I LOVE A GOOD CHALLENGE!

When MC, Linda (our FABULOUS REALTOR),  and I came to Olde Town Grayson last November we fell in love with the Community.  The Location......you know Location, Location, Location, is ideal.   Restaurants, retail, both chain and specialty, groceries .....well you name it.....they are all here....some even are walkable!  If not within an easy walk they are only 2 to 3 miles away.  Not to mention that the largest Mall in Georgia, The Mall of Georgia, is 13 miles down the road and Atlanta less than 35 miles .

We loved the concept of the "Villas".  They are attached homes, two to a building, each having  1800 to 2000 sq.ft.   We found the largest, the Hampton,  perfect for our needs!!!!

We have three bedrooms--the Master is huge,  a fabulous Great Room with 12' ceilings,  a gorgeous kitchen with granite counter tops and white glazed cabinets, and two baths,  The Master Bath is awesome with a walk-in frame less shower plus a soaking tub!   On top of that a large two car garage (for MC),   a huge second floor which we can be finished later, a 5' x 8' Pantry,  and a good size laundry room.

 What possibly  could be  a  Challenge?

Well, nothing in the real world is PERFECT!  We all know that!    The design of the Villas has a side very generous covered terrace which is 20' x 10'.   Because it's  on the side,  it faces the side of the home next to ours.

Our  "View"........ is the home next door's air conditioner and  their utility meters!!!!

This was the  ONLY remaining lot that the Hampton  could be built on due to it's footprint.  It was this one or none!

MC promised we would figure out a way to overcome our "view"!!!

Not a Million Dollar View!!

 

I imagine the shrubbery will grow in years to come, but not fast enough for me!

The First step!  We bought two shades that roll down to the floor of the terrace from the top of the terrace's roof.  A very, very good start!  Light filters in so it is not dark.

We did have ferns in 4  flower pots, but they all died in a month!

  The problem of the ugly view solved, and we gained a ton of privacy!   Actually it's like having a new room added to our home.  The shades give us privacy which eliminated the need for shades on our Great Room windows and the French Doors. A huge savings!  At night we turn on the ceiling light and sit  in our private room!

But we needed Greenery!!!

Last weekend we went to a  nursery that was highly recommended to us.  We were so lucky to have a great, knowledgeable salesman.  We described our "situation" and within a minute he had us standing in front of these FABULOUS SHRUBS!!!!   They are called FATSIA.   Their leaves are so green and so large!  This shrub is awesome!  It can live outside, without any sun, ALL year!!!!!It will even get flowers in the Fall and Winter.  It's PERFECT!!!  (I can also get one for inside!)  Let's keep that one secret for awhile!!!

A Good CHALLENGE that we were able to overcome!!!!!

When MC makes a promise, he stands by it!!!!

I JUST WANTED A PIECE OF CHOCOATE CAKE!

Yesterday I thought about the delicious rich chocolate cake IKEA serves.  Mentioned it  to MC and he agreed  why not go.....We didn't have anything else on the "Calendar"?

It is an easy drive to IKEA in the late morning and early afternoon.  No traffic!  Leave around noon and return before 2:30.   No problem!

Of course before we went into the cafeteria we walked around .......Trouble!!!!

We found a piece that is  perfect and it was so, so reasonable!!!

We were home before three,  and here we go.....

 

THIS TIME HE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS...FIRST

 

  Are you "seeing" this?   It's a round coffee table, a few inches larger than the chandelier...great proportions.

 Before dinner, we had a new round coffee table......even "styled"!  

This table is unbelievable.  It's from the same collection as the wall unit  we put up in the dining area...BUT...the BEST PART.....
PRICE
$49.99

 Back to the Chocolate Cake!   Never did get it!!!  They had a "new" Apple Cake and we chose to try it......BIG MISTAKE!!!!!  

It wasn't nearly as good as the Apple Cake they had before....will have to go back for the

 CHOCOLATE CAKE!

THERAPY

Our home is once again, empty.....an EMPTY NEST home.

Steve, Angela and Isabelle left us Saturday evening to head for Nashville, TN.  Patti, Mark and Maggie  "stopped in" to pick up our infamous RED OTTOMAN for Maggie's new townhouse. 

We did manage to all have one  quick meal before they all left and went their different ways!

So.....there we were.....alone!  It was more depressing for me than I thought.  I had looked forward to seeing them for so, so long and they were gone so fast.  BUT....living back in the States, we will get to see them often.  

What's my therapy......moving furniture!!!
It gets my mind going and the exercise is great!

I looked around and decided to do some "moving'......got MC involved to help.  He didn't mind and we spent the better part of yesterday rearranging.  It worked, I felt better!  It doesn't matter if the changes make the rooms look better, the point is I do!!!  Nothing is cemented in place and everything can be moved again.

Just for fun I will give you a glimpse of what we did.

Added the wing back chair to the mix!  I have used it before with the dining table and it has always been a favorite idea of mine!

MASTER BEDROOM

Mirrored Desk and Mirrored Round Table now bedside tables!

 GREAT ROOM

 Bedside tables under windows

Simple changes.....great THERAPY!!!

They all passed the Morning Test this morning! 

PATTY

ISABELLE AND MC (GRANDPA) AT THE PARK

We are so happy to have Steve, Angela and Isabelle, who just turned 4 this past June, home in the States!!!  They landed yesterday at 7:17 am after traveling from China for 36 hours!  MC met the plane to help carry the 12 suitcases they carried home.

Need less to say, they slept most of the day.  I was so happy when they pulled up this morning and I actually realized they were really here!!!
After a light lunch, MC took Isabelle to our neighborhood park  They had a ball!  He completely wore her out.   They returned back at the house  around 4,  when Isabelle immediately fell asleep.  She slept through dinner and was carried back to their hotel at 8 this evening!  It's so hard to get over flying long trips going through many time zones and landing the same day (or before)  you left!  Always found that odd!

So now I get to do Grandma bragging again....This time with ISABELLE

 

WHAT A PAIR!

We can not be happier than having them HOME!
Patty