Podcasts about decorating

How to Plan a Room from Start to Finish: 10 Essential Steps for Stress-Free Home Decorating Do you ever find yourself staring at a room in your home wondering, “Where do I even start?” If you've been buying pieces you love but still can't seem to finish a room, the problem likely isn't your style — it's that you don't have a clear home decorating plan. In today's episode, I'm walking you through the 10 essential steps to creating a foolproof home decorating plan so you can stop guessing, stop overspending, and finally finish your rooms with confidence. This episode is your practical roadmap for how to plan a room from start to finish — without copying Pinterest, wasting money, or getting stuck halfway through. If you've been searching for: How to decorate a room step by step Where to start when decorating a room How to create a cohesive home How to plan a room makeover How to finish a room you've already started You're in the right place. In This Episode, You'll Learn the 10 Essential Steps:  1. Know Your Aesthetic Before you move a single piece of furniture, you need clarity on your personal style. We'll talk about how to define your aesthetic without copying someone else's home. 2. Take Inventory of Your Room Learn how to assess what you already own so you can decorate intentionally instead of impulsively. 3. Define the Goals for Your Space What is this room actually for? Function matters just as much as beauty when creating a cohesive home. 4. Use Inspiration — Without Copying & Pasting Pinterest and inspiration photos are tools, not templates. I'll show you how to use them wisely. 5. Understand Expectation vs. Reality Be honest about your time, energy, and skill set so your decorating plan stays realistic and doable. 6. Create a Flexible Decorating Budget You need a starting number — but you also need room to adjust. I'll explain how to plan financially without boxing yourself in. 7. Follow a Step-by-Step Roadmap A room doesn't come together all at once. I'll show you how to build in “pit stops” along the way to reassess and adjust your plan. 8. Set a Realistic Timeline Most unfinished rooms stall because expectations are off. We'll talk about what's actually reasonable. 9. Execute with Confidence Once the plan is in place, you can move forward without second-guessing every decision. 10. Celebrate the Finished Space Finishing a room is an accomplishment — and celebration builds confidence for the next one. Why This Matters Most women don't struggle with creativity — they struggle with clarity. Without a clear decorating roadmap, it's easy to: Overspend on the wrong pieces Buy decor without a plan Leave rooms half-finished Feel overwhelmed every time you walk into the space This 10-step decorating plan gives you structure so your home can feel cohesive, intentional, and finished. Ready to go deeper? Register for the workshop: 3 Steps to Creating a Home you Can't Stop Gushing About Get 1:1 help inside a Decorating SOS Call: Book your call here    ✨✨ REGISTER for the FREE WORKSHOP ✨✨ 3 Steps to Creating a Home you Can't STOP Gushing About  March 11 and 12  9am PST | 10 am MST | 11am CST | 12 pm EST   // Links mentioned in show: // Learn your design style: https://bit.ly/ffdesignguide Email: hello@figandfarmathome.com Website: https://figandfarmathome.com Join The Collective (monthly membership): https://www.figandfarmathome.com/thecollective Book a Decorating SOS Coaching Call: https://www.figandfarmathome.com/decorating-sos Instagram, where I rarely hang out: https://www.instagram.com/figandfarm/ FREE Facebook Community: https://www.bit.ly/design101group    

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel look into the production process of paint, find out what makes paint cost what it does, some of the innovation, research and development and what the future holds for many paints and finishes. Guests: Jon Mears (Teknos) & Peter Howard (Akzonobel)

You've saved the inspiration. You have the vision. You can see what you want your home to feel like. So why does the room still feel unfinished? In today's episode, I'm sharing the secret most decorators don't tell you about finishing a room — and it has nothing to do with having better taste, a bigger budget, or more time. The real secret? It's knowing where to start. Most of us begin with massive inspiration but no clear structure. We jump into paint colors before confirming furniture layout. We buy décor before defining the foundation. We move forward without a roadmap — and somewhere along the way we feel frustrated, overwhelmed, confused… and we start questioning our confidence. It's not that you don't have style. It's that you don't have a plan. In this episode, I break down: Why inspiration without structure leads to stalled rooms Why we often start at the end instead of the beginning  How to think about decorating as a clear, sequential process The mindset shift that brings back confidence and clarity If you've ever felt stuck halfway through a room (or like you keep second-guessing your decisions), this episode will give you a powerful reframe. ✨✨ REGISTER for the FREE WORKSHOP ✨✨ 3 Steps to Creating a Home you Can't STOP Gushing About  March 11 and 12  9am PST | 10 am MST | 11am CST | 12 pm EST   // Links mentioned in show: // Learn your design style: https://bit.ly/ffdesignguide Email: hello@figandfarmathome.com Website: https://figandfarmathome.com Join The Collective (monthly membership): https://www.figandfarmathome.com/thecollective Book a Decorating SOS Coaching Call: https://www.figandfarmathome.com/decorating-sos Instagram, where I rarely hang out: https://www.instagram.com/figandfarm/ FREE Facebook Community: https://www.bit.ly/design101group    

Welcome to the Season 7 Premiere of Decorating the Set: From Hollywood to Your Home with Beth Kushnick! This week on the Season 7 premiere of Decorating the Set, Beth and Caroline discuss everything you need to know in order to plan your perfect wedding! Part 1 of a two-part episode. Join the Decorating the Set Community by subscribing to our Official Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/decoratingthesetpodcast)! Interact with Beth, Caroline, Producer Mike, and all of the DTS listeners! ### For over 35 years, Beth Kushnick has created character-driven settings for countless award-winning television series and feature films. As a Set Decorator, she’s composed visuals that both capture and enhance any story. Now, she wants to help you capture and enhance YOUR story. Join Beth and her co-host, Caroline Daley, each week as they go behind the scenes of Hollywood's magic, and give you approachable, yet sophisticated tips to realize the space that best expresses who you are. ### Follow Beth Kushnick on Social Media:  Instagram: @bethkushnick Twitter: @bethkushnick Website: BethKushnick.com Beth is the Decorator By Your Side and now, you can shop her Amazon Store! CLICK HERE! Follow Caroline Daley on Social Media: Twitter: @Tweet2Caroline Website: PodClubhouse.com ### Credits: “Giraffes” by Harrison Amer, licensed by Pod Clubhouse. This is an original production of Pod Clubhouse Productions, LLC. Produced, engineered and edited at Pod Clubhouse Studios. For more information, visit our Website.

Welcome to the Season 7 Premiere of Decorating the Set: From Hollywood to Your Home with Beth Kushnick! This week on the Season 7 premiere of Decorating the Set, Beth […]

Joel Bardall and Todd Von Joel ask Decorators to join them and share some of their tips, tricks and advice. Todd also asks Joel for some advice for an upcoming job. Guests: Colin Bidwell (Paint Shack) & Wesley Knight (WKPD)

How do you know when a room is actually done? Not “good enough.” Not “I'll just add one more thing.” But finished in a way that feels calm, intentional, and deeply satisfying. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain and sharing a behind-the-scenes lesson from The Collective—a private space where I teach women how to confidently decorate their homes without overwhelm or wasted money. We talk about why so many rooms get stuck at the almost finished stage, and how the problem usually isn't a lack of ideas… it's not knowing when to stop. I'll walk you through the six elements I assess when deciding whether a room is complete—and the exact questions I ask before adding anything else. This episode is about restraint, clarity, and learning to trust your decisions—so you can create a home you truly delight in. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why rooms often feel 80% done—but never quite finished The difference between a room that looks styled and one that feels complete The 6 elements I assess before adding anything new: Balance Scale Cohesiveness Functionality Restraint Feeling The key questions to ask yourself before buying “just one more thing” How finishing a room can shift how you feel in your home—and in yourself A Client Moment Worth Sharing I also share a brief case study from a client whose finished room didn't just look better—it changed how she felt walking into her home. Less second-guessing. Less mental noise. More pride. More ease. More delight. Sometimes the transformation isn't about what you add—it's about finally knowing when you're done. Ready for Support? If you're listening and thinking: “I don't know where to start,” or “I'm so close… I just need help finishing,” You have two next steps, depending on where you are: ✨ Learn where to start: Take my free training, Learn Your Design Style, to gain clarity and direction before making another decision.  ✨ Get help finishing: Book a 1:1 Decorating SOS Call and we'll assess your space together—so you can stop guessing and finally bring your room across the finish line. // Links mentioned in show: // Learn your design style: https://bit.ly/ffdesignguide Email: hello@figandfarmathome.com Website: https://figandfarmathome.com Join The Collective (monthly membership): https://www.figandfarmathome.com/thecollective Book a Decorating SOS Coaching Call: https://www.figandfarmathome.com/decorating-sos Instagram, where I rarely hang out: https://www.instagram.com/figandfarm/ FREE Facebook Community: https://www.bit.ly/design101group

