UPDATE: NOON 2/13
J is in his room. Two 80% blocked arteries were found and the main artery was also calcified. All have been cleaned out.
As far as we know, the pacemaker is still a go for tomorrow (Tuesday).
J called me around 11am. I asked him to call me. By doing that, I won’t wake him if he is sleeping or resting. He said he is hungry and feels pretty good, just tired.
____________________
JUST BECAUSE
Island Metamorphosis
ANSWER
(2/12/12)
When I posted about J’s lodge redo, I showed the cabinet below. Several wanted to know about the cabinet.
The cabinet is probably from the 1920’s or 1930’s and belonged to my mother. It sat in the dining room a number of years. We are now using it in J’s lodge.

AND NOW FOR A LOOK BACK
ABOVE PHOTO
The finished island, as seen from the dining room.
I published this post at the old Back Porch Musings, February 15, 2009. I can’t believe it’s been three years since the island was painted.
Due to current circumstances, I am drawing from archives, once again.
Since it has been three years since the island makeover, I thought you might like to see it again.
I copied the post from the old blog. After a bit of editing, it’s ready for a repost.
The island, in Hickory, as it appeared before the makeover.
The first coat of black satin paint. We decided not to have the island distressed.
"Painter Guy", priming the doors of the island.
The doors, painted black and drying, on the farmhouse table, in the breakfast room.
As it usually goes, with just about any makeover, one thing leads to another. Two years ago (2007), we had trim added to a functional beam in our breakfast room. At that time, "Trim Guy" suggested we leave the space between the trim painted gold. I've looked at this space for two years, not satisfied with the end result. The reasoning behind leaving it gold was, the trim did not go to the wall in the kitchen, therefore, "Trim Guy" thought it would look odd to paint the gold space white. I decided not to argue the point and let it go. But it kept bothering me! So, when "Painter Guy" was here last week, I presented the dilemma to him and he saw a solution, immediately. He brought a small piece of trim, from home and added it to the kitchen side of the beam, between the opening and wall. Voila! Dilemma solved!
The photo above and following photos, show the before and after photos of the beam metamorphosis.

The corner, above the cabinets, where the small piece of trim was added, between the opening trim and wall.
In the photo, below, an empty space can be seen above the print with a green mat. I "borrowed" the print that was previously there, for the hearth room. I'm looking around the house and elsewhere, for something to replace it.
The glimmer of one other makeover began with a Metamorphosis Monday visit to KD's study makeover at Southern Whimsy. KD replaced a light fixture in her study, with a light, in the style I've been looking for, to hang over the kitchen island.
Because of a wiring miscommunication between the cabinet maker and the electrician, the box for the island light was slightly off center. I made a quick decision, purchased a small pendant light, with a stained glass shade, to use temporarily, thinking I would find the light of my dreams and wishes soon. I know we could have had the box moved to the center of the island, so a double light fixture could be used, but who knows what I was thinking as we were on a deadline to finish construction. At that time, we were paying rent on our home at the farm, which we had already paid for once! We were anxious to be finished with construction.
When I asked KD, where she found her light fixture, she graciously informed me she had found it at JC Penney. I found the light and it was on sale!
KD's beautiful fixture has a light beige shade and the iron is a sort of scroll work. While looking through the fixtures at Penney's, I found the one shown in the photos of the finished island. It has a black metal shade and isn't as ornate as KD's. I decided this would work wonderfully for our country style kitchen. A ceiling medallion, was also added. Thank you KD for the gorgeous inspiration!
The light fixture looks like it was always meant to be.
A look at the island as it appeared in 2011 after the kitchen, hearth room and breakfast room were painted SW Sticks and Stones.
A note about this post; linked to Metamorphosis Monday, it garnered 106 comments. One of the more popular posts at the original Back Porch Musings.
February 12, 2012
J UPDATE
J is still in hospital and I am making myself at home at a nearby hotel.
J had a brain MRI, Saturday morning. It showed no sign of stroke.
Monday Feb 13, J will have an angiogram. If all goes according to plan, he will have a pacemaker placed Tuesday, Valentine’s Day.
Winter weather is predicted for Monday. I promised J I would stay at the hotel instead of going to the hospital. Maybe it will snow, maybe it won’t. J will feel less stressed if he knows I am nearby, yet not out and about, in case it gets slippery.
It looks as if the winter weather will pass through STL overnight Monday and the weather will warm Tuesday. I will be at the hospital when J gets his pacemaker.
Three grandchildren and their mommies visited J today (Sunday). That was certainly a spirit lifter!
Youngest daughter and the kiddo’s brought a lunch of comfort food…this included homemade meatloaf. Peanut M&M’s were also included…they know me well.
Xanti and her Mommy K, brought bagels, veggies, my favorite cheese and other goodness…just in case I get snowed in at the hotel.
J and I can never thank you enough for your continued kindness and prayers. We appreciate your concern so very much.



















