After our vacation, I flew back into Southern California. Staying at Debbie’s beautiful home, I had the luxury of waking up early and perusing some of her design books.
“Decorating In Detail” is great…I think I will purchase it.
Water damage in Mary’s (a Newport Beach client) small bath gave us the impetus for a makeover. We wanted a fresh coastal look without breaking the bank.
Phillip Jeffries Japanese Weave in Raffia grass cloth (a timeless classic) was used on the walls. Side sconces (more flattering than over head lighting) and a tall, iron riveted mirror from Restoration Hardware (for a little drama) were added.
I recommended a freestanding console and Mary found a similar one from Lowe’s for a good price!
The industrial shelf from Restoration Hardware adds an architectural element on the far wall. And it’s high enough so that guys don’t bump into it (if you know what I mean).
We are going to do a few updates to Mary’s living room, but while I was there, I styled her bookcases using what she has. No before photos but it looked like it was used more for storage than display (sorry, Mary 🙂
Then, I went to Los Angeles to see our daughter, Alexandra and to pick up Chief to take him back to San Francisco with me.
Yesterday, on our way north, we stopped to have coffee with Gail a former client and friend met through this blog (she has such a positive outlook). After a relaxed visit, sitting outside in the breezy shade of a Starbucks (both of us commenting on how blessed we felt), we left for the parking lot.
On the short walk, Chief started to vomit and then he flipped over hard on his back gasping for air. A stranger said to try to clear his throat and when I did I saw that his gums and tongue were blue. Gail, searched her phone for an emergency vet. I asked her to take us to them and as I picked up Chief he felt like dead weight. In the car I said, “I think he is dying, Gail.” I couldn’t feel his strong little heart beat in his chest.
At the hospital, they quickly took him from me to put him on oxygen. I wasn’t sure we would see him again. They thought it might be anaphylactic shock from a bee sting although Gail and I didn’t see any bees and they couldn’t find a stinger.
An Xray showed no blockages. More tests. More time. So, they treated it as a bee sting anyway. And he started to recover.
The doctor said he had been very close to death. I am so appreciative to Gail for her speedy action.
They kept Chief for observation and as Gail and I parted, she left me with another sweetly positive statement, “Well, I think this ordeal brought us closer together as friends.”
I know that this is way more than I usually write. Sometimes I wonder why I write this blog. Yesterday, the answer was clear. I would have never met Gail if not for this blog.
I write to connect with people like you. People like you and I, who have a crazy interest in making our homes pretty and comfortable. We love our families and friends and our pets. This is a beautiful way to live life.
PS. Chief is exhausted but better today and we are about to get in the car for our journey home. Thanks for being here.
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