"My Four Tenets of Good Design are not rules to follow, as much as they are a framework to help you think about design, not just as something pretty to look at but as something that inspires you to be the best version of yourself in the moments when no one is watching." —Nate Berkus, Foundations A feeling of immediate release of any tension, letting the day wash away, and a trust that the comforts and reminders of love and bounty of a beautiful life lived surround you is what a thoughtfully decorated sanctuary gives us each time we cross the threshold.  The truth is a sanctuary can be found anywhere, and in fact doesn't need to be a place, but as we talked about in Monday's Motivational post, can be people or even ineffable things – concepts, ideas where we rest our mind. However, most definitely, our home can be a sanctuary, and today, we're going to explore 7 ways to transform your home into just that.  Because a home isn't always a sanctuary. It may have four walls that keep us warm and shelter us, but the definition of a sanctuary is that it is a reliable place of refuge to rejuvenate ourselves. As defined in Buddha's Brain, a book written by Rick Hanson and the inspiration behind episode #327, a sanctuary is anyone or anything that provides reliable protection, so that you can let down your guard and gather strength and wisdom." So with that definition in mind, when American interior designer Nate Berkus' new book, Foundations, was released this past November, I found a helpful companion resource to help each of us identify what would make our home a sanctuary and where to start the journey of gradually decorating a nest that feels far more than just a home, but most definitely a sanctuary.  The guiding premise of Foundations is Berkus' four tenets of good design: make it personal, embrace history, introduce character, and develop your vision. These will guide us through today's episode/post. Let's begin exploring how to lay the foundation of our decorating journey so that as we progress, adding pieces, making decisions along the way, we have clarity and trust what we choose. 

"don't get wrapped up in what never could have been"This week, we are joined by Denise to discuss how we decorate our spaces, along with changes to the UMC and how prepare your belongings for future generations.Email: thetruthsleuthspod@gmail.com Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thetruthsleuths⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Truth Sleuths⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Alex's YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alexisme12⁠

Joel and Todd take a week to answer some questions sent into the show. There's bits on about rules of the trade, confessions, debates online & more!

Raised in Beverly Hills with a film director father, Madeline Stuart made her way into design working for up-and-coming screenwriters and actors. While the movies have played an enormous part in Stuart's career, her work has the depth of a novel—carefully studied, richly textured, and endlessly layered. Her firm has been featured on Elle Decor's A-List and the AD100, won numerous awards, and her work is regularly featured in top publications around the world.  On this episode of the podcast, she speaks with host Dennis Scully about what she calls "scavenger decorating," the highs and lows of working with celebrities, and how she learned to walk away from bad clients—as quickly as possible.This episode is sponsored by Ernesta and SixpennyLINKSMadeline StuartDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

Todd Von Joel and Joel Bardall share two stories of good will and charity with a Painting & Decorating angle to them. The first story is about Emmaus - a homeless charity who is putting to use old paint and giving it and the homeless a new lease of life in the local community. There's also the story of how 30 or more Decorators came together on a single day, for a great cause in Northern Ireland. Guests: Chris Mengell & Gerrard Donaghy.

Have you ever stood in the middle of a room, surrounded by ideas, and still felt completely stuck? You pin beautiful images. You save inspiration. You know what you like… And yet, when it's time to actually choose — the paint color, the sofa, the rug — doubt creeps in. In this episode, we're talking about second-guessing in home decorating — where it comes from, why it's so common, and how it quietly fuels overwhelm, frustration, and decision fatigue. Spoiler alert: second-guessing isn't a personality flaw. It's a learned behavior — and that means it can be unlearned. In this episode, you'll learn: Why second-guessing often starts after past decorating mistakes How too many options (and too much inspiration) actually increase overwhelm The connection between decision fatigue and unfinished rooms Why “having good taste” doesn't automatically lead to confident decisions How second-guessing keeps you stuck in planning instead of progress What actually helps you move forward without wasting more money We'll also reframe the idea that you just need more ideas — and explore why clarity, not inspiration, is what helps you finally finish a room. If this episode resonates… If you're realizing that Pinterest, Instagram, and inspiration alone aren't helping you move forward, I have a free training that walks you through how to identify your design style with intention — and how to use inspiration without adding more overwhelm. It's a short, practical video that shows you how to filter ideas, trust your instincts, and start making decisions with confidence.

Melissa Murphy, co-owner of Johnston Paint and Decorating, and Kemp Harr discuss why this flooring retailer in Columbia, MO, is continuing to grow, and why she won the WFCA Tom Jennings award.

Send us a text!The new Cult of Mac podcast:Apple PodcastsSpotify PodcastsOvercastCastroRSS feedAmazon MusicPocket CastsPodcast AddictDeezerPlayer FMPodchaserListen NotesCastboxGoodpodsMetacastThis week's stories:Samsung teases the foldable iPhone's biggest upgradeAt CES 2026, Samsung showcased a crease-less folding OLED panel that might be headed for Apple's first foldable iPhone.Decorating your iPhone with tiny stickers is 2026's hot new trendPersonalize your iPhone 17 Pro camera plateau with stickers. Lots of people are doing it in fun and creative ways.This is the weirdest auction of Steve Jobs memorabilia we've ever seenSome rather strange Steve Jobs memorabilia is up for auction, showcasing unique items related to the Apple co-founder.New fitness app Reps & Sets 26 gets serious about strength trainingDesigned exclusively for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, strength-training app Reps & Sets 26 was developed by a long-time Cult of Mac writer.Reps & Sets 26 on the App StoreTop 10 Apple setups of 2025Cult of Mac's top 10 Apple setups of 2025 excel in raw computing power, aesthetic beauty, functional innovation — or all three.Turn your M4 Mac mini into a small-but-mighty ‘Mac Pro'

In this episode of the Summer of Me, Kendra deep dives into the unexpected and often overlooked positive parts of divorce. From the freedom to eat and buy whatever you want, to having the bed to yourself, Kendra shares her personal silver linings and encourages listeners to embrace their new chapter.  TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction to the Silver Linings of Divorce 00:54 Underrated Freedoms 02:20 Sleeping 03:08 Home Cleanliness 04:28 Remote Control Freedom 05:13 Shopping 05:54 Decorating 06:13 Embracing Sadness 06:56 Conclusion: Embracing the Single Life LINKS: Follow Kendra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendrafornow/ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SummerofMe Produced by SocialPodcast.co

We set goals for our health, our finances, and our personal growth—but rarely do we pause to set intentional goals for our home. In this episode, I invite you to slow down and reflect on how your home has truly served you over the past year. Did it support your life and rhythms… or did you find yourself constantly serving it? We'll talk about how to create home goals that go beyond surface-level decorating and instead focus on how you want your home to feel. You'll learn the difference between physical, tangible home goals (like decluttering, redecorating, or organizing a space) and social or emotional home goals—such as creating a home that feels calmer, more welcoming, or easier to live in day-to-day. One of the most important parts of this conversation is learning to acknowledge the emotional weight we carry around our homes—and why honoring those feelings is just as important (if not more important) than tackling the physical projects first. We'll walk through: How to reflect honestly on what worked—and what didn't—in your home this past year Why emotional and lifestyle-based decorating goals matter How to identify realistic next steps for creating a more cohesive, cozy home When and why asking for help can move you forward faster This episode is part reflection, part reset, and part permission—to approach your home with curiosity instead of criticism.

