NOT to be Included In My Design Portfolio

One of my to do's this summer is to put my photos into some sort of order and I'm finding some embarrassing things! These photos are of my very first apartment way back in 1991 when I was only 21 years old. I loved my place and was so proud of it and it was all mine! I was finishing up college at the time and working at Schoop's Hamburgers as a waitress and also at Fieldcrest Cannon as a salesperson. Basically, I was broke but looking back I have to admit it was one of the happiest times of my life.

My apartment was tiny and my decorating budget was small but because I worked at Fieldcrest Cannon I had Ralph Lauren and Royal Velvet Towels and 310 thread count sheets! I personally love my cow-themed kitchen but I think the piece that will probably be showcased in Dwell Magazine next month is that fancy headboard of mine in the bedroom!

I'd like to think my style has evolved a bit since these photos but I haven't gotten to the photos of my previous houses yet. Stay tuned...

Thank God For Sloan!

We just got home from being gone for almost 10 days, the last 5 days were spent in Chicago and I think I may have overdid it with the walking because I haven't left my bedroom today. All of a sudden my belly feels like it weighs 100 pounds and although I hate to admit defeat it sorta hurts!

Sloan sucked it up and kept me company today and watched bad lifetime movies with me. We had some pretzels and cheese for a snack in the afternoon and I'll replay the conversation for you.

Sloan: Mom...is that 2 pretzels under your boobs?

Laurie: Hmmmm....(reaching but not seeing anything) yes it is! Thank you!

Is it sad that I'm losing food because my boobs and tummy are too big? Thank goodness Sloan's looking out for me!

Happy Birthday Sloan!

I just wanted to wish my best girl Sloan a very happy birthday. She turned 11 years old today and I can't believe how fast time has flown by. It seems like just yesterday she was learning to feed herself oatmeal! I am truly blessed and thank God for her everyday. She has been a joy from the get go and probably the easiest child to ever raise. She and I have been through alot through the years and we've gotten through it together and are closer and happier because of it. She still makes me smile when I see her sleeping and can make me laugh like no one else can. I wish her all the happiness and joy in the world and I hope she knows her mommy will always love her and will always be there for her. She was the best birthday gift I ever got or will ever receive!

Happy Birthday Sloan!!!

A Post to Our Neighbors

Last weekend Drew, Sloan and I cleaned our garage out and it seems like whenever we are outside a neighbor will come by to see what we are up to. We've been in the house for about 4 years and during this time our neighbors have seen at least 5 dumpsters in our driveway and countless tradesmen van's parked next to it.

None of my neighbors read my blog but I need to spout off a bit. If I have to hear one more time how much the previous owners cared about this house and how they were always working on it and how it was so cute when they lived here I am going to scream! I'm not exaggerating I think we have heard this comment at least 20 times! Ok I admit the house was cute when Drew moved in if you like 1980's country cute! Here's my biggest problem, we have replaced the roof, some windows, the plumbing, the plaster, the entire kitchen, the entire bathroom, the electrical and currently we are fixing the sewage problem, the doors, sealing the leaks in the basement floors and keeping up with the termites the previous homeowners left us to deal with.

So excuse me if I don't think the previous owners were all that but its a little hard to swallow especially when everyone who reads my blog knows about my legal trouble when I sold my home that was in fact beautiful and well taken care of!