LoveIsJoy

The winning design reminded me of the “theme rooms” that were popular 20-25 years ago (before they fell into disfavor as too literal, unsophisticated, and matchy-matchy). I, myself, once had a “ballet room” for the girls. Plus a “travel” theme for my husband’s office—complete with paintings of ships, map pillows and matching valance, wallpaper sporting a map with sailboats, and an embroidered-compass wall hanging. Antique navigation tools and naval coffee table books styled carefully throughout finished it off. My husband is a Navy vet, so it was awesome at the time and got a lot of compliments before we moved on to a not-so-literal esthetic about ten years ago. Now, according to Design Star, I guess everything old is really new again. The theme room is back! Unfortunately, the winning design was so monochromatic and one-note, as a whole, that my eye really couldn’t distinguish anything. The less said about the runner-up, the better. The overall vibe was Golden Girls meets a powder blue 50’s diner. I kept staring at the back wall trying to figure out what I was seeing and how it fit with the rest of the space. Was that wallpaper? I think I saw an abstract girl’s facial profile next to colorful globs of paint. I came away with a big “Huh?” Can you tell I was completely underwhelmed by the finale? But congratulations I guess. At least the rooms weren’t grey and white. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Something I didn’t understand about this episode...don’t the walls require some kind of insulation? It seems to me that they removed all of the drywall and the ceilings, and I got a little chill wondering how it will feel to live in an un-insulated house in Pittsburgh during cooler weather.

I really enjoyed the episode, but I hated Nate and Jeremiah’s countertops with the corner cut-outs. I seem to remember on their own show, they did a different “creative” countertop, but that time the edges were cut so the design was outward. I remember thinking how impractical it was because I’d likely jam my hip into it several times before remembering it was there. I like the pair a lot, but think they design for magazines and not real families.

My recording ended abruptly before the end of the final scene (probably because the beginning of the recording ate up a few minutes with the drama(?) of scenes from next week’s Greys Anatomy/Station 51 crossover event). Which I don’t watch or care about. And I have no way to set my recordings to record a few minutes before or after. Grrrr. Anyway, the last part that I saw was Rome making a speech, and the camera panned to a pained Maggie and then a concerned Gary. Did anything noteworthy happen after that? Thanks.

I’ve never seen the play version, so I didn’t know which parts were added or taken out for movie purposes. My curiosity about the scene was strictly on the film version as a whole. Just wondering about its significance, even if it’s just an add-on to the play.

I can’t quite put my finger on the significance of Chadwick’s character’s fascination with the locked door. Is it a metaphor that he thinks he’s breaking down a door (getting the opportunity to select and record with his own band), only to burst through and find himself in a smaller room (his hard work and dreams snatched from him)? But then, once he’s broken into the room, it seems like the character is looking upward towards the open sky. I don’t get what that part signifies. I’ll probably have to watch again and pay closer attention to the details. The acting was excellent all around.

I didn’t catch the name of the other actor who was also up for McConaughey’s part in A Time to Kill. He apparently is a close friend of Matthew’s and they think they may actually be related through Matthew’s mother or something. It was hard to hear and there was a bit of crosstalk so I missed the actor’s name. Did anyone catch it? Thanks.

I guess I'm not remembering the set up of Christina and Ant's house. Honestly, this show is pretty forgettable and I only turn it on for background noise. How does a big CA mansion not have room for all of the children? Why didn't they buy a house that had room for everyone, or even turn an occasional room into an extra bedroom? Isn't home reno what she does? I'm seriously perplexed by this. Feel very sorry for the kids too.

My own mother, who happens to be very light-skinned, has told me several stories of being told, point blank, that an office didn’t hire negroes (or coloreds) at all. She graduated HS in the early ‘50s in Chicago. She was an exceptional stenographer and typist, and even being light-skinned, well-spoken, attractive, slim, educated and qualified, didn’t give her instant advantage. Still, she admits she probably had a better shot than an equally qualified brown or dark woman. She got so frustrated that she began asking over the phone if the company even hired negroes, before she set out on yet another El train ride to apply in person. Finally, she got her first job at Spiegel headquarters in Chicago. In that light, I found the situation with Ruby to be completely compelling, depressing, and accurate to the times. I was hoping against hope that she would get some Hollywood magic and prevail, but the show took her character to an all-too-familiar place. All other qualities being equal, just being brown-skinned and overweight would have been another hurdle to landing a job at Marshall Field. Ruby had every right to be devastated. (OTOH, not knowing her backstory, the crowd had every right to withhold applause for her lackluster performance). So true. My former mother-in-law (who happens to be white) told me about being hired as a salesclerk in a Michigan department store—also in the early-to-mid ‘50s. She said she was regularly made fun of by her coworkers for having a large “Dutch” nose, and told that if she grew her hair longer, her nose wouldn’t be so noticeable. (She’s sensitive about her nose to this day, and I honestly never thought she was homely and still find her nose to be completely unremarkable 🤷🏽‍♀️). Anyway, the worst humiliation came the day that the president showed up unexpectedly and was appalled to see her on the sales floor. In front of everyone present, he loudly and angrily chastised the supervisor for putting someone on the sales floor who was so obviously not the face of their brand. Mortified, she was sent to a back room, out of the view of customers. Yeah. The good ole days were not so great for so many people.

Thank you. ♥️ I will add that in my case, my severe itching/scratching were only in areas I could reach, as well. Mostly the tops of my feet and my calves. My neurologist said it was due to damaged nerves. In retrospect, I’ve probably insisted to my husband a time or two that I was only vigorously rubbing my feet, when I was actually scratching. I felt guilty because I knew better, uncomfortable, and didn’t feel like being lectured. I’m not saying that Dr Lee and the prior doctors were wrong in their assessment. Perhaps it is psychosomatic. I don’t know. I’m just saying from personal experience that if your symptoms present in an atypical way, there are many doctors who will blithely tell you (and truly believe themselves) that you’re imagining it all, or exaggerating symptoms. I was kind of glad that the patient told Dr. Lee that she disagreed with her diagnosis. Ultimately, I hope she gets whatever help she needs, from whichever specialist can help her.

I guess I had a different take on the woman who Dr. Lee dismissed as having nothing wrong—just stop scratching her skin. My thought was that there may not be something dermatologically wrong with her skin, but something is clearly causing the constant itching she’s experiencing. Perhaps it’s a neurological disorder (trust me when I say from experience that a neurological problem can cause intense itching that makes you want to scratch your skin off, even though there is nothing wrong with the skin per se). Perhaps the vitiligo has something to do with the itch. Or maybe she has an unidentified allergy or autoimmune issue. About 25 years ago I began having strange symptoms that the doctors I consulted couldn’t identify. I was basically told ‘it was all in my head” and I should see a psychiatrist. One doc suggested I just needed a vacation when I complained about inordinate fatigue. I was accused of having “psuedo-seizures” because my body wasn’t following the textbook examples. Finally, after seeing about 8 different physicians, I was finally able to get an appointment with the Head Neurologist at a major Chicago teaching hospital. He examined me, ordered an MRI, and found the brain lesions that confirmed I had multiple sclerosis. He also explained that my so-called “pseudo-seizures” were actually a rare and severe form of myoclonus. He even brought in some students to demonstrate that when he tapped my knee with that little hammer, it triggered such severe jerking that it really did look like I was having a seizure. The point being, I felt the woman was dismissed as an OCD picker, without offering any advice about how to investigate other possible solutions. She was picking and creating sores—what was causing the itch and discomfort in the first place? It just seemed like another case of “when in doubt; blame the patient’s mental health.” Sorry for the lengthy post. That story just really hit home for me.