Happy Holidays!Decorating mistakes are part of the learning process, and that's how you improve.Today we run through a list of mistakes to avoid. Listening will make your home more beautiful, functional and save you headaches & money!We mentioned fixing an off balance room. We did an entire episode on this topic, HERE.This is our list, did we miss anything? Let us know. And if we have something on our list that you disagree with, that's okay too.DTT DEFINES empire lamp shadeWe participate in the affiliate program with Amazon and other retailers. We may receive a small fee for qualified purchases at no extra cost to you.CRUSHESAnita's crush is this gorgeous Blue and white House of Hackney Anthro hand towelKelly's crush is an Air BnB in the Cotswolds - let's all go! See the cottage HERE.SCHEDULE A DESIGN CONSULTNeed help with your home? We'd love to help! We do personalized consults, and we'll offer advice specific to your room that typically includes room layout ideas, suggestions for what the room needs, and how to pull the room together. We'll also help you to decide what isn't working for you. We work with any budget, large or small. Find out more HERECheck out Anita's Amazon shop HERE.Are you subscribed to the podcast? Don't need to search for us each Wednesday let us come right to your door ...er...device. Subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. Just hit the SUBSCRIBE button & we'll show up!xx,Anita & KellyDI - 14:56 / 20:34See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Oliver speaks to Mr. Tilly, who has been decorating his house for more than 30 years.

Get ready to sprinkle some festive fun into your day because we've got the fabulous Kelsey from Dancing Around the Kitchen, back in action!

On the latest episode of The Blazers Balcony, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Brooke Olzendam and Casey Holdahl discuss...• The Trail Blazers defeating the Warriors for the third time this season at Moda Center on Sunday • Winning the season series versus the Warriors for the first time since the 2020-21 season• Jerami Grant, Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija all having impressive performances versus Golden State• Finally overcoming a great shooting night from Steph Curry after not doing so for a decade• A great crowd Sunday at Moda Center• The team's new "box" award for defense that they're giving out after every game• A supportive locker room• Good vibes in the gym even after losses• Hoping that Jrue Holiday and Matisse Thybulle are able to return some time soon• Decorating for the holidays after returning from a road trip, trying to keep it fair when no one really cares, Steph Curry as Nicole Kidman, "LEBRON" Blazers license plates, Cheri O'Terri is not Rachel Dratch

I share the story behind getting our first dedicated Podsqueeze office in Portugal. I talk about the challenges of moving from a co-working space, hunting for a budget-friendly place, and doing DIY renovations with my co-founder. I explain how we furnished the space cheaply, set up a gym and podcast studio, and optimized for productivity. I cover office design debates, internet installation struggles, and plans for future meetups and collaborations. If you want a tour or have ideas, let me know!My twitter: https://x.com/wbetiagoMy Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiago-ferreira-48562095/Timestamps by PodSqueezeIntroduction and Episode Context (00:00:05)  Why Leave Home and Move to a Co-working Space (00:01:28)  Choosing the Right Co-working Space (00:02:39)  Benefits and Challenges of Co-working (00:03:53)  Deciding to Get Their Own Office (00:04:54)  Finding and Securing the New Office (00:05:56)  Planning the Office Layout and Functions (00:07:07)  Solving the Echo Problem and DIY Acoustic Panels (00:08:22)  Designing and Furnishing the Office (00:09:25)  Buying Second-hand Furniture and Equipment (00:11:54)  Setting Up the Gym and Office Desks (00:12:54)  Decorating and Balancing Design vs. Function (00:15:08)  Setting Up Utilities: Internet, Water, Electricity (00:16:11)  Internet Installation Issues and Going Viral (00:17:32)  Settling In and Realizing Office Needs (00:19:28)  Future Plans for the Office Space (00:20:30)  Community, Meetups, and Inauguration Plans (00:21:27)  Reflections on Bootstrapping and SaaS Benefits (00:23:39)  Conclusion and Call for Feedback (00:24:30)

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Today's episode is a special peek behind the curtain of a real Decorating SOS call with Leah — a homeowner whose style blends modern farmhouse charm, a little cowgirl grit, and just a hint of soft romanticism. If you've ever looked around your home and thought, “Something's missing… but I don't know what,” this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale. Inside this call, we walk through simple, budget-friendly ways to make Leah's home feel cozy, layered, and beautifully intentional—without starting from scratch or spending a fortune. In This Episode You'll Learn: How small styling changes can create big visual impact in a modern farmhouse home Ways to layer lighting to instantly add warmth, coziness, and dimension The difference between a “pretty room” and a pulled-together, lived-in room (and how to get the latter!) Why layering textiles and accessories makes your home feel more collected and less cookie-cutter The mindset shift that helped Leah feel confident tackling DIY upgrades like shiplap and painting How to blend styles—modern farmhouse + cowgirl + romantic—into a cohesive look that feels personal and inviting Practical tips anyone can try today to refresh a room without buying all new furniture This episode is packed with takeaways you can use immediately—especially if you love the modern farmhouse aesthetic but want your home to feel warmer, cozier, and more “you.”  

Delaware's Diane Siebold and Pie Truono tell Rick Jensen about their adventure on the White House Christmas Tree Decorating Team

Day 4 of the Joy Loving Home Holiday series: short, practical ideas to make decorating quick, joyful, and low-stress. Focus on the essentials first (the tree and stockings), let decorations lead you, use mellow instrumental music while you work, and stop when it feels like a chore. A helpful tip: drop a dated note into bins you didn't use (e.g., “Christmas 2025 – didn't use anything”) so next year you can easily decide to keep, donate, or reuse items. Snap photos of setups you love and give yourself permission to simplify—there are no rules and no Christmas police. Join me in our Podcast Community! https://bit.ly/joylovinghomecommunity  

Kanklefritz & Friends chat with a listener of why she decorates for her house for their neighbors. Also, our first winner of the Christmas Miracle!

