Oh Eztia - just to add to that, I will never forget going to build a bear for my daughter once in the US. What struck me is that a large number of women in the line were buying clothes for their own bears!!! So there is definitely some crossover stuff going on!!!

I have a bear! My bear (grandpa) is 53 years old! Everytime my brother sees it he says 'you still have that?' Why would I get rid of it NOW?????

Good Morning - I hope this is not a super private thread? Because I really wanted to chime in on your question " do you find that some posts don't really want suggestions but just want to show off their rooms? Or is it me?" No. It's not you! I've thought the same thing too :-)

We all want some form of validation...what is difficult on Houzz is the question that is not a request for solution...so solutions are rebuffed or ignored until validation comes.

Hi lessismore! Please join us, we have great fun here! But you need to tell us where you live so we can keep track of the different time zones. We have Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Ireland and the US. Who did I leave out this time?????

ez, what I meant (and probably didn't say it clearly) is that there are some posters who ask for our help and then turn down every suggestion we make. I doubt they want help! They just want to show us how rich they are or how much money they could spend if they were serious.

@lessismore - And sometimes the opposite is true. There was an article like "what does your home say about you", where the author posted photos with some pretty specific assessments of the owners; some of which seemed stereotyped & biased. People began to post their own photos, turning it into a game of how accurately the author or others could assess the homeowner. I posted a couple photos of my great room .. and no one responded at all! I felt somewhat ignored; I wasn't trying to show off .. but see how accurate or biased the "professional" assessment would be!

top of the mornin ladies! hope everyone is fine and dandy this fine weekend. I am at work, but will prob have some time on the computer today. :)
Can I call the new girl Mary Peggy? I really like the way that sounds.
well i've dropped the car off for the mechanic to put a new end on my battery cable so he can hook up the new battery. hopefully i'll get it back real quick!!! I have to run home and check on puppy-love Dali. I left her out in the house free to chew up anything she can get her fangs on! oopsy!
creesy....when i dropped my car off a minute ago I saw a mag with your name written all over it! I was like, "Is this for real?" Called "Garden & Gun"! A southern magazine for belles packin I guess! :)
I thought it was a joke mag or something. I one time bought some joke Martha Stewart mags for a decorator friend of mine. Don't know if you guys ever saw these things, but they were a hoot! There were articles like, How to make condoms from your sheep....How to make water....it was pretty damn funny. And he loved it of course.

oops sorry dave...forgot to say cock-a-doodle-doo to you! i never mean to leave the guys out, so please pardon my rudeness! :)

olldbobbi - Thanks for the welcome. Waking up here in beautiful No. Calif. Just another day in Paradise :-)
astraea - I recall that post - but that was not what I was thinking of at all. I saw one the other day where there was no "dilemma" ... just a bathroom to covet (and covet I DID). Not a problem for me, that folks do that, but they really aren't looking for advice, just affirmation. What does amuse, me in a rather "dark" way, is that I think some post in dilemmas, but expect only affirmation ... but then they get WAY more advice/suggestions (and criticism) than they expected.

That's true less! But they probably just don't realize that they can post in "other" and show off their rooms or projects and have other folks share their's as well...even on the same post about similar makeovers. I did one for my fireplace redo....didn't get too many people sharing theirs, but I TRIED!!!!
So Less, you are in my fave part of the country too. I am jealous. I miss my NO CA!!!! Not sure if I'll ever get back there to live, but boy did I love it when I did. SF is my all time favorite city!

Oh man...I just commented on a post that is 5 weeks old. Didn't even realize until it was far too late. I am such a ding dong sometimes.

Hi there everyone
Just done 1.5 hours exercise and feeling much better. I realized I had been hooked on Houzz for too long so I had to get to the DTs stage before being dragged away by my concerned hubby!!! Back again for a quick hi and bye. It is dark here and I am ready to watch a movie, have some wine and get some good sleep.

Interesting debates today...
The youth of today, the motives of Houzz posters, general health and AARP. Love this little community. I sort of wish it was a Facebook forum though so much easier to read through.... - next for Houzz???

What does tomorrow hold? Have a good evening when you get to it all.

Antoinette - I'm not sure we're all fans of Facebook .. I personally hate it! I know it's been modified since I was last there, but once you have an account, you get "friend requests", and if you approve them, you're bombarded by the minutaie of their lives! If you don't approve, you've got a casual friend or relative upset .. but honestly, I don't care to hear what people are doing every 5 minutes!

