The Last Mad Rush

[teddy_radiator]

The kids will be here in four days!!! I'm so excited. We've been talking about this since January, and now it's here and TheHubs™ and I are running around like headless chickens at the last minute, which is our modus operandi. We've checked off a bunch of stuff on our to-do lists (I actually had to sit down and make those this time), and we still have a few things left. Poor Hubs! He's been working like a lunatic.

The weather isn't helping - it's brutally hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms. He finally got the lawn done, after being stopped over and over by either sudden downpours or heat so horrific he risked heatstroke. The front entrance finally got repaired, and looks nice. It wasn't an ideal solution, but the alternative was ripping out the entire floor and starting over, and we neither had the time, money nor patience for it.

We got their room finished (finally!), and even got to decorate the Christmas tree. For those of you scratching your heads and wondering if Teddy has truly gone off the deep end (which is still a distinct possibility), they had all wanted to come at Christmas, but airfares and their mother prohibited it, so they decided to come and celebrate James' birthday. We somehow decided that since we couldn't have them here for Christmas, we'd change his birthday to 'Jamesmas', and have a tree and presents and a party. Yeah, we're goofy like that!

So in addition to overhauling the house, we've been trying to get parties arranged and Christmas, sorry, JAMESMAS decs put out, and wrapping presents and trying to make sure Cat (the one with the health scare a few weeks ago), is properly petted on and has tons of fox-based presents (she adores foxes), and somehow squeeze work in here and there.

Here are some highlights of James and Hannah's (his fiance) room:

I decided it would be a great idea to re-paint this rocker red. It had been blue. It took about 5 coats to cover that fucking blue, and I still missed some of it.


The Jamesmas tree. I love this colour combination (so does Hannah), and could not resist going a wee bit overboard. We bought the decs last year in the 70% off after-Christmas sales, and the tree was a steal online (pre-lit, why haven't I always bought pre-lit trees before? What a boon).  The Paddington Bear was a Christmas pressie from TheHubs™ years ago.



The bed. I fell in love with this bedding, and I'm angry with myself I didn't buy it in King-size so it could go on our bed later. The only thing is the pics on the wall. We ran out of time and money to get something better, and these just don't do it for me.


A detail of the bed pillows with the lights on. I'm a fool for mood lighting. We also have the three beanie baby bears for them as well. I was disappointed I couldn't find a blue one the right colour, but I think he'll do.


Well, I've allowed myself too much time to play and have fun online - those toilets won't clean themselves. Have a great Sunday - hugs to all who needs 'em!

Comments

[kellychambliss.livejournal.com]

What a cozy, welcoming space you've created! I'm sure the kids will feel right at home. The "Jamesmas" idea is a lot of fun.

I hear you about the afternoon thunderstorms -- they've been hitting us hard this whole week. Lots of power outages, too.

Hope you all have a blast.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, the afternoon thunder storms are a daily occurrence now. The frustrating thing is they really don't cool things down, and afterward it's just more humid!

[hbart.livejournal.com]

That looks so welcoming! You've done a great job on everything. Just keep in mind when you are running yourselves into the ground that they are here to see you and not your pretty lawn and perfectly painted chairs. I have to say that as your voice of reason, because if I was in your spot, I'd be scrambling around worrying about every little detail too. Enjoy your time with them!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

My heart tells me the same thing, but my middle-class upbringing insists I need to mop all the things. We are generally a sloppy couple, and this has been a good exercise in just how badly we've let things like vacuuming the bottom of the sofa and chairs go. And I can't even think about the bathroom floor without wanting to heave a bit.

[hbart.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's amazing how much you can truly overlook until someone's coming for a visit.

[beffeysue.livejournal.com]

Yay! The decorating you've done is definitely a success. I love the idea of JAMESMAS, and wish all y'all spectacular weather and loads of fun!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Beffey! I hope we'll have good weather - you know how murderously hot it's been. These British kids aren't ready for it.

[beffeysue.livejournal.com]

The forecast for Greenville doesn't look too awful for next week. This is a handy link for checking on the weather:

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=34.7948&lon=-82.3902&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=graphical

[arwitchywoman.livejournal.com]

#thebedofdecadence

Y'all are going to have a great Jamesmas!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, you have spent your time on 'ze bed of pleasuuurre'! The rocker looks good in there, but damn it's a bugger to paint! I wish you were here to celebrate Jamesmas with us!!

[arwitchywoman.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you! I wish I was to because I'm all about a crazy holiday tradition! Have fun!

[snapebraille4tu.livejournal.com]

It looks so inviting and I especially love any kind of mood lighting, so your creations are ringing all my bells!! The kids are going to have such a fabulous time.....Hooray for Jamesmas!!! The tree is such a treat to see in the middle of this humid mess. Have a blast and hugs all around! ❤️

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweetie - we all talked about the 'wonder of Jamesmas' so much that TheHubs™ and I decided we would really deliver on the 'Jamesmas magic'. I won't lie - it felt more than a bit odd decorating the room with Christmas stuff in August, but I think they will get such a kick out of it, and that's the payoff for me. They know I tend to go overboard with stuff like this.

[dickgloucester.livejournal.com]

They're going to be thrilled to bits!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

We're just counting the hours now - and we just about have the house in order!

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

That bed is gorgeous, and so are the little details, right down to the monogrammed pillows. What a great idea, using string lights as mood lighting that way. You've made the room quite unique with those!

How long is your visit? Will they be spending time with your mom too?

Happy Jamesmas to your whole lovely little family. :-)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thanks, babe! We have three short weeks to spend with them, which will no doubt fly by, but we're determined to make each day count. We are planning to spend some time with Mom (I'm thinking maybe take her out to eat or something), and hopefully this party will introduce them to some new friends we didn't have the last time they visited.

Thank you for your warm compliments about the room. I'm stupidly pleased how it turned out. We also took this opportunity (after cleaning them thoroughly) to rearrange our front room furniture. I'm not sure why we didn't do THAT sooner - it makes the room look twice as big!

I'll try and take pics of the Jamesmas festivities, but you know me and photography - either it's absolutely awful, or it doesn't happen at all!

[too-dle-oo.livejournal.com]

This is so cozy! Have a great time with the family!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you!