Bridge Engineering: Part 2 Why is my mom here? Based on a post by Architect 23 94, in 3 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Connected. I awoke to the sound of Lizzie's bathroom door opening and closing, and the girls' footsteps moving around her bedroom. I laid there for a minute then reluctantly pulled myself out of bed to splash some water on my face and slip on a pair of flannel lounge pants and a t-shirt. I emerged from my bedroom and looked down in the great room to see the girls standing by the sofa looking at Stefani as she slept. Toni heard me coming down the stairs and asked, "Why is my mom here?" Lizzie followed that with the accurate but impolite assessment, "Her makeup is all smeared." Before I could say anything, Toni shook her mom's shoulder and loudly inquired, "Mom! Mom! Are you ok?!" Stefani stirred, stretched her legs under the blankets, and drowsily answered, "Yes honey, I'm fine. Mom just had a really rough night." Seemingly satisfied with that answer, Toni and Lizzie went into the pantry and started lining up cereal boxes while debating the merits of each selection. By that time, I was also downstairs and gently offered, "Good morning" to Stefani as I went about rekindling the hearth. She moaned as she sat up on the sofa and said, "I'm so embarrassed. I can't believe I came here like that last night." "I'm glad you did. I don't know what that was all about, but I was happy to know you were here and safe." She gave a muffled "Thank you." while she hung her head and cradled it in her hands, then mumbled to herself, "I can't believe I thought he would be any different." Toni must have had one ear tuned into our conversation and interjected in an annoyed tone of voice, "Is this about a man?" Lizzie looked at Toni, then at me and matter-of-factly said, "She should go sit on the bridge." It was an unquestionable truth in Lizzie's mind that time sitting on the bridge would fix whatever was bothering Toni's mom. I smiled and said, "Lizzie, I think that is a great idea." She puffed her chest proudly and went about pouring a bowl of cereal. I finished adding logs to the fire and suggested to Stefani, "There's a half-bath by the kitchen, or you're welcome to use my bathroom upstairs if you would like a shower. I'll pull together some fresh clothes for you. When you are ready, I think we should go for a walk;” then in a slightly louder voice added, "away from little eavesdroppers." "You really wouldn't mind if I took a shower?" "Not at all. I'll get you some towels and toiletries." The corners of her mouth turned upward in a small smile of gratitude and, for the first time that morning, Stefani looked me directly in the eyes and offered a very heart-felt, "Thank you." She stood up, pulled the hem of her dress down, and followed me up the stairs in her black legging covered feet. At the top of the stairs, I reached in the linen closet and handed her a stack of two bath towels, a hand towel, and a washcloth. My hands then sorted through some of the miscellaneous toiletries stored in the same closet and added a toothbrush, toothpaste, and stick of pre-teen girly deodorant. I apologized as I set the brightly patterned container on top of the towels, "Sorry, you're stuck with this unless you want to use men's deodorant." Returning to our inventory of toiletries, I started checking labels on bottles of Lizzie's 2-in-1 bodywash and shampoo, "Ok, looks like your choices are strawberry, cotton candy, or bubble gum." She chuckled and said, "I think I'll go with strawberry." "Good call." We proceeded into my bedroom where I motioned her toward the ensuite bathroom and said, "Make yourself at home and use whatever you need in there. I'm pretty sure the door locks. To be honest, I've never used it." She surveyed the bedroom and its contents on her way to the bathroom and I walked the opposite direction toward my walk-in closet. "I'll find some clothes while you are in the shower and set them on the corner of the bed." She softly said, "Thank you." while walking into the bathroom and shutting the door behind her. I proceeded to rummage through my closet looking for things that might work. I knew my clothes made for a 6'-3" tall man wouldn't fit her properly, but they were the only option available. My hands methodically moved across the wall rack, sliding each hanger a bit so I could examine the respective article. After a few minutes, I heard the sounds of Stefani turning on the shower, opening the glass shower door, and then water sporadically splashing against the tile and glass enclosure. My mind came to the awareness that there was a completely naked woman in my shower, just on the other side of the door. I couldn't help but think of how her intimate features must look as the steaming spray trickled down her body. Realizing I was standing there inappropriately fantasizing about a woman in a questionable emotional condition, I snapped myself out of it and continued thumbing through hangers to arrive at a pair of heavy flannel lounge pants. They were a much too small Christmas gift from years past, but I figured they would work for Stefani if she rolled the pant legs up a little. A t-shirt and sweatshirt seemed like the obvious choices for her upper half given a lot of women like relaxing in oversized men's clothes anyway. Organizing my selections, I noticed there weren't any undergarments and shrugged it off thinking she would just have to re-use what she had on, or go commando, but then had a last-second thought to grab a pair of boxer shorts. I folded everything neatly, set the items in a pyramiding stack on the corner of the bed, and closed the bedroom door behind me on the way out. About 30-minutes later, the girls were in Lizzie's room and I was sitting in the great room when Stefani padded down the stairs in bare feet wearing the lounge pants and the oversized t-shirt that was slightly moist around the collar from her damp curls. The t-shirt clung a little to her moist torso and gave evidence of her unrestrained tits jiggling under the fabric. She smiled as she reached the main floor and softly said, "Thank you. I really needed that." "You're welcome. Are you hungry?" "Not really, my stomach is still turning a little from last night." she said as she sat next to me on the sofa and folded her legs beneath her. "I'm so sorry for the drama. I wasn't thinking clearly and I'm thoroughly embarrassed I showed up here like that." "Please don't be. Like I said earlier, I'm just happy to know you're safe. You seemed pretty traumatized." Stefani replied, "Traumatized is probably a little strong." before seemingly pausing to consider if she wanted to offer any more information. She exhaled loudly and hesitantly continued, "I've had some; let's call them; rocky roads in my personal life, and last night was just the latest example." I sympathetically offered, "I'm sorry." She shrugged her shoulders and introspectively recapped, "I've worked with him for several years and thought he was a nice guy; and he was until he started drinking. Dinner was enjoyable, but by the time we all got to the dance club he was pretty buzzed and started getting handsy. When I rebuffed his advances, he got belligerent and more forceful." Stefani's eyes were beginning to swell as she recounted the previous evening's events in her head. My own head was filled with questions and concerns, but I sensed she had more to say and didn't want to hinder her in getting it out. "Thankfully, my coworkers saw what was happening and interceded. He took off and that was the end of it." She paused for a moment then tearily continued, "It's not just him. Last night wasn't the first time something like this happened. I seem to be a magnet for jerks and losers. At least this one wasn't married; that I know of." "I'm sorry." She quietly repeated to herself something she had said the previous night, "Why can't I escape it?" I couldn't hold back my curiosity, "You said that last night too. What do you mean you can't escape 'it'?" She answered coldly through her tears, "Alcohol," before pausing for a few quick moments to gather herself and continuing, "It ruined my marriage. It robbed Toni of a father. It turned my coworker into a creep last night. Etc, etc;” I took her hand in mine and said, "I'm sorry. I understand." She abruptly pulled her hand from mine and argued, "I appreciate your compassion, but please don't say you understand." I stood up and said, "I think we should go for a walk outside." I didn't really give her an opportunity to say no and walked to the mudroom to get a jacket. I put mine on, then handed one to Stefani as she followed me. We both slipped on a pair of my fleece lined muck boots. The boots and jacket were both too large for her, but they would suffice. I shouted to the girls that Stefani and I were going on a walk, then we stepped outside. As we strolled away from the house and into the woods, I inquired, "Please tell me about your ex-husband." "Well, we met in college and he was wonderful. I thought he was everything I wanted in life. His drinking wasn't an issue then. I mean we both went to the typical college parties and had too much to drink, but it wasn't a problem. We married the summer after we graduated and started a typical newlywed life." Our boots crunched through fall leaves on the forest floor as Stefani continued, "After we were married, he occasionally went out with friends or old college buddies and came home drunk. Again, it wasn't frequent and wasn't anything concerning." We reached Lizzie's bridge and both sat on the edge dangling our feet over the water below. "Over time, and after Toni came along, his occasional nights out evolved into several times a week and he became defensive whenever I would say anything about it. Eventually, alcoholism; let's call it what it was; completely overtook him. It wasn't just going out with friends anymore. He always had a drink in his hand. Commitments were meaningless to him and he would show up hours late, if at all. Toni's birthday parties, family holidays, dates with me; it didn't matter." "By the time Toni was three, he lost his job, which only gave him an excuse to be drunk all day. I constantly begged him to get help, but that would only agitate him and cause a fight. That continued for about a year until his agitation turned into physical abuse. That was my breaking point and I told him I wanted a divorce." Stefani was now talking through streaming tears and I took her hand in mine as a show of support. "The night I told him, he went out to the bar and never came back. After a couple weeks, I realized he was never coming back and I hired a divorce attorney who, in turn, hired a private investigator to track him down. It took a few months, but they eventually found him in Key West where he could find work as a day laborer on fishing charters and beg enough money and free drinks from tourists to get by. He demanded a healthy ransom to sign the divorce papers but, at that point, I would have paid anything." With that, she fell silent and leaned to rest her head on my shoulder. We sat quietly listening to the gentle breeze in the trees, punctuated occasionally by Stefani's sniffles. After a few minutes of building courage, I sighed and started talking, "I think I told you that Lizzie and I lived in Indiana before moving here, right?" Stefani answered softly with her head still on my shoulder, "Yes." "Well, I grew up there, in a very small town in the southern part of the state. When I was younger, my dad was a functional alcoholic. He was the best heavy equipment mechanic in the area and ran a very successful business, but came home and drank himself to blackout every night." Stefani raised her head to look at me as I continued talking, "He wasn't an angry or abusive drunk, and was never drunk in public. He was just basically an absent parent. He worked all day then came home, sat in front of the television and drank until he passed out." "My mom did everything for us and held the family together until she got sick when I was in 8th grade. The ovarian cancer had already metastasized throughout her abdomen when she was diagnosed, and she was gone a few months later." My hand had held Stefani's while she was talking and now she reciprocated by interlacing her slender fingers with mine. "Even though he didn't show it, my dad loved her deeply and her death sent him into a tailspin. He turned into a full-time drunk and lost everything; the business, the house, the cars. There were many mornings that I would wake up for school and find him passed out in the living room or, worse yet, already starting the new day with a drink in his hand. When I was in high school, it was common for me to get a call from the Sheriff saying he was drunk or passed out somewhere around town. The Sheriff was a family friend and just called me to come get him rather than arresting him. Looking back on it, he was just an enabler by letting him go." Stefani squeezed my hand in hers as I spoke, "I worked odd jobs around town and managed to earn enough money for my dad and I to survive in a tiny apartment above the hardware store. Between poverty status and my good school grades, I managed to get a full scholarship at IU in Bloomington." "I was concerned about how my dad would take me leaving for school, but it turned out I didn't need to worry. His only question was if I would have a job and keep paying the bills. I did and continued doing so even after Julie and I were married." Stefani leaned against me as we sat on the bridge and offered, "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. You do understand." "Yes, unfortunately I do." She cautiously probed further, "If I may ask, is your dad still around?" I had repressed this part of my past for years and wasn't sure I wanted to dredge up those memories. My head hung and watched the bubbling water below. After several minutes without a response, Stefani squeezed my hand and prompted, "David?" "He's in prison." She dug deeper when she realized I wasn't going to elaborate on my own, "Why?" I continued looking into the moving water and softly said, "Julie and Lizzie were hit by a drunk driver." It took a second to register in her mind, "Oh my God, it was him." "Yes." She took her hand from mine and, instead, wrapped both arms around me in a sympathetic and understanding hug. We sat in each other's arms for quite some time before I said, "We should probably go back inside and see what the girls are doing." Stefani agreed and we slowly made our way back through the woods toward the house. As we walked, I said, "Lizzie doesn't know any of that stuff about her grandfather. I'll tell her someday, but probably not anytime soon." "I understand. Toni was young enough that she doesn't remember her dad and didn't know why he left. I avoided the topic for a long time, but eventually I had to tell her." "Lizzie knows that she and Julie were in a car accident. She just doesn't know the part about my dad." Stefani stopped walking and pulled on my arm for me to stop with her. She pulled me into an embrace and said, "Thank you." I returned her hug, then kept one arm around her back as we finished walking to the house. Stefani, Toni, Lizzie and I spent most of the afternoon playing board games by the fireplace and enjoying the time together. As we did, I found myself becoming attracted to Stefani, both mentally and physically. The cold, guarded person I knew faded away and a new sunny, alluring personality emerged as she smiled and laughed. I stole glances while she wasn't looking, enjoying the simple way she sat with one leg folded beneath her and the other pulled up so she could rest her chin on her knee, the way she twisted curls of hair in her slender fingers when she thought, the way her neatly-painted toes flexed when she reached for the board game pieces, and the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed. Later in the evening, Stefani and I collaborated on preparation of an impromptu taco dinner, before we all said our goodbyes. Still in my borrowed clothes as they left, Stefani gave me one more hug and whispered in my ear, "Thank you again for taking me in." before giving me a soft kiss on the cheek. Uniting. Play dates continued frequently for Lizzie and Toni over the following weeks, both at Stefani's house and at mine. However, unlike before, Stefani would invite me to stay and I would do the same when at my house. Sometimes we would simply sit quietly in each other's company working on our laptops. Other times we would chat casually about a wide range of topics, getting to know each other and exploring our commonalities and differences. During one of those discussions, we found ourselves talking about balancing life demands as a single parent; children, work, cooking, cleaning, etc., and how it left very little time for personal interests and pursuits. I joked, "Ha, sharing the work is definitely a strong argument for having a partner!" Stefani looked at me and very seriously asked, "Have you dated since Julie passed?" "I've been on a few dates, but I wouldn't say I've dated. A couple years after we moved here, some of my friends started trying to set me up with people. The ladies were nice enough, but I wasn't ready yet and it just didn't feel right. After a few dates, I decided it was best to just decline their attempts" She probed further, "How long ago was that?" "The last one was maybe 4 years ago." I answered before returning the question, "How about you? Have you dated?" She groaned, "Hmm, my dating history isn't any better than what happened with that guy from my office. I've met a few guys, but they've all turned out to be jerks. I tell you, I'm a magnet for them. One guy that I really liked and went out with for about a month, turned out to be married. The others weren't that much different than the guy from work, and it became obvious on the first dates that they were only looking for sex, not a relationship." "I'm sorry." Neither one of us said anything more on the topic and we moved on to other subjects, but there was an unspoken understanding that we were both exploring the other person's openness to a relationship. Friendsgiving. The week after Thanksgiving, Stefani and I sat on stools at my kitchen island tapping away on our laptop keyboards while Toni and Lizzie played upstairs. I was answering emails, and Stefani was filling out what looked to be a