**Thanksgiving Ready!**

The bar is finally clean!! My little sister is very productive with the correct motivation!!

**Delay in Pictures**

OK, I lied. The after pictures have been delayed until my sister arrives and helps me hang my blinds. Totally harder than expected!!

**The Master Bedroom Reloaded**

So, I have moved into the Master Bedroom in preparation for all my upcoming visitors in the upcoming months (you know who you are!!). Being true to my norm, here are the before pictures:



The after pictures will be posted tomorrow once I finish laundering linens...... yeah, I am totally unorganized!!

**The Master Bedroom**

So, I have been trying to follow the advice given in the movie, "Under the Tuscan Sun:" "Buyer's remorse is a very common affliction among new homeowners. Just because you have a sudden urge to weep, that doesn't mean you've made a mistake. Everybody knows old houses have their quirks. Especially old houses. I have inherited 800 empty wine bottles, one grape, every issue of "La Nazione" and assorted previous tenants. The trick to overcoming buyer's remorse is to have a plan. Pick one room and make it yours. Go slowly through the house. Be polite, introduce yourself, so it can introduce itself to you."

This has been my inspiration.  However, it must be much easier in a
villa in Tuscany.  An inherited house in Maryland is not as amazing! 
Here is my first attempt with paint to introduce myself!

Before:


After:


As soon as it is furnished, more pictures will come!!

**So, I am a grown up**

As the title implies, there is some question. Having said that, I don't know how to clean an oven. Who has an oven that is not self-cleaning? Answer: me, in my house from hell. Luckily, my mom was visiting and as she cleans, she becomes enraged and cleans faster, while slamming things around and swearing under her breath. I find it to be hilarious! So, here are the pictures!! Brace yourself!!!

Before:
After:Nice job, moms!! Also, if anyone is in a similar situation, Easy-Off has a fume-free oven cleaner that kicks a$$.

**New Adventures**

After a long hiatus, it is official: I am not returning to Dubai and I am now unemployed. Since I fully support the American business culture, I cannot be to upset about being the victim of corporate mindset. I was no longer any use to them so I was let go. However, I have been able to spend the entire summer dealing with my family and the new estate....

NEVER FEAR THOUGH.....

I still have adventures and will be returning to the Middle East at some point. Until that time, you will enjoy stories of my renovations of: my house, my job, my lovelife, and my crazy friends and family. Fun will be had by all. To start us off, here is the beginning of my before/after picture segments:

Here are my flower boxes..........
BEFORE:
AFTER:

Friendster

**Yes, I am in the States but I have so many stories that have been missed... so stay tuned!!**

So, now that facebook is blocked, I have been receiving a million messages on Friendster.

Here are some great ones:
New Messages:
"hi, this is talha 25m abu dhabi.u look really beautiful in ur pic and iam handsome too.would u like to be my friend?"

(He had a picture and was actually very handsome but I declined... despite his amazing description of me!!)

New Comment:
",How are You Doing ? I was very fortunate to come accross such a Lovely Profile Like Yours I'm lauren By Name .Am Honest,Caring,Easy Going,Compassionate, Loving,romantic and God Fearing .I Have a Good sense of Humor and am Down to Earth.. ,Race and Distance Differences are No excuse to Friendship or Relationship because Love and Feeling are measured with Heart and soul..RightNow , I can truely say if I was asked to define beauty i'd say it's you. Your Qualities made you Fascinated to Meet me..The minute I glance at your profile , It is as if God opened my eyes, My soul and my heart to truely comprehend the glory of your Inner beauty.I pray my words have touched the depth of your heart and Life the moment you read my message,i'll only appreciate if you respond.I am for real and Imean the words That I specially wrote.I'll really love to know More about you, Get along & see where It takes Us To.I want to Tell you More about me..Write or IM ME via brownlauren30@yahoo.com . I'd Love to"

(No picture with this profile and I am not sure if it is a girl or guy)

This comment was just a picture, so I had to take a screen shot: