Honey, will you paint our bedroom?

Seems like a simple request, doesn't it? As you can see, the bedroom was a dark colored plum. I was really getting tired of it, so I said, "Honey, will you paint our bedroom my favorite color?" Of course he said "Yes" and the adventure began. That was in early November.


The color was picked out and the new carpet was ordered. We also decided to update the fixtures as well. We custom ordered really nice expensive Delta fixtures from Lowe's. I'm telling you they were Delta because that's important to the story.




The fixtures were shipped directly to our home and arrived in about ten days. John immediately installed the faucets because the room had been painted. The painting was no easy job because going from a dark color to a light color requires Kilz plus two coats of paint, but that went rather quickly.




The fixture made for the Roman tub just wouldn't go in. We went back to Lowe's and were told that we needed new valves, so they were ordered. Another ten day wait for the valves. I had ordered new bedding and it had arrived and was safely tucked away waiting for the room to be finished. Lowe's is calling every Monday to see when the carpet can be installed and I am telling them that there is a plumbing problem and the carpet has to be last. They just want to be sure that I am happy.




Keep in mind that John is traveling and out from three to four nights a week, so all the work has to be done on the weekends.




The new valves arrive and on the next weekend John tries once again to install the fixture for the Roman tub, but it just won't fit. When he leaves on Monday, I call my new best friend at Lowe's, Wayne, and tell him the new valve just won't fit. (John is not a plumber, but there really isn't much that he can't do.) Wayne asks the million dollar question that has not been asked before. "What kind of fixtures do you have?" I take the phone with me into the shower and in little bitty letters I tell Wayne "Price Pfister". He says, "Well, that valve will never fit. Let me explain it to you. It would be like trying to put Chevrolet parts on a Ford. You will need to bring those fixtures back and order Price Pfister." Okay, John will be home Friday and we'll bring the Delta's back and order Price Pfister.




On Saturday off we go to Lowe's once again. After thinking about it, I decide since the brass Delta's need to go back (the entire bathroom is in brass), why don't we update to brushed nickel. So when we get to Lowe's, I pick out Price Pfister fixtures that are very close to the Delta's in style, all in brushed nickel.





Have you looked around your bathroom and noticed how much metal there is? Shower trim, knobs, hinges (both door and cabinet), door handles and light fixtures are all matching, so now we have to replace all of it. Oh, I forgot towel bars and toilet paper holder as well.




Then the hunt begins. We find the cabinet hinges at Home Depot, the cabinet knobs and door handles and hinges at Lowe's. The new light fixtures at a local light fixture company. This takes quite a while. The cabinet needs repainting and the only thing I could think to do for the shower trim was to paint it. Lowe's recommended a paint that would adhere to the metal and that painting had to be done. All of these swap outs are a lot of work and meanwhile, Lowe's is calling every Monday to see if they can install the carpet.




Finally everything is painted. All the light fixtures, towel bars, knobs and hinges are in place and we are ready to have the carpet installed. One little deviation from the story. We had not had draperies on our bedroom windows and I wanted them for a little color. I needed a ten foot pole to put up (insert your on ten foot pole joke here) the draperies because the window is eight feet wide. I had to go to the department that sells hand railings and get a round pole that is unfinished, so John had to paint the drapery rod and install the finials.




As we are doing our final walk through with the carpet installers coming on Monday, I go, "Oh, no! The ceiling fan is brass!!!" So, off to Lowe's again and we purchase a great new ceiling fan in brushed nickel so that everything will match.




The carpet installers arrive on Monday and do an excellent job of getting the new carpet in and at last, I can put the new bedding on. This is the results.












I monogrammed our new red towels and put out the new lamp. We carefully selected the wall hangings from the many that we have and hung them in place.

The final touch is the new flower arrangement for the counter top. We had it custom made and I think the florist did a magnificent job getting the right colors. Because she knew that it would be reflected in the mirror, she made the back as pretty as the front.

We have the room roped off, sort of like they do at Mount Vernon and other historical homes. You can just peep in. I guess we'll soon actually walk on the new carpet, but in the meantime, I have to say that my sweet husband never once complained about what I wanted. He saw the vision too, and just four months and a few days later, it is finally finished!

Lead Outs, No Breaks, and Pinebrook Inn

Lead Outs were unique to the big dances of the fraternities and sororities. At about ten o'clock an announcement would be made that it was time for the Lead Out. This is where the officers and seniors of the sorority would line up and be "presented". You would walk out on stage with your office announced and stand in the center of the stage. You would walk down a ramp to a platform where you and your date would be introduced "Miss Carol Horne, President, escorted by ?????" You would then put your arm through his and walk the rest of the way down the ramp. Everyone would be gathered around and would applaud.

The No Breaks would occur after the Lead Out. Each officer would name their favorite slow song of the time. Starting with the junior officers leading up to the President. She would always, of course, be last. The announcer would say "Miss Carol Horne dancing her no break, Only You, with Mr. ???. The couple would move to the center of the dance floor under a spot light and they would dance their special selection. It is much like a bride at her reception. ( A little side note here. It took special training to know how to put your hoop right on top of his shoes so that your gown would not be over your head in the back causing much embarrassment.) After a few bars of the song, then everyone would come onto the dance floor and enjoy the music. But, the rule was, no one would break in on that couple.

Now you might think that at about midnight the big event would be over. But no, there is more to come. Your date would take you home and patiently wait while you changed clothes into a short semi-formal and then off to Pinebrook Inn for the breakfast.

Prior to the breakfast you would have pre-selected your meal. This would usually be steak, chicken, or shrimp. The breakfast would be just for the members and not for everyone that had attended the dance. The breakfast would usually last until around four in the morning.

I don't know how my poor Daddy stood it. He would wait up until I was safely home in his chair by the front door. As you can tell, Macon was quite an unusual place to grow up. It was very social. There would be at least three big dances requiring ball gowns and two of those would require a semi-formal for the breakfast. If you broke up with a guy or if you were helping out a friend that just wasn't dating anyone at the moment, you could go to as many as five big dances plus the Military Ball.

Oh, did I mention that one of the favorite local bands (and we did hire bands) was Johnny Jenkins and the Pinetoppers featuring Otis Redding? Yes, I was right at the stage standing about three feet from Otis Redding at the beginning of his career. Another local favorite, but a little after my time was The Allman Brothers. One of the lead singers, Dickey Betts is my cousin. They toured all the local places and did a few dances when they were trying to make it.

There is not a girl on the face of the planet that did not enjoy dressing up like a princess for the evening and yes, I did have a tiara. These are very fond memories, indeed!