Exactly! My husband and I were shopping for a pair of accent chairs during the recent Labor Day furniture sales. In one store, I noticed that practically every single couch, sofa, loveseat, and chair was in some shade or combo of gray and white. With some obligatory black pieces interspersed throughout. And all of the dining sets, coffee tables, and accessories were “Joanna Gaines/modern farmhouse/rustic chic“. The salesman told me that I could get some pieces in other colors, but they would have to be special-ordered, and would cost more time and money. It took 4 stores and 2 days of shopping to find a pair of blue chairs, in stock. We also had our house built right around the time HGTV was switching from granite to quartz as the go-to for countertops, so I’m behind on that trend also. Actually, I seem to be behind on most of the trends on HHR, but I always get compliments from visitors on my warm, colorful decor, so I must be doing something right. But this show, and HGTV in general, always leaves me feeling somewhat, gnawingly, inadequate. 😒 I don’t know why I still watch, since I never feel any inspiration anymore, because all of the renos look the same.

Many years ago, I saw an interview with Eve Plumb. She mentioned that one of the main reasons she was cast to play Jan, was because the casting director/producers thought she bore a striking resemblance to Florence Henderson. I remember at the time that I didn’t really see anything beyond a superficial similarity, so it’s interesting to me that a few posters have said they can look at Eve and see Florence Henderson! I'll have to take another look.

Well, if you were hoping for a change for season 23, Good Housekeeping is reporting from multiple sources that both Meghan and Whoopi will be back Ignore the rumors, folks: Whoopi Goldberg and Meghan McCain are returning.

Is there a topic or forum for it yet? Maybe not many viewers yet.

I laughed and laughed when Whoopi interrupted Meghan asking her to explain “Fast & Furious” to the audience (just in case some viewers didn’t know what she was referencing spewing during her blue card diatribe against Obama AG, Eric Holder). The look on Meghan’s face was hilarious to me as she sputtered out some fast food word salad that it was a program about illegal guns and very controversial. Very controversial. Of course, anyone needing to be enlightened by that explanation would still be in the dark. I always think that people who “live for politics” can easily and thoroughly explain a concept succinctly and at the drop of a hat. Maybe I expect too much from my pundi(n)ts.

This episode already aired, but I’m tagging just in case anyone who hasn’t seen the episode yet doesn’t want to be spoiled.

Sadly, I have first hand knowledge about this subject. My sister gave birth in the late 70s to a baby who was born without a brain. She was hydrocephalic and only had a brain stem to allow primitive breathing function. She lived in NICU all of her brief life (close to 3 months), connected to a breathing apparatus, feeding and other tubes. This was in the days when ultrasounds were very rudimentary. The doctors had no idea that the pregnancy was in trouble until she went into labor and they eventually had to perform a C-section because the baby's head was enlarged due to excessive fluid and she couldn't come through the birth canal. It's been over forty years, and I still remember the pain and suffering that my sister, her boyfriend, and my immediate family went through every day knowing that the baby could not survive long term. One or more of us was at the hospital every day to be by her side. My sister had to work and would work long shifts at a restaurant, and then take a late bus to the hospital to hold the baby and stay with her overnight. It would have been a godsend if my sister had had a choice about what to do in the situation. Maybe she would have chosen the same road, but how dare anyone rant and rave about something so painful and gut-wrenching to a family.

