On Being Famous

As I've stated before, we moved to this town of about 90,000 to get out of a very small (5,000 population) town as I realized after a few years I was not a small town girl. I've lived in large cities most of my life. I feel a certain safety living in anonymity. Small duck in a large pond instead of a large duck in a small pond. I've always felt that way. I cannot explain what originally led us to move to a small town but we did, which led us to here.

So several months ago I received an invitation to have my house photographed for a famous magazine. While it was very flattering, I decided to not accept their offer.

Then again a few months ago another magazine contacted me with the same offer. Again, I said no, thank you. I was again flattered. But I'm not sure I want the fame that comes with that or the trouble and anticipation of doing an actual photo shoot. While I splash all kinds of photos on this blog, there is still some anonymity for me, which brings me to a recent tragedy in Colorado. Horrible, horrible thing to happen to those innocent men, women and children.

I have read some of the articles of what people thought would make a man kill that many people in a theater. Some said it was the fault of guns. Nope, I don't think so. We have guns and have never shot anyone and if someone sane with a gun had been there that night I think fewer people would have died. I believe he is mentally unbalanced, plus it was his quest for fame. (Remember, for us, the desire to have guns comes from being robbed 3 times and walking in on 2 guys, one who came at me with a screwdriver. Hubby subdued him but it was absolutely terrifying for me to face a man with a potential weapon. Never again!)

Hear me out.

We have instant gratification now with iPhones and cameras recording every single act we can photograph. These people have serious psychological problems. Their quest is fame. We see it all around us every single day on news sites, youtube, facebook and it's getting ridiculous. I hate what social media has become. A faux pas moment can instantly be caught and sent around the world in mere seconds to the embarrassment of the person being photographed. That gets the photographer FAME. And the ones being photographed fame also, but most of the time it's embarrassing or criminal fame. If the media didn't bring the acts to everyone in the world, then it might stop. I certainly don't know, but I doubt that's going to happen. News is news to stations fighting for ratings. Sad, very sad. My heart just crumbled for those people facing such a situation. I know, however, that my hubs would protect me with his very own life should this happen. He carries a gun and while the decision to use it would wrack him with grief, I know he'd take that chance to save his or his family's lives.

I have used my camera phone one time and only once. It was a shopping situation where I had to send a photo of an item to a friend to see if it was something she wanted me to buy for her since she lives about an hour's drive from shopping. I don't text; I talk on my phone. I'm one who wants to hear their voice and emotions. And yes, my kids get on me all the time about not texting but I just won't succumb. I don't need to. I've lived without texting for 70 years and so have billions of other people. I don't think we need it as much as others think we do.

So bottom line on this is: I'm not itchin' to become famous. I love my privacy and anonymity much more.
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This is another “dream bedroom” of mine. I think it’s gorgeous.

Another beautiful one I adore. I think it’s the dripping linens on the bed that drew me to this one however.

I like the duvet in this one a lot.

This looks like it’s in Europe somewhere. I love my backyard but I could get used to living here for a while, maybe summers here. No backyard neighbors. ☺

I try to avoid stairs at all costs anymore but I do love this look. The wisteria would smell so good though.

A little rental in France.

I think these are the prettiest afghan pillows I’ve ever seen. Just love all the colors she’s used.

A serene place to rest.

If you’re inclined to vacation like this then this would be an excellent spot to do it.

I would LOVE to have a tub like this in our backyard. It’s secreted so no one could see you and that’s what I’d like. Oooooh, this really speaks to me.

What a darling room with all white cushions and pink roses for a touch of color. Fabulous.

This shower I could see in my backyard also. Taking a shower out here in the summer would be a lot of fun.

I cannot possibly see anyone sleeping like this. I’d get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, step off and kill myself flopping to the floor below. This is just not kid-friendly and I think the owner should be smacked for letting a kid sleep on it. Can you imagine?

Another interesting place to dream.

Isn’t this cute?! I love how it’s decorated.

This is the most interesting pantry I’ve ever seen. I still think I’d put doors on it though. Very pretty.

Ooooooh, yeah. In a heartbeat!!!!!

And a perfect farmhouse for all you wanna-be farmers out there.