Fair point - I use it from time to time as I have friends around the world (like here!). I just don't approve friend requests unless I know them well and it is discreet. And it is easier to keep track - I am pretty good at net stuff so my notifications don't bother me too much and I am ruthless (I keep a max of 80 friends - if they don't participate they're off) - not because I don't like them but it means I can communicate with them via email if necessary because they are more comfortable with that medium! Basically it is just another medium for communication with a different format...

"Unsubscribing from Discussions" - There are a few discussions on which I was subscribed, but I feel they've run their course, and don't feel like reading any more posts. I used the "Unsubscribe for THIS Discussion" link on the e-mail notifications, but I seem to keep getting the notifications. Anyone know how long it takes, to actually stop getting notices when you "Unsubscribe"?

i thought it just stopped immediately astraea....mine always have???

wow, ASV....that's a lot of exercising! you go girl! my god, i haven't exercised in so long I forgot how to spell it!

MP, I've seen that magazine and actually browsed through a few issues. Gun and Garden, that's me! Gosh, do I sound like a redneck or what? *L* More like Julia Sugarbaker with .38 in her designer bag. *L*

Well creesy, there WAS a very pretty dress on the cover. I will say that for it! Exquisite really.
Car is back on the road, now I have to take the old battery back to the weirdos that sold it to me last night! oh joy! One of the guys looked kind of like a monkey. You know those toy monkeys with the clashing symbols??? Kind of like that. I thought he might fly away any second with those ears...good lord, I'm sounding like don rickles or something. Can you tell I'm kind of bored today? I just want to go home and go to bed...sooooo cloudy and cold and misty out. A movie day!

MP, one can always dress well while target shooting. *L* Found a Discussion question that is right up your alley MP. Artist question on painting a sky on the ceiling of a child's room:
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/im-trying-to-figure-our-how-to-paint-a-sky-scene-on-the-ceilings-dsvw-vd~344579

And one more my artist friend:
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/whitewashing-effect-dsvw-vd~345559

ok creesy, i answered her....kind of! lol

bob, must be buying 5 gallon buckets of white paint at the church of homey depot today! :)

Wow! think if I can find time I will go back and read yesterdays OLLD discussions. From what David said it should be interesting.

I, too, find it sad that a little girl's favorite color is black. Not that I expect it to be pink or purple by the age of 8, but blue used to be a common choice.

This week has been spring break for the schools. As a result we have been swamped. Not complainign though.

mpoulsom...I have a subscription to 'Garden and Gun'. I am a southern girl; from Alabama. (I am a transplant to Massachusetts.) My brother sent me a subscription for the fun of it at Christmas.

Now if we could all be like Julia Sugarbaker...

Speaking of states...I lived in the City of Orange, in Orange county many years ago. Beautiful area back then. Lived in New Orleans for a time as well...and in Tampa for a time, Belize for 2+ yrs. and now Massachusetts. Astrea...we are talking about Sydney being the next big adventure!

Must run. Dogs await!!!

Janis where in Belize?? I went there a few years ago...beautiful...! but so damned hot...... reminded me of Oz.

Hi Everyone...Just wanted to thank you to everyone for your concern the other day. I did go to be checked and baby is doing fine...will be rechecked Wednesday. Praying all stays well...it's amazing Baby #1 or Baby #4...your concern is the same. What a blessing!

My other three have come down with a horrible virus and the 16 month old looks like she has chicken pox :( Mama bear is tired. Hope you all are doing well

@Emma - You're lucky to have realized ahead of time, that the volume of discussion is too much for you, and the content not to your liking. I would never imagine that making new prospects feel welcome, would indicate a "deterioration" of the group, but an evolution. If you read other discussions, there's plenty of disagreement between posters, so people commenting here about what they've read elsewhere, seems little different.

We have a new olld in NorCal! Yea!!!!

In regards to negative postings in our circle, I would like to note that part of design is analysis and critique. When you are alone in the field, regardless of the context, sometimes comparing notes with others is the best way to maintain a realistic perspective.

I wish to tell you all that I am not offended by reasonable objections and, in fact, I encourage others to tell me if I'm falling off the deep end. One of the problems I face being the boss is not everyone will give me an honest opinion. I know a few people who will always tell me that "you could do that" or "if that's what you want" What I really want is a serious discussion...I want to hear honest opinions, backed up by credible reasoning. I don't want to deal with "my way or the highway" people nor do I want to deal with "whatever you wish" either. I want options, not ultimatums.

So, "do you believe this post?"...I hope so!

