!

I am joining My Romantic Home, Show and Tell Friday, French Country Cottage at Feathered Nest Friday and Sherry at No Minimalst Here, Open House  Party!

Third Time's a Charm!

I purchased this clock on ebay for $30, shipping included.  The door was a bit warped but easy to remedy, I thought. (It was!)  I was looking for a grandmother style clock that I could paint to resemble an antique Mora, since a Gustavian heirloom is not in my budget!

Before

I painted it an antique white.  After a bit of research I discovered there is not one single, solitary antique Swedish clock this color!  Much to my chagrin, it became a constant, ticking reminder of my oversight...

After

I actually intended to paint it a lighter grey but became impatient.  Before I knew it, I had a brush in my hand!  I added more gold paint, along with a carved sunburst applique which I also painted gold.  I rubbed the piece with aluminum foil to add patina.

After-After

How odd. The zinc window in ths photograph is actually 3 feet in diameter.  The mirror, as well as the  table it is hung above, resembles dollhouse miniatures.  I really need to work on my photography skills!

I was saving this carved applique to place on a mirror.  I have had it for years and I was looking for an angel head to place in the center to mimic Louis XIV's symbol...never found one so here it will stay!  Just watch, tomorrow I will find the elusive head!  (Look at me!  I'm a headhunter!)

I am participating in Wow Us Wednesdays over at Savvy Southern Style and Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday!

"Time! the corrector when our judgments err."

  ~Lord Byron

Giveaway Winner and Announcements!

First, let me say how amazed I am at all my fellow bloggers!  I could not have asked for a better group of "friends"!  After reading each entry several times over I have come to realize that the world is full of good people, willing to do extraordinary things to assist those in need.  I am utterly humbled at the dedication and determination of my fellow man.
The Random Number generator chose number 10, no other than the talented and kind Cindy Atkins from the blog Cindy Adkins Whimsical Musings!  Her tale of Stella, a New Orleans stray cat made me cry.  Okay, honestly all of your stories made me cry!

Cindy, please send me your address so I can send you your gift!

Now, the Announcement!

I have decided to do a giveaway each week in order to bring attention to the plight of homeless, abused and neglected animals.  Anyone who has been following me for even a minute knows I am a treasure hunter extraordinaire! As providence would have it, last week I ordered a leash and halter for my beloved puggle, Napoleon from a webstore called Cat Grace.  I spoke to Patty, the owner, at length and discovered we have a great deal in common!  Patty has generously offered to donate some of her wonderful products to help further the cause!  Patty, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Here is the ribbon pattern I ordered for Napoleon, the items should be arriving shortly...his harness and leash will be black (very slimming!  LOL!)

 Patty is donating the navy ribbon collar, xs (10-15") 3/4" with adorable pink whales for the first giveaway, in addition to the other prizes I will be offering!

Thank you Patty and Cat Grace for your heartfelt generosity!

Two Extraordinary Bloggers Think I Am Special! 

My response?  I know you are but what am I??!!

I was blessed to receive two blog awards!  I apologize for not responding sooner but I wanted to be able to spend the time required to thank you properly! I want to thank Alison from the awesome Polohouse and Rosa from the romantic Un peau plus jolie!  Please visit both of these stunning blogs!  You will not be disappointed!

I am supposed to list seven things about myself that you may not know but I am such a drama queen, who wears her emotions on her sleeve, that I think it has all been said!  LOL!

Just for fun:

1).  I have crazy Cherokee Irish hair that never behaves.  Ever.  I wear it long so I can pull it back most days.  My saving grace is a product called Moroccan Oil.  I cannot live without it! I also get keratin treatments so my hair does not bloat to 2,000 times it's size in the Midwestern US humidity!

2).  I was very shy as a child growing up in the foster care system.  I used to cry when people spoke to me.  These days I am still shy but I make up for it by talking incessantly about nothing in particular.  I always walk away thinking to myself "Geesh, Andie!  Could you be more of an ass?!"

3).  My in-laws cried when I married their son.  Not from joy.  Yes, that hurt.

4). My greatest joy in this life is my beloved daughter, Grace.  My greatest worry is that I am not doing right by her.

5).  I buy flowers at the grocery store and give them to people I never met...or to the cashier...whomever looks like they need them the most.

6). Gracie and I sing to each other all the time.  Our home sounds like an Opera House for the tone deaf!  "Graceeee!  Did you bruuuuush your teeeeeeth?"

"Not yet, Mommeeee, but I am about tooooooo!"

7). I had cards printed that say "Thank You Veteran", that I hand out to gentlemen who have served our country. I have not yet met any women but I know they are out there!  If you look you will see service branches emblazoned on baseball caps or license plates.  I have shaken the hand of many a hero.  2,000 so far!  I have taught Gracie to thank them, look them in the eye and ask to shake their hand.

We have a joke in our home, "How do you make a Marine cry?"

"You thank him"!

I have heard so many stories.  I have also seen elderly grown men cry and I have been amazed by their humble demeanor each and every time.  Thanking me for thanking them!

Also, I am supposed to pick fellow bloggers to pass these awards to.  Alas!  I cannot choose!  I love you all!

I hope that is okay?

Making a House a Home and a Spectacular GIVEAWAY!

We all know that even the most beautiful home, without the company of friends and loved ones, is just a box with pretty things in it. There are thousands upon thousands of cats and dogs (horses, guinea pigs, rabbits...) waiting for someone like you to end their loneliness and misery and give them a loving home.  They are dying in places like heartstick shelters. Once again, I entered a random zipcode into the search box at Petfinder.com.
Please meet Sergio.

Not much information is available on the poor little angel.  Pet ID: 0279 • Primary color: Black • Coat length: Short.

Sergio is a Pug/Labrador Retriever mix.

 He is currently being sheltered at the Lucas County Dog Warden in Toledo, Ohio.  The phone number to reach the dog warden is 419-213-2800.
Even if you have all the animals you could possibly love, could you forward this post to someone who may be looking for a loyal friend?  A friend who doesn't care if the house is pretty or organized or if your blog is up to date?  Pets like Sergio just want YOU and nothing else!
Please consider donating money to your favorite shelter.
In this economy family pets are being thrown away like trash.
Will you help? Sergio is not the only animal in need.


NOW TO THE GIVEAWAY!
In your reply to this post please tell me what you have done to help alleviate the suffering of animals in our world.  Please share stories on how your animal friends have changed your life, made it more enjoyable.
If you cannot have a pet please forward this message to a friend and let me know you did! Please donate money, time or supplies to local shelters!
We can make a difference in the lives of thousands upon thousands of lonely animals looking to be loved before they die.
I know many of you have met my darling pets...six former stray kitties and Napoleon, the puggle who came all the way from a high kill shelter in Kentucky to love us! I cannot imagine my life without them!  My only regret is that I cannot have more!
Are you IN?
The winner will be chosen by that random number thingy that everyone seems to use!
On to the prizes!

Three books on French interior design, including The French Touch by Jan De Luz, Creating the French Look by Annie Sloan and French Country At Home by Kathy Passero.  Also included is a lovely copy of Jeann d' Arc Living Magazine!

Two bronze dog bin pulls, 4" long x 1" tall!

Bronze lion door knocker, 5" long x 3" wide!

This contest is open to anyone and everyone! The winner will be announced April 5th!

With Love and Hope,

Andie

Gracie just told me she would play if the prize was Sergio!  Of course!