very complicated accounting spreadsheet on her screen. After an hour or so, Stefani sighed and announced, "I need a break from these numbers." She extended her arms straight above her head and arched her back as she stretched. The motion served to thrust her tits outward, stretching the fabric of her thin button-up blouse and revealing the intricate texture of a lace bra beneath. It also caused the bottom of the untucked blouse to rise upward, exposing a flat, toned midriff and cute belly button. Having been caught looking, she just smiled knowingly and asked "How was your Thanksgiving?" "It was good. Lizzie and I went over to George and Linda's house for a 'Friendsgiving'. There were about ten people there, plus a few kids. We stayed for most of the day, then came home and roasted some marshmallows in the fireplace. How was yours?" "It was stereotypical," she replied as she continued in a mock monotonous tone, "We went to my parents' house, ate dinner, and all the men fell asleep watching football while my mom and sisters harassed me to find a husband. You know, all the usual things." I said sarcastically, "Sounds delightful." then asked seriously, "I take it that is a topic of conversation at every family gathering?" "Yes, they think they are being funny about it, joking about how they should set me up with this guy or that guy, but it gets annoying really fast. Especially since I know they really aren't joking. At least I won't have to hear it at Christmas. My parents decided to go on a Caribbean cruise over the holidays, so my sisters are all going to their husbands' sides of their families." I processed that for a few seconds, then asked, "Have you made any other plans? Would you and Toni like to spend Christmas here with us?" Stefani sincerely replied, "I would love that. I know Toni will too." We went on to plan out the details and decided that Stefani would bring their gifts over on Christmas Eve so she didn't have to transport them Christmas morning. That discussion evolved into Stefani bringing some of her family's traditional Italian dishes for dinner, then further into a more formal Christmas Eve dining event. She thought it would be fun for the girls, and I certainly didn't object to the idea of seeing Stefani in a nice dress. Holidays. On the Saturday two weeks before Christmas, Lizzie and I went to the local Rotary Club tree sale. Lizzie carefully inspected every tree on the lot before running back to one of the first trees near the entrance and declaring, "This is it! This is the perfect tree!" The Frazier Fir was a little big and a little expensive for my preference, but I acquiesced and paid the man standing next to me with a perceptive grin on his face. After strapping the tree on top of my Jeep, we climbed in and I asked Lizzie, "Should we see if Toni wants to come help decorate it?" Lizzie bounced in her seat and squealed, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" I pulled my phone out of my pocket and texted Stefani, "Just bought tree. U2 want to decorate tonight?" She replied back almost immediately, "Yes, I'll bring chili." When we got home, I untied the tree in the gravel driveway and did my best to shake out any loose needles. Before taking it in the house, Lizzie and I decided on a location off to the side of the great room fireplace and shifted furniture around to accommodate the tree. I then dug the tree stand and some boxes of decorations out of the basement. After all the preparations were made, I brought the tree inside. Lizzie steadied the empty stand while I placed the base of the tree and held it upright while Lizzie tightened the stand's handscrews to secure it in place. With it tightened as much as Lizzie's little fingers could muster, I crawled under the tree and made little adjustments while Lizzie gave me left or right straightening instructions. When she was satisfied, I gave each of the handscrews a final tightening. We stood together admiring our work and congratulated each other on the job well done before she went get a container of water for the tree. I spent the next couple hours on household tasks that I hadn't accomplished during the week, then decided to get cleaned up a little before Stefani and Toni arrived. I washed up, applied some fresh deodorant and cologne, then changed into a pair of casual khakis and an ugly but festive Christmas sweater. Decorating. Stefani and Toni arrived soon after I changed. Stefani carrying a crockpot of chili and Toni carrying a bag full of accompaniments. Lizzie and I greeted them at the door and unloaded their hands as they shed their coats and shoes. Stefani laughed at my sweater as she slid her coat off her shoulders, "Seriously?" I feigned ignorance and replied sarcastically, "What?!" With coats hung up and the crock pot plugged in, the four of us found our way over to the unadorned tree and began discussing how to decorate it. I opened the box containing light strands and said, "We have some multi-color lights and some white lights, which should we use ladies?" The two girls discussed it for a moment then answered in unison, "All of them!" I chuckled and started untangling the light strands and stringing them around the tree as Stefani and the girls explored the other boxes of decorations I had brought up from the basement. I couldn't help but admire Stefani as she picked through the boxes and watched me wrap lights around the tree. She was wearing a loose-fitting cream color corded sweater, black leggings, and cream color fuzzy socks that matched her sweater. I'm sure she intended it as a comfortable lounging outfit, but it complimented her long, toned body very well. I finished the last strand of lights and took a seat on the sofa while Toni and Lizzie continued unwrapping ornaments and laying them out on the floor. Stefani had found a tree skirt in one of the boxes and asked, "Should I put it on?" I answered, "Sure. There should be another one somewhere in the boxes if you want to see it, but I think the one you have is the best." She said, "This one is nice." then crawled over to the tree. She unfolded the skirt and reached under the tree while on her hands and knees to pull it around the trunk. Gravity slid the bottom of her oversize sweater above her hips and a few inches up her back as she leaned and stretched to adjust the skirt, presenting a wonderful view of her perfect heart-shaped rear. My gaze was fixed on the sensual, womanly curves that were only slightly veiled by the form-fitting legging fabric. Stefani pulled the skirt edges outward and tried her best to smooth any wrinkles before asking, "How does that look?" Still staring at her ass, I rallied courage to suggestively answer, "It looks incredible." Curious about the overly enthusiastic response, Stefani looked back over her shoulder and saw me looking at her rear, not the tree skirt. She smiled mischievously, subtly wiggled her ass, then spent a couple more minutes unnecessarily straightening imaginary wrinkles in the skirt. The girls were unaware of the adult exchanges and Lizzie innocently asked, "Can we start putting ornaments on now?" I came back to reality and answered, "Sure, go for it!" as Stefani moved to sit next to me on the sofa. The girls formulated a plan for shorter Lizzie to decorate the bottom of the tree, taller Toni to hang ornaments on the middle section, and Stefani and me to get whatever they couldn't reach. Stefani nestled against my side as we watched the girls make trips back and forth between selecting ornaments laid on the floor and choosing the perfect location for each on the tree. Their happiness being together and sharing in the festive atmosphere was infectious, and I sat there feeling emotions I hadn't felt in a very long time. It was very comfortable to have Toni and Stefani there with us. It just felt right. With those thoughts swirling in my head, my hand reached to find Stefani's and our fingers intuitively interlaced. My heart swelled as Stefani snuggled further into me. When the girls had their portions of the tree sufficiently loaded, Stefani and I finished decorating the upper portion and I added the crowning star. We all stood back to admire our work and I flipped the switch for the grand lighting finale. The girls cheered with delight while Stefani and I each put an arm around the other's back and shared a side-hug while appreciating the tree. After sharing a few moments, Stefani moved on to serve dinner while I cleaned up the empty decoration boxes. We all shared conversation over the meal at the dining room table, then played some after-dinner card games. I felt a pang of emptiness when it was time for Stefani and Toni to leave, and really didn't want them to go. That evening I felt a sense of family that I hadn't felt since Julie died. I didn't want to scare Stefani with the heaviness of my thoughts, and understatedly said, "I really enjoyed spending the day with you. I hope we can all spend more evenings like this together." Stefani wasn't as subtle. As they were putting their coats on and heading out the door, she gave me a goodbye hug with the girls looking on, and whispered in my ear, "I didn't see mistletoe hung anywhere. You should get some." Holiday Break. The week before Christmas was a whirlwind, filled with school holiday activities, Christmas shopping, and end-of-the-year accounting for my business. There wasn't time for play dates, but we did all see each other at the school holiday play and concert. Both girls had parts in the play, Toni as an ice skater and Lizzie tending a chestnut roasting cart. Stefani and I found each other in the crowd of parents entering the auditorium and enjoyed the show side-by-side. I didn't know how she felt about the two of us being friendly in public, so I sat next to her playing the part of a plutonic acquaintance. It was Stefani who reached over and placed her hand on the top of my thigh, which I covered with mine and gave a squeeze of affection. We all went to the downtown sweet shop after the concert where the girls both ate mountainous ice cream sundaes while Stefani and I sipped on decaf coffee. We shared another goodbye hug when we parted ways at the end of the evening. This time it was my turn to whisper in Stefani's ear, "We need to find some time alone." She inhaled sharply and shuddered a little when I discreetly placed a kiss just under her ear. The Big Event. On the morning of Christmas Eve, Lizzie and I made some final preparations for the big event, including retrieval of a formal set of china and crystal stemware packed away in the basement. We washed all the china and stemware before turning our attention to the table by spreading a white linen tablecloth, arranging the china and crystal place settings, and creating a centerpiece with some fir boughs and velvet ribbon. The crowning element was a forest of candles randomly spaced along the center of the table. After finishing, I steered Lizzie up to her room to change clothes before doing a quick final clean of the kitchen and great room, then heading upstairs to freshen up and change. I opted for a slightly casual look with a sport coat and open collar button-down shirt. Lizzie went for an all-out, over-the-top look in a way only a third-grade girl can, with a long lace dress, heels, and an abundance of costume jewelry. I heard gravel crunching under tires as I was complimenting Lizzie on her dress and looked out the window to see Stefani and Toni's car coming to a stop outside. Lizzie and I greeted them at the door. Lizzie with squeals of excitement for Toni, and me with a hug for Stefani. With a long overcoat still on, Stefani said, "Presents and dinner are in the trunk of my car. Would you mind?" "Of course not." I didn't bother putting on a coat and swiftly walked out to retrieve hot trays of food covered in aluminum foil and packed in boxes. Toni held the door open upon my return to the house and I complimented her attire, which was on par with Lizzie's style for the evening. I entered to see Stefani standing in the kitchen wearing a floor-length, deep burgundy satin evening gown. The off-the-shoulder cut drew attention to her lithe neck and sensually exposed collar bones and shoulders, while the deep-V bust line and her pendant necklace pointed directly to the shallow valley between her modest tits. The torso of the dress was neatly fitted to her narrow waist then flared outward over her hips into the pleated A-line gown. It was the perfect dress for her body and she looked absolutely amazing. My admiration grew even more when she shifted position to purposefully reveal a long, toned leg through the full length slit in the side. "You look incredible!" I praised while placing the boxes of food on the kitchen island and making a show of looking at her from head to toe. She feigned a shy, "Aww, thank you." and humbly said, "I wear it once a year for the company holiday party." I turned to make another trip to her car and on the way out the door, I replied, "You should wear it more often. You make that dress look really good." I made several trips schlepping boxes of food and Christmas presents. When I returned and put the last couple boxes on the kitchen counter, Stefani had begun unpacking an assortment of homemade Italian dishes, including chicken piccata, fettucine with clam sauce, an antipasto salad, and an assortment of other side dishes. I exclaimed, "Wow, this looks and smells fantastic!" as I moved to steal a small clam off the top of the fettucine. She swatted my hand and playfully disciplined, "You need to wait, mister!" The girls tasked themselves with lighting the numerous candles on the table as I dimmed the house lights. Meanwhile, Stefani finished plating the last few items and carried them to the table. We dined by the soft glow of candlelight talking about good memories of Christmas, with Stefani and I temporarily ignoring the painful ones from our respective pasts. At one point, as the girls were consumed with a conversation of their own, Stefani commented, "This china is beautiful. You have good tastes." I didn't want to kill the mood, but I also wanted to be honest. "Julie picked it out for our wedding registry. She had an eye for the finer things in life." "Oh my gosh, I'm so, so sorry! I should have known!" "Please, it's okay. I wouldn't have used it if I wasn't ready to talk about it. I figured it was time to dust it off for a special occasion." She meekly asked, "Is this the first time you've used it since?" "Yes." Her beautiful blue eyes looked warmly into mine as her long slender fingers mindlessly twirled a lock of hair above her right ear. She spoke with layers of meaning, "I'm understanding more and more that Julie knew how to choose the finer things." We shared an extended gaze across the table that was only interrupted by Toni asking, "Can we have dessert now?" Stefani and I chuckled and she answered, "Yes, you may." before standing up to clear the table of dirty plates. I offered in my best butler voice, "I will service the table, madam, if you would like to prepare the next course for the Ladies of the Court." The girls thought that was hilarious and started practicing their own stuffy accents, which only intensified as consequences of the sugary tiramisu and cannoli took hold. When we had all finished, I announced in my Lordship voice, "Thank you Ladies, the food was remarkable and so was the company. Shall we retire to the parlor for after-dinner amusements?" The girls looked confused, so Stefani clarified, "He means games." after which they scrambled out of their chairs to explore the cabinet housing our selection of card and board games. Stefani and I cleared the table and generally tidied up the kitchen while the girls debated which games to play. We worked efficiently as a team, sharing a lot of unnecessary and 'accidental' touches as we moved about. The girls finished their game selections and we played several games of 'Chutes 'N Ladders' before moving on to 'Sorry' and, finally, a very long game of 'Monopoly' in which they eventually lost interest and asked if they could go watch a movie in the basement. Stefani started to object, "It's getting late. We should probably be going." before I gestured for the girls to go on downstairs. They didn't wait for Stefani's response and took off down the stairs. She looked at me quizzically as I stood up and motioned for her to follow me. We trailed the girls down the stairs where Stefani silently absorbed what was before her. I had set up two twin beds in front of the downstairs television and created a makeshift tent out of some decorative tree branches, tulle fabric, and twinkle lights. It was a perfect sleepover paradise for two third-grade girls. I put my arm around Stefani and whispered in her ear, "You're right, it is getting late. Maybe you should just spend the night." She put her arm around my back and whispered back, "Umm; sounds nice, but;” as she nodded toward the girls. I responded not to her, but to Lizzie and Toni who were sitting on one of the beds scrolling through movie options on the DVR. "Girls?" When they both raised their heads to look at me, I announced, "We've decided to let you have a sleepover tonight so that we can all be here together for Christmas morning;” They cheered and hugged each other before I continued, "; but there are a couple rules; first, you can watch a movie, then you need to get ready for bed in the bathroom down here and go right to sleep. The pink gift bags on your beds are special Christmas Eve sleepover kits with pajamas, toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a few other things." Lizzie and Toni scurried to check out the gift bags, but I interceded, "Wait a minute; the second rule is that you can't come upstairs until 7:00 tomorrow morning;” I said motioning to Stefani and I, "; we need a decent night's sleep. Do you both agree to the rules?" They eagerly shouted in unison, "Yes, Yes, Yes!" "Ok, we'll see you on Christmas morning!" Before we could turn to leave, Toni asked, "Mom, where will you sleep?" I anticipated the question and interceded with a little white lie, "She'll sleep in my bed. I'm going to sleep on the great room sofa so I can make sure you two don't try to sneak upstairs to look at the presents." Seemingly satisfied with that answer, Toni simply said, "Okay, goodnight mom." To be continued in part 3. Based on a post by Architect 23 94, in 3 parts, for Literotica.