Hi all! Interesting convo's. Ok, so, no, I didn't go to church and I didn't buy more white paint! Instead, R took me to the mall and bought me a Keurig! Oh yes he did! And then we went to another store that had the K-cups on sale for $3.48/box! R bought me 12 boxes! Half decaf, half regular for those mornings that just won't happen. I'm so excited!

Hi everyone. Just a quick check in. I think we overdid it yesterday and blew my computer up. Just what I need! Trying to use my iPod but it is a nightmare for this site.

Dave - great news please don't overdo it and continue to improve.

Princess - was so hoping to hear from you today and very relieved to hear all is well.

Janis - is there really a chance you will be coming here? Exciting!!!

Lessismore - welcome

Bobbi - don't do anymore white painting until you undercoat. Painter undercoated all my walls and it really killed all the colour even the deep coloured cornices I had done, gave all the walls such a good and even base, I think that is why all the colours have come up so beautifully.

BTW - our "Irish" ladies are from Scotland.

Catch up later.

Julie...we lived in Corozal. I could see the sea from the front of my house/yard. The heat and health issues were why we returned to MA.

Astrea...we are discussing Sydney as the next adventure. We have talked about South Africa as well...but I think Sydney may win. :-)

Good day all! Hope everyone has been having a great one! We had to go to Crowne Center to get unique Crayola things for a basket I have to do for little ones school. Always fun to walk around and play with my baby and grandma and grandpa. Picked up a fabulous jazz CD, the drummer was doing autographs. Talked with him awhile. He said I was too young to know and appreciate the artists I was yapping on about. Funny! I have satellite radio just for the jazz Christmas music, after Christmas I either listen to 40's on 4, seriously Sinatra or Martha Stuart. Just thought I would throw a change of subject in! ;)

Emma, sorry you don't agree with some of our posts. We have come together slowly on Ollds...all from completely different backgrounds as well as multiple countries. We have grown to become good friends that discuss a wide range of subjects including health, kids, etc. just as any friends would. If you have read back through some of our posts then you've seen we are aware of a few people that actually use Houzz for trolling. We keep a close eye on them and many times will share the link. Mary came to the group just after experiencing exactly what I'm talking about.

Please keep in mind that we are all free thinking people and don't always agree on the subject matter that's being discussed so we simply start a new one. That's the fabulous thing about our threads. Door is always open for more friends to come in! We learn a lot from each other about design as well as life issues. We would love for you to stay, just remember if you don't like the subject, just change it.

Emma
Activity
No recent activity

Above is your profile listed on houzz.

Sounds like you are lonely, bored, a little angry… Emma, your behavior is so sad. When you keep watch on others without announcing your presence that indicates spying, not eaves-dropping. You need to make that distinction. I think, as Astraea explained to you, clearly, it is fortunate that you realized early on you did not belong. It takes months of sharing and caring to arrive where the OLLDs are now and I agree with you that you do not have the right stuff. Good call and good luck finding special friends on houzz.

MP you were speedy, didn't catch what you said. :(

Hi All, it is Peggy (the other Mary) or Mary Peggy. I have been gone all day. I forgot I had made a commitment and it took my entire day. I hope you all are well, and I appreciate you a lot, and feel honored that you allow me to be with you.

hey mary peggy!!!
roo, is that your cat on your lap, or an internet pic you found? i love it no matter what!

sorry, i'm a little out of it! lol! I didnt blow up the pic roo, just saw it without the type! i also thought it was monday night after i got off work tonight if that tells you anything....

mp I don't have any moggies anymore, had to have both of mine put down when they were 17 although they were 2 years apart - they both strangely had lung cancer. They actually belonged to DDs who left them behind when they left home - as they do, and BH won't have any more. I worry too that if I did get another it would outlive me and no one else would take it.

Ha! days, I have only just got my act together, till about a week ago I thought every day since Christmas was Sunday.

Oh, my computer is fine again (phew) BH was fixing some power points and blew a fuse in the main box!!!

Our cat owns us. Although there is a cat flap, she meows till we open the door for her, then puts her nose out. And then decides she doesnt want to go out. The crazy thing is that although we are totally aware of this, we still,do it. Who is at whose beck and call? Totally nuts.

Isn't it the truth? I spoil my dog completely. My husband says "you are spoiling him" and I say "I know that's what makes it so much fun". I dote on him, but he dotes on me too. He gets right up in my face with his little black eyes trying so hard to burrow his little thought into my head. I wish he could talk. Wouldn't that be fun? I guess you can tell it is late. Good night ladies and roosters. Peggy Mary...er..Mary Peggy.

princess_q - so glad and relieved to hear all is well!!