~*~
Linking up with At the Picket Fence and French Country Cottage

Gorgeous "Dream" Homes #1

I don't peruse blogs a heck of a lot because I just don't have time. (This is Conniespeak for I lose all track of time and can spend hours looking and not get anything done I need to!) I use Google Reader for my favorites and look at them quickly through that medium and if it looks interesting that day, I click on the blog and go there to leave a comment or view the whole thing. Why do I do it like this? Because it saves time with all the ads on Blogger now. Time for all them to come up can be several minutes in some cases. (AdBlock definitely helps though getting around all the ads though!) Anyway, that's how I do it. And if you haven't heard of AdBlock, it's just to the right below the photos of me on my sidebar, and tells you where to get it.

Anyway, I read a lot about women dreaming about their dream house or buying a house waiting for their Dream House to come along. I haven't yet met anyone who has actually found their dream house. That's why it's called Dream House—you dream about having it, but most women never, ever have their dream house. I don't and never will. What I do have is a seven year old, 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 3 car garage, family room, living room house that is sufficient for my needs...and hubby's needs also. My mortgage is about $440 a month but I pay a lot extra so we can pay it off sooner. That's my dream house. Not a Mercedes, pool, fancy large house. We live quite comfortably, just the two of us. Small yard for hubs to mow and not kill himself doing in the heat of this desert summer. I truly don't lust for some of the homes I'm going to show you below and in another post soon.

Why do we think we need more than we do? Hollywood-types and some very wealthy live in 12,000 square foot homes but don't actually live in them. They flaunt them. That's not my style. I do NOT begrudge the rich anything. I find simple things make me happier than large homes to clean or with which to try and impress others. I'm debt-free except for my house. Why would someone want a million-dollar-plus home? A modest home can serve your needs quite well. Trust me, we've been through the cycle of having a house to flaunt and this is much better. I was so glad to get rid of the big home I cried when we finally did—and those were truly tears of joy.

A friend of our daughter's built a two-million dollar, 20,000 square foot home up in the wilds of Oregon (Isn't Oregon wild everywhere though?) several years ago when he made a fortune selling off his company stock and making millions off it. When our daughter visited with them recently, she said the house is filthy. Absolutely filthy. She and her husband couldn't stand to be in it. It was totally gauche. They didn't even worry about keeping it clean or even the upkeep on it. They couldn't! She said she'll never go back there again. The house is just in a shambles.

The rich and/or famous aren't any better than you; they just have more house to clean and more money, but they have more struggles than you, just look at the papers and magazines. I rest my case. Frankly, I'd rather have the struggles I do have; they're familiar to me. I truly mean this from my heart.


But if you insist on lusting, here are a few that might suit you.

Waterfalls are notoriously noisy.

Of course, this is small, but could be someone's dream home and not cost you millions to acquire it.

Having had a pool in our last house I can assure you they require a lot of upkeep, i.e. MONEY.

Older homes also require a lot of money sometimes. It isn't worth it to me.

A beautiful home.

A mite more modest, but I'm sure it's someone's dream home.

Unusual but lovely with that front circular porch.

I'd want more privacy than this house affords.

Somewhere near the sea, I'd bet.

I just had to show you these two exquisite lamps—floor...

and table.

Hanging roses lanterns.

And of course, the requisite eye candy. ;-)

More kitchen than I'd want to clean.

Love the color in here though.

And especially this pink color!

So, love what you have and be happy you have it. That's my bottom line!

~*~

Sharing the Gift

I've been looking at some beautiful art prints to buy to supplement my favorite wall in our living room and came across this one a while back by my all time favorite artist, Susan Rios. Just about all the prints on this wall are by her so it was wonderful to add to my collection. I love her art and we've been emailing back and forth. What a sense of humor this woman has. I am astounded by her beautiful paintings and showed her a picture of my wall. I think she liked it, but I would truly love to be able to paint like this little chickee. Oh my, how gorgeous is this one! It is called "Sharing the Gift" and I'd love to have a patio like this one on which to sit with lace cushions, smell the roses and dream of my garden.

This is how it looks on that wall above the biggest painting
Closer view of it.

And a little mosaic table my daughter made that I confiscated while down in California last week. It fits just perfectly there by my chair. I've been looking all over for a side table to sit in that area but wasn't able to find anything. Thank goodness I found this in her garage while down there.
~*~

Random Thought

If you can't forgive your hubby or wife of anything, then you don't love them enough.