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Happy winter to all our listeners in the Northern Hemisphere!As temperatures drop and daylight fades, many of us naturally spend more time indoors. This makes it an ideal moment to refresh your space and create an environment that feels warm, inviting, and supportive for the season. This week, we're sharing practical tips for enhancing your home's energy—from brightening your front door to balancing the five elements and weaving Yuletide symbolism into your décor. Small, intentional changes can bring warmth and vitality to your home all winter long.What we talk about in this episode:Feng shui principles to enhance winter decoratingThe front door is crucial for inviting energyRed as a powerful color in feng shuiIncorporating fire, wood, and earth elements for balanceEvergreens as a symbol of growth and vitality in winterWreaths to represent unity and continuity in decor…and much more!Mentioned in this episode:Reset Your Home & Spirit: Year of the Fire Horsefind abundance and success with feng shui in 2026!Our Feng Shui Energy Map EkitThanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!-Sign up for our newsletter for exclusive complimentary special workshops and offers for our newsletter subscribers ONLY! -Make sure you're following us on Instagram for feng shui tips and live Q&A's.-Learn about our courses and certification on our website at: Mindful Design School.-Check out our older episodes on our Holistic Spaces Podcast archive.MORE QUESTIONSHire one of our Mindful design school Grads for a 1-1 consultation. We know so many personal questions come up. That's why you need a 1-1! Laura and Anjie offer all these freebies, but if you want to learn more it's time to ask a professional. learn more HERENEW EPISODES OF THE HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST BY MINDFUL DESIGN ARE AVAILABLE EVERY MONDAY.Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!Sign up for our newsletter for exclusive complimentary special workshops and offers for our newsletter subscribers ONLY! Make sure you're following us on Instagram for feng shui tips and live Q&A's.Learn about our courses and certification on our website at: Mindful Design School.Check out our older episodes on our Holistic Spaces Podcast archive.MORE QUESTIONSHire one of our Mindful design school Grads for a 1-1 consultation. We know so many personal questions come up. That's why you need a 1-1! Laura and Anjie offer all these freebies, but if you want to learn more it's time to ask a professional. learn more HEREORDER OUR NEW BOOK HERE