Janis – I’m packing for our Australian adventure .. unless we go to South Africa instead! Would we sit in on the trial their “trial of the century” (Oscar Pistorius)

Roo – I tried to read up .. “moggies” are rescued cats needing a home?

Question- How can someone post a bunch of times, yet their profile shows “No Recent Activity”?

BTW started next thread on OLLD 2/24

Emma, I'm not sure if my posts on this thread of design dilemma were what you were referring to, but if you'll read, I was asking mpoulsom to help the poster with the question. The first was a mom wanting to paint a cloud motif on her child's ceiling. The question was 2 weeks old and no one had answered. Having chatted with mpoulsom on here, I knew she was an artist and had done wall murals. I also knew I could find her on this thread to ask if she could help with an answer. The second design question was similar. A couple of weeks old, no answers and the poster was asking how to achieve a watercolor effect on her wall. Very interesting questions and again, I felt an artist might could give her an answer. I hope you don't think I was belittling the poster and I do apologize if that was the appearance.

Astraea - moggies are suburban pedigrees - cats of no particular species, well that is our version.

No recent activity I think would come up when you put a stop to any posts being shown - I think that was what Bobbi and I did after the San Francisco Chronical episode - we see things but no one else can.

You know I have been thinking long and hard all day and have very mixed feelings about emma, I don't want to be nasty to her but I am really upset at her sweeping generalised statements and angry at her complete lack of empathy and understanding.

I don't mind one bit who comes on here and makes comments, agreeing or disagreeing, as long as they are polite, hearing others' opinions is all part of constantly learning. It is after all an open site and we certainly have no right to be in any way selective as to who joins us on our threads, but people who troll any post and then days and weeks later make sweeping judgemental generalised statements really make me angry. How many times have we notified each other of problems and then gone over to try to pour water on the fire to protect the integrity of Houzz, how many rude, nasty and vindictive comments have we had to endure from others - why shouldn't we come here for some support. I certainly never see emma telling anyone off for being rude on other posts so why us??? I wonder how many of the posts and comments that Houzz has had to delete has she actually read - we often miss things like that because they are so quick to remove inflammatory posts and nasty comments. Most of the time too when we post links it is so we can go on board to try to resolve the design dilemma posted - sure many times a lot don't make sense but then we have always tried to help the poster provide the information necessary to get the help they need.

As for saying she doesn't want to read about marriage problems or health issues - boy she must have a charmed life with never a bad day. Fighting serious and life threatening health issues is a very lonely thing, if others can't see something wrong with you, then you don't have a problem. A person with a broken leg gets more empathy and understanding!!!! Here we have two beautiful people fighting the biggest fight of their lives yet still taking time to help and assist others on this site, for no financial reward, just maybe an occasional thank you. I am so glad the guys have joined us so we can support them and hopefully cheer them on, I will never tire of listening to any problem they want to share or vent on the bad days and I know you all feel the same.

I'm glad I put this to paper now, I need to get it off my chest, it has been gnawing at me all day trying to consider emma and looking at how not to hurt her or anyone else's feelings, I even wanted to ask that you not hit back at her, but when she can fire her accusations at us in such a vague manner after the event and then be so insensitive towards others herself - guys you are right, she doesn't belong here. Thankfully I note she has deleted all her comments.

Another website that didn't think of all contingencies; "no recent activity" isn't the same as "private profile" .. which is maybe what it should say.

I have seen groups (online & in "real life") that from the outside looked very tempting, but when I saw what they were like from the inside, I could tell we just wouldn't be "a good fit". Often it's not that the group is doing anything "wrong", just that my priorities or schedule are different, or the members & I weren't in the same demographic. In those cases, I just wouldn't participant, or if asked just say that it "wasn't a good fit" for me. I never saw a point in participating .. just to tell the group I didn't like what they did; life's too short for that.

I consider this my coffee place - I go onto the Houzz dilemma threads to see how I can help resolve dilemmas. When I need a break I come and chat with you guys. It is a pleasant break and, like colleagues, we have a chat about different things in our day. No problem.

Asv - you must have more willpower than me, this is my breakfast spot which usually extends to morning tea and lunch, always so many interesting conversations and posts.

Roo, good morning... I should confess, I take a lot of " coffee" breaks to come over here. Willpower what' s that? And I love the chats here.