What was the reason Allison gave that she couldn't use the hutch part of the built-in "as planned?" Somehow I doubt she planned to ever use it at all because she said there were pot lights installed and something about the storage would be too high? What does that even mean? She was mumbling quickly during that part and I didn't understand. Don't they have professional architectural plans to work from? Do the electricians just begin putting up pot lights wherever they please? Don't the carpenters measure height clearances before they create and install projects? How the heck does a 36" hood (which looked basic to me, even though it was specially crafted) get installed instead of a 42" one? How is it a complete surprise that the old concrete steps needed to be demolished before the new entrance could be built, and that such work costs time and money? Does she just randomly change the plans when she has a whim, after all of the work has already been signed off on and done? And why did it take two sets of inspectors--and three weeks of inactivity--before they finally passed inspection? What is the payoff in adding $100,00 to the budget to expand an already large and pricey home. And finally, where's Mike Holmes when you need him?! He'd straighten everybody out in no time! LOL I absolutely cringed when she tore that historical built-in out out of the wall, and broke it up into 2 pieces. Then painted it. And discarded the top (for another project--sure). To make the room more "open" (which it actually didn't). Yeah, because nothing says Old Chicago like a half-assed, painted wood, built-in. (/sarcasm). I'm Chicago-adjacent, and every time I'm in the city I'm just in awe of the beauty of some of that architecture. I also hated that she used that antique mirror frame (I forget the actual name of it) to frame a piece of art. Art is so subjective; unless that quickie painting is exactly what the buyers wanted nailed into the wall. At least she didn't paint the outside brick, white, this time. Personally, I'm beyond sick of white and gray, gray and gray, white on white, and white and black on my TV. In a city as diverse as Chicago, there surely must be some other colors available to inspire viewers. I'm also way past the trend of open concept. I'm gonna need to see some walls, dammit! I'm hate watching at this point. And wondering if she will run out of money or if Donovan will run off from a job site, mid-project, with his hair on fire.

The special treatment of Meghan reminds me of how Luke Russert was treated after his dad, venerated Meet The Press moderator Tim Russert, passed away several years ago. Luke was suddenly thrust into any news slot TPTB could find for him, although IMO, he was a lightweight (though pleasant) political analyst. I think he may have even had a cable show for a short time. Haven’t seen or heard of him lately so I don’t know what he’s up to now. I just remember thinking there was nothing special about him, and he was just getting opportunities because of who his father was. Same as Meghan.

IIRC, the flunky who forged the documents to change Aaliyah's age was actually related to her. At least that's what I thought I heard when he was first introduced...an uncle or something. And then Sparkle introduced her own niece to Kelly, even after all she'd seen up close. Sparkle initially said she'd be keeping an eye on her, but then never followed up when she found her niece alone in the studio with Kelly. All she said to her niece was "what are you doing here alone?" Then there was no follow up in the interview. I kept waiting for Sparkle to say she confronted Kelly, or told her niece's parents, went to the police, or something. But it sounded like a lot of time passed between that incident and the release of the sex tape. Time enough for her to have intervened in some way. All I got from the documentary regarding Sparkle was that she was estranged from the family (at what point, I don't know), and that she feels guilty for introducing them. Sparkle appeared tough and didn't seem to be emotionally abused by Kelly, so I don't understand her reason for not stepping in to protect her niece. Wish that part of the story was better explained.

Does anyone know if Lyle continued working at the prison? The closing credits said he still lived in the area and was waiting for Tilly to be released, but I'm just wondering what he's actually doing now.

Thank you!!

Can someone please educate me on the correct pronunciation of "Laoghaire?" With the accents, I have never been able to quite catch what she's being called. Then, when I come to the boards, I see it spelled Laoghaire, but the spelling doesn't match what I'm hearing. I guess it's like that actress Saoirse Ronan--pretty name--but sounds nothing like Americans would spell it. Thanks.

When they do the walkthrough, are the estimates they’re quoting for reno, inclusive of labor costs or just materials? I didn’t know you could put in new flooring for an entire house for 5K, or that a gut job in a new kitchen was only 15K (complete with rewiring, plumbing, custom cabinets, vaulted ceilings, new island, countertops, expensive fixtures and fancy tile backsplash). He quoted 10K to completely re-do 2 bathrooms. I’m guessing they have an ongoing crew of workers. So are the labor expenses taken out after the “profit?” I just can’t figure it all out. If it only costs 5K to completely gut and re-do a bathroom, then I know what to ask for this Christmas!