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy! Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are going to be here before you know it.  Whatever you celebrate, I am sure you have a lot to do before the big day or big week.. Decorating, gift shopping, planning the menu for family holiday dinners, and added to this, enough stress for 10 people.  I think stress naturally goes with holidays.  I was actually thinking of sharing some of my traditional Italian cookies and pastry recipes but…this is not a cooking show, so I will stick with my subjects for your home.If you are remodeling any part of your home, or building a new home, or are in the middle of planning a remodel project, now is not the time to think about this.  Just relax. Watch Christmas movies, make ornaments & cookies with your kids and have fun.Several weeks ago I reviewed the walk in tub.  I shared my honest opinion on the pros and cons. Today I am reviewing  an interesting product for the kitchen.  I really like induction cooktops but this one by Invisacook goes a step further.How does it workPros & ConsVentilationCostI hope today's episode on the pros and cons of a new product.If you have questions,  please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com.  All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Second Sunday in Advent; Sermon based on Isaiah 11:1-10. Preached at The First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn (https://linktr.ee/firstchurchbrooklyn). Podcast subscription is available at https://cutt.ly/fpcb-sermons or Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4ccZPt6), Spotify, Amazon, Audible, Podcast In....This item belongs to: audio/first-church-brooklyn-sermons.This item has files of the following types: Archive BitTorrent, Columbia Peaks, Item Tile, Metadata, PNG, Spectrogram, VBR MP3

Welcome to vlogmas sloots! Our December episodes will all be filled w/ holiday cheer including but not limited to gift guides, getting drunk off holiday drinks, making snowflakes and more. This week we're decorating my mini tree and finally recapping my SKIMS shoot! enjoy xoxo  Follow Sofia on:  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sofiafranklyn   TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@sofiafranklyn   Twitter - https://twitter.com/sofiafranklyn    Threads - https://www.threads.net/@sofiafranklyn  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://ww.audacvinc.com/privacy-policy   Go to https://www.ro.co/Sofia to see if your insurance covers GLP-1s—for free. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

THURSDAY HR 1 Decorating for Christmas. The year end review from your music apps. Celeb interviews can change how you see them. Kenny Chesney still relevant? Fake products out there.

THURSDAY HR 1 Decorating for Christmas. The year end review from your music apps. Celeb interviews can change how you see them. Kenny Chesney still relevant? Fake products out there. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EP 13.526 | Even Christmas traditions should be done for the glory of God. Charles and Daniel bring biblical meaning and purpose behind their personal Christmas traditions that have long been held in their family.

#200: Holiday magic rarely arrives tidy, and that's exactly why this week felt so good. I switched my usual Nashville trek to host my aunt in Huntsville, crammed a work sprint into a pre-holiday marathon, and wrestled a nine-foot tree into a gold-and-pink glow that made the whole house exhale. One guest room makeover became a full-blown decor spiral—because once one corner shines, the rest of the house starts asking for equal treatment.We chased the Galaxy of Lights on a clear night, and my aunt—fresh from two knee replacements—crushed a walk through the botanical garden like a champ. The next day, we tested D-Box seats for Wicked and discovered that vibrating, tilting chairs plus a musical equals chaotic amusement with adjustable settings. Between laughs and leaning seats, I took her to my go-to Huntsville gems that feel like community: small rooms, familiar faces, and food that tastes like someone's watching over the details.Midweek, a family health scare turned us into advocates. Without airing private details, we sat at the table where care plans are decided and remembered how heavy it is when no one knows a patient's wishes. That's why I'm asking you to have the hard conversations now: CPR or not, intubation preferences, hospice versus rehab, who holds medical power of attorney, and where those documents live. Plans can change, but clarity spares families heartache when time is short. After a reset drive home, I did a double Thanksgiving—early with family, late with chosen family—and listened to my body when it said to sit down.Also, a PSA for the loyal listeners: I'm selling chairs, not retiring. The podcast room is getting a glow-up, and the stories aren't slowing down. If you love holiday recaps, cozy decor talk, candid health wisdom, and a little chaos with your cranberry sauce, you'll feel right at home here. Tap follow, share this episode with someone who needs the nudge to plan their care wishes, and leave a review with your spiciest D-Box seat take.You can now send us a text to ask a question or review the show. We would love to hear from you! Follow me on social: https://www.instagram.com/babbles_nonsense/

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Home Design Chat with Nancy! I hope this is not the first time you are listening to my podcasts but if it is you will learn  all about your home…how to plan, design and execute your remodel and much more. my passion is about design and to educate….that's my reason for doing this podcast every week.Today's episode is all about giving you design inspiration and helping you decorate safely. We're going to cover what's trending in Christmas décor for 2025, what colors and materials designers are loving this year, and the safest way to create a beautiful holiday home without setting off the smoke alarm.If you want a holiday home that looks magical but is still safe for kids, pets, and your peace of mind, stay with me — this is your guide to safe and stylish decorating this Christmas.Check your lights before you use them to decorateDon't overload your outletsSafe decorating for outdoorsReal tree vs artificial treeCandles - the #1 hazardNow for the fun stuff:Warm Luxe meets WhimsyColor trends in decorating for the holidaysThe holiday metallic colorPastel colors for ChristmasBows everywhereTexture and more textureHandmade decorThe ambient glowMultiple treesI hope today's episode gave you a mix of inspiration and practical ideas to make your home look beautiful and stay safe this Christmas. Decorating should be fun — and with a little thoughtfulness, it can be magical without becoming dangerous.If you have questions,  please send them to Nancy@NancyHugo.comBy the way, you can send me an email at Nancy@nancyhugo.com to get on my email list for DesignersCircleHQ.com. All the podcasts are posted there as well as Design Trends, Design News and more.  DesignersCirclehq.com is a website!If you want to learn more about me, go to NancyHugo.com This podcast is sponsored by ⁠⁠Monogram.com

Let's revisit some characteristics of December energy because last week you were deep in Thanksgiving energy and you may have missed a few things I suggested planning. Do we all agree the energy has shifted? Even though the calendar still says November, we're all in December! After the Big Meal The dishes have been cleaned and the company has gone home. Now what? You have a couple of days before you return to your normal weekly routines. Now is the time to plan so you can be a proactive holiday person instead of reactive. This is the time to prevent stress and over spending. It's never about all the things we need to do. It's the order in which we do them, when we do them, and the energy we have when we do them. I want to start to focus on what needs to be done to set up this audience for success on Saturday and Sunday or these situations when we have unique pockets of time. Here's the plan to set you up for success as we go into December! Before You Unpack the Holiday Decor Let's plan decorating your home for December.  What does it look like, smell like, and taste like in your home during December? Remember how we asked our family what they'd like for Thanksgiving? Do the same for December.  My family told me it was all about lights for them. So a few years ago I just put up what I wanted and lots of lights.  I thought for sure they'd remember a certain item so I kept everything. But no. And the next year the same. But the dread I felt knowing I had tubs of decor I didn't want to use put a damper on wanting to decorate. After Christmas that second year of not putting out as much I convinced myself to donate all the extras…even childhood items. I felt an epic amount of guilt.  But that next year when I went to get out the decorations all I felt was relief!!  I went from trying to fulfill non-existent family expectations to minimally decorating to donating extras and decorating in record time. But now is the time or you'll blink and it'll be the Monday before Christmas!  And now is the time to shop! I shop now because the lists are ever changing. This prevents me from spending in September and December thus going over budget.  Lots of time the prices go down or you get better deals like bundles.  It's less time that I have to hide what I bought although this year Organize 365® is the delivery address of choice so I (and all employees) don't have to hide anything.  And this is the shopping energy season. Everyone else is shopping and I love to shop so naturally I want to be shopping too! This is also the time to stock up on cards and gift cards for global gifts for people like your babysitter, teachers, amazon delivery people, your house keeper, trash collectors, and etc. Winter Break This is the time of year I normally plan one big outing and a couple of smaller outings. You'll all be home and the kids will be looking for something to do and you probably don't want to spend a bazillion dollars. You can still sleep in, I am just encouraging you to plan something each day. Usually the most fun times come from someone planning it. You can plan an activity or goal each day. I shared how I planned my extra time in episode 683. I want you to revisit it and think about how you could best provide some self care? When the break is over you will feel like you made memories, accomplished a few goals, and ready for January.  EPISODE RESOURCES: Black Friday Sales Catalog Episode 683 - PTO Time Just for ME! Modern Self Care The Sunday Basket® Sign Up for the Organize 365® Newsletter  Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Organize 365® when you share on social media!

Happy Thanksgiving, DFW! In this week's episode, we're kicking things off with a very important holiday PSA: Do NOT fry your turkey indoors. Your house (and your fire department) will thank you. From there, we dive into a fun, heartfelt Thanksgiving conversation, the food, the family traditions, the way our homes shape the holidays, and why gratitude matters more than ever.

Dean reveals his famous 80-20 rule for holiday decorating: 80% of the wow comes from just 20% of the zhoosh – learn exactly where to spend your time and money for maximum impact. Then it’s a mindset shift: Stop decorating only the front of the house for the neighbors and start turning the back of your home (the part YOU see every day) into your personal winter wonderland. Dean and Brian debate garlands vs. wreaths, real vs. artificial, and how to make the holidays feel more about YOU and your family than impressing the guests. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join T, Father Fortenberry, Gary, Marty Mar the Bourbon Nerd and Brother Fortenberry as they discuss headlines of the day!Check out our Website:https://lifefromthepatio.com/merchBecome a Legend today:https://thebourbonlegends.comfollow us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/lifefromthepatio2 @Fatherfortenberry@LFTP@BourbonNerd-LFTP@BrotherFortenberry#bourbon #whiskey #fye #KnobCreek#Jack Daniels#comedy #podcast#funnyvideo #buffalotrace #distillery#buffalo #LFTP#oldforester #jimbeam #heavenhill#Bluenote#Shortbarrel#rye #ark #arknights#arkansas #nba #nfl #razorbacks #newyears #resolutions#LFTP #Fred Minnick#bourbonlive#live#livenews

11-18-25 - BR - TUE - w/Frank Caliendo - Xmas Tree Preference Leads To Story Of Frank's Huge Xmas Decorating Display - 10yo Kid Drives Mom's Car Back Home From School When She Goes InsideSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11-18-25 - BR - TUE - w/Frank Caliendo - Xmas Tree Preference Leads To Story Of Frank's Huge Xmas Decorating Display - 10yo Kid Drives Mom's Car Back Home From School When She Goes InsideSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why it time to clean our your fridge.. A way to talk to someone who has passed away.. Decorating for Christmas..

Emily and Ann sit down for a cozy chat all about decorating for the holidays We share what's inspiring us this season, how we're styling our own spaces and brightening and buttoning up!

Hi friends! Happy Yap Friday!! Thank you so much for being here!! I hope you enjoy :)

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Friday, October 17th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "No Hair Weaves" | Ask The CLO | Special Guest: Mikel Welch | Diddy | Roscoe Wallace | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "I Left My Medicine In Your House" | Strawberry Letter - "Just Burn The Whole RV" Parts 1-2 | Junior's Sports Talk | Social Media Advice | Ready To Love Update From